Is changing transmission fluid Voo doo?

[Mackelroy]

MY wifes rav4 has 113,000 miles, and I took it to firestone to have the sparkplugs and fuel system cleaning and said go ahead and change the transmission fluid.

They said they wouldn't change transmission fluid on a 100,000 mile vehicle. So The dealer wanted like over $200, so I went to AAmco for $129. They sample the oil and said it looked a little dark, and said changing might cause issues. So just run the contaminated oil to transmission failure which could be 300,000 miles.

Si I think [censored], should I just trade it in, cause that contaminated oil may cause a lot of wear. Called the dealer for their opinion they said dependend on what the oil looks like they might decline too.

So I look under the vehicle to see where the transmission oil pan is and its easier than the engine oil and far as the drain plug. Wen to walmart for compatible toyota IV, drained 3.5 quarts and reinstalled 3.5 quarts and that should do it.

But man it seem like the transmission places will only change prestine condition oil.

Yes I could have pulled the pan and did the filter, but I removed enough contaminated oil that will suffice for my purpose. Actually when I drained the oil it was dirty, but I saw some translucency as it drain so it wasn't that bad. Had I known the drain and refill didn't even require lifting the vehicle Id have done it a long time ago.

 

[901Memphis]

Since the fluid is a little old i recommend a drain and fill like you did every 1000 miles or so to clean it up and remove contamination and after a few of those cycles you can extend the drain and fill cycles to 20-30k.

The shops just don't make enough money on transmission services to warrant any risks, they are just playing it safe.

Dirty fluid isn't doing you any favors.

What fluid did you get at Walmart?

 

[HTSS_TR]

The main problem is the fluid never been changed before and many transmission started to develop mechanical problem(s) after 100-150k miles. The shops do not want to be blamed for its problem after the fluid was changed at their shops, so they play it safe.

Since you can only drain about 1/3 to 1/2 total fluid in the system you should do 3-4 drains/fills in several months to replace most old fluid with new.

Memphis typed faster than me, we have similar idea !

 

[gfh77665]

I agree with you and I and I am TIRED of all the neurotic, overly cautious, lawyered-up refusals to plug or patch a tire, change trans fluid, steam clean engine, new tires on front, etc. requests.

Sick of all of it. Its MY car, and I'll sign a release or whatever, just DO THE DANG JOB, PEOPLE.

 

[gregk24]

Bunch of SCHMUCKS, it will do NO harm in any way. If the transmission fails after a fluid change it was going to fail anyway. I would only use the dealer, or do it yourself. The other shops use generic fluid. Do a couple drain and fills to clean things up. I believe changing the transmission fluid on time or earlier plays a large roll in extending the life of the transmission.

 

[silverrat]

Can you find an independent Toyota specialist in your area? I wouldn't bother with the chains you tried.

 

[Bandito440]

Here is my Rav4 ATF experience. I'd suggest four drain-and-fills with some driving in between.

Auto Zone had $11 gallons of Maxlife ATF on sale until the end of the month. I'd pick up a few of those and go at it.

 

[901Memphis]

Valvoline Maxlife dex/merc works well in those Toyota applications, valvoline lists it as compatible.

 

[GregGA]

I use maxlife in my Jeep AW-4(A-340 in Toyota's) and my wife's Honda Odyssey. Great fluid and you can't beat the deal Autozone has on it through 6/30.

 

[barkingspider]

I agree with everyone, drain and fill every couple thousand miles. I would do a pan drop and transmission filter replace in there as we'll. your Toyota should last a very long time.

 

[Donald]

No one wants to be liable if there are problems after. A few drain and fills should do it. It may have a drain plug, many Toyota's do.

I would change the filter inside the transmission also. Maybe after the first drain & fill.

A Magnefine inline filter is a good idea also.

 

[Bottom_Feeder]

Just to parrot what everyone else has said, just do a drain and fill every few thousand miles then leave it alone. I did so on my wife's Corolla starting around 83k. I didn't even change the filter since the pan has a drain plug which make it easy. I probably did three drain/fill rounds in three successive engine oil changes. Fluid used was MaxLife ATF in that transmission which specifies Dexron III. The thing works great.

 

[Mackelroy]

I used the Walmart super tech Mercon, says on the bottle compatible for Toy IV. Its a vibrant pinkish red in color. My driveway runs up hill and the drain is at the back of the pan so everything flowed downhill, I got out 3.5 quarts. I hear the total fluid in the system is near 5 quart. No metal cam out and no chunks of any debris.

Im a lot happier than just running dirty fluid to transmission failure, plus $18 at walmart is better than $200.

 

[4wheeldog]

Originally Posted By: Mackelroy
I used the Walmart super tech Mercon, says on the bottle compatible for Toy IV. Its a vibrant pinkish red in color. My driveway runs up hill and the drain is at the back of the pan so everything flowed downhill, I got out 3.5 quarts. I hear the total fluid in the system is near 5 quart. No metal cam out and no chunks of any debris.

Im a lot happier than just running dirty fluid to transmission failure, plus $18 at walmart is better than $200.



I am betting the total capacity is more like 12-13 quarts. 3 drain/fills will change out the majority of the old stuff.

Service folks shy away from changing old fluid, because people most often think to change the fluid when they notice a problem developing.........They get the fluid changed, and the problem gets worse. Guess who the client blames?

 

[901Memphis]

4 speed U140F..........8.8 quarts
4 speed U241E..........9.1 quarts

Those are the total system capacities for a 2005 Rav 4, since you didn't say what year i guessed based on mileage.

I would recommend the Valvoline Maxlife Dex/Merc, its a full synthetic far superior to anything else your going to buy at the store and Autozones are selling it for an unheard of $11 per gallon til 6/30, might wanna stock up!

 

[Mackelroy]

Mines a 2003 its like a 1FZ3 transmission or similar number. I may do it again in a few thousand miles.

 

[901Memphis]

These are the only options for your year.

Automatic Transmission, Total Fill
4 speed U140F..........8.8 quarts
4 speed U241E..........9.1 quarts

Same as the 2005.


Low mileage for the year btw

I recommend doing 2 more drain and fills with about 1,000 miles in between.

 

[JustinH]

Been getting the BG Transmission flush on the wife's matrix every 50k miles.

They pump a cleaner through the system, and then install synthetic fluid.

I'm pretty happy with the service, around $150, but easier than me doing it in the garage.

 

[Mackelroy]

Okay the (1azfe) was the engine.

The transmission is the 4 speed automatic 2 wheel drive, so somewhere about 9 quarts hidden in the somewhere.

When I called the dealer for pricing a few weeks back, they said $215 and we change all 12 quarts. >G

 

[jrustles]

Originally Posted By: Mackelroy
Mines a 2003 its like a 1FZ3 transmission or similar number. I may do it again in a few thousand miles.


Don't be afraid, an Aisin 4 speed won't give you any grief changing fluids at that mileage.

The logic of these transmission places just astounds me."Just drive it till it breaks" yeah stellar advice, genius. Some of them think that CYA entitles them to spout all kinds of nonsense