I have a 04-Corolla on 27K miles on it. I was wondering if I should change the tranny oil when my next servicing is due at about 30K. Also, I have heard a lot that flushing your tranny is no good. So, what would you say is the best way to change the tranny oil and other things for tranny servicing? Thanks.
With such low miles, I wouldn't worry about it. I prefer to not flush. Just drain and refill, and change the filter if there is one, or just clean the screen (non-replaceable filter).
Flushing problems appear to be an issue with older trans that have a lot of debris built up or those that never had a trans fluid change during their lifetime.
A drain and refill will only change the fluid in the pan, about 2/3rds is in the torque converter.
If having the shop do the work your options may only be a flush to get all the fluid out.
If doing it yourself you can do 3-4 pan changes over a short period of driving time.
Or disconnect the cooler return line to the pan, attach a hose and run it into a large container.
Drain and refill the pan, start engine let the fluid run out (use a helper). Stop engine, refill and repeat the process until the fluid coming out is clear. Guessing the trans holds 6 quarts thus will need 8+ to do the job.
Drain and refill the pan, start engine let the fluid run out (use a helper). Stop engine, refill and repeat the process until the fluid coming out is clear. Guessing the trans holds 6 quarts thus will need 8+ to do the job.
Actually, 9th gen Corolla's hold 12 qts of Type IV fluid, so a flush is the best way to deal with it IF you have a problem or burnt smelling fluid. However corolla fluid is "suposed" to last 100,000 miles. So until you put at least 60,000 miles just drain and refill IMHO. My dealer flushed, dropped pan and cleaned screen and replaced 12 quarts for $145. Good insurance imho.
Yeah, I think waiting to at least 50-60k miles is still way conservative for the type of fluid that's used. To make it easy, 50k mile transmission fluid intervals are probably reasonable, if you just can't wait until 100k miles.
Yeah, I think waiting to at least 50-60k miles is still way conservative for the type of fluid that's used. To make it easy, 50k mile transmission fluid intervals are probably reasonable, if you just can't wait until 100k miles.
This is what sort of I am thinking at this moment. The biggest problem I have is that I am not able to find a good mechanic (who can be trusted) around here. So, whatever they inspect they say that has to be replaced or flushed or drained or whatever! So, last time I'd 24K servicing and obviously guy told me to change the power steering oil! A total bill of about $400!!
Last edited by alpha_1976; 12-12-2008 at 08:35 AM.
Use your owner's manual as a guide. You don't have to have services done that they recommend. Educate yourself on the maintenance intervals shown in your owner's manual and call the mechanic on it if he recommends something that's not in the book. Make him show you WHY it has to be done (like if the power steering fluid is pitch black or something).
Use your owner's manual as a guide. You don't have to have services done that they recommend. Educate yourself on the maintenance intervals shown in your owner's manual and call the mechanic on it if he recommends something that's not in the book. Make him show you WHY it has to be done (like if the power steering fluid is pitch black or something).
Manual says "Inspect" and after so-called inspection my mechanic says "change it"! He tells me how color has changed and if you don't do it you may face more expensive repairs later! I wasn't satisfied so I said let's do it 'next time' but from all this you get the picture! You can't trust what they tell you to do.
Manual says "Inspect" and after so-called inspection my mechanic says "change it"! He tells me how color has changed and if you don't do it you may face more expensive repairs later! I wasn't satisfied so I said let's do it 'next time' but from all this you get the picture! You can't trust what they tell you to do.
Well, HAS the color changed? We're talking power steering fluid here? If it's pitch black, yeah, it might need changing. If it's the color of engine oil (it should be), you're fine. And you don't need to pay a mechanic to do a system "flush" on it. He'll hook his machine up to it, go smoke a ciggy, come back 5 minutes later and write you an invoice for an hour's worth of labor and $15 in fluid. Just get a turkey baster, suck all the old fluid out of your reservoir, refill it with fresh, and do that once a day for a week. You'll get most all of the old fluid out, you'll spend a maximum of about an hour total, and you'll do it for less than $10.
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