Tranny Fluid - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

luisitol · 03-31-2004, 04:22 PM

OK guys as I'm working on my car I know that more power is going to be put down so i want to upgrade my tranny fluid on my auto to RedLine transmission Fluid. Now how do I go about this cuz its always been said to me that you shouldn't change a tranny's fluid just add some if it needs it. Should i just start adding in RedLine whenever it needs it (although it rarely does), or can I do a tranny flush and put in new flud or something? Any and all tips appreciated.

Luis

Nick · 03-31-2004, 04:27 PM

auto tranny fluid should be changed every 2 years...

easiest way is to bring it to a shop where they can flush the tranny with that machine and put the redline AT fluid in

luisitol · 03-31-2004, 04:49 PM

that was my thoughts were but my freaking friend who's father owns a transmission shop keeps telling me that flushing the transmission fluid is gonna kill the tranny. I'm tired of telling him that hes wrong. any documentation on this ?

DIRTBIKEZ · 03-31-2004, 05:01 PM

I'd speak to the father.

Flushing the transmission in attempts to fix a slipping problem can make things worse.

You should also look into an auxiliary transmission cooler to use in addition to the stock one.

luisitol · 03-31-2004, 05:07 PM

its not his father who says it, its him.

I am going to be running a tranny cooler as well to deal with the upgraded power. I'm not changing the tranny fluid to help fix a problem, jsut to prevent a problem with more power.

***cam2Xrunner*** · 03-31-2004, 05:30 PM

How many miles has it been since your last trans flush? How often have you been doing your trans flush? I try to do mine every 15-20k My fluid has always been red. If the fruid right now is really dirty and hasn't been done in over 60-90k i wouldn't touch it besides adding some if it needs it. If the fluid is really brown/black and the tranny has alot of miles i wouldnt change it. If your tranny only has less than 60k you should be ok to do a flush, and would rec. it soon.

DIRTBIKEZ · 03-31-2004, 05:30 PM

Quote:

its not his father who says it, its him.

Thats my point, talk to the father. He should know.

***Phi*** · 03-31-2004, 05:32 PM

If your tranny is currently in good condition, flush all the old fluid out and replace with Redline's Hi-Temp ATF (opposed to regular synth.). It's recommended to compliment that with an auxillary cooler. If you wanna go one step further, have you valvebody re-calibrated by a reputable shop to increase fluid pressue thus reducing slippage.

I've gone the Redline and cooler route already.

DIRTBIKEZ · 03-31-2004, 05:34 PM

trdcamry2003, you're just wasting your time and money changing your fluid so often.

***cam2Xrunner*** · 03-31-2004, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DIRTBIKEZ
trdcamry2003, you're just wasting your time and money changing your fluid so often.

I've been working at an autoshop the last year and a half so it has been free this whole time. Now i work at the toyota dealership so it's still pretty cheap. Toyota does rec. your tranny fluid being changed every 15k on some models and every 30k on other models. And when you drive your car hard it's pretty cheap ins. for the trans.

luisitol · 03-31-2004, 06:11 PM

My tranny has 160,000 miles on it, yesa its alot, but still runs like a champ. The fluid was red last time i checked but i'll give it a quick look over this weekend. So assuming that my fluid is pretty clean i am good to go with the tranny fluid change as long as i install a cooler (which i already planned on doing) right? And if its dirty what can i do?

***ekpolk*** · 03-31-2004, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Phi
If your tranny is currently in good condition, flush all the old fluid out and replace with Redline's Hi-Temp ATF (opposed to regular synth.). It's recommended to compliment that with an auxillary cooler. If you wanna go one step further, have you valvebody re-calibrated by a reputable shop to increase fluid pressue thus reducing slippage.

I've gone the Redline and cooler route already.

Phi:

I'm very curious about this, since I'm just over 30k on my car, and preparing to change ATF. My car calls for the use of Toyota's "Type IV" ATF, and as you probably know, the manual threatens possible dire consequences if you use anything else (like Dex or Merc). The Redline folks told me not to put any of their products, even the Hi-Temp into a Type-IV car. They would NOT tell me if this was based upon a real mecahnical concern, or if it was just liability avoidance. Amsoil, on the other hand, says it's perfectly OK to use their synthetic ATF, and that their product warranty will apply if it causes any mechanical mischief, even in a car that calls for Type-IV. Their ATF webpage even advertises Type-IV compatability. I've noted from a couple other posts that it looks like you're having good results with the RL hi-temp. How did you decide to use it? Any signs of misbehavior at all on it? Is yours a Type-IV fluid car?

***cam2Xrunner*** · 03-31-2004, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by luisitol
My tranny has 160,000 miles on it, yesa its alot, but still runs like a champ. The fluid was red last time i checked but i'll give it a quick look over this weekend. So assuming that my fluid is pretty clean i am good to go with the tranny fluid change as long as i install a cooler (which i already planned on doing) right? And if its dirty what can i do?

If it is red then it should be fine to do a flush. I'd also rec changing the tranny fliter and the trans oil pan gasket. Chances are at 160k it's prob. leaking a little anyway. The whole service usually costs around 149$ usd inc flush. Also check for metal pieces in the trans fluid. Pull out the dipstick and dap it on a piece of white paper. If there is metal shavings the only thing i would do is ad lucas trans additive and trans oil cooler.

***Tony the Tiger*** · 03-31-2004, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Phi
If your tranny is currently in good condition, flush all the old fluid out and replace with Redline's Hi-Temp ATF (opposed to regular synth.). It's recommended to compliment that with an auxillary cooler. If you wanna go one step further, have you valvebody re-calibrated by a reputable shop to increase fluid pressue thus reducing slippage.

I've gone the Redline and cooler route already.

^^^

What I would say as well

There are two fluids I would run... Redline or Amsoil ATF. As for tranny cooler, bigger is better. Choose the biggest one you could fit without compromising other things though (don't get a HUGE one that covers your entire rad

)

***EKam*** · 03-31-2004, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Tony the Tiger
As for tranny cooler, bigger is better. Choose the biggest one you could fit without compromising other things though (don't get a HUGE one that covers your entire rad )

No concern for cold Canadian weather... like the situation when tranny is over-cooled on first few minutes of driving in sub-zero temperatures???