Lexus GX-470 Transmission Issue!

[@markc7889]

I got a 2009 GX 470 with 262k, no record of ATF ever changed. I drained it, dropped the pan, changed the filter and filled with Toyota ATF WS followed by drain and fill two more times. NO ISSUE. The transmission is fine smooth as silk. I never I heard that drain and fill does any harm. No sure about flushing it.

[@ianmccormick247]

Have 223,xxx no records from previous owners. I assumed it was original. I tow. A lot. Dropped pan, replaced filter, added larger trans cooler. Added liquimoly fluid. Ran through temp settings to check fill level. No issues.

[@flyboyoutdoors]

That's confidence inspiring! Glad to hear do didn't have any issues.

[@asnknight5]

So, I bought an 04 GX in sept of 2022. The GX had 252K miles, meticulous dealer service records. The previous owner gave me every single receipt from the time they first bought it off the lexus lot. I bought it even with the high mileage because alot of the big ticket items were already serviced. The only thing missing was the atf service. Original fluid from the factory. My very first thing I did once I owned it was to buy all new diff and transfer case fluid as well as ATF fluid. I drained what was in the pan, measured the same amount with the new fluid and replaced it. Drove it 15 mins, then drain and refilled. I did it a total of 6 times. Everyone was saying I was wasting good clean atf but I wanted to be thorough. The last drain and fill I did the temp/drip test and filled it up the proper amount. Anyway, jump to today, my gx is now at 273k miles, so I've put on 20k miles, I've replaced the airbags and stock suspension with a lift, added some other off-road goodies like a a winch, lights and bumpers. And my gx runs like a champ. I've driven it to Utah, Arizona, new Mexico, Nevada multiple times (I'm from northern ca). I wouldn't hesitate if I were you. The general consensus in the gxor forums is to use Amsoil or Valvoline for the fluids (I went with Amsoil just cause my favorite baja racer is sponsored by them).

[@flyboyoutdoors]

Glad to hear the trans fluid change went without issue! Thanks for the info!

[@Kdawg101]

6 times? Wow, you're a gambler. That's equivalent to doing a full flush. Watch car care nut channel about his opinion on high milage transmission fluid change and why. With these high miles you have, I'm not sure if those receipts and timely transmission fluid matters at this point. Hope I'm wrong. If you have some data about doing 'flush' on high mileage transmission please lmk.

[@asnknight5]

@@Kdawg101 GX is still running strong, even has a RTT now on it. My 1999 Honda CRV has 300k on it, runs like brand new, and my 2002 honda Accord with the 4cyl has 201k miles on it. Same thing runs like new. Except for the dang whistle in the mirror that i can't find. Lol. I just glanced at the car care nut vid and he does mention just doing a drain and fill to get new additives in the old fluid.

[@Kdawg101]

@@asnknight5 cool! Just looking out for you so you don't over do it LOL! I have seen so many videos people post about flushes then complain about not shifting. Hate to see nice cars haveissues. Thank you. As for me.....I recently got a 2007 GX 470 with about 150K miles from the rust belt. By the looks of it and by speaking to previous owners no maintenance was ever done on it. Makes me want to cry...... First order of business is timing belt/pump, and all the fluids. Doesn't seem to pull to either side, but probably steering components and brakes components are next. I'm doing extensive research on DIY and ordering parts and tools and will begin in about 4 weeks. Wish me luck :) P.S. Digging a layer deeper into car care nut, I wonder why isn't there a way to do a flush to remove all the filth and just add special "thickening" additive in lue of leaving (apparently needed) filth behind in the transmission (to help transmission in short term - adiitional 100k or 200k more miles) which in long term will probably lead to sooner rather than later transmission rebuild. Or is car care nut correct for 500k to 1M miles saying just refresh the transmission fluid by doing drain and fill as long as it happens every 30k miles? Curious how guys who have driven these things close to million miles did it and what advice they have.

[@closer71]

I'm asking around for opinions on my 2004 GX470 with 314k miles: Carfax records show it had a transmission service at 121k miles. Not sure if that was a flush or drain and fill but I suspect the latter. It had a 2nd trans service (drain & fill?) at 215k. I just got it at 314, 632. Should I do a drain and fill? Or just leave it alone? It drives and shifts fine but I need to drive it from L.A. to Los Cabos in a couple weeks and the last thing I need is a transmission problem in the middle of Baja, two hours from civilization. Thanks in advance!

[@flyboyoutdoors]

Yeah, tough call. I haven't done anything to the trans yet.

[@maddog8148]

I have a 2008 GX and I did full drain and fill on the transmission, front, rear and center transfer cases at 172k. The transmission was done at 90k prior and the others were never done. My GX now has 196k on it and runs fantastic. So I would go ahead and move forward with it. Hope this helps. 👍🏼

[@flyboyoutdoors]

I think I'm leaning to doing a drain and fill. After the Moab trip of course!

[@slashtrio]

Hi there. I have a 06 GX that has 190k. I bought this in 2021 and it’s been great. I have noticed than when in park and sometimes in drive when idling at a stop, I’ll feel this bump, like the car wants to move forward or something. It’s very brief, like little hiccups. If I’m in park and it’s doing it and I then switch to neutral it stops. I’m now mechanic at all (if that’s not already evident in my description of the problem). Just curious if it’s a transmission issue. At driving speed I don’t have any issues at all as of now. I only drive the car once or twice a weeks, so it’s a low mileage vehicle. Thanks!

