Inquisitive about servicing Tranny?

[THORROMIG]

Camry in signature, with alittle over 105 thousand miles. Got the car off my Aunt and her service records do not mention anything about transmission. Has the 5 speed automatic, would it be fine just to drain & refill with Toyota Transmission fluid or does the filter need changed also?

 

[JHZR2]

Everything needs to be changed in time. But on a neglected unit I like to do things gently... So I'd withdraw some fluid, and add some new. Repeat this a few times over a few thousand miles to get new cleaning agents in there and start the process. You might even add a small dose of trans-x before the last time and only drive a bit before dropping the pan.

Does the torque converter drain? If so I'd do it, if not, you may consider a quick manual flush through the cooler lines,.

 

[Donald]

I would change the filter and all the fluid not just what was in the pan. A cooler line exchange should be fine. You do not need to do multiple drain & fills the cooling line method uses less ATF. I would go with a synthetic ATF line Amsoil or Redline. I used Amsoil in a 1994 Camry I had and it ran fine at over 200K when I sold it. Magnefine inline filter also a good idea. You should have drain plug in the pan. Most Carmys do.

 

[QuOk]

Change fluid and Lubeguard red.

 

[Falken]

I'm actually amazed someone hasn't formulated a low or no detergent ATF.

Getting a new ATF in there to reduce the PPM of wear materials is most peoples objectives on older abused ATs.

It is the introduction of fresh detergent that is the concern, so as stated, do it slow as to "wear out" the new detergent by spacing out the drain and fills and not doing the whole volume in one shot.

 

[TFB1]

Originally Posted By: Falken
I'm actually amazed someone hasn't formulated a low or no detergent ATF.



Since when does ATF have detergents???

 

[Falken]

You're right TFB1. There aren't any detergents in ATF.

Some ATs fail early because the grit in the fluid is what keeps it shifting when the clutch packs are heavily worn IIRC.

I'm forgetting alot of stuff from classes I need to hit the books again!

 

[The Critic]

Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Everything needs to be changed in time. But on a neglected unit I like to do things gently... So I'd withdraw some fluid, and add some new. Repeat this a few times over a few thousand miles to get new cleaning agents in there and start the process. You might even add a small dose of trans-x before the last time and only drive a bit before dropping the pan.

Does the torque converter drain? If so I'd do it, if not, you may consider a quick manual flush through the cooler lines,.


Neglected? T-IV is lifetime fill -- it clearly says so on the dipstick.

I would just flush the transmission with new T-IV from the dealer. No additional action is needed.

 

[gregk24]

Do 3 drain and fills a couple weeks/month apart. This will slowly introduce the new fluid without shocking the transmission with detergents. There is also no such thing as lifetime fluids. If you actually believe that, dont expect much life out of the transmission.

 

[The Critic]

Originally Posted By: gregk24
If you actually believe that, dont expect much life out of the transmission.


I've seen many transmissions go over 150k on the original fluid.

The OEMs have an intended service life for the unit and the number is generally acceptable for most consumers. Since most BITOGers are probably not your typical consumer, it is understandable that they want to go above/beyond the OEM recommendations. Whether this may make a meaningful difference in the end is of course, questionable.

However, please do not bash the concept of a lifetime fluid because it clearly works fine for most users -- and you do not have a large amount of credible data to suggest otherwise.

 

[Falken]

I do drain and fills frequently because I don't think I have a proper filter in the transmission anywhere.

I think the Honda Fit relies on the magnet on the end of the drain plug, and has a coarse mesh in-line filter under the battery tray.

So every year or two I buy three quarts of DW-1 from the dealer for 10$ each to change over 2.5 or 2.6 Litres for one drain and fill.

 

[Kira]

Hello, FYI: The transmission filter on that vehicle is only accessible with a removal and teardown.

Raise the vehicle's left side. Remove the drain plug (24mm hex head plug, 18mm aluminum crush washer).
Close to 4 quarts of fluid will drain. Replace through the dipstick tube. Use Toyota T-IV or equivalent.

Decide what needs to be done next. Sending a sample off for analysis will tell you more than guessing how black it is.
Most here would agree that a burnt smell would warrant more refreshment. Kira

 

[tommygunn]

Yes, you can simply drain and refill. The filter cannot be changed. One drain and fill every 30k should be sufficient.

I like to use Mag 1 Synthetic Low-Vis. It's really cheap on Amazon. Part #64092.

Maxlife is also popular on here.

 

[99Saturn]

Originally Posted By: gregk24
There is also no such thing as lifetime fluids. If you actually believe that, dont expect much life out of the transmission.

1989 Cavalier Z24 247K miles on the factory fill trans fluid, and the transmission was fine when the car went. I don't think my parents have ever changed the transmission fluid on any car (GM's) that I have been alive to see, and they all surpassed 200K and were not retired because of trans problems.

I'm not by any means advocating leaving the fluid in this long, but there are many cars that run past 200K with the factory fill.

 

[Rolla07]

Simple: Drain and fill with Toyota fluid. Dont bother changing the filter. It is considered lifetime fluid so I bet it will work fine but personally I change mine every 50-60k miles. Im at 115k miles and changed fluid once. I wouldnt do a flush and i wouldnt do drain and fills every 3000 or wtv some others recommend. Its a waste and not necessary.

 

[rhhsiao]

Do a drain and fill with either Toyota T-IV fluid or Castrol Import Multi-Vehicle ATF. If it works well, switch to regular intervals and you'll be fine.

 

[Colt45ws]

Originally Posted By: 99Saturn
Originally Posted By: gregk24
There is also no such thing as lifetime fluids. If you actually believe that, dont expect much life out of the transmission.

1989 Cavalier Z24 247K miles on the factory fill trans fluid, and the transmission was fine when the car went. I don't think my parents have ever changed the transmission fluid on any car (GM's) that I have been alive to see, and they all surpassed 200K and were not retired because of trans problems.

I'm not by any means advocating leaving the fluid in this long, but there are many cars that run past 200K with the factory fill.

>1989
A old hydraulic control transmission. 3 speed. When clutches were engaged, they just went on. Likely didnt even have electronic lockup. Also behind an engine that produced 125HP.

Modern transmissions have full electronic control including controlled slip lockup and clutch engagement for the baby bottom smooth shifts everybody demands, have twice as many gears and have to handle more power.