Changing ATF frequently - OK?

[yummy88]

I have a 97 Toyota Avalon. Will it harm my transmission if I drain 2 quarts and put in 2 new quarts of ATF every 4K? If we believe in the "fresh ATF is good" theory then this should be ok.


I do my oil change every 4K and the the ATF drain plug is just 2 feet away and really easy to get to. Also ATF is inexpensive (even M1 ATF is about $6/quart)

 

[Bulli]

i dont see nothing wrong with it other then over doing it, but it shouldn't hurt anything

 

[yummy88]

M1 ATF $6 x 2 = $12 of ATF every 4K

120K miles = 30 changes x $12 = $360

Sounds ok to me in terms of costs.

 

[Drew99GT]

Not only OK, I'd say it's advisable! perhaps every other oil change though...

 

[mechtech2]

No harm, and actually very good for it.

Now, someone will jump in and condemn this because you are SUPPOSED to do a perfect flush and filter type of maintenance.

But keeping on top of it like you are doing is a better approach than letting it get worn out and then doing the deep cycle.

 

[gomes512]

I would recommend it. Works great for me, I drain out 3 qts in my Jeep every 6K and refill with wal-mart super tech atf+4. Shifts are always crisp at 140K with lots of towing and last time I had the pan off, everything was nice and clean inside. I'll leave the filter in for 100K.

 

[yummy88]

The mechanic that I use for larger jobs (strut mounts/steering rack) is Toyota ASE and he is one of those that believe in old fluid helping the transmission. He recommends 30K drain and top up (which is only 2 quarts).

Yes it sounds extreme but it is really easy to do on my part.

 

[JohnBrowning]

Sure is ok! In fact it is the best way to ensure long transmission life!

 

[JohnBrowning]

I would love to know how old oxidized fluid full of clutch material and wear metals is supposed to "help the transmission out"???? Now if this knuckle head told you not to change your crankcase oil for 30,000 miles because the old oil helps the engine out you look at him like he was stupid!

 

[paulo57509]

Originally Posted By: JohnBrowning
I would love to know how old oxidized fluid full of clutch material and wear metals is supposed to "help the transmission out"???? Now if this knuckle head told you not to change your crankcase oil for 30,000 miles because the old oil helps the engine out you look at him like he was stupid!


This is one reason why ASE Certification doesn't impress me very much.

 

[Andrew]

I have always believed this rumour was started by people who get their transmission serviced at 150,000 miles for the first time. Following this service, the transmission fails. Thus, servicing transmissions causes them to fail.

In the same way, a mechanic who sees a car come into his shop with a transmission that hasn't been serviced in 150,000 miles, says that servicing the transmission might break it. He doesn't want to get lumbered with all the complaints when the customer blames him for breaking the transmission after a simple fluid change.

 

[artificialist]

I was told that since old ATF would have bits of clutch material in it, those bits of clutch material would help the AT clutches engage, even when they are worn.

 

[Tones]

I do mine every 15k. Be careful with your capacity. Toyota manuals are notoriously wrong with transmission fluid capacity. My manual is wrong for my truck--it also says 2 quarts, but takes 4 quarts. I suggest you measure what you take out and put that back in. Most transmissions I have seen use 3-4 quarts so I would have that much on hand.