Camry Hybrid Transmission Fluid?

[auwahwong]

i got a 08 tch and i dont believe the manual says anythin about transmission fluid. This CVT is kinda new to me and i was wondering if anybody here got any input on whether or not the car even uses transmission fluid or something like that b/c i might have to change it soon

[ukrkoz]

Originally Posted by auwahwong

i got a 08 tch and i dont believe the manual says anythin about transmission fluid. This CVT is kinda new to me and i was wondering if anybody here got any input on whether or not the car even uses transmission fluid or something like that b/c i might have to change it soon

1. Toyota believes it's a lifetime fluid
2. of course, it needs to be changed, unless you are one of those zealots that firmly believes into anything a car maker says
3. it's WC ATF, world class, i think. price varies from dealership to dealership, i paid 7 bucks a can
4. you need 4 cans.
5. click on my name and then on "all posts" and find one about ATF change. i have complete write up with pics on "how to".
6. around here, folks sort of agree to change it around 50-60 K miles.
7. why is that you "might have" to change it soon? problems?

[auwahwong]

Originally Posted by ukrkoz

1. Toyota believes it's a lifetime fluid
2. of course, it needs to be changed, unless you are one of those zealots that firmly believes into anything a car maker says
3. it's WC ATF, world class, i think. price varies from dealership to dealership, i paid 7 bucks a can
4. you need 4 cans.
5. click on my name and then on "all posts" and find one about ATF change. i have complete write up with pics on "how to".
6. around here, folks sort of agree to change it around 50-60 K miles.
7. why is that you "might have" to change it soon? problems?

thanks for all your answers, i just think so because im at 53k miles and i assumed that would be the appropriate miles to do so.

[ukrkoz]

you welcome. yes, it's about time. you really don't have to, but you know, for the sake of sleeping well...

[Droid13]

Just as an FYI, Toyota Canada has always recommended this fluid be changed at 72 month or 96000km (60,000 mile) intervals.

[Frodo65]

Originally Posted by auwahwong

i got a 08 tch and i dont believe the manual says anythin about transmission fluid. This CVT is kinda new to me and i was wondering if anybody here got any input on whether or not the car even uses transmission fluid or something like that b/c i might have to change it soon

HSD is not like other CVT designs that depend on friction (e.g. belt-based CVTs). As such, it's not as hard on the fluid as those designs. It's more like a manual transmission or a differential in terms of what it demands of its lubricant, i.e. lubrication and heat transfer.

That said, a 'lifetime lubricant' is prophetic - when the lubricant can't do its job, the component life ends. Every lubricant will deteriorate with time and heat cycles, and keeping lubricant pristine will extend component life. A 5 year change interval will keep the electric motors and related gear humming happily for a long time. Also keep in mind that driving cycles and conditions that generate high heat in the HSD indicate a shorter change interval.

[andym1978]

I had my TCH transaxle fluid analyzed by a lab at 55k miles. Levels were pretty decent, but the silicate levels (think sand) were a bit high. According to some prius guys, it's residual stuff left over from the casting process. My fluid was dark red (a bit dirty). It's probably a good idea to change the fluid at least once to get the casting stuff out, since silicates will cause added wear if enough is present . After that, it should last longer.

My results report is in the post below:

TCH Transaxle fluid analysis report is in!