March is the first anniversary of owning my '03 Corolla. Toyota says the tranny does not have to be changed, I did it anyway - an over doer like most of us. Anyway was I glad it did! The old ATF smelled terrible while being drained. When I put new Toyota Type IV in, it seemed to shift smoother. Someone on this board said for "cheap insurance - change all fluids once a year". IMHO, that's very good advice.
Answer: Change ATF Every Year
- Thread starter Bill R
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The Mazda 6s ATX (Jatco based tranny) spec's the FIRST maintance interval as 100,000 miles.
I've replaced about 95% of the fluid now (after 10k) through the simple drain refill method (its got a drain plug yay!) with normal Mercon V spec'd fluid.
I'm also pretty much the only 6s ATX owner who doesn't complain about shifting problems...
Coincidence? I Think not.
I've replaced about 95% of the fluid now (after 10k) through the simple drain refill method (its got a drain plug yay!) with normal Mercon V spec'd fluid.
I'm also pretty much the only 6s ATX owner who doesn't complain about shifting problems...
Coincidence? I Think not.
The manual for my Chevy also says you don't need to change the ATF for 100k miles as well. I've come to think this is bad advice, given for the sake of making the car look as "low maintenance" as possible. I waited until about 74k, then I couldn't stand it any more. The fluid was getting dark and I was getting black streaks on the dipstick when I checked the level. I wish I had done it much sooner, more like 25k. Oh well, you live and you learn.
I just picked up a LX450 (Toyota land cruiser) at 106k the fluid was slightly dark so I think it had been changed at least once in its life, like you for a wile I am going to drain and refill at each oil change, it has a 12QT capacity but you only get 4 by pulling the drain plug, so it will take a wile to get the majority swapped outquote:
Originally posted by ZmOz:
I change mine with every oil change.
I am using chevron dino for initial cleaning, going to switch to M1 ATF when the fluid stays clean between drains, when it is mostly M1 I will stop and let it ride for 50K
someone posted a spread sheet that calculated the ratio of old fluid to new fluid anybody remember where?
[ March 30, 2004, 07:20 PM: Message edited by: RavenTai ]
Good job... JATCO also provides Nissan with trannies (the 4-speed in my '02 Maxima, for example) and 15k ATF fluid exchange interval is the recommendation among Maxima owners as preventive maintenance. Those trannies can be problematic if not taken care of...
[ March 30, 2004, 09:16 PM: Message edited by: GimmeTorq ]
Hey GT,
You have any threads on the Maxima guys and their interval recommendations?
I've been looking for threads on the Jatco's, but been having trouble finding some. (I don't own a maxima/altima, so I'm having trouble diggin).
The Mazda 6s's ATX is a JA5A-EL Jatco, which if I'm not mistaken, is extremely similar, if not identical, to the ATX in the new 3.5 SE Maxima. So any information you have, will almost surely apply to us as well!
Luckily there's a nice giant drain plug on the bottom of the car, allowing for simple and easy tranny fluid changes.
I also just ordered a 16,000 GVW B&M tranny cooler to run in sequence with the stock cooler, which should help extend the life of the tranny some. *GVW of Mazda is 4300 hehe*
You have any threads on the Maxima guys and their interval recommendations?
I've been looking for threads on the Jatco's, but been having trouble finding some. (I don't own a maxima/altima, so I'm having trouble diggin).
The Mazda 6s's ATX is a JA5A-EL Jatco, which if I'm not mistaken, is extremely similar, if not identical, to the ATX in the new 3.5 SE Maxima. So any information you have, will almost surely apply to us as well!
Luckily there's a nice giant drain plug on the bottom of the car, allowing for simple and easy tranny fluid changes.
I also just ordered a 16,000 GVW B&M tranny cooler to run in sequence with the stock cooler, which should help extend the life of the tranny some. *GVW of Mazda is 4300 hehe*
yeah i have a 03 maxima and my manual says to inspect the fluid ever 15k. I'm going to get it flushed profesinally at 15k then do a drain and fill like every 20k after that.
I'm also thinking about getting a tranny cooler, where did u get yours?
I'm also thinking about getting a tranny cooler, where did u get yours?
I got mine from summit racing, as I had a 20 dollar off coupon with them.
It should be arriving today.
I got mine from summit racing, as I had a 20 dollar off coupon with them.
It should be arriving today.
cool, i heard jegs has them for lik 50 bones.
Ya jegs and summit were about the same price (+/- a dollar or two), and I had a coupon with summit and got free shipping as well
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wow, can't beat that deal, my only problem is that i heard i need to purchase a additional 4ft hose for my car. I'm not sure which thickness hose to buy for my B&M cooler. I also heard that i should buy it from the jegs or summit site cause the hose is hard to find.quote:
Originally posted by crossbow:
Ya jegs and summit were about the same price (+/- a dollar or two), and I had a coupon with summit and got free shipping as well.
Check maxima.org forum. Plenty of Maxima diehard fans there sharing their experiences. Pretty good advice and data available in the "Fluids and Lubricants" section.
Yep, it's great to have a tranny drain plug. I did a drain 'n' fill with Mobil 1 ATF at 15k and I'm planning to do one every year now. It only takes 4 quarts ($6 each) and it is so easy.
I considered a tranny cooler too but read some stories of ATF "gelling" during winter months. You guys are both in cold winter areas (Like trey, I'm also in a Chicago burb). Any thoughts?
[ April 03, 2004, 07:37 PM: Message edited by: GimmeTorq ]
Yep, it's great to have a tranny drain plug. I did a drain 'n' fill with Mobil 1 ATF at 15k and I'm planning to do one every year now. It only takes 4 quarts ($6 each) and it is so easy.
I considered a tranny cooler too but read some stories of ATF "gelling" during winter months. You guys are both in cold winter areas (Like trey, I'm also in a Chicago burb). Any thoughts?
[ April 03, 2004, 07:37 PM: Message edited by: GimmeTorq ]
the B&M supercooler actually has a built in thermostat and low pressure prevention, so overcooling i would hope wouldnt be a problem
Don't buy the extended intervals on ATF changes. I changed my GM 4 speed auto 4L60E trans every 12 to 15k. It has lasted 198k miles. Think about it, the car and truck manufacturers only want you to get through their warranty period without a trans failure. For the GM 4L60E RWD cars, SUV, and trucks out there, add a GM trans pan with drain plug if yours didn't come with one. Others can buy an aftermarket drain plug kit for less than $8.00 from B & M. That plug will make the ATF changes much more fun.
MolaKule
Staff member
Think about this. Why does Nissan and Toyota and some others make it so easy to drain fluids by putting drain and fill plugs on trannys and diffys, and GM and some of the big three make it so hard to change fluids by NOT providing drain plugs.
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