changing out ATF fluid?

[mbbankk]

09 corolla - 4 cylinder.

I drive mostly highway, and am approaching 50k miles. Being that I drive at mostly high speed I figured I would dump the fliud at 50k and refill it. I don't put a lot of faith in "lifetime" fluids.

My question is about the process of changing it out. On previous cars I've owned you had to basically change the fluid twice since some is retained in the torque converter and you have to flush it out of there... Is that the case with the Corolla, or is it a straight drain and refill?

Local shops are charging close to $200 to do a job that shouldn't be much more difficult than an oil change... so I am considering doing this myself.

Thanks.

[LeanBurn]

I just changed mine out last night. It is actually simpler than an oil change as there is no filter to mess with, just drop the drain plug and refill with the amount specified in the owners manual. Stick with just the single drain and refill regime but switch your interval down to every 30K miles (20K mile if you drive all city), because of the amount of fresh fluid being introduced at each change is half each time it would take you 7-9 times to get nearly 100% of the fluid. At this lower interval of 30K miles it is more economic and the fluid is in better shape. Cost of doing it yourself....$40 for the fluid, 5 mins of time.

This interval is based on research on ATF WS used oil analysis.

[Teslank]

doesnt understand why you should change your at oil... my 97 rolla 1.6 AT did 290000km on the same at oil... was not even used.... and you do it at 50k miles(90k km) damn boys these are brand new quality cars, not some ford focus sh*t

well my opinion there as a mechanic(btw) is you are losing your money, wanna be sure ??? check the color of the oil on the transmission dipstick !!!

[Honda city]

Originally Posted by Teslank

doesnt understand why you should change your at oil... my 97 rolla 1.6 AT did 290000km on the same at oil...

You may get away with doing 240-300 k km on the same ATF. Why take the chance for the price of a few liters of ATF? I have always done my fluid changes way before the required time. I have had no engine or transmission problems through 5 cars.

[OkSlim]

Originally Posted by Teslank

doesnt understand why you should change your at oil... my 97 rolla 1.6 AT did 290000km on the same at oil... was not even used.... and you do it at 50k miles(90k km) damn boys these are brand new quality cars, not some ford focus sh*t

well my opinion there as a mechanic(btw) is you are losing your money, wanna be sure ??? check the color of the oil on the transmission dipstick !!!

Why bring in another brand and talk trash? No one was asking about a Ford Focus.

[mbbankk]

so the 3.1 quarts listed in the owner's manual is only half the total capacity of the AT? Good to know.

[joeylgarcia]

if the OP got $40 for ATF and 10 mins of time then go for it.

[pwain]

noob question, but how does one recycle ATF fluid? I assume there is a proper procedure for disposal.

[ZO6_Vette]

Originally Posted by pwain

noob question, but how does one recycle ATF fluid? I assume there is a proper procedure for disposal.

Same as motor oil.

[ZO6_Vette]

Originally Posted by mbbankk

09 corolla - 4 cylinder.

I drive mostly highway, and am approaching 50k miles. Being that I drive at mostly high speed I figured I would dump the fliud at 50k and refill it. I don't put a lot of faith in "lifetime" fluids.

My question is about the process of changing it out. On previous cars I've owned you had to basically change the fluid twice since some is retained in the torque converter and you have to flush it out of there... Is that the case with the Corolla, or is it a straight drain and refill?

Local shops are charging close to $200 to do a job that shouldn't be much more difficult than an oil change... so I am considering doing this myself.

Thanks.

Havent looked at the Corolla from the bottom yet but I change out most cars fluid by removing the pan, replacing the filter then disconnecting the return cooler line from the radiator.

With the pan out you can inspect the bottom to see if there is an excess amount of metal and clean the magnet (if it has one).

After replacing the pan I fill up the trans with fluid and have a helper start the engine for short intervals and let the trans pump out all the old fluid while making sure the trans NEVER goes empty.

When the fluid coming out of the cooler line is clear you are done.

Just looked up the filter, and Toyota wants way too much for it.

[Potomac30]

A drain and refill is cheap and easy. I did my 1.8l Vibe at 5K miles and will do it again every 25k miles from here on out. Check your dipstick for the correct fluid, mine was $25 for 3 quarts of WS. It may not have been necessary, but I'd rather change it out too early than too late.

[jmeiers]

There is a tranny filter on the Corolla, correct?

[v8eaterWRX]

I don't see the point in changing a 100k mile fluid every 30k. A bit much in my opinion.

I only drain and fill our 06, which uses a 60k fluid (t4), every 30k since it hit 100k miles.

If you really want the piece of mind, why not drain and fill every 50k? You wont get all new fluid, obviously, but you wont need it.

[v8eaterWRX]

Originally Posted by jmeiers

There is a tranny filter on the Corolla, correct?

Not sure about the 10th gen as I have yet to hit high enough miles to worry about it on our 2010, but our 2006 has a lifetime filter (screen). I think the 10th gen uses the same setup.