02 prizm/corolla trans fluid change suggestions

[lucerne06]

I want to change the auto trans fluid in my 02 prizm, has 67,000 on it. I am not sure if it was ever done. the color of it when I put a few drops on the white paper is starting to become darkish not pink when new..no burnt smell at all.. any suggestions ? drain plug? remove pan? the whole nine yards...never did this before, but changed the oil and coolant plenty of time.. etc??? thanks... it will take dexron III

 

[tig1]

If it has a pan drop it and change the filter. M1 ATF would be a good oil choice.

 

[unDummy]

Have it flushed.

Or, use the drainplug and perform 4 drain/refills with 10 miles of driving in between each d/r.

Use the best ATF you can afford.

 

[friendly_jacek]

Originally Posted By: tig1
If it has a pan drop it and change the filter. M1 ATF would be a good oil choice.


+1

My corolla's pan and filter was very dirty at 60000 miles. Flush will not remove the clutch debris.

 

[tig1]

I drop the pan on my Fords every 40,00 miles and the magnet always has a little build up of material on it. I've heard this material can be moved to other parts of the tranny if it isn't removed from the pan.

 

[Donald]

Drop the pan, change the filter, then immediately do a cooler line flush yourself. Its easier than you think. I'd go for Amsoil or M1 ATF. Consider installing a Magnefine filter also.

 

[unDummy]

I wouldn't bother dropping the pan until 100k.

Get majority of fresh ATF in there and keep driving.

 

[lucerne06]

so you say just open the drain plug, what comes out comes out, replace that amount drive 10 miles and do that four times?

 

[unDummy]

Yes. Very simple. ~4 quart d/r each time x 4 times.

 

[lucerne06]

was thinking about using valvoline maxlife dexron III mercon..for cars over 75,000, mine has 68,000 so I assume thats OK..??

 

[artificialist]

I would drop the pan, because the plug on a Toyota transmission is higher than the lowest point of the pan. That means that the solid junk that sinks to the bottom of the pan can't be removed by pulling out the plug.

Refilling it with Valvoline Maxlife is fine even if you have less than 75,000 miles. I have used it in cars with far lower mileage, I think "Maxlife" is an advertising gimmick for the ATF.

 

[friendly_jacek]

Originally Posted By: artificialist
I would drop the pan, because the plug on a Toyota transmission is higher than the lowest point of the pan. That means that the solid junk that sinks to the bottom of the pan can't be removed by pulling out the plug.

Refilling it with Valvoline Maxlife is fine even if you have less than 75,000 miles. I have used it in cars with far lower mileage, I think "Maxlife" is an advertising gimmick for the ATF.


Very true. There may be up to 0.5 qt of ATF in the pan left after draining (admixed with debris). Removing filter also drains more fluid.

 

[The Critic]

There may be some gunk in your transmission. Maybe, maybe not. Either way, it wouldn't hurt if you waited until 100k to drop the pan.

The appearance of the ATF on the dipstick can be a bit deceiving. On my dad's Toyota Previa, the stuff always appeared grey-ish red purple on the dipstick. When I flushed it earlier today, the fluid I drained from the pan was dark red. Then, when I pulled a cooler line and started the van, the fluid exiting the torque converter looked like coke. Go figure.

Pan drop or not, just flush the fluid. Don't bother with the 4x drain and refills, it's faster to just do a cooler line flush. Just remember to drain and refill the pan prior to removing the line and starting the car-- it really speeds up the flush and allows you to use less fluid.

As for ATF, I used Castrol Domestic Multi-Vehicle.