[@landminehopscotch3617]

Mines an 07 and I’m experiencing the same issue. I’ve done a little research and what I’ve found is that it maybe that the driveshaft needs greasing. I believe there are 6 zerks that need to be filled and that’s hopefully it. I’m probably going to do it myself asap. 🤞

[@slashtrio]

@@landminehopscotch3617 ok thanks for the info. Yea it’s becoming fairly prominent. I was sitting with my daughter in the car having ice cream (car was in park) and it was kind of doing it repeatedly. So I put the E break on and put the truck in neutral and it stopped! I’ll have to do more research on what you suggested. But first I have to change out the air suspension, it’s sagging !

[@landminehopscotch3617]

Yeah, it sounds like we’re in the same boat… or car that is.

[@flyboyoutdoors]

slashtrio, I have also noticed the bump occasionally. I first thought it was the drive shaft, but I'm not sure it is. Thanks

[@slashtrio]

@@flyboyoutdoors hey thanks! I was just hoping it wasn’t a sign of bigger problems to come down the road!

[@Kdawg101]

Good call on NO on flush. It's counterintuitive, but correct. Watch care care nut channel. I think option 4 is most optimal - replacing some of the fluid. What did you end up doing and what's the final result?

[@flyboyoutdoors]

Still haven't done anything

[@Kdawg101]

@flyboyoutdoors OK. Lmk when you do and after few months how it does

[@torref9230]

Purchased mine with 146k with no evidence of trans maintenance--started to experince torque converter shudder/rumble at about 160k. Did a drain and fill and the rumble went away for about 5k miles. It's now back and I'm contemplating what to do. A lot of people say a full fluid swap would create the proper viscosity to prevent the torque rumble--but also the concerns about dislodging sludge is real. I'm planning to do another drain and fill, and possibly using an aditive to see if that resolves the problem longer term. I would at very least top off your ATF--as mine took in a lot more than it drained off when warmed to the proper temp without any evidence of a leak.

[@flyboyoutdoors]

I think topping it off is a great idea! Thanks,

[@jimb6881]

Like you, I’m on the fence. My 2004 has 246k and has never been serviced. I’m the second owner and the first owners had it religiously serviced at the local Lexus dealer…but no services on the transmission. I was a Toyota tech years ago and my thinking is to leave it. I have experience with drain and fills on high mileage cars (at the owners insistence) and sometimes the outcome was good, sometimes it wasn’t. No leaks on mine either and it behaves normally. Smooth, quiet. We’ll see how long she lasts 😆

[@flyboyoutdoors]

Thanks for the info, just keep our fingers crossed!

[@ocratitude]

From my understanding you cannot do a simple drain and fill as toyota uses a seald transmission new fluid must be pumped through the system.

[@asnknight5]

You can.. There's a drain and fill plug... What the 04 and up lack is the atf dipstick, but for some reason the 03 gx has the dipstick.

[@flyboyoutdoors]

I believe @asnknight5 is right, there is a fill and drain plug on the trans.

[@tamphan2520]

It’s not a really need to replace transmission fluid.my 2001 GS300 I have 250000 miles so far and it’s 23 years old and never had been changed transmission fluid. Beside my gx470 manuals book statement that it’s has a sealed transmission no need to replace transmission fluids.except some one like to do so.

[@bedrockrunner1530]

certain lexus dealers have a special machine that will take out the fluid and put new fluid in at the same rate and temperature, its not a flush and works great, I had it done on a 2012 gx460 at 120k and no issues.

[@flyboyoutdoors]

Glad to hear that you didn't have any issues!

[@dannyrusso8279]

From what I have read it seems if it has over 200k on it and it was never done, leave it as is and do nothing. I have a new to me '06 with 211k on it, with meticulous upkeep at Lexus. I have all the Lexus records and they never mentioned doing transmission service, or suggesting it to the prior owner. Maybe they know it really isn't necessary. Anyway, I'm going with doing nothing and will deal with it should a problem arise. It's a second car, so it really won't get a whole lot of use, so for me it makes sense to leave it as it is. BTW, the car runs 100% and the trans shifts perfectly, and is about as quiet as my Tesla!

[@JohnnysSidebar]

2003 GX 470 here 164k about to drain and fill. Fluid doesn’t look awful. Wish me luck. I would say drain and fill and keep doing it. If you are going to drive in another 100k you need too.

[@flyboyoutdoors]

Yeah, I hear you

[@MrOfer1000]

I purcahsed my LC 120 2006 (same gear and engine) with 200k km, atf was never replaced although the service was done at a certified Toyota dealer. 1st I opened the oil pan and replaced the at filter and replaced only the same quantity of oil. After additional 30k km I did a full drain according to an Australian youtube video. Since then seems to be good & smooth 🤞. I recomend you to replace the transmission oil filter as mine was totally destroyed.

[@flyboyoutdoors]

Thanks for the feedback, that's good to hear!

[@tomshea7910]

Had A 2004 GX 470 and currently driving 2005 4Runner Limited so both have V8 and sealed transmission. It is a sealed system and no dipstick. Leave it alone and keep driving

[@flyboyoutdoors]

Kinda what I'm doing right now. Thanks

[@s.a.t419]

Or change it lol. Always better to change it......even If it's got 150k miles