Just flushed the Avalon with Mobil1 syn atf, and I noticed an immediate difference in drag on the drivetrain. The car coasts in gear almost as well as when it is in neutral, I do not know if this is due to the lower viscosity or improved lubrication of the syn but wow, instant noticeable difference. Also nice is not having to worry about changing the fluid for a very long time, I was going to go about 70k miles.
Flushed 97 Avalon with MOBIL1 Syn ATF...RESULTS
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was this the first time the fluid was flushed?? how did it look?
I wouldn't do 70k on that fluid. Do 15k maximum or 1 year drain and refills with Mobil1 ATF and you should be good with the ATF fluid in the harsh Brooklyn environment.
Well, the transmission was rebuilt around this time last year and they put whatever garbage fluid they had, it was in a big unlabeled drum. Being that the transmission cost 2200 dollars to rebuild I wanted to change the fluid to something good, even though it only has about 10k miles on it and the fluid looked fine. The Mobil 1 fluid was expensive ($6.50/qt), so I want to be able to use it for awhile.
What problems did you have before the rebuild? How many miles on your car
I too have a 97 Avalon with 145K miles and so far have done 3 drain and refills with Mobil 1 ATF. It takes 2 quarts for each drain and refill so that is only about $13 each time. I figure that by the time I do 6 or so drain and refills I would have pretty much all new mobil 1 ATF in the transmission.
I too have a 97 Avalon with 145K miles and so far have done 3 drain and refills with Mobil 1 ATF. It takes 2 quarts for each drain and refill so that is only about $13 each time. I figure that by the time I do 6 or so drain and refills I would have pretty much all new mobil 1 ATF in the transmission.
Well, I blew the torque converter clutch and clutch sprag rocking the car out of the snow. It wasn't really the transmissions "fault" per se. Needless to say I will be more careful in the future...However, even though I had a few flushes done on my transmission, the fluid would turn BLACK very quickly, and I mean black like engine oil. There might have been a problem for awhile...who knows, and that snow event may have been the straw that broke the horses back. Anyway, since the rebuild, the fluid has stayed nice and clear. My car has 131k miles on it right now.
Since so little fluid is changed out with each drain I would recomend 15K or once a year. It is too easy to pull the drain plug and top it up. Most Toyota automatics only lose 2-4 quarts of fluid per drain and refill so it is not a huge cost especialy when you figure how much fluid stay's in the trans. I have used M1 ATF in Toyota transmissions for a long long time and never have I had any problems.On that same note I would not hesitate to use Amsoil,Redline or Royal Purple ATF either. I change my Mother's ATF in her Tundra ever 15K-18K with M1 ATF.
Yea cheap insurace, I'm hoping to take this car to 200k miles which is 69k miles away.
Much has been said about sludge and the 1MZFE. I opened the cam covers for a look (anyway cam cover gasket was leaking)and all is well. SO I think you will have no issues going to 200K.
While the fluid might go to 50K or more you are building up more and more wear metals in it as it ages. So you need to do one of three things, refresh the ATF and remove wear metals via a drain & refill every 15K, or a Magnefine filter or a UOA.
with M1 you should do drain and fills (4-5qts per drain and fill)every 15k miles in hard city driving. if you do that, you should never flush again..drain and fills are very very very easy to do
yes, it is ridiculously easy to do drain and refills, easier than an oil change. So far after a full day of driving it and about 70 miles, I noticed that it coasts easier, shifts noticeably faster, and shifts smoother first thing in the morning when the fluid is cold. So far it is well worth it, as is the added protection. I also had another question...is it a good practice to clean out the valve body every so often to get rid of any debris that might be in there. I had a shifting problem that was caused by debris clogging a valve.
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How you gonna "clean out the valve body"? Best the average person can do is change the fluid. That sounds like something an experienced professional would do as part of a complete overhaul.
yea i was thinking taking it out blowing it out with compressed air thats all, nothing TOO involved haha, although that is pretty complicated in and of itself and a lil risky...maybe not a good idea. And to answer the previous posters questions, the transmission holds about 7.5 quarts +1 for the diff. I am not even 100% if the car has separate fluid for the diff, I know toyota changed the design at some point.Anyone here know the answer to that?
yummy88
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I too have a 97 Avalon with 145K miles and so far have done 3 drain and refills with Mobil 1 ATF. It takes 2 quarts for each drain and refill so that is only about $13 each time. I figure that by the time I do 6 or so drain and refills I would have pretty much all new mobil 1 ATF in the transmission.
With a 7.5 qt capacity system and 2 qts per d&f, you're looking at 8 d&fs to achieve ~90% new fluid. If you include the 1 qt for the diff then your looking at 9 d&fs.
Quote:
I too have a 97 Avalon with 145K miles and so far have done 3 drain and refills with Mobil 1 ATF. It takes 2 quarts for each drain and refill so that is only about $13 each time. I figure that by the time I do 6 or so drain and refills I would have pretty much all new mobil 1 ATF in the transmission.
With a 7.5 qt capacity system and 2 qts per d&f, you're looking at 8 d&fs to achieve ~90% new fluid. If you include the 1 qt for the diff then your looking at 9 d&fs.
The older it is, the more likely you have a separate drain/refill for the diff. Make sure that it is topped off correctly(level surface and overflowed).
Toyotas should drain more while up on ramps and given a little more time to drain.
Since you're in NYC, a single yearly or 10k drain/refill should be good maintenance. Stick with a full synthetic since you didn't mention any cooling or filtering upgrades.
If you want to go longer, definitely consider a magnefine or permacool ATF filter kit.
I'd also make an effort to change the diff every 20k or 2 years. ATF isn't the best gear oil.
The synth ATF can also be used to flush out the PSF.
Toyotas should drain more while up on ramps and given a little more time to drain.
Since you're in NYC, a single yearly or 10k drain/refill should be good maintenance. Stick with a full synthetic since you didn't mention any cooling or filtering upgrades.
If you want to go longer, definitely consider a magnefine or permacool ATF filter kit.
I'd also make an effort to change the diff every 20k or 2 years. ATF isn't the best gear oil.
The synth ATF can also be used to flush out the PSF.
really? they drain more while on ramps? what if i jack up one side so that the torque converter is tilted, wil it drain more?
It all depends on drain plug location, and fluid 'pockets' inside the transmission, how the flow is through the TC, where the cooler is located, and how strong gravity is where you're working......
I find that every vehicle has its own preferred tilt method for maximum fluid removal. Play with tilt locations and you'll find the best for your vehicle. Using 1 ramp on either left or right tire- front or back(4 trials right there), using 2 ramps on either both front or rear tires(2 trial and errors), using 2 ramps on either both right or left tires(2 more), using no ramps...... are easy starting points. Staggered heights, caused by curbs, extreme angles(like using ramps+steep driveway)......are other things to consider. Remember to use common sense as safety should be always considered.
I find that every vehicle has its own preferred tilt method for maximum fluid removal. Play with tilt locations and you'll find the best for your vehicle. Using 1 ramp on either left or right tire- front or back(4 trials right there), using 2 ramps on either both front or rear tires(2 trial and errors), using 2 ramps on either both right or left tires(2 more), using no ramps...... are easy starting points. Staggered heights, caused by curbs, extreme angles(like using ramps+steep driveway)......are other things to consider. Remember to use common sense as safety should be always considered.
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