Since Toyota never defined a service spec., you'll get a bunch of varying opinions. Dealers in my area will not change CVT fluid in a vehicle with <100K miles. In all cases, they can't even provide a realistic justification as to why 100K? In my opinion, you should be fine replacing it at 108K miles. The filter is really considered a strainer for larger particles. The magnets in the pan will catch the fine metallic debris. If your a lead foot/aggressive driver, you may consider replacing the filter. That really comes down to personal choice.

In my case, I changed my fluid @ 68k miles w/Toyota FE. No filter change. One drain and refill cycle. I don't why, but I drained exactly 3 quarts from the OEM factory fill. It took 3 quarts to refill it. Others have commented on that too, but most people drain out 2 quarts. That's sort of a mystery. I also used my ScanGauge to set the fluid level, since it displays real time trans temp data. I didn't observe any change in vehicle performance. Since I purchased two 4 liter containers of fluid, I'll likely perform another change 40K miles down the road.

 

Since Toyota never defined a service spec., you'll get a bunch of varying opinions. Dealers in my area will not change CVT fluid in a vehicle with aggressive driver, you may consider replacing the filter. That really comes down to personal choice.

In my case, I changed my fluid @ 68k miles w/Toyota FE. No filter change. One drain and refill cycle. I don't why, but I drained exactly 3 quarts from the OEM factory fill. It took 3 quarts to refill it. Others have commented on that too, but most people drain out 2 quarts. That's sort of a mystery. I also used my ScanGauge to set the fluid level, since it displays real time trans temp data. I didn't observe any change in vehicle performance. Since I purchased two 4 liter containers of fluid, I'll likely perform another change 40K miles down the road.

I have opened the pan and changed the filter myself. The filter is a foam like material. It is definitely not like a strainer/mesh material like the 4runner with a mesh/strainer material in it. In my opinion, the filter in our transmission can get easily clogged and needs to be changed routinely


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Ok interesting. I'll likely start with a simple drain and fill and leave the filter alone. If all is well I'll do another service 30k later. I have a veepeak dongle, and plan to purchase the toyota oem add ons to get trans temp. I appreciate the help thanks!

 

You can find Aisin FE and Idemitsu FE fluids on rockauto. Aisin is a Toyota Group company.

You can also buy the filter and fluid from online Toyota dealers. If the transmission shifts well afterwards, maybe consider the filter earlier than 30K.

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2. for sure, now.

 

Thanks for the replies so far.

 

My dealer here in Columbus, Ohio tells me that I need a CVT fluid change because my 2015 corolla S is more than 7 years old now, even though it has just under 28k on it. They say the rule of thumb is either every 6-years or 60k, whichever comes first.
P.S., It's crazy to think Toyota says this fluid is a "life-time" ordeal, or that you can wait forever to change it, say over 100k.
IMO, any fluid degrades over time, and since your transmission is the lifeblood of your car, why not change it?

 

I just did a drain and fill with dropping the pan (to replace more fluid) at 215,000 km (133,500 miles). Fluid was worn for sure, but not black or burnt or otherwise indicated any issue. I did not change the strainer. I got just over 4 quarts out (with some spilling that ended up soaking into the cardboard / cleaned up with rags) and ended up putting 5 in. The fluid level was set while in fluid temperature detection mode.

I plan to do another drain & fill without dropping the pan before the end of the summer just to clean up even more of the fluid.

 

I would be very interested if you would post again when you do your next drain and fill. I bought a 2016 Corolla for my daughter in May. It was a one owner BUT the Honda dealer i bought it from did not service the transmission fluid despite 135K miles on the clock. There is no record of service on the car after 70K since owner stopped using the Toyota dealership for maintenance. She is taking it in for a pan drop filter and fluid change next week. I am hoping all is well. Your story is obviously close to mine so i would be interested in hearing about how your CVT fluid looks when you do it again. I was already going to do the same thing you are doing. Thank you for this post and your time. Sincerely Larry

 

Wanted to update the thread. I did a driver CV axle replacement by the SI. I first drained the fluid in the CVT, it drained about 2.5qt. I then replaced the CVT, refilled it and ran through the specified procedure. The manual is extremely concerned with contaminants in the CVT so I didn't drop the pan or mess with cleaning the magnets and filter. I'd probably do the same thing next time in 6 yrs/60k, just a simple drain and fill leaving the filter alone. I normally change them on a normal trans, idk why the CVT I just don't really want to mess with it. Milage was just about 110k. So far, car drives just like it did before, plus a replacement axle.

