Transmission fluid color for only 7800 miles

[bxsvx]

Originally Posted By: oiltard
I'd recommend the cooler route for sure. Heat is what breaks down transmissions fluid, so the lower temps you run it at, the better (to a point). I even have a transmission cooler in my 2005 Civic, which is probably unnecessary overkill. It's a closed system, so if there's much more to pick up than the sludge that gets caught by the magnet, you have bigger problems than particles, like clutch packs breaking apart, and no filter is gonna save you from a rebuild.


I wonder what the external cooler on my TL-AWD is rated for. I have to do research on what cooler to replace the factory's external cooler with.

Hopefully installing the filter with such low miles, will save the trans down the line.

I saw a picture online, where the guy removed the shift solenoids from a Acura Legend and clutch material came out...Scary stuff.

 

[mongo161]

Maybe a couple of sprays of Kroil on the bolt, the day before, will help to free it up some.


Originally Posted By: oiltard
Make sure you have a 17mm 6-point socket and a LONG ratchet extension (and a breaker bar) before you pull the drain plug. You can't put the fluid in through the dipstick tube, and you will have a hard time reaching the ATF fill bolt on top. And that sucker's on there tight. Ask me how I know.

 

[nitehawk55]

The Asain transmissions in the Ford Fusion a few years back were awful for turning the oil brown but not burnt smelling . They say this is normal but I did a few drain and fills with Amsoil ATF in our 07 AWD to make it clear red again and it's been fine since going on 30K (50K km) . I'll do another this summer .

 

[mongo161]

It seems that many OEM's want people to run not just the anti-freeze/coolant longer but also the trans-axle fluid for over 100K.

What up with running the trans-axle fluid for so long without a drain and refill?

A neighbor has a Toyota Prius and has told me that he is good for at least 120K on the original fill.

What about metal filings and shavings....don't these figure into the equation for longevity of the trans-axle?

I know that I'd want to at least change out the fluid, and any filter, by 50K, lifetime warranty or not.

Does anyone know if there is a filter in these Toyota Prius trans-axle that should be changed?

Is what I heard the truth.....or just more marketing selling points?

 

[Donald]

The red in ATF is just a dye and can go away with use and you are then back to the natural color of the ATF. This may happen sooner on some brands of ATF. But as we know the ATF will also change color with use and also if its doing some cleaning. Obviously a used oil analysis is the way to tell for sure.

Smell may help. If it smells burnt, it needs to be changed. But no smell of burnt does not tell you anything either way.

 

[bxsvx]

Originally Posted By: Donald
The red in ATF is just a dye and can go away with use and you are then back to the natural color of the ATF. This may happen sooner on some brands of ATF. But as we know the ATF will also change color with use and also if its doing some cleaning. Obviously a used oil analysis is the way to tell for sure.

Smell may help. If it smells burnt, it needs to be changed. But no smell of burnt does not tell you anything either way.


Seems like used oil analysis is the only definitive answer.