Hi Scotty - I recently bought a 2013 Lexus E-350, automatic transmission. I bought the vehicle from a private party, who was the third owner. The carfax shows that the vehicle was brought in every 10,000 miles for maintenance. Pre-paid purchase inspection reported the undercarriage was dry and shows no external leaks; on the road test, the engine ran smooth and had good power. The engine and transmission control modules were scanned and showed no codes. This vehicle now has 122,000 miles and has never had it's transmission fluid changed. I have watched your videos about not changing transmission fluid on old cars with high mileage that have never had their fluids changed. What can I do to prolong the life of this transmission? Appreciate your help please!!
P.S I really enjoy watching your Youtube channel!
Maybe someone can explain why this is?
It's simple really. These huge corporations, including Lexus, their main interest is making money, period.
You are correct, "Lifetime Fluids" are a hoax. Corps use planned obsolescence to shorten but continue their sales cycles
I think this should be a crime, or at least false advertisement. Lexus would do well to reconsider as I thought they were known for "reliability" ===> the relentless pursuit of perfection.
Although it probably should be a criminal offense, the will to enforce any laws regarding deceptive advertising apparently 'flew the coup' years ago..
it's just plan old cost optimization. The extraordinary claim that it's a racket requires some extraordinary evidence.
like the FAQ says, if the fluid looks ok (not totally burnt up or full of clutch material) and you haven't had any shifting problems, then go ahead.
I think Scotty would say the same. Keep the old fluid just in case.
Yes, I hope the fluid looks ok and I haven't had any shifting problems; the car drives very smooth. I hope Toyota will allow me to keep the old fluid.
oh, you're having Toyota do it. in that case responsibility falls squarely on them. They must be charging you your first born.
Would not be a bad idea to check with the lexus/toyota website and put the vehicle vin in so you can see more details on the maintenance done. You may find out that the transmission fluid was serviced, as it is normally done around 90-100k.
Check the FAQ on this website for more info, then you can make your own decision.
Your mileage is not far past the recommended service, if it were me I would go ahead and change it. If you do a fluid exchange, you could keep the old fluid, and put it back in if anything were to happen.
In the end, it is your call though.
Thank you for your advice, nlord. I did check on the Lexus website, there were no records on my car. Also, I just finished reading through all the questions and answers in the FAQ on transmission fluid changes; there was conflicting opinions about what to do. I mentioned that I've watched Scotty Kilmer's youtube video on this topic, he recommends not changing on "old" cars with "high" mileage that have never been changed before, so I wanted clarification on exactly what Scotty meant by "old" and "high mileage". Is a 10 year old car with 120,000 miles considered that?
I also watch The Car Care Nut regularly and he recommends NOT changing the fluid after 120,000 miles if its never been changed before. This is my first time ever owning a Lexus and I want it to last many more years, so I'm torn about what to do. After all the reading I've done and with your advice, I'm going to take a chance and have the fluid changed. But I will take it to the Lexus/Toyota shop - instead of an independent mechanic - where they have the appropriate tools to measure the temperature and fluid level correctly and have it drained and filled only. I'll ask them to save the old fluid, just in case - as you suggested.
P.S. In the FAQ, some very good points were made in favor of changing "lifetime" fluid: 1) brake fluid is on the maintenance schedule to be changed regularly, but why isn't the transmission fluid? That doesn't make sense since transmission fluid is under more "duress" (that's my words) than brake fluid is, 2) Lexus is not the company that makes the ES350 transmission, it is made by Aisin and their recommendation is to change the transmission fluid be regularly, and 3) why does the sealed transmission have a drain bolt and filter, if it is sealed?
P.S. I'm not a mechanic- I'm a retired elementary school teacher, but I don't believe anything can last a "lifetime" in the complicated systems and dynamics required to make a car run. So I was shocked when I discovered that Lexus - a company who's slogan is "the relentless pursuit of perfection- did not have replacing the transmission fluid anywhere on their maintenance schedule. Maybe someone can explain why this is?
What can I do to prolong the life of this transmission
Just to be clear: do the drain & fill method where you are only replacing a small part of the transmission fluid and save your old fluid. After you've driven the car for a while and there are no problems then you can dispose of the old fluid. Just don't get impatient and toss out the old fluid in case you need it. This first service shouldn't create any problems.
Maybe someone can explain why this is?
simple ... "lifetime fluid"
if the transmission lasts 5 years, then that's its lifetime.