Completely sealed, never-change-the-fluid trannies

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted By: grampi
Our 2015 Sienna is the first vehicle I've ever owned that never requires the transmission fluid to be changed. It doesn't even have a dipstick. I'm not really comfortable with this notion, as I am still under the impression that ALL fluids eventually go bad and need to be changed. The vehicle does have a lifetime drivetrain warranty, so I guess if the transmission ever does go bad because of the fluid, it'll be on their dime to fix it. Still, is this uneasy feeling of mine just wrong, or is there some merit to it?


Given your comments on the T&C thread about how wonderful your van is, I'm not sure why you would be the slightest bit concerned.

Assuming you're serious about your unbeatable vehicle, I suspect that you can easily find a drain and fill port. It was simple as could be on our odyssey.

 

[Wolf359]

I wonder if they'll change their minds later. My Mercedes had lifetime transmission fluid when it first came out, later on they changed their mind and recommended 39k fluid level changes.

 

[The_Jeff]

Who writes this lifetime warranty? The dealer? 3rd party?

All transmissions have a way in, even if it's just a speedometer cable hole (now I date myself!)

 

[4wd]

I recall reading a dealer tells this guy the Cruze was all sealed and you can't change ATF.
So, I find a guy on YouTube doing it - and it's actually the easiest vehicle I have ever done ...

 

[mclasser]

Originally Posted By: eljefino
Who writes this lifetime warranty? The dealer? 3rd party?

I'm thinking it's a lifetime guarantee as long as every service is done at the dealer, where they'll deny a claim if one tire rotation is missed.

 

[Dave Hess]

Originally Posted By: gregk24
If it's truly a sealed transmission that would be a deal breaker for me. When I was in the market that was one of the things that turned me off the Camry and Corolla.


Since what year did Camry have sealed transmission ?

 

[SatinSilver]

Originally Posted By: Mr Nice
Since what year did Camry have sealed transmission ?


Since 2010.

 

[Wolf359]

Originally Posted By: eljefino
Who writes this lifetime warranty? The dealer? 3rd party?

All transmissions have a way in, even if it's just a speedometer cable hole (now I date myself!)


Not sure if you're referring to me, but it's the manufacturer who claims that the transmission is sealed for life and the fluid doesn't need changing. But they don't give you any extended warranty on it. Maybe they were finding failures on those cars that bought extended 100k warranties.

 

[Gebo]

I just measured what I drained out cold and added that same amount. I did it 4 times. Of course I ran it in order to circulate the old and the new and let it sit overnight to cool. Took a few days.

 

[grampi]

Originally Posted By: eljefino
Who writes this lifetime warranty? The dealer? 3rd party?



The dealer...

 

[grampi]

Originally Posted By: mclasser
Originally Posted By: eljefino
Who writes this lifetime warranty? The dealer? 3rd party?

I'm thinking it's a lifetime guarantee as long as every service is done at the dealer, where they'll deny a claim if one tire rotation is missed.


That's probably true...

 

[nobb]

Is there something about AT fluid that makes it expand with temperature more than other fluids? The thermal coefficient of expansion for liquids is usually so small and negligible. I know with our new Dodge Grand Caravan, there is a special dipstick you need to buy and there is a chart for fill level vs temp.

It's kind of silly that modern AT's have such complicated drain/fill procedures and fills levels that are so finicky. Other than pinching pennies, I see no reason why they can't design the sumps slightly oversized with safety factors such that the fill level can be measured with a simple dipstick. There's got to be a safety factor in the sump already to account for operation on inclined surfaces.

 

[Leo99]

Originally Posted By: SatinSilver
Originally Posted By: Mr Nice
Since what year did Camry have sealed transmission ?


Since 2010.


They're not sealed.

 

[fdcg27]

How will measuring the drained ATF and then adding the same volume get you into trouble?
Park the thing overnight, drain before running and then add the same volume of fluid that is at the same temperature, which would be ambient.
Seems pretty straightforward unless I'm missing something.

 

[DBMaster]

Originally Posted By: fdcg27
How will measuring the drained ATF and then adding the same volume get you into trouble?
Park the thing overnight, drain before running and then add the same volume of fluid that is at the same temperature, which would be ambient.
Seems pretty straightforward unless I'm missing something.


That's what I did when I did a D&F on my 2012 Mazda3 (Skyactiv). I used two empty windshield washer fluid jugs for measuring.

 

[doitmyself]

Is the term "sealed transmission" a misnomer for ALL brands? It seems that people confuse the lack of a dipstick with the term sealed transmission. The "filled for life" Hyundai transmission in my Jeep has a drain plug, a fill plug, and a dipstick plug (bought separately and not permanently installed). It is not "sealed" by any definition, yet people still refer to it as sealed.

Are any brands actually sealed, with the fluid non serviceable? We need to end this confusion. Its not unlike the confusion that existed years ago between transmission (power) flush and fluid exchange.

 

[RooflessVW]

Originally Posted By: doitmyself
Is the term "sealed transmission" a misnomer for ALL brands? It seems that people confuse the lack of a dipstick with the term sealed transmission. The "filled for life" Hyundai transmission in my Jeep has a drain plug, a fill plug, and a dipstick plug (bought separately and not permanently installed). It is not "sealed" by any definition, yet people still refer to it as sealed.

Are any brands actually sealed, with the fluid non serviceable? We need to end this confusion. Its not unlike the confusion that existed years ago between transmission (power) flush and fluid exchange.


There is no such thing as a truly "sealed transmission." The oil has to go in and come out somehow to facilitate maintenance like a valve body change or the like.

 

[The Critic]

Originally Posted By: fdcg27
How will measuring the drained ATF and then adding the same volume get you into trouble?
Park the thing overnight, drain before running and then add the same volume of fluid that is at the same temperature, which would be ambient.
Seems pretty straightforward unless I'm missing something.


If the fluid swap is done after the car has sat overnight, you will be fine. Unfortunately, most people do the swap when the engine is warm and that is where the issues occur.