Sealed 100K Mile Transmissions with No Dip Stick (ATF Change) ?

[Deleted member 89374]

I can't believe this is still up for debate.

Here is what Lifetime Transmission Fluid means:

It's good for the Lifetime of The Transmission. Now, if the transmission malfunctions at some point, the fluid did its job and was good for the Lifetime of The Transmission. That's it.

Now, if you feel like giving that transmission a new lease of life, then change the fluid.

 

[jeepman3071]

I can't believe this is still up for debate.

Here is what Lifetime Transmission Fluid means:

It's good for the Lifetime of The Transmission. Now, if the transmission malfunctions at some point, the fluid did its job and was good for the Lifetime of The Transmission. That's it.

Now, if you feel like giving that transmission a new lease of life, then change the fluid.

+1

Lifetime = the manufacturer's warranty.

 

[Cruzer4326]

I'm an advocate for changing transmission fluid.
The concept of "Lifetime Oil", is ridiculous. And manufacturing a transmission without a dipstick is even more ridiculous.
I believe it is a cost saving measure on the part of the manufacturer and also is a point to coerce the owner to bring the auto to a dealer for service.
I've changed transmission fluid in many different GM transmissions over the years and never had a failure due to the fluid change. The only adverse effect I've ever experienced was hard shifts after putting Dexron VI into 4T65E's that came from the factory with Dexron III. I no longer do that.

 

[BMWTurboDzl]

"Lifetime fluid" was a marketing ploy, and not a maintenance philosophy.

Not really. Transmissions have been fitted with better cooling and protection from moisture. There are hundreds of thousands of units on the road which led easy lives and have never had the fluid changed.

 

[Silver]

First transmission I ever had to replace was a "sealed" and "good for 100k" 62TE in a Town and Country that crapped out just after the 100k recommended change. The fluid was extremely dark. Never towed a thing, never even broke traction. I've never had a transmission problem so I was not one of the guys that considered an ATF change before the manual said to.

 

[Shel_B]

For those who own sealed 100K mile transmissions with no change ATF - how many don't believe it and will change out ATF anyway ?

I changed mine at about 80k miles.

 

[Oily_Thing]

ZF recommends changing fluid in their transmissions at 60,000 miles because the fluid wears out.

 

[JMJNet]

Sealed does NOT mean that the trans fluid can not be changed.
You can still change it, just a little bit more involved to change it.
At least, that is the ones in the later model Toyota,

 

[Hall]

Sealed does NOT mean that the trans fluid can not be changed.

More than one automaker calls a transmission sealed yet it has a drain plug and fill location

 

[reemoeMO]

More than one automaker calls a transmission sealed yet it has a drain plug and fill location

I think that refers to not having a dipstick. I miss my old Saturn with a dipstick--so easy to change!

 

[haggler]

The dipstickless pans were a result of quick lubes. As time went on, OEMs know the fluid will last 5yr/60k, so they have no incentive to mark another maintenance task on the 5 year cost to own. 5 months ago I did my lady's camry with 55k miles. Two drain and fills with Idemitsu WS. Shifts are much smoother especially when cold and car shifts lightening fast when warmed up. You can't tell me that didnt improve the longevity of the transmission. But if you only keep a car 60k, well that is lifetime to you.

 

[thastinger]

CD4E in the 3L 04 Escape has 145K on it now and is still fine. These transmissions aren't known to last that long, there is no way to change the filter in them during a routine service. I have done a fluid exchange every 30K by removing the line to the the radiator, pump out 4 qts, put 4 new ones in, rince and repeat until all 13.5Qts have been replaced. That is really the only explanation I have to why is has outlasted the usual CD4E lifespan.

 

[SatinSilver]

As an anecdotal data point… The ‘10 Sienna just rolled over 230k on its factory fill ATF. Its 5 speed still shifts well and everything.

However, I did change the ‘12 Camry’s lifetime fluid at around 60k (exchange at a dealer, though several I called didn’t want to do it), just for a bit of peace of mind.

Same here with the '12 Camry although waited till 70k miles. Full exchange at the dealer. I called two different ones and both were happy to do it. There was a $50 price difference between the two however. They did ask if I was having any issues with it and I was not.

 

[SatinSilver]

The dipstickless pans were a result of quick lubes. As time went on, OEMs know the fluid will last 5yr/60k, so they have no incentive to mark another maintenance task on the 5 year cost to own. 5 months ago I did my lady's camry with 55k miles. Two drain and fills with Idemitsu WS. Shifts are much smoother especially when cold and car shifts lightening fast when warmed up. You can't tell me that didnt improve the longevity of the transmission. But if you only keep a car 60k, well that is lifetime to you.

Where did you get the Idemitsu WS fluid from? Had excellent results from Idemitsu T-IV clone in an 05 Matrix.

 

[tblt44]

For those who own sealed 100K mile transmissions with no change ATF - how many don't believe it and will change out ATF anyway ?

Don't they all have a fill plug ?
I wouldn't call them sealed, just difficult to check/drain and refill

 

[haggler]

Where did you get the Idemitsu WS fluid from? Had excellent results from Idemitsu T-IV clone in an 05 Matrix.

Napa, wait for a "bucket" 20% off sale price was less than WS.

 

[BMWTurboDzl]

ZF recommends changing fluid in their transmissions at 60,000 miles because the fluid wears out.

Yes and no. That was under their old severe service interval otherwise it's around 90k miles and "sooner" if the unit is of unknown history or operated under high loads/heat.

ZF Rev. 11/3/2022

 

[dfarr67]

I think the consumer (and associated long term maintenance costs) are far behind the EPA/enviro priorities of the manufacturer.

 

[SC Maintenance]

I will be doing a drain and fill every 30K on my no dipstick Toyota, just like both my Nissan's that have a dipstick.

Not sure why they dumped the dipstick, because a lot of dealers can't get the process right without the stick either. Better to DIY.

FWIW - my retired neighbor claims the only transmission problems he has ever had was one he changed the fluid on. He has had several vehicles go close to 300K with never changing. Not advocating - just reporting what he told me.

 

[SatinSilver]

Napa, wait for a "bucket" 20% off sale price was less than WS.

Excellent, about how many quarts did you get? I was thinking 12. I got the Idemitsu TLS at Autozone but they stopped carrying it. Although did get it on clearance price.