What are everybody's thoughts on the CVT fluid? Toyota says it is a lifetime fluid, but my dealer recommends replacing at $100k.

 

I meant 100k miles, not $100k LOL

 

I'll replace it for you at $100, 000.oo. I am expert, I have done it.

Now on a serious noter. It's your call. We do not believe, any such thing as lifetime fluid exists. Even most "Toyota knows better" hard heads here will agree.
From this on, we have all kind sof attitudes. Some, including truly yours, had it done around 50 000 miles. Some later. Some still wait. Mine came out perfectly clear, but I never regretted doing it.
It's your call, bud.
hey, and PM me for travel arrangements to do yours.

 

Lifetime for Toyota is only in regards to their warranty.

I changed mine a little before 100,000 miles and it was dark and difficult to see through. When I changed it the second time 50,000 miles later it was much cleaner but still "not clear". FWIW...

It is not a difficult job and worth doing if you are approaching 100,000 miles and you plan on keeping the car. Otherwise, I would not worry about it.

 

Agree with others. I changed mine at 39k and it was dark. But I am sure you could go many miles and never change it. I plan on driving this car for a while so I am going to change it every 40-60k.

 

Lifetime fluid is often prophetic - when the lubricant degrades to the point it can't do its job, the component it's supposed to lubricate will more rapidly wear and fail. With the TCH, the PSD lube has to keep both its lubricating properties and its dielectric properties - degrade the second from any significant metal load, and MGs will start to fail from electrical insulation breakdown.

Lubes like that, I'd do 3-5 year change intervals simply due to environmental contamination (i.e. thermal cycling getting air in and out of the components, and inevitably sucking in some dirt). Maybe more often with dusty and/or high-humidity environments.

 

I have changed mine twice in 130,000 miles. I don't believe lifetime. Not hard to do yourself. I haven't found anywhere to buy fluid except the dealer though. Scared to use anything else.

 

That glorified fluid looks, smells, behaves, and likely works just like any other Toyota ATF.