Amsoil ATF for 2006 Corolla

[The Critic]

My friend's 06 Corolla is approaching 50,000 miles on the original T-IV fluid, so an ATF flush is planned for the near future at the 60k mark.

I thinking about going with Amsoil ATF instead of the Genuine Toyota T-IV fluid this time. Why? Just to see what the hype is about.

Are any of you using the most recent revision (the low viscosity version) of Amsoil ATF in a Corolla transmission? What are your results?

Thanks.

 

[Donald]

Look at it this way, if you do a cooler line flush yourself, then you will save enough money to get Amsoil rather than Toyota ATF. If the transmission currently shifts fine you may not notice much if anything. As I am sure you know, 50K is a long time to go on ATF.

However you do the flush keep in mind:

1) Best to drain the pan if possible before a flush, so least mixing of old and new ATF.

2) If you go for a flush at a shop, ask them to make sure they purge all the fluid from the new ATF fluid container in their flush machine. You may need to supply them 2 QTs beyond what the capacity is of the transmission.

 

[The Critic]

The transmission currently shifts fine. I was originally going to leave the factory fill in for 100k, but I have decided to flush it at 60k just to be safe.

I agree with you about draining the pan, but I'm not sure if I'll be able to get the shop to do it. Most shops around here want between $75 to $100 to flush the transmission. I don't have the facilities to do the flush myself at this time, so I'll have to take it to a shop. I plan to bring 14 quarts for the flush, the transmission holds a little less than 8.

 

[Tempest]

Make sure the shop will use "outside" fluid. I tried to get a few shops around here to do a flush for me with Amsoil fluid and they refused. Their fluid only.

So I did it myself.

I've used Amsoil in 3 different make transmissions with no issues. Sorry, not Toyota.

 

[Donald]

Originally Posted By: The Critic
The transmission currently shifts fine. I was originally going to leave the factory fill in for 100k, but I have decided to flush it at 60k just to be safe.

I agree with you about draining the pan, but I'm not sure if I'll be able to get the shop to do it. Most shops around here want between $75 to $100 to flush the transmission. I don't have the facilities to do the flush myself at this time, so I'll have to take it to a shop. I plan to bring 14 quarts for the flush, the transmission holds a little less than 8.


Why not do it yourself. Cheaper and a better job.

I did mine in my driveway. Pan had a drain plug so I drained and refilled the pan. Refilled with what came out of the pan. Pulled off the return line and connected 3-4 feet of clear 3/8" hose (under $1.00). Pushed other end into clear 1G container. Started engine, waited to 2 QTs to come out and shut off. Added 2 QTs. Did this until I had pushed through a total 9QTs (including pan drop), the Amsoil website said my vehicle took 8.5QTs. Took 30 minutes total, few tools and 1 person.

I'd guess the Corolla has a trans. drain plug. If the pan is not drained, then you will be mixing in new ATF into the pan while its full of old ATF.

The fluid comes out at maybe 1 QT/minute so its not gushing out like a fire hose. Even if you see bubbles in the clear hose, just shut off the engine, not a big deal, nothing is moving in the transmission.

Going through the gears is also a good idea to make sure new ATF goes through all paths. Do the shops do that?

If you have a 2nd person, you can try and pour ATF into the transmission at the same rate its being pumped out. Have one person pour and another watch the clear hose for air bubbles.

When you are done, its best to wait 1 hour for the dipstick tube to drain itself so you can get a decent reading by dipstick as to the ATF level.

 

[Ken2]

Quote:
As I am sure you know, 50K is a long time to go on ATF.
It depends. The newest versions of most OEM ATFs are designed for 100,000 miles of good service. Most synthetics should be good that long, also. I recently sent a 55,000 mile sample of Schaeffer #204S syn-blend ATF to the lab, and the report said to keep it in service.

Of course, heat kills any lube, and if one tows or hauls hard and hot, change the ATF sooner. In any case, a lab test costs a lot less than changing the fluid on speculation.

 

[Donald]

Originally Posted By: Ken2
Quote:
As I am sure you know, 50K is a long time to go on ATF.
It depends. The newest versions of most OEM ATFs are designed for 100,000 miles of good service. Most synthetics should be good that long, also. I recently sent a 55,000 mile sample of Schaeffer #204S syn-blend ATF to the lab, and the report said to keep it in service.

