Transmission fluid change

[Black Knight]

I don't trust Grease Monkey or Jiffy Lube to refill the transmission with the correct fluid after the power flush I know they do it all the time but still... I know that using the correct transmission fluid is critical and damage to the transmission will result quickly with use of the wrong fluid.

Is there any way I can do this myself (complete fluid exchange)? I know a drain and refill does not really do the trick - but better than nothing I suppose.

Anyone?

[Spook50]

Speaking for auto trannies in general, and not being sure the Avalon's tranny has a removable pan (I assume it does), I can only offer this with a grain of salt: what I do is drain the tranny, then pull the pan and strainer (usually a filter type assembly secured by three or four long 10mm bolts. This is the case in the wife's 2000 Celica GT-S and my '88 Land Cruiser) and let the whole thing drip into the catch pan overnight. The next day I install the new strainer (or clean and reinstall it if it's a steel mesh type, like what's in my old Cruiser), clean the pan good, inspect and clean the magnets, reinstall the magnets in the pan, reinstall the pan with a new gasket, reinstall the drain plug (again with a new gasket), refill with however much ATF is recommended, and be sure to check the fluid level for the next few days and top off as necessary. Check it with the engine/tranny hot, with the engine running and in Park.

For fluid type, check the owner's manual for recommended spec, though my money's on it being Dexron III. That seems to be the preferred type for Toyota's trannies. I'm personally a big fan of Royal Purple "Max ATF" ( a very good synthetic), and if you can't get that locally, Mobil 1 synthetic ATF. I will absolutely not use a non-synthetic oil, ATF or grease anymore in any of my vehicles.

I drop the pan and everything mainly because checking the magnets is a great indicator of any abnormal wear. A light gray film on them is normal, but any shavings or metal splinters on them, or small bits of clutch material in the pan and/or strainer means you've got a problem that's causing excessive wear or even damage.

I do all this about every 50K miles, give or take a few. It may be a bit obsessive, but I'm anal about carefully maintaining my vehicles. There's a reason my Cruiser has 300K miles and still full "factory new" compression in all six cylinders, and almost zero wear on the transmission

[FrankieAvalon]

My 2005 Avalon calls for Toyota WS ATF. Check your owner's manual to be sure. I've not done this fluid change yet, but I'm right at 80k so I won't be putting it off for long. Let us know how your service goes.

[fosman77]

L have a 2005 Limited and change fluid every other oil change,Which is 10000 miles. This is easy to do if you have a drain plug and a dipstick filler tube, which mine has, yours may also have these, Takes WS fluid from Toyota. I just recentaly read that the Avalon has a filter not a screen, I need to check this out. Changing fluid like this may seem excessive, but it keeps the fluid real clean. I have done this in all my past cars and have had good luck.

[dont buy a toyota]

ws, is world standard tranny fluild, good till 100k

[Paul3637]

Beginning in the 2008 model year, the 6 speed auto tranny has no dipstick ... the procedure is a PITA and must be done with precision or you can do more harm than good. See: TSB - TC010-07 See:

Transmission Flush or Drain and fill???

[my post #5]

If you ask 5 people, you get five very firm but unqualified opinions. Seems like everytime someone starts a thread in clublexus, toyotanation, yada yada about these WS tranny refills, it ignites afirestorm like:

http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/12...rain-fill.html

I wish I could find it, but somewhere on toyotanation ... someone who worked at a dealership said when they lab tested 100,000 mile fluid it was fine despite dark color.

http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/forum...e-results.html

I asked over the the bobistheoilguy forum for lab tests of used WS Tranny fluid on 6 speeds attached to 2GR-FE engines and someone provided useful links.

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums...gonew=1#UNREAD

In the end .... I decided to wait until 100,000 to change it out (at dealer) despite Toyota's claim it lasts "life of vehicle."

Finally, step by step instructions for flush on 2gr-fe with 6 speed (08 Lexus ES in this case):

http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums...howtopic=59422

[Tones]

I'm coming up on 30k and also looking for info on this. There is no way the WS is good for 100k. All the info I have seen is more like 30k. I'm not saying it is a bad fluid, but lets be realistic. I have used Mobil1 and Amsoil on my other vehicles with great success. There is talk on BITOG about using Valvoline MaxLife. It states it is compatible. I may just stick with the WS.

