2004 Matrix transmission

Why does the dipstick on a 2004 toyota Matrix transmission (A246E) say "
Fluid should not have to be changed in normal operation", when it's
getting dirtier by the month.
At 32K now and I want to change it. The book says you can use Mobil 1
J3309, which you can't find. Local Service stations will flush and
replace the fluid with everything from Cam2 to Valvoline products...
All these products say they're compatible with the T-IV, but???.
(Don't ask me why I won't go to a dealer...)

"SilverStude" <rfjohnstone@Cox.net> wrote in message
news:ZFvUg.8217$Go3.3446@dukeread05...[color=blue]
> Why does the dipstick on a 2004 toyota Matrix transmission (A246E) say "
> Fluid should not have to be changed in normal operation", when it's
> getting dirtier by the month.
> At 32K now and I want to change it. The book says you can use Mobil 1
> J3309, which you can't find. Local Service stations will flush and
> replace the fluid with everything from Cam2 to Valvoline products... All
> these products say they're compatible with the T-IV, but???.
> (Don't ask me why I won't go to a dealer...)[/color]

If the ATF is truly getting noticeably dirtier by the month, then either you
are doing a lot of driving each month or the transmission is slipping. I am
not saying you are doing this, but I see a lot of people shift from forward
to reverse and vice versa before the vehicle is completely stopped, and that
puts a lot of wear and tear on the transmission, especially when maneuvering
in a tight space. Stop-and-go driving, towing, and driving with stuff on
the roof rack will also put more wear and tear on an automatic transmission.
A competent technician can check whether the transmission is slipping with a
stall test and by checking transmission line pressures.

You can probably order T-IV from one of the dealers that sell parts online
or you can purchase it over the counter at a dealer and then bring it
wherever you have your vehicle serviced to have the fluid changed.
--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

Ray O wrote:[color=blue]
> "SilverStude" <rfjohnstone@Cox.net> wrote in message
> news:ZFvUg.8217$Go3.3446@dukeread05...[color=green]
>> Why does the dipstick on a 2004 toyota Matrix transmission (A246E) say "
>> Fluid should not have to be changed in normal operation", when it's
>> getting dirtier by the month.
>> At 32K now and I want to change it. The book says you can use Mobil 1
>> J3309, which you can't find. Local Service stations will flush and
>> replace the fluid with everything from Cam2 to Valvoline products... All
>> these products say they're compatible with the T-IV, but???.
>> (Don't ask me why I won't go to a dealer...)[/color]
>
> If the ATF is truly getting noticeably dirtier by the month, then either you
> are doing a lot of driving each month or the transmission is slipping. I am
> not saying you are doing this, but I see a lot of people shift from forward
> to reverse and vice versa before the vehicle is completely stopped, and that
> puts a lot of wear and tear on the transmission, especially when maneuvering
> in a tight space. Stop-and-go driving, towing, and driving with stuff on
> the roof rack will also put more wear and tear on an automatic transmission.
> A competent technician can check whether the transmission is slipping with a
> stall test and by checking transmission line pressures.
>
> You can probably order T-IV from one of the dealers that sell parts online
> or you can purchase it over the counter at a dealer and then bring it
> wherever you have your vehicle serviced to have the fluid changed.[/color]

This is a grocery getter... ( My wifes car). 20 miles a day and
occasional trip to see mama. Nothing being overdone here I determined
the condition by looking at the fluid wipe on a paper towel. It doesn't
look pink ( whether or not it was at the start, I don't know), but
doesn't smell burned either. There's a slight dark grey deposit when you
wipe the dipstick off.

"SilverStude" <rfjohnstone@Cox.net> wrote in message
news:MXzUg.8232$Go3.1637@dukeread05...[color=blue]
> Ray O wrote:[color=green]
>> "SilverStude" <rfjohnstone@Cox.net> wrote in message
>> news:ZFvUg.8217$Go3.3446@dukeread05...[color=darkred]
>>> Why does the dipstick on a 2004 toyota Matrix transmission (A246E) say "
>>> Fluid should not have to be changed in normal operation", when it's
>>> getting dirtier by the month.
>>> At 32K now and I want to change it. The book says you can use Mobil 1
>>> J3309, which you can't find. Local Service stations will flush and
>>> replace the fluid with everything from Cam2 to Valvoline products... All
>>> these products say they're compatible with the T-IV, but???.
>>> (Don't ask me why I won't go to a dealer...)[/color]
>>
>> If the ATF is truly getting noticeably dirtier by the month, then either
>> you are doing a lot of driving each month or the transmission is
>> slipping. I am not saying you are doing this, but I see a lot of people
>> shift from forward to reverse and vice versa before the vehicle is
>> completely stopped, and that puts a lot of wear and tear on the
>> transmission, especially when maneuvering in a tight space. Stop-and-go
>> driving, towing, and driving with stuff on the roof rack will also put
>> more wear and tear on an automatic transmission. A competent technician
>> can check whether the transmission is slipping with a stall test and by
>> checking transmission line pressures.
>>
>> You can probably order T-IV from one of the dealers that sell parts
>> online or you can purchase it over the counter at a dealer and then bring
>> it wherever you have your vehicle serviced to have the fluid changed.[/color]
>
> This is a grocery getter... ( My wifes car). 20 miles a day and
> occasional trip to see mama. Nothing being overdone here I determined
> the condition by looking at the fluid wipe on a paper towel. It doesn't
> look pink ( whether or not it was at the start, I don't know), but doesn't
> smell burned either. There's a slight dark grey deposit when you wipe the
> dipstick off.[/color]


I have learned over the years that wives do not appreciate any mechanical
problems or failures, whether they are self-inflicted or not. For example,
my wife was complaining that the garage door panel makes a loud popping
noise when going up and down, even though we had the garage doors replaced
only a month before. I pointed out that the cause of the popping noise was
where she had hit the garage door when it was a week old and dented 2
panels, and the panels were binding because they were caved in.

Regarding the ATF, it sounds like the car is not running under any severe
operating conditions, and the color does not sound that bad. If were
looking for some peace of mind, then I would change the ATF at 60,000 miles.
--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)