+1 on this service. I just did the 55,000 mile oil change and at 60,000 I plan on changing the power split device, hybrid drive coolant, brake fluid and PS fluid. Usually, the 80,000 mile mark is when timing belts (the TCH has a chain..YEA..), water pumps, radiator hoses, heater hoses, engine coolant, vacuum hoses, plugs, plug wires (if equiped) and belts get changed.

 

electric p/s, no fluid, so don't be taken

 

Ed, you are correct on the TCH but I do this same schedule for all 9 cars that I do maintenance on. The rest of them have PS fluid but at least I don't need to change the hybrid system coolant for them.

 

How much work is this? (big bucks?) Is this per Toyota or for peace of mind?

Thanks

 

If I do them, about an hour to an hour and half for both and a cost of about $80. Toyota will be quite a bit higher....

 

I'm going to change my fluid tonight or tomorrow. Purchased 4 quarts @ $7 a quart at Toyota. I am interested to see how the old fluid looks and smells. I have right at 50,000 miles. That is twice as long as I run my tranny fluid in my truck. Purchased the 1/2" tubing last night and printed the helpful info from here.

Thanks everyone!

 

What about the taste?

 

My dealer (in CT) charges me just over $100 to change out the ATF in my 2004 Prius. I am now at 173,000 miles and will do the exchange for the third time in two or three months.A small group of Prius owners (me included) have been doing long term lab testing of used ATF in classic and gen2 Prii. The tests indicate that with the older Prii (2001-2003, Type IV ATF), it is wise to exchange the ATF at 30,000 mile intervals and in a Gen2 (2004-2009, Type WS ATF) at 60,000 mile intervals. Some in the group suggest a first exchange at half that mileage and then at the full interval thereafter.

Your Camry hybrids are a little heavier and have a little more powerful ICE, so it may be wise for some of you to do your own ATF testing (about $25 per test). Some have used http://www.blackstone-labs.com/ but our group have found that PDMA (now R&G labs http://www.randglabs.com/tests_.htm) does a good job. Make sure to ask for a "Viscosity Index" as this test is a good indicator of the remaining life in your ATF. My ATF testing results are in the attached PDF

The Super Long Life coolant (pink, not red) is good for 100,000 miles and each 50,000 miles thereafter (according to Toyota).

JeffD

 

Changed my fluid today, sorry, didn't taste it.

Changing the fluid is not the hard part, it is getting the car up on 4 jack stands so you can get under the car to change it. It would be a no brainer if it was on a lift. My car is harder because of the ground effects kit, I loose about an inch of clearance in the front and 2-3" in the back, makes it hard to jack up the car. Once it was up on the jack stands it wasn't bad at all. My drain and fill plugs were pretty tight. My 10 mm allen wrench is short so I had to put a 3/4" wrench on the end of it to break them loose.

The fluid was dirty, but probably not overly so for 46,000 miles. I have seen much worse come out of my truck after 25,000 miles. I still feel better having it changed, for less than $30 it is piece of mind.

I bought 4 quarts of fluid and used about 3.5 to 3.75 quarts. I could put my little finger in the hole and come out with fluid on it. It looked like I drained out around 3.5 quarts.

 

Okay, Mr. DIY (expert)...from your point of view, what mileage should someone consider changing their fluid? Is there a problem driving with dirty fluid? I know old dirty oil is bad, but is it the same with transmission fluid?