OK, this is NOT a loaded question.. ...Last time the topic of changing engine oil before the 10k manufacturers recommended target...there must have been 100 responses....and the thread did not go well.
The engine has a filter easy to replace, the transmission does not have a simple easily changed filter.
I am very conservative, I would rather do an overkill on frequency of eCVT fluid change.
What do you very conservative guys target for when you will change your eCVT transmission fluid?
What timeframe or mileage will you be changing your fluid? And, I wont even bring up the topic of adding a FilterMag magnet to the bottom of the tranny to catch any metal particles....
Thanks guys

Always go with the sewer conditions requirements, so it's 5k for engine oil and 60k for transmission, which in our case are both hybrid transmission and rear motor unit. No filter for the transmission, just a fluid change with the drain plug and fill plug as for normal differential. Some people do a break in oil change for the engine at 1k but I think it's too much and I was to lazy for it. Should be good enough for most of us. Rear motor cable is more of an issue in my opinion, but look up the topic yourself, I just hope for the best and maybe trade it in in couple of years before it fails, lol.

 

Recommend you watch this to familiarize yourself with these transmissions.

These are not like conventional automatic transmissions and don’t need to be maintained as such. Fixing a problem that really doesn’t exist is only going to waste money in my opinion. If you’re that concerned about metal shavings, which haven’t been documented as an issue, get a few extra quarts of WS fluid and gravity flush it a few times through the transmission fill and drain holes and do a change at an initial 30k mile interval. If the vehicle gets used for severe service, like mine from towing regularly, 30-60k is fine depending on how often you’ve towed in the interval. If not, 100k miles is easy and cheap insurance. DIY for about $50 in fluid, gaskets, and a hand pump. Severe service toyota hybrid taxis usually see a 60-100k interval, and those cars have zero transmission problems with half a million miles on them. I’m guessing your vehicle won’t be used in such a manner, but whatever gives you peace of mind.

 

OK, this is NOT a loaded question.. ...Last time the topic of changing engine oil before the 10k manufacturers recommended target...there must have been 100 responses....and the thread did not go well.
The engine has a filter easy to replace, the transmission does not have a simple easily changed filter.
I am very conservative, I would rather do an overkill on frequency of eCVT fluid change.
What do you very conservative guys target for when you will change your eCVT transmission fluid?
What timeframe or mileage will you be changing your fluid? And, I wont even bring up the topic of adding a FilterMag magnet to the bottom of the tranny to catch any metal particles....
Thanks guys

For me and only me. I do the first one at 30k miles then follow 60k intermittent after the first change. At 30k miles I did both the transmission and rear electric motor. I have a hose long enough so I simply relied on the gravity to fill the fluid. I did not have to use the pump.

 

Wow, I am so new to hybrids, I did not even think of the electric motor's fluid. Changing the fluid earlier than specified is OK in my book.
Do you mind sharing your process?
I am absolutely sure my Hybrid will outlive me or my driving longevity, but, will do an overkill on its maintenance.
Thanks

 

It is super easy. All you need is a 10mm hex socket. The hardest part is taking the plastic covers off just below the transmission and the electric motor. Otherwise it is very easy. Drain and fill until it over flows.

 

I changed my fluid at 60k in September and it sparked a good bit of info sharing in another thread which I'll link here. You can jump from there to my other comments that might help you. The biggest thing I wish I knew was that you only need to take off the second aero panel from the front and may leave the one that touches the front bumper in place.

https://www.rav4world.com/threads/what-did-you-do-to-your-rav-today.306254/post-3043305

 

I had my eCVT and rear motor fluid changed out at 60K. It was $290 at my local dealer to do both of them.

 

I plan on doing or having both done around 100K-125K miles. I consider this type of fluid change like I used to do with my manual transmissions, change the fluid (gear oil) one time in a cars life around 100-125K miles. I don't bother with a second change after 200K miles (over ten years old) as the car life is generally near the end for me with a daily driver.

I do not tow or do any type of driving that puts severe strain on the drivetrain. I live in flat Florida and do 75 percent highway driving.

I weigh doing Maintenace like this with the chance of a mechanic doing it wrong. If I had a place to do my own work, perhaps I would do it sooner, if I towed I certainly would do it sooner.

 

I plan on doing or having both done around 100K-125K miles. I consider this type of fluid change like I used to do with my manual transmissions, change the fluid (gear oil) one time in a cars life around 100-125K miles. I don't bother with a second change after 200K miles (over ten years old) as the car life is generally near the end for me with a daily driver.

