Help with transmission fluid pls?

Tiny
DIKSONRD2
  • MEMBER
  • 2002 LEXUS ES 300
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 220,562 MILES
My ex told me transmission fluid was leaking from CVS axle seal and it was low when I checked it.I was in a hurry and remembered it called for Toyota (t4) fluid &I guess I just seen the 4 on Valvoline synthetic ATF+4 and grabbed it. It's shifting super hard and erractic now and I'm not sure what to do. Iv also read you shouldn't drain them with this many miles (220000) so I'm not sure should I just leave it, try to drain a little refill or try to flush. Iv been driving it like that so pretty sure it's mixed in good it's shifting really hard now so I'm worried I really messed up. Like it with buck pretty hard when accelerating from a stop, and you have to let off of the gas to let it catch. Im including pics of both fluids the blue one is the accidental one. Let me know what you would do pls. Thanks
Images (Click to make bigger)
Thumb
Thumb
Friday, February 13th, 2026 AT 5:52 PM

12 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 55,306 POSTS
Yes, you need to have the correct fluid and it sounds like you need to flush the system and add new fluid that is the correct kind.

Correct fluid spec: Toyota Type T-IV (NOT ATF+4)

ATF+4 and Toyota Type T-IV are not compatible fluids.

The transmission is not damaged, it just needs the correct fluid, remove the pan, this will drain about 4 quarts and then read the correct fluid to see what happens, you might need to do this more than once. FYI. Please let us know what happens.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, February 18th, 2026 AT 5:36 PM
Tiny
DIKSONRD2
  • MEMBER
  • 18 POSTS
Well dang it that's not what I wanted to hear since it's like $19 a quart am I going to need to buy a full 9 quarts I guess I am if I'm going to flush it huh? Well the situation has actually gotten a lot worse and now I'm confused on if it's the transmission shifting hard or something else it's gotten way worse it's shifting it feels like it's shifting hard now on top of down shifting while I'm going down the road is what it feels like it literally bucks back and drags it literally feels like it down s*** is hard when I'm going to the going down the street is done this on the highway on the regular road it just started this yesterday and now I'm pulling codes p0430 p0741 p0766 p0128 p0420 p0441 p0442 p0446 and p0771! Wtf! I know the p0430 is an oxygen sensor basically it's something to do with catalytic converter right if anybody has any idea if y'all have any idea what this could be I'd appreciate it I don't think it would have made the transmission start doing this all of a sudden that doesn't seem very plausible to me but I would love a second opinion thanks for your help
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, February 18th, 2026 AT 5:43 PM
Tiny
DIKSONRD2
  • MEMBER
  • 18 POSTS
I'm sorry other quick question I've heard when it has this many miles on it it's got 220740 mi right now that it's not good to do to flush the transmission that you can send it into shock I don't know if that's just a myth or what but is that true or will it be okay was that many miles on it? Thanks
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, February 18th, 2026 AT 5:45 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 55,306 POSTS
Yep, that is true, that is why I suggested dumping the pan, and if needed twice but once should do the trick, the fluid is why it is shifting so hard/erratic. It was fine before the fluid addition correct? If so do the flush, also for the trouble codes, clear them and the ones that come back please start a new post for them. please post your new question here, you must be logged in.

https://www.2carpros.com/questions/new

Cheers, Ken
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, February 18th, 2026 AT 6:18 PM
Tiny
DIKSONRD2
  • MEMBER
  • 18 POSTS
Ok I got the fluid do drop the pan? Then refill. Anything else I should know? Filters fine? Leave that alone? I'm planning on getting this done tomorrow. Iv done alot of work (on cars) but not much transmission related I know those get pretty complicated. Ill update when completed. Thanks.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, February 19th, 2026 AT 6:10 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 55,306 POSTS
Yep, I would do the filter as well if it has one, some have an inline filter but if not do worry about it. Have a good weekend, the fluid change should fix it. Ken
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Friday, February 20th, 2026 AT 8:57 AM
Tiny
DIKSONRD2
  • MEMBER
  • 18 POSTS
Hi I'm going to the work tonight for sure I know that it has reported there's a couple very inconvenient bolts to reach when dropping the pan so you got to lift up the transmission couple inches I don't know how true that is but from whatever research that's what it says also I've gotten the internal filter the internal main filter and the gasket brand new off of Amazon so I'm planning on replacing those but the last post was the little unclear with the inline post situation it's not an inline filter situation it's definitely an internal if you could clarify I'd really appreciate it thank you so much
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, February 23rd, 2026 AT 4:35 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 55,306 POSTS
Sure, sorry about that, this car does not have an inline filter, the filter is in the pan, I would try a 1/4 inch drive universal socket to get at the pan bolts, they fit into tight spots better. Here is an image of the filter so there is no confusion of what you are doing. Please upload a short video in your response of the problem, so I can see what's going on. Check out the images (below).
Image (Click to make bigger)
Thumb
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, February 24th, 2026 AT 9:01 AM
Tiny
DIKSONRD2
  • MEMBER
  • 18 POSTS
I tried it just to flush it like manually I ran out of daylight when I was trying to work on it yesterday so I haven't dropped the pan yet but I flush the fluid through and now it's not wanting to go at all like it's just rubbing so I think I might be screwed here really sucks I'll do the pan tomorrow just to see if it makes a difference but you have to fully rev the rooms all the way up to get it to move at all
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, February 28th, 2026 AT 5:53 PM
Tiny
DIKSONRD2
  • MEMBER
  • 18 POSTS
Oh I forgot to mention it will not let me shift down below drive to 3rd or 2 nd it literally won't let you the resistance won't allow it
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, February 28th, 2026 AT 11:05 PM
Tiny
DIKSONRD2
  • MEMBER
  • 18 POSTS
Ok so it will not want to go in drive but will go forward in neutral or reverse also very stiff shifter and even when put in 2nd or low it will only go down to 3rd gear. Shifter cable diagram? Iv had trannys go out before but not like this. It unfortunately had a small fire under hood other day I got it out pretty quickly with fire extinguisher and towed home but does probably complicate things. Any ideas on what could be up with this
Video (Click to make bigger)
Thumb
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, March 1st, 2026 AT 6:57 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 55,306 POSTS
Yep, you may have found the problem, if the shift cable is locked up it will cause this problem. Set the parking brake or block the tires so the car does not roll. Then remove the shift cable from the transmission and have someone watch as you move the shifter, it should be super easy to move and travel freely, if not the shifter cable is bad. Mark the adjustment of the cable, also make sure the jam nut on the cable is not loose. Thanks for the video, it helps. Check out the images (below). Ken
Image (Click to make bigger)
Thumb
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, March 1st, 2026 AT 11:17 AM

Please login or register to post a reply.

Related Transmission Fluid Leak Content

VIEW MORE