Transmission Fluid Change vs Flush

[Al_S]

Hi folks,

What is the consensus on transmission fluid change on 2004 Corollas? More specifically, I am looking for advice on whether to change fluid by dropping pan, draining or is it better to perform a system flush? What about the filter? Is it an inline item or is it accessible when the pan is removed? The car had the fluid changed already by the dealer under the previous owner.

Thanks in advance,

Al

[NewMorphy]

Try this thread:

Transmission Fluid Change?

[Al_S]

Originally Posted by NewMorphy

Try this thread:

Transmission Fluid Change?

It looks like the opinions are divided among performing the flush to pan-remove-drain-re-fill to some home method of flushing. If the factory recommends only drain and fill at 100,000 miles, wouldn't the flush procedure appear a bit radical? I appreciate the link though the controversy remains.

Al

[NewMorphy]

If your AT fluid looks and smells good, a drain and refill is probably sufficient. How many miles on your 2004? I tend to be very careful when it comes to this issue since tranny repairs can be so expensive. Since I bought my 2005 used and didn't know how it was cared for I was prepared to spend the $150 for a dealership flush. Remember a drain doesn't remove all the fluid.

[jkjk15]

I did the drain and fill with the pan removed and cleaned. Used Amsoil ATF.

Since a drain and fill does not get all the old fluid out, I plan on doing another drain and fill (not removing the pan) early this spring. ATF drain and fill on these cars are real easy in my opinion, so thats why I opt for this method.

[Al_S]

Originally Posted by NewMorphy

If your AT fluid looks and smells good, a drain and refill is probably sufficient. How many miles on your 2004? I tend to be very careful when it comes to this issue since tranny repairs can be so expensive. Since I bought my 2005 used and didn't know how it was cared for I was prepared to spend the $150 for a dealership flush. Remember a drain doesn't remove all the fluid.

The car has a paper trail of dealer service given to me from the original owner and had coolant and tranny fluid service. I assume that the tranny service may only be drain/fill, though I think I will ask service what they do in such a case. There are 74000 miles on it and did not appear to have what would be anything other than that typical tranny fluid smell. That is, it didn't look/smell burnt. The place where I had it inspected said that the fluid looked "a bit" dirty and recommended the flush.

Al

[Al_S]

Originally Posted by jkjk15

I did the drain and fill with the pan removed and cleaned. Used Amsoil ATF.

Since a drain and fill does not get all the old fluid out, I plan on doing another drain and fill (not removing the pan) early this spring. ATF drain and fill on these cars are real easy in my opinion, so thats why I opt for this method.

How would that compare to having a flush done for 120 - 150 dollars versus the consecutive drain/fill cycles? I guess the Amsoil is cheaper than Toyota's ATF so it would then be cheaper.

[jkjk15]

Originally Posted by Al_S

How would that compare to having a flush done for 120 - 150 dollars versus the consecutive drain/fill cycles? I guess the Amsoil is cheaper than Toyota's ATF so it would then be cheaper.

The Amsoil ATF is probably similar in price to the Toyota ATF, but I prefer using synthetic.

For me, the drain/fill cycles would be cheaper than the flush, since I do the drain/fill myself.

I think either way, it'll do the job in my opinion.