Changing Trans Fluid Procedure?

[Rockosmith]

Is it difficult to change the trans fluid yourself? 05 Corolla with 108K. Is there a guide or steps taken? Thanks.

[nitronate33]

the easiest way is to just drain it and refill it. you won't get all of it out, but it's enough for a change. always check fluid level when car is still warm.

don't know about the corolla, but my wife's solara required a 10mm hex head socket for the transmission drain plug. it's pretty easy to locate, it's right near the oil pan.

[Rockosmith]

Do you use any brand of fluid?

[nitronate33]

it's more expensive, but it's better to go with a synthetic ATF and it's perfectly ok to mix that with whatever is in there now.

all you have to do is make sure the ATF meets Toyota's T-IV spec (read the label on the back of the bottle). most ATF's will meet this spec. i used Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF for my wife's toyota.

one more thing, i'm assuming you have an automatic transmission, correct?

[AutoPartsWAY]

You may need a filter

2005 Toyota Corolla Auto Transmission Filter

Possibly Drain Plug Seal also

[nitronate33]

checking and/or replacing the filter requires dropping the pan. i'm pretty sure on most toyotas it is a lifetime filter so it does not need changed.

[AutoPartsWAY]

Depends. We've had customers tell us that their fluid was so dirty they had to replace the filter.

[nitronate33]

if the fluid is that dirty and the filter needs replaced, wouldn't that indicate something else being very wrong?

[sarsman45]

Usually means someone is abusing the crap out of the transmission.... either than or the tranny gave up somewhere along the line.

But, given the fact that i recently changed out one with 120K miles and sludge as tranny fluid, a few drain/refills have brought the transmission back to almost new (knock on wood as the sludge hopefully didn't keep the tranny together).