 

If I were you I would do it again soon to get a greater percentage of new fluid in the transmission and then at 150k miles and every 50k miles thereafter.

 

The drain and filter change process is shown here

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It will help you decide if you want to do it or not.
I think it was worth it to at least clean off the magnets and wipe out the sump of all that fine magnetic dust.

 

Question: I have a 2018 corolla. It’s 57 months old and has 35,500 miles on it. What I wanted to know is when I get the cvt trans fluid changed what should I get done
Drain and fill or
Drain, drop pan, change filter and fill
Thanks.

 

It’s 57 months old and has 35,500 miles on it.

With those low miles, a drain and refill should be enough and you can change the filter at 60,000 miles. Even that may be overkill as I just changed mine at 251,000 miles and it had the original filter and it ran fine.

 

Definitely, at 108k, it's time to drop the pan, clean the magnets and replace the filter! I recommend Aisin FE fluid, as it is what is in yourCVT currently. If you had fewer miles on your ride, I would recommend the drain & fill.

 

Is aisin fe fluid ok to use over genuine Toyota fe?

 

Mine must have been changed not long ago as the fluid draining out looked pretty clean.

 

Definitely new fluid my friend!

 

2 questions:
How do those ramps work for you - they look nice and solid, just wondering how they are to drive up?
Why does the subframe look wet behind the tranny pan? Spill or leak?

 

Just 5 layers of 2x6 lumber. Had them for 30 years and no issues using them. You obviously don't want to drive off the the top level, but if you're careful driving up, it's not a problem. Wet from the splash back of draining oil.

 

When the old steel ones I got from Pep boys long ago became too narrow for todays tires and the air dams started hitting them, figured it was time to build new ones. At the time I also had to increase the lift so I could do an oil change on a Prius - which has a huge folding flap under the engine.
Ended up building these They are 6 years old now, warped a little. My son finds the end stop on the top quite easily when he's driving the CX5 up it. Nice screeeeech. The wheels make them easy to move around as they weigh 60 lbs each
Here's how I measure for a 4 wheel lift
Added some extra wood bits on the back to get the corolla level for the tranny oil change.

That corolla has put on another 36K miles since the CVT change. No leaks, no problems.

 

Wow, you're not kidding. With 108k on it, it should have looked like chocolate milk.
Looks like you're good to go.

 

I keep mine outside, no garage just asphalt driveway so can't roll them around. 60 pounds would be way too much. With the 5 levels I can stagger them if a drain plug is on the side of the pan and put one wheel on the top level and the other on the second level. Never bothered with an end stop and haven't needed one. If I need the car level I just jack up the rear.

 

No problem, thank you for your help. Cvts are very new to me but I do understand the importance of maintenance on those things

 

I actually bought that car from a friend of mine who's had it since it was brand new. He's not really a car guy. Pretty faithful with oil changes, but he can't remember if he ever changed the transmission fluid

 

You'll not have any issues using the Aisin fluid from Rockauto. I've done 2 drain and fills on my daughter's '19 at just over 50k miles.

 

You'll have issues using the Aisin fluid from Rockauto. I've done 2 drain and fills on my daughter's '19 at just over 50k miles.

View attachment 497190

View attachment 497191

So you've had issues with the aisin fe? Or did you miss type?

 

Thank you, that is very helpful. You can certainly save a lot of money using the aisin compared to buying the Toyota fluid from the dealer I'm told it is the same stuff. No worries on the miss type I do that a lot it sometimes gets me in trouble lol