Auto Tranny Flush vs. Several Changes

Status
Not open for further replies.
Match, confirm that your '08 sienna uses Toyota WS ATF. It is a long life fluid, but does need changing periodically. The term "flush" machine is used for a couple of different type machines. One is simply a fluid exchange unit with two tanks and a diaphragm between them. New fluid is poured into one tank and the machine is connected to the transmission cooler lines. When the engine is run old fluid is pumped by the transmission's internal pump through the cooler inlet line, into the machine's empty tank, presses against the diaphragm, and pushes new fluid through the cooler return line back to the transmission.

You can do much the same thing yourself. Drain the transmission pan. Renew the filter if you want. Refill the transmission back to normal with new fluid. Disconnect both cooler lines ('cuz you probably don't know which is the inlet), aim them into a bucket, and run the engine briefly until one or two quarts is pumped out. Stop. Refill the transmission with new fluid. Run another one to two quarts out. Stop. Refill. Repeat until the fluid comes out bright red. Correct the level. You're done.
 
Originally Posted By: Ken2
Match, confirm that your '08 sienna uses Toyota WS ATF. It is a long life fluid, but does need changing periodically.

Yes, it is WS, or at least according to the Amsoil website it's WS. Easy enough to find out though, a call to nearest Toyota parts depatment will tell the tale.
 
Originally Posted By: Clevy
Originally Posted By: 97 GTP
As said above if there's a drain plug than the 30k change keeps things fresh. If there's no plug I use the method below to change out the fluid. Easy and cheap to build.

http://www.clubgp.com/newforum/tm.asp?m=2130513


What a great idea. Thanks for posting


Your welcome. It's amazing how easy it is using this homemade item. I've used it for transmission, cooling system and power steering. Basically anything that's not flammable.
 
Originally Posted By: Matchlight
Easy enough to find out though, a call to nearest Toyota parts depatment will tell the tale.
Don't be so sure. I've encountered parts departments in many different dealers that gave me wrong info. (Not singling out Toyota here).

The owner's manual should be your resource for info like this as it will have the data most applicable to your year vehicle. Many times the parts people only know what they're using today.

I think 2008 was the year they switched to WS. My sister's RAV4 is an '08 and it uses WS.
 
Yeah, I drained and filled my '05 Kia Sedona 3 times the last few weekends with Eneos SP ATF; it was a super easy job. Bucket and a 15/16" box wrench was all I needed...didn't even have to jack up van, just crawled under front end.
 
Originally Posted By: RF Overlord
Originally Posted By: Matchlight
Easy enough to find out though, a call to nearest Toyota parts depatment will tell the tale.
The owner's manual should be your resource for info like this as it will have the data most applicable to your year vehicle. Many times the parts people only know what they're using today.
The owners manual is the first place I looked and found nothing. As time has gone on the auto manufacturers have become more and more discouraging of the DIY folks. They seem to try to force people into going to their dealerships for anything at all, never mind things like ATF and filter changes. I ran into this yesterday with my truck, been having battery issues and GM chose to install a group 48 battery in their full size pick-ups. Why in the world would they put one of the least common, and expensive, batter sizes into a vehicle that can take group 24 and 24F in the OEM installed battery tray? To make more money of course!

I hear you about the parts department desk jockies, been screwed a few times. If you can't get the info out of the owners manual, then you need to get a little creativ I guess.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top Bottom