Fuel Filter? Transmission Flush Interval?

[ManyMods]

I am in the habit of changing in-line fuel filters at regular intervals as well as flushing the transmission fluid and changing/cleaning the filter screens.

However, I am unable to find any evidence of an in-line fuel filter, and I am told my Avy has lifetime transmission fluid and never needs to be changed. Furthermore, I am told that if I did want the tranny flushed, the process would automatically clean the filter screen without having to drop the pan.

Could this be correct, or did I just fall off a turnip truck?

- Peter

[toyomoho]

Toyota states the trans fluid condition needs to be checked by comparing the color with a color chart. As such the fluid can “wear out.”

The cars only fuel filter may now be in the fuel tank.

[kkyser]

If your Avalon is like my 09 Camry v6, the tanny is sealed and does not require service. I am attaching a post that I found under the Camry postings. p.s. your fuel filter is in the tank



Here we go again............. 2007 V6 6-speed procedure........... Keep in mind, you dont need a drain plug to perform a "Flush Service" V6 uses Toyota Genuine ATF WS

AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE FLUID

ADJUSTMENT

1. BEFORE FILLING TRANSAXLE WITH FLUID

·

• • This transaxle requires Genuine ATF WS transmission fluid.
  • After servicing the transaxle, you must refill the transaxle with the correct amount of fluid.
  • Maintain the vehicle in a horizontal position while adjusting fluid level.
  • Proceed to step 2 if the oil pan, valve body, drive shaft, and/or torque converter has been removed or if the oil seal has been replaced.
  • Proceed to step 3 if oil leakage has been repaired and if the oil cooler and cooler hose have been removed.

1. FILL TRANSAXLE PAN WITH FLUID

(a)Remove the engine under cover LH.(b)Remove the engine under cover RH.(c)Remove the under front fender apron seal RH.


(d)Remove the refill plug and overflow plug.


(e)Fill the transaxle through the refill hole until fluid begins to trickle out of the overflow tube.


(f)Temporarily install the overflow plug.

1. FILL TRANSAXLE WITH FLUID

(a)Fill the transaxle with the correct amount of fluid as listed in the table below. Standard capacity

HINT: If you cannot add the listed amount of fluid, do the following:


(1)Temporarily install the refill plug.(2)Allow the engine to idle with the air conditioning OFF.(3)Move the shift lever through entire gear range to circulate fluid.(4)Move the shift lever to the P position.(5)Wait for 30 seconds with the engine idling.(6)Stop the engine.(7)Remove the refill plug and add fluid.(8)Reinstall the refill plug.(b)Temporarily install the refill plug to avoid fluid splash.

1. CIRCULATE AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE FLUID

(a)Allow the engine to idle with the air conditioning OFF.(b)Move the shift lever through entire gear range to circulate the fluid.

1. CHECK FLUID TEMPERATURE NOTICE: The fluid temperature should be less than 40°C (104°F) before beginning the fluid temperature check.

(a)With the intelligent tester 1)Connect the intelligent tester to the DLC3.(2)Select the tester menus: OBD/MOBD, ENGINE, DATA LIST and NT.(3)Check NT OIL TEMP.(4)Allow the engine to idle until the fluid temperature reaches 39°C (102°F) . DLC3


(b)Without the intelligent tester (Using D shift indicator) 1)Connect terminals CG (4) and TC (13) of the DLC3 using SST.
SST 09843-18040(2)Move the shift lever back and forth between N and D at 1.5 seconds interval for 6 seconds .(3)The D shift indicator on the combination meter comes on for 2 seconds when the fluid temperature is within the appropriate temperature range.(4)The D shift indicator will come on again when the fluid temperature reaches 40°C (104°F) and will blink when it exceeds 45°C (113°F) .(5)After confirming that the D shift indicator turns off, move the shift lever to the P position and remove the SST from terminals CG and TC.

1. CHECK TRANSAXLE FLUID LEVEL NOTICE: The fluid temperature must be between 40°C (104°F) and 45°C (113°F) to accurately check the fluid level.

(a)Remove the overflow plug with the engine idling.


(b)Check that the fluid comes out of the overflow tube. If fluid does not come out, proceed to step 7. If fluid comes out, wait until the overflow slows to a trickle and proceed to step 8.

1. ADD FLUID

(a)Install the overflow plug.(b)Remove the refill plug.(c)Add the fluid until it comes out of the overflow plug.(d)Wait until the overflow slows to a trickle.(e)Install the overflow plug with a new gasket.(f)Install the refill plug with a new gasket.(g)Stop the engine.

