5-spd transmission oil change DIY

[tarbasd]

Finally I got around doing it this morning. Since I have seen many questions, I though I would create this DIY.

1. Buy the necessary oil (2 quarts of 75W90 GL-4 or GL-5) and make sure you have the tools. You will need jackstands, oil pan, 3/8 in tube and a funnel that fits into the tube, 24 mm socket with a ratchet and possibly some extensions depending on the ratchet geometry, and preferably a torque wrench.


2. Raise the car and secure it on jackstands.


3. Open the hood and find the fill plug (indicated on the picture).


4. Use a 24 mm socket to remove the fill plug.


5. Find the drain plug from the underside of the car.


6. Use a 24 mm socket to remove the drain plug.


7. Let the old oil drain.


8. Into the oil pan, of course.


9. Clean the drain plug and reinstall it. Tighten it using the torque wrench to 29 ft-lbs.


10. The easiest way to fill the transmission is using a tube and a funnel, as shown. I should have bought a longer tube, so I wouldn't have gotten cramps in my back. Fill it until the oil starts to run out of the fill hole. It should take exactly two quarts.


11. Reinstall and tighten the fill plug to 29 ft-lbs.

[JasonA]

Thanks!

You fill it until it begins to back-flow out of the fill hole, yes? With the car on ramps or stands, the fill hole will be pointing a bit up, so it should be plenty full at that point.

So how's it shift with the MT-90? I'm jealous. I think I'll do mine this winter. Maybe I'll ask for the oil for Christmas.

[tarbasd]

Originally Posted by JasonA

You fill it until it begins to back-flow out of the fill hole, yes? With the car on ramps or stands, the fill hole will be pointing a bit up, so it should be plenty full at that point.

That's right, but you can just pour in exactly two quarts, because that is how much it takes. After I finished my second quart, the fluid started to slowly drip. The car wasn't raised much, so it was pretty much horizontal. I added the info to the DIY.

So how's it shift with the MT-90? I'm jealous. I think I'll do mine this winter. Maybe I'll ask for the oil for Christmas.

I drove less then 10 miles after the oil change and I didn't feel much difference. Maybe it was little smoother, but it was perfectly fine before that, too, and it could be just that I expected to be smoother. However, my wife just got home from shopping; she drove 16 miles and she says it shifts definitely smoother now.

[JasonA]

Cool, thanks. Mine shifts very well also. The only "problem" I have is a rough engagement into Reverse when cold. Even with the clutch fully depressed, it'll clack as it goes into Reverse with the engine running. To get around that, I just shift into Reverse before I start the engine.

I'll be interested to know your impressions as the new fluid wears into everything. Is the drain plug magnetic? Did you notice a lot of trash on it, or in the old fluid? Is this your first fluid change? I know the owner's manual says that no change is necessary, but I just can't live with that. I'm addicted to changing oil. I figure I'll do 25k mile OCIs on the transaxle.

[mikered30]

GL-5 safe for the tranny? I know that is somewhat of a hot topic.

[touringcamry]

^ Do you have an owner's manual with the oil specification? GL-5 is not "backwards compatible" with GL-4 and should not be used in applications that call for GL-4. GL-5 can cause corrosion of yellow metals like brass.

My Camry calls for GL-4 so my guess is that the Corolla will be similar.

[mikered30]

Originally Posted by touringcamry

^ Do you have an owner's manual with the oil specification? GL-5 is not "backwards compatible" with GL-4 and should not be used in applications that call for GL-4. GL-5 can cause corrosion of yellow metals like brass.

My Camry calls for GL-4 so my guess is that the Corolla will be similar.

I do not have the manual, but the GL-5 is a hot topic on the "other site" where they claim the manual specifies either or, but I cannot confirm. There have been problems with the GL-5 fluid in the 9th gen trannys.

[tarbasd]

I know it is a hot topic, so I just quoted from the User's Manual, which calls for GL-4 or GL-5. As you can see, I used GL-4 myself to be on the safe side.

JasonA: I will reply to you, too, but let me drive the car for a few more days.

[stockrolla]

i could use some of those. Great DIY

so how much do those cost? hope its not too expensive

[touringcamry]

Originally Posted by mikered30

I do not have the manual, but the GL-5 is a hot topic on the "other site" where they claim the manual specifies either or, but I cannot confirm. There have been problems with the GL-5 fluid in the 9th gen trannys.

What do you mean by the "other site?" BITOG?

[kickstart]

Is everyjthing the sdame for the 6spd manual on the xrs?

[tarbasd]

Originally Posted by stockrolla

i could use some of those. Great DIY

so how much do those cost? hope its not too expensive

Two quarts of Red Line MT-90 is about $30 with shipping. Very few places will stock it, it is impossible to buy it in retail around here.

[tarbasd]

Originally Posted by kickstart

Is everyjthing the sdame for the 6spd manual on the xrs?

AFAIK one of the plugs is different size and the amount of fluid is different. Also, the torque specifications may be different. You can find a DIY at "9th gen corolla . com" (no spaces).

[tarbasd]

Originally Posted by JasonA

So how's it shift with the MT-90?

After a week, I can say it is definitely smoother. It is pleasure to drive the car.

[r0lla5XRS]

jasonA, going into reverse will usually "clack" when its cold, not because the tranny isnt warm, but its because there are no synchros in any reverse gears. the other reason is that when your engine is cold, it idles higher, therefore its harder for you to engage into reverse. my tip is, if you need to back out of a parking spot or something, start the car with it in reverse already.