Of course, heat kills any lube, and if one tows or hauls hard and hot, change the ATF sooner. In any case, a lab test costs a lot less than changing the fluid on speculation.


Right - 50K or even 100K are fine if there are no problems. So what is one to do, change early or do a UOA every 25K?

 

[Donald]

I actually think the cheapest most cost effective way to go using a normal (non synthetic ATF) is to just refresh the ATF every 25K miles with a pan (amount) replacement or a partial cooling line flush.

 

[The Critic]

Originally Posted By: Donald

Why not do it yourself. Cheaper and a better job.

I did mine in my driveway. Pan had a drain plug so I drained and refilled the pan. Refilled with what came out of the pan. Pulled off the return line and connected 3-4 feet of clear 3/8" hose (under $1.00). Pushed other end into clear 1G container. Started engine, waited to 2 QTs to come out and shut off. Added 2 QTs. Did this until I had pushed through a total 9QTs (including pan drop), the Amsoil website said my vehicle took 8.5QTs. Took 30 minutes total, few tools and 1 person.

I'd guess the Corolla has a trans. drain plug. If the pan is not drained, then you will be mixing in new ATF into the pan while its full of old ATF.

The fluid comes out at maybe 1 QT/minute so its not gushing out like a fire hose. Even if you see bubbles in the clear hose, just shut off the engine, not a big deal, nothing is moving in the transmission.

Going through the gears is also a good idea to make sure new ATF goes through all paths. Do the shops do that?

If you have a 2nd person, you can try and pour ATF into the transmission at the same rate its being pumped out. Have one person pour and another watch the clear hose for air bubbles.

When you are done, its best to wait 1 hour for the dipstick tube to drain itself so you can get a decent reading by dipstick as to the ATF level.

I do not have a garage to work in and I did not bring my tools with me to school, so it would not be possible for me to do it myself. I do not have any friends that have tools, so I'm pretty much at a dead end.

The local tire shop said they would do it for me for $75 labor, so I might just go that route. Unfortunately they won't drain the pan before flushing the transmission, so I'll just have to buy more fluid.

 

[Donald]

Clearly its your call. But the only tools you will need are a allen wrench to undo the drain plug, pliers or whatever to undo the clamp for the cooler hose, 3-4 feet of clear 3/8" tubing, a $1.00 funnel and a cheap drain pan ($3.00), so for under $20 of tools you can do it yourself. You do not need a garage, I have done it in the parking lot of an apt. complex.

Pick a day when its over 40F and you should be fine.

 

[The Critic]

I haven't checked how the lines attach on a Corolla, but on my Saturn, removing the lines requires a flare wrench.

But again, I appreciate your advice but I just can't see myself working on a car in a parking lot. I'm not that desperate to save money, especially when it isn't my car.

I've called around and a few shops have offered to do it for the price of labor. One tire shop said they could do it for $70.

 

[Donald]

I think you will find some short rubber hoses connecting between transmission and cooler. If so a good place to splice in a Magnefine filter after the flush. Almost certainly a 3/8" hose one. Best $20 (or less) you can spend on the transmission. The shop that does the flush can do the filter. Buy from our sponsor or NAPA.

 

[artificialist]

Amsoil ATF is excellent in T-IV transmissions. I bought it because at the time, nobody claimed T-IV compatibility. I did a drain and fill to a 2002 Solara, and the car felt lighter after that. I was stunned.

Ever since then, I have never been afraid to recommend or use anything Amsoil.

 

[mikered30]

Originally Posted By: artificialist
Amsoil ATF is excellent in T-IV transmissions. I bought it because at the time, nobody claimed T-IV compatibility. I did a drain and fill to a 2002 Solara, and the car felt lighter after that. I was stunned.

Ever since then, I have never been afraid to recommend or use anything Amsoil.


Did you do drain and refills or line flush?

 

[ZZman]

Toyota's like their fluid. It works well. Why not stick with it?

(However, if you chose to try it it should work well)

For the very few times the transmission fluid needs to be changed having the dealer do it is not such a bad idea.

 

[Donald]

I would go with Amsoil ATF if its in your price range. Few people complain about Amsoil.