Vehicle: 2013 Lexus ES350, automatic transmission, 122,000 miles - ATF has never been changed. I took my vehicle to the Lexus dealership and had them do a drain and fill. Only 1 quart of fluid drained out. The mechanic added 2 quarts, calibrated the level. What does this mean if only 1 quart drained out? What should I do now??
Only 1 quart of fluid drained out. The mechanic added 2 quarts, calibrated the level.
It would mean the transmission was a quart low on fluid prior to the service.
What should I do now??
For now, just drive it. (Make sure the transmission is still working properly)
Thank you Hixster. If I understand correctly, a transmission should have about 5 quarts of fluid. I know that not all of the fluid will drain out, but shouldn't there be more than 1 quart that drains out? What happened to the other 4 quarts? Is it stuck in the transmission?
If I understand correctly, a transmission should have about 5 quarts of fluid
Transmissions generally hold around 12 to 14 quarts, it depends on the vehicle/transmission.
shouldn't there be more than 1 quart that drains out?
Yes, there should have been more. The reason this drain and fill method is done so often is because the chance of having an issue afterwards is greatly reduced. Most of the transmission fluid is retained in the torque converter.
You're not trying to change as much as possible, you're trying to introduce new fluid without creating problems.
I'm concerned that so little fluid drained out. What would cause it not to drain out?
I read on this forum of someone had problems after the drain and fill, a friend suggested it was due to a clogged filter. The new fluid mixing with the old fluid caused loosened debris to clog the filter. So he did a drain and fill again, and transmission worked fine after that. From then on, he did drain and fill regularly (not sure what the intervals were, but I think he said up to that point he had done 5 more drain and fills) and he is still driving without transmission problems. So I think that is what I will do - another drain and fill after 5,000 miles. And then maybe again after 10,000 miles. What do you think?
P.S. I have read through every FAQ on this subject in this forum as of today; it's quite frustrating to hear conflicting advice. I've also listened to Scotty Kilmer's and The Car Care Nut's videos on this subject several times - which was NOT to do anything since it's too late, there's too many miles. Then reading the advice from advisors on this forum, I decided to do the drain and fill at the Lexus Dealership, trusting that they have proper equipment and expertise.
I'm concerned that so little fluid drained out. What would cause it not to drain out?
The level could have been low. It should be right now tho.. No need getting overly concerned.
People often misunderstand the purpose of a "drain and fill". The main idea is to NOT shock the hydraulics of your transmission. You achieve this by exchanging a small portion of the old fluid, with a 'proportional amount' of new fluid. In case the procedure causes slipping or issues, you save your old fluid as a sort of fail-safe.
Whether or not one wants to "attempt" doing a drain and fill procedure, well..
You're already successfully past that point.
another drain and fill after 5,000 miles. And then maybe again after 10,000 miles. What do you think?
Further drain and fills? I'd probably do another one after a 2-3 k miles, and save my fluid again.
Thank you Hixster. I will do another drain and fill as you suggested. I won't wait for a problem to occur.