I have a '94 Corolla DX that I purchased 4.5 yrs ago. I bought the car from a dealership so I don't have access to the maintenance records. The car had 105k miles on it at the time. It now has 138k miles on it. I have never changed the tranny fluid since I bought the car. I'm debating on whether or not I should. I am aware that if you change tranny fluid on a car that hasn't had the fluid changed for quite a while you can actually cause the tranny to start slipping. I had actually had that happen to me years ago. Had a mid-80s Chrysler that was long over due for a tranny fluid change. After I changed the fluid, it start slipping. I know older Fords were notorious for that as well. But does the same apply to my Corolla?
Maybe these slipping were caused by improper fluids.
I have change tranny fluids on both auto and manual transmissions all the time. No problem here. Stick with what your owner's manual specifies (i.e. ATF Dexron)
On my mom's 97 corolla, it specifies that the tranny fluid to be changed every 24,000 km. Thats roughly 15,000 miles!!!
the main question u need to answer before u start to worry about possible trans failures is what is the condition of the fluid NOW? is it still reddish in color? is the fluid clean looking with no metal shavings? if your answer is yes to both of these then go ahead with the change. u should change the filter, fluid and pan gasket and clean the magnets to get the job done right. synthtetic ATF is really the way to go, but its up to u. also dexron VI supercedes all previous ones so buy that if u can versus just getting regular dexron III which is kinda obsolete now. if u r not having any issues with the trans then i say go for it
^ correct...in fact, I changed my fluid and removed the trans pan on both of my Corollas (94 and 97 with `1.8 3 speed w/OD). One with unknown mileage and the other with aprox. 100K. I have had no problems with either one
the main question u need to answer before u start to worry about possible trans failures is what is the condition of the fluid NOW? is it still reddish in color? is the fluid clean looking with no metal shavings? if your answer is yes to both of these then go ahead with the change. u should change the filter, fluid and pan gasket and clean the magnets to get the job done right. synthtetic ATF is really the way to go, but its up to u. also dexron VI supercedes all previous ones so buy that if u can versus just getting regular dexron III which is kinda obsolete now. if u r not having any issues with the trans then i say go for it
Not having any issues with the tranny now. The fluid is a little darker than the bright red color of new tranny fluid. No metal shavings however.
But the real question is, will changing it now potentially cause it to start slipping?
^ correct...in fact, I changed my fluid and removed the trans pan on both of my Corollas (94 and 97 with `1.8 3 speed w/OD). One with unknown mileage and the other with aprox. 100K. I have had no problems with either one
How long (how many miles) between changing the fluid as you mentioned above, and the previous fluid change?
I've heard the problem occurs when it is too long between fluid changes on a high mileage tranny.
DO NOT CHANGE THAT FLUID. (if it isn't Red anymore. If the fluid color is bright red.... feel free, if it is anything but that, DO NOT TOUCH)
Thank you.
__________________ Corolla Number TWO OLD: Corolla 1- 96 4AFE, AE101 w/ 225k Miles orig. motor, 129k trans. - TOTALED. NEW: Corolla 2- 96 4AFE, AE101 w/ 161k Miles on motor and trans.
DO NOT CHANGE THAT FLUID. (if it isn't Red anymore. If the fluid color is bright red.... feel free, if it is anything but that, DO NOT TOUCH)
Thank you.
It is dark red. But not the bright red color of new ATF.
Like I mentioned in my original post, I had (on a previous car) experienced slippage immediately after changing the fluid on a car that had gone an extended period of time without a fluid change. That a Chrysler however. My main reason for this thread was to find out if the same holds true with Toyotas.
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