This interval is point of wisdom, between general public indifference and message board obsessiveness. The latter always seem to forget that cars don't come with a wedding ring - odd are, we will all sell long before any issues related to maintenance come up. (Though it's worth point out that outside of "piece of mind" the general public's ignorance is probably the best strategy. These beltless eCVTs might be the most reliable transmissions aver made.)

I'll just add the these things should be able to go 300k, so a 2nd change - if you still own, should be up to your discretion.

 

My car is just under 8000 miles and will probably never see the mileage mentioned for fluid change. Do you think you time should be considered?

 

Time and mileage should always be considered.

Its your vehicle and you maintain it whenever you want. Its not for anyone to choose your interval.

And, nothing in the video shows any proof that the ATF doesn't need changing.

I plan on going for 1 year and a UOA. If the WS is looking good, then I'll go further. If not, it'll be yearly. The rav4 will get about 1k miles a month.

 

According CarCareNut rule of fluid change for hybrid transmissions should be 60-90K or 6-9 years whatever came first.
Personal observation - change it earlier if you notice transmission get noisier. This happens with my previous hybrid Camry on approximately 55K - whining sound on speeds 50-55mph which was completely gone after fluid change.

 

Carcarenut doesn't make rules. The rule for maintenance is for you to decide.

 

Look for the multiple reports on line about eCVT failure. Wait a minute, there aren't any, or almost none. It will outlast your gas engine, your shocks, just about anything else in the vehicle. If it gives you peace of mind, change it at 100 to 120k when you are changing other stuff such as coolant or plugs.

 

From what I've gathered from several TCCN videos, under "normal" driving conditions:
eCVT = 6-9 yr / 60k mi, only drain and refill with ATF-WS (approx. 4 Qt)
rear diff = 6 yr / 60k mi, ATF-WS (1.8 Qt)

 

2019 changed at 55K.

 

How did the fluid look at 55k?

 

my first hybrid, but follow my own maintenance schedual. oil change 10k, brake flush 30k or 3 years, transmission, coolant 60k, the rest i will follow the book (no severe use)
i've owned 32 cars, built 1 hot rod, restored model T, rebuilt one 73 motorhome, owned one new motorhome. i can't do any mech work anymore, so i have it done.

 

When I changed the transmission fluid on my daughter's 2020 RAV4H at 30k miles, the fluid was very clean and red. The fluid from the electric motor was also very prestine. This was my first fluid change on hybrid. I am planning to change the transmission fluid on my 2021 RAV4P at 36k miles. I used about 4 quarts and was able to add the fluid from the engine bay with a long hose. Based on my first observation at 30k miles, 60k interval should be fine and conservative.

 

I would go 60,000. No filter. No clutches or torque converter. No gears that disengage.

 

 

Without sending it off to analysis I could only go by color and smell and both seemed fine honestly. Since I did it myself I saved a decent amount. I would do it again just for some piece of mind.

Without sending it off to analysis I could only go by color and smell and both seemed fine honestly. Since I did it myself I saved a decent amount. I would do it again just for some piece of mind.

Thanks for the feedback. I will do my own too when I hit 55-60k. Did you fill it from the top with a funnel and hose or did you pump to in?

 

Under the car with a small hand pump (10 buck variety at Harbor Freight). There is a fantastic tool you can use by Toyota but I don't have the necessary money to get it.

I jacked it up. Open the fill bolt first then the drain dropped it back down and let it drain.

When I filled it I actually jacked up the backend and crawled under and filled it. That way the fill hole is above everything else. Filled it until the necessary burping and trickle draining happened. Then I very very slowly dropped it back down and waited again for the trickle process and I am able to get the fill screw back in. Then jacked it back up to torque it to spec.

Make sure to get the gaskets for the bolts.

Over all a very easy process.

 

OK, this is NOT a loaded question.. ...Last time the topic of changing engine oil before the 10k manufacturers recommended target...there must have been 100 responses....and the thread did not go well.
The engine has a filter easy to replace, the transmission does not have a simple easily changed filter.
I am very conservative, I would rather do an overkill on frequency of eCVT fluid change.
What do you very conservative guys target for when you will change your eCVT transmission fluid?
What timeframe or mileage will you be changing your fluid? And, I wont even bring up the topic of adding a FilterMag magnet to the bottom of the tranny to catch any metal particles....
Thanks guys

It is by definition a loaded question. It contains:

1. Do you change your eCVT fluid?
2. When do you change your eCVT fluid?

Since the answer to the first question is a no, it invalidates any further questions.

 

You just cant go by looks. Its why I clarified in my post that it was not tested.

It needs to be teated in order to say "spent", "30% left" blah blah blah.

Since I can do it myself I really dont want to spend the extra to test it. What I do with my vehicle may or may not line up with others opinions.