[dont buy a toyota]

ive worked for toyota since 1978 to present, we dont even check ws fluid, until a car come in with 100k, the we power flush rhe system with 12qts of new ws

[Paul3637]

Originally Posted by dont buy a toyota

ive worked for toyota since 1978 to present, we dont even check ws fluid, until a car come in with 100k, the we power flush rhe system with 12qts of new ws

That is exactly what my dealer

http://bobtylertoyota.com/

told me. [I do flawless maintenance on my vehicles].

They don't oversell and their prices are very reasonable !!!!!!

[2011 Avalon Limited]

Originally Posted by Paul3637

That is exactly what my dealer:

bobtylertoyota.com

told me. [I do flawless maintenance on my vehicles].

They don't oversell and their prices are very reasonable !!!!!!

I bought some oil filters and splash guards from Bob Tyler. Bought my car from Quality Imports in FWB. I may let them do my transmission service when the time comes.

[Paul3637]

Originally Posted by 2011 Avalon Limited

I bought some oil filters and splash guards from Bob Tyler. Bought my car from Quality Imports in FWB. I may let them do my transmission service when the time comes.

Yeah ...... what I love about Bob Tyler is:

No waiting time - if you do express lube no appt needed; otherwise with appointment always exactly on time !!! And most important of all .... They let you watch all the work being done on your car .... and unlike most dealers .... they don't prohibit the mechanics from talking to you about your car ...... in other words ..... you get to bypass the service writers ... aka salespeople.

[Mike Murrell]

Originally Posted by dont buy a toyota

we power flush rhe system with 12qts of new ws

System holds 7 qts.

Yeah you might need more than that for a flush - but 12 qts???.

WS sells for $8 - $10 a qt.

Glad I do my own.

This applies to '05 and '06 models only.

- Ensure fluid is at full mark - fully warm up transmission. 15 - 20 mi. of driving.
- Check fluid level and raise 'til it's at full mark
- Drain pan and capture fluid.
- Remove pan - capture fuild.
- Remove screen/filter - capture fluid.
- Measure ALL fluid captured. I have a method - I'm sure you have yours.
- Install cleaned screen or new filter
- Install new pan gasket/pan
- Install exact amt. of WS drained.
- Check level after warming up transmission

Not a complete flush - but you know what happened. Flushes have been known to deep-six trannies.

As mentioned above - if you have a post '06 Avalon - the approach is more challenging.

[grandpapa]

Originally Posted by Mike Murrell

System holds 7 qts.

Yeah you might need more than that for a flush - but 12 qts???.

WS sells for $8 - $10 a qt.

Glad I do my own.

This applies to '05 and '06 models only.

- Ensure fluid is at full mark - fully warm up transmission. 15 - 20 mi. of driving.
- Check fluid level and raise 'til it's at full mark
- Drain pan and capture fluid.
- Remove pan - capture fuild.
- Remove screen/filter - capture fluid.
- Measure ALL fluid captured. I have a method - I'm sure you have yours.
- Install cleaned screen or new filter
- Install new pan gasket/pan
- Install exact amt. of WS drained.
- Check level after warming up transmission

Not a complete flush - but you know what happened. Flushes have been known to deep-six trannies.

As mentioned above - if you have a post '06 Avalon - the approach is more challenging.

what does it mean:
Not a complete flush - but you know what happened. Flushes have been known to deep-six trannies.

[Mike Murrell]

You drain about 4 qts by simply removing the drain plug on the pan and approx. 1 more when you pull the pan, so my method gets 5 out of 7 qts replaced PLUS a new filter.

I have a 17 yr. old Isuzu Rodeo with close to 300K on it - handled in this fashion. My '87 Accord which had no filter and drained only 3 of its 6 qts - had 385K on the clock when I sold it.

Transmission flushes push fluid thru the system. The fluid and filter in the system are dirty. Dirt breaks loose and..........

All it takes is a small speck of dirt to lodge in the wrong place and.........

[Paul3637]

Go here and see post #196

Highest Mileage on Gen 1s'

Toyota's WS fluid instructions say never to flush the transmission. Rather to use the OVERFLOW procedure outlined in TSB-TC010-07 using their specific fill system calling for a specific "kit:"

Transmission Fill System*

NOTE: All components from this kit/set are required.

00002–11100–02

One time use only.

��

When performing repairs on ATF-WS equipped transaxles, it is important to use
only new, clean ATF–WS when refilling the ATM.

��

ATF-WS equipped ATMs may use the overflow type procedure — Any fluid
drained from the overflow plug should be discarded following proper local regulations and never reused. Failure to do so could result in shift concerns and damage to the internal transmission components.

Anyone that does not follow this procedure is taking their transmission's life into their own hands.