05 Corolla LE, Cold Transmission Slip - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

mpraz · 10-19-2009, 10:40 AM

Hello,

I'm only having this when the car sits overnight or a long period of time and its cold. Initial take off, the trans will slip a bit for a couple seconds, therafter its fine? Seems odd, thought I would check here first. Fluid levels seem to look fine, will have to re check on a level surface.

It currently has 70,000 miles.

Thanks

tigerclaws1318 · 10-19-2009, 12:07 PM

Do you let the car warm up before driving off? If not let the car warm up for a minute or more. Cold weather is never easy on the fluid as it becomes very thick. Try shifting from park to L slowly before driving off. This will allow the fluid to flow a bit more.

mpraz · 10-19-2009, 12:10 PM

Hi,

Usually only let it run for 10 seconds, then drive slowely. I will give your suggestions a try and respond back later.

Thanks

alligatorgar · 10-23-2009, 04:03 PM

Are you doing regular maintenance? Ever change that tranny fluid?? Drop pan and clean the filter?

mpraz · 10-23-2009, 06:13 PM

I have not dropped the pan and changed the fluid. Is this something pretty simple, or should I take it in to a shop.

Thanks

tigerclaws1318 · 10-25-2009, 10:05 PM

Changing the fluid is pretty simple. I could walk you step by step if you like or you could always just bring the fluid to a shop and have them drain and refill. Make sure you have 3 quarts of Toyota Type T I-V fluid. They cost about 6 dollars a quart at the dealer. Its a less than 30 minute job.

mpraz · 10-27-2009, 05:49 AM

That would be great if you could give me a brief step by step on changing the fluid. So far its running smoothly, weather has been warmer, but this will be good to have in case I change it here soon.

I've done alot of mechanical work on my other car, so this shouldn't be too difficult.

Thanks

tigerclaws1318 · 10-27-2009, 08:52 AM

Locate the transmission pan. I believe its on the passenger side, cant remember on top of my head someone please correct me if I'm wrong. Once you located it then find the right size socket or wrench for the drain plug. Be careful when draining the fluid as it may be hot if the car has been driven. The drain plug may also have a washer on it. Dont lose it cause you will need to reuse it.

Give it a few minutes for the fluid to drain. Put the drain plug back on along with the washer. Make sure it is tight. Open your hood and locate your transmission dipstick. Its a orange color dipstick. Yellow is engine oil dipstick. Take the orange dipstick out and put a funnel on the dipstick hole. Pour in 3 quarts of Toyota Type T I-V fluid. Put the dipstick back in.

Start the car and make sure there is no leaks under the car. Let it idle for a few minutes. Then with the handbrake on start to cycle through the gears. That means go from P all the way to L with about 3 seconds on each gear and from L to P with also 3 seconds in each. Check the dipstick with a clean rag wipe it clean. Insert it back in and pull it out and check if the fluid is on the HOT mark. If so your go to good.

If I miss any steps and any other information please correct it.

mpraz · 10-27-2009, 08:58 AM

Thats easier than chaning oil, thanks alot !

CJCride · 10-27-2009, 09:04 AM

How cold are you talking? Where is Irwin?

mpraz · 10-27-2009, 09:44 AM

Irwin, PA, and its only gotten down to 33 a couple days, no snow just yet. The fluid level was a tad low, so that might of fixed it. Will post back if this isn't the case and after a change if needed.

CJCride · 10-27-2009, 11:51 AM

You should not be getting any slipping at all. We sometimes drop to -40F here and the slipping only shows around -30ish and not for long. You are right in driving gently in warm up phase.
Put the best fluid you can in there.

PS tranny fluid only warms up from driving[not start up idling], the rad is bypassed till the thermostat determines running temperature is reached.

rollito · 10-27-2009, 01:49 PM

Originally Posted by rollito some time ago.

I am having what could be a serious problem with my almost new Corolla 2004 with only 8000 miles.If I leave the car parked for say more than a week, I then start it, and try to go into reverse or forward the car takes (lags) like 5 or 6 seconds to sort of engage the gear. At first it sort of like starts to go but not fully (slips) and after that it goes solid in to reverse. I hope you understand my explanation??Dealer has preformed the hydraulic test, reset the memory, and changed the ATF oil.Can you advice what may be wrong or is it "normal"Thank you so much!!!!

I now think it is related to some leaking valve in the transmission. It looses the fluid
pressure as you leave the car unused.
The problem is time related and not temperature.
Other than that and many rattles in the dashboard the car is running fine.