Transmission Fluid Question - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

chiliboy · 09-29-2009, 10:02 PM

I have an 06 Corrola S. I have 118K miles. I have read the owners manual and it stated that the automatic transmission fluid did not need to be changed under normal driving conditions. I think I qualify for that. Most of my miles were highway miles.

Just for grins, I checked the fluid. It is a brownish color. After reading several posts, I now realize that I should have been checking the fluid at regular intervals and not waiting for 100K miles. I purchased fluid from Toyota and was about to do the drop and refill process. However, after reading several posts, I am not sure that is such a wise move.

Can anyone offer some advice on doing the drop and refill or leave it alone.

bigkat91 · 09-29-2009, 10:12 PM

i think it would be advised to drop the pan and clean the magnets and clean the filter screen. I think you'll need to go to Toyota to get the right gasket for the pan. Then fill the pan back up to full and do a flush via the cooler return line proceedure. just my two cents work or two dollars now...

deja_vu1344 · 09-29-2009, 10:36 PM

It really depends on the condition of your fluid. Does it smell burnt? And how dark is the fluid exactly? I know that if the fluid is past a certain point it is better to just leave it as is. The problem with doing a drain and fill or flush when the fluid is very dark or burnt is that the detergents in the new fluid may eat away at the seals and cause leaks.

chiliboy · 09-30-2009, 07:18 PM

I checked the fluid agian tonight. It does not smell burnt to me. It just smells like hydraulic fluid to me. It is a reddish brown color on the dipstick and on the white rag that I am using to clear the dipstick.

Does that help with the decision? I am thinking about taking it to my local mechanic and get his opinion.

islandboy57 · 09-30-2009, 08:59 PM

I'd do several drain/refills. Drive for a week between each fluid change. Your car is a 2006, not a 1992 that's never ever had a ATF change w/ 200K miles.

JasonA · 10-01-2009, 07:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by islandboy57

I'd do several drain/refills. Drive for a week between each fluid change. Your car is a 2006, not a 1992 that's never ever had a ATF change w/ 200K miles.

Concur.

Exage · 10-01-2009, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chiliboy

I have an 06 Corrola S. I have 118K miles. I have read the owners manual and it stated that the automatic transmission fluid did not need to be changed under normal driving conditions. I think I qualify for that. Most of my miles were highway miles.

The recommended intervals are in the Owner's Supplement Manual...

Automatic Transmission

Replace fluid every 72 months/96,000km (60,000mi)

Fluid capacity (drain and refill), L (qt., Imp qt.):
Up to 3.0 (3.2, 2.6)

Inspect for signs of leakage

Change using only Toyota Genuine ATF Type T-IV, ATF (JWS3309 or NWS6500).

Notice: Using automatic transmission fluid other that “Toyota Genuine ATF Type T-IV” may cause deterioration in shift quality, locking up of your transmission accompanied by vibration, and ultimately damage the automatic transmission of your vehicle

chiliboy · 10-01-2009, 07:53 PM

I did not see that in my supplement. It never lists a change interval.

Exage · 10-01-2009, 08:01 PM

???

The supplement lists the change intervals for nearly all the fluid changes, and general maintenance. Or atleast mine did. The Owners manual is the one says nothing about change intervals.

There are two booklets that come with the Corolla new, Corolla Owner's Manual (model specific) and Owner's Manual Supplement (covers all models of that year).

What I posted above is the combination of the two...

chiliboy · 10-01-2009, 09:07 PM

I just checked and double checked. I dont have a supplement. I just have the Maintenance schedule. At 60K it states to change the transmission fluid only if you have been towing.

Is your supplement for an 06 Corolla?

I will stop by a toyota dealership tomorrow to see if I can get one for my car.

In either case, do you think it is still safe to change the fluid or leave it alone? I have read many posts and I am still unsure on what course to take.

theoak · 10-02-2009, 07:13 PM

I have seen quite a few posts of folks doing a transmission drain and fill on 9th generation Corollas with the fluid amount around 3.75 to 4 quarts.

I would keep at least 4 quarts around ...

Exage · 10-02-2009, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chiliboy

I just checked and double checked. I dont have a supplement. I just have the Maintenance schedule. At 60K it states to change the transmission fluid only if you have been towing.

Is your supplement for an 06 Corolla?

I will stop by a toyota dealership tomorrow to see if I can get one for my car.

In either case, do you think it is still safe to change the fluid or leave it alone? I have read many posts and I am still unsure on what course to take.

Pics... Above is the 2005 Corolla Owner's Manual, Below is the 2005 Owner's Manual Supplement which applys to all 2005 Toyota Models. Personally I would change your fluid...

Sorry my camera is horrible for writing and close-ups, And clearly I have Parkinsons, because I can never hold it steady.

chiliboy · 10-02-2009, 10:13 PM

Thanks for the pictures. I have a maintenance schedule that lists all required fluid change and other maintenance items for the 06. It only states to check the fluid. In the owners manual for the 06, it says that the fluid never needs to be changed under normal conditions, but the maintenance schedule states that you should change the fluid at 60K miles if you tow.

In either case, I am going to flush and fill this week. I will do that a couple of times, then drop the pan and refill again.

Slaander · 10-02-2009, 10:24 PM

here is 2008 Owners Manual Supplement in PDF

http://www.mediafire.com/file/mjimot...9;s Manual.pdf

chiliboy · 10-04-2009, 10:16 PM

Would it be best to do a pan drop and fluid drain or will a simple drain and refill do the trick?