Hello there BITOG,
I have a 2013 Lexus GS350 AWD with just under 50,000 miles. Up here in Canada, Toyota/Lexus recommends 60,000 mile transmission fluid intervals for most older vehicles with the A760 transmission; this would include the Lexus GS300 and GS350 from years 2006 to 2009, the IS350 from the same era, the LS430 from model years 2004-2006 (equipped with the A761), and the Toyota Sequoia and Tundra from 2010.
A strange thing happened around model year 2010, though. The A760E/H/F transmission, which has used Toyota WS transmission fluid basically since the very beginning, went from needing 60,000 mile transmission fluid changes to not needing transmission fluid changes at all. Did the fluid change? No. Did the transmission change? Not to my knowledge. (The differential fluid did the same thing; changes every 40,000 miles changed to "lifetime" fill, seemingly without any change to the differentials or their design.)
So what gives? Why does this no longer need fluid changes? I'm perturbed by this - while it might save me money in the short term, I see very little reason why transmission fluid or differential fluid should have miraculously changed from one year to the next to become seemingly indestructible, far unlike any other fluid one puts in a car.
My questions, therefore, are as follows:
1) Is assuming a lifetime fill for a transmission really reasonable?
2) Is the old 60,000 mile interval for transmission fluid change reasonable, or should a more or less frequent schedule be used?
3) If I do have my transmission fluid changed, should I continue to use Toyota WS fluid?
4) If I do have my transmission fluid changed, what should I request from the dealer? The initial fill (1.7 quarts) is around a sixth of the size of the entire 10.8 quart sump, so I'm not sure if I have to request anything special.
I would really appreciate the help. I really do love this car, I drive it a lot (20,000 miles a year at least) and I want to make sure that I don't end up blowing up my transmission on account of neglect, arrogance or stupidity.
Thanks in advance.
I have a 2013 Lexus GS350 AWD with just under 50,000 miles. Up here in Canada, Toyota/Lexus recommends 60,000 mile transmission fluid intervals for most older vehicles with the A760 transmission; this would include the Lexus GS300 and GS350 from years 2006 to 2009, the IS350 from the same era, the LS430 from model years 2004-2006 (equipped with the A761), and the Toyota Sequoia and Tundra from 2010.
A strange thing happened around model year 2010, though. The A760E/H/F transmission, which has used Toyota WS transmission fluid basically since the very beginning, went from needing 60,000 mile transmission fluid changes to not needing transmission fluid changes at all. Did the fluid change? No. Did the transmission change? Not to my knowledge. (The differential fluid did the same thing; changes every 40,000 miles changed to "lifetime" fill, seemingly without any change to the differentials or their design.)
So what gives? Why does this no longer need fluid changes? I'm perturbed by this - while it might save me money in the short term, I see very little reason why transmission fluid or differential fluid should have miraculously changed from one year to the next to become seemingly indestructible, far unlike any other fluid one puts in a car.
My questions, therefore, are as follows:
1) Is assuming a lifetime fill for a transmission really reasonable?
2) Is the old 60,000 mile interval for transmission fluid change reasonable, or should a more or less frequent schedule be used?
3) If I do have my transmission fluid changed, should I continue to use Toyota WS fluid?
4) If I do have my transmission fluid changed, what should I request from the dealer? The initial fill (1.7 quarts) is around a sixth of the size of the entire 10.8 quart sump, so I'm not sure if I have to request anything special.
I would really appreciate the help. I really do love this car, I drive it a lot (20,000 miles a year at least) and I want to make sure that I don't end up blowing up my transmission on account of neglect, arrogance or stupidity.
Thanks in advance.