1. AFTER FILLING TRANSMISSION

(a)Install the overflow plug with a new gasket.
Torque: 40 Nm (408 kgf-cm, 30 ft. lbs.) (b)Install the refill plug with a new gasket.
Torque: 49 Nm (500 kgf-cm, 36 ft. lbs.) (c)Stop the engine.

[ManyMods]

Thank you.
I will see if I can get the procedure for the Pre-2008 Avalon from my dealer.

- Peter

[Mike Murrell]

My '06 Avalon has a transmission drain plug. Seem to recall it uses a Torx-55 to remove that plug. May stand corrected on the Torx size, but I'm not far off if I am at all.

Drained about 4.5 of the 7 qts. the system holds. Refilled thru dipstick tube on top with the WS fluid mentioned above. You will find it only at a Toyota dealer.

In the '06 Avalon, there's a small filter in the tank. My guess is you could get to it from the top side of the trunk, but I haven't been down that road yet. It's a filter and sooner or later it's going to plug up.

In my opinion, the so- called 100K fluid changes were designed for people who trade in cars every 4-5 years. Marketing gimmick to make the perceived cost-of-ownership more attractive to the avg. buyer who in many cases does not maintain his/her car all that well.

Mediocre maint. will get most to 100K.

[XBAJBUSX]

2007 avalon i just did my tranny change it take 3.5 make sure you check the dipstick to find out which fluid you need mine took toyota tranny fluid WD what ever that means i change mine after 25k the dealer told me its life time but i still did it oh and when you get the fluid dont forget to get the washer too

[Riick]

My '97 BMW 328ic toy also has "lifetime" transmission fluid.
Which is so much B$. Fluid needs to be changed, even the factory admits that now.

Procedure for checking level, & refill is very, very similar.

Best solution is having it done through the transmission cooler lines that go to radiator.
Dealers (& other shops) have machines that measure amount of old fluid going OUT, and match that with same amount going IN.

As to whether you need "Toyota" transmission fluid....... I seriously doubt it.
BMW plays that game, but I did my research, I found out that their
"lifetime" fluid was identical (( and I mean identical )) to Dextron III
---- except for price.
BMW lifetime fluid about $120/gallon ||| Dextron III --- about $15/gallon

[dlm1942]

Refilled thru dipstick tube on top with the WS fluid mentioned above. You will find it only at a Toyota dealer.


I found Redline Oil's equivalent at http://www.racerpartswholesale.com/product/1793/242

$10/qt.

[Stevo_Echohb05]

Automatic Transmission (Dry fill) 8.8L (9.3 , 7.7) L (US,qt , imp,qt,)

Automatic Transmission (Drain & Refill) Up to 3.5L (3.7,3.1) L (US,qt , imp,qt,)

ATF Type WS

Every 96000 KMS

[Riick]

Originally Posted by Stevo_Echohb05

....<<snipped>>
ATF Type WS
Every 96000 KMS

My calculator says that's every 59,428 miles, but @ 60,000 sounds equally reasonable.
Where did you find the 96,000 km figure??

[Stevo_Echohb05]

I work at a dealer

but you can check http://smg.toyotapartsandservice.com/index.php

[Riick]

2005 Avalon -new to me-
So....with 12k on the clock and 62 months since production date - think I should not be concerned about trans fluid, or have it changed.
And. opinion... use Synthetic fluid or Toyota Dino fluid ??

[messerchmidt]

i bought my 06 used in feb 08 with 92,000km. change the transmission fluid at the dealership (drain and fill). did another one several weeks ago - also drain and fill (myself this time)

Better safe than sorry. I do a drain and fill now every 4th oil change.

[Tom in Tacoma]

For the record - since I have the 100k-mile extended warranty - I'm not going to change mine at all. When the warranty goes - so does the car. And since the dealer recommended interval for trans fluid swap is 100k, I think I'll be fine.

[ManyMods]

I must say with all due respect I think it is very wasteful in terms of time, money and most importantly resources to change the transmission fluid every other oil change. Furthermore, when you change the fluid you are not changing all of it, maybe not even half of it, and the filter screen continues to accumulate whatever mostly insignificant particles that find their way into it. Instead of changing the fluid, pick a number that makes you comfortable like 35 or 50 thousand miles and have a transfusion flush done. Also, if you are anal as I am you would drop the pan and replace the screen -- or just rinse and clean it. I don't disagree with the idea of "When the warranty goes - so does the car", but I plan on keeping my car in the family for more than 100K so I do preventive maintenance all along. In the end it is a personal choice though, but even Click and Clack (Tom and Ray), the Tappett brothers Car Talk guru's say that changing oil too frequently is above all a waste of our resources. Of course today BP is giving waste of resources a whole new meaning. Ugh!