[gigabyte323]

I am sure my Corolla is well due for a transmission fluid change. Seeing as the previous owner changed the fluid at 177k , I believe changing the fluid should not be a problem, as the fluid has been changed recently enough that I think I do not have one of those "don't change the fluid" cars on my hands. I am quite busy lately and do not have time to change the filter, I am considering draining and filling the transmission and then changing the filter and gasket maybe 5-10k from now. Which transmission fluid and filter do you recommend ? I would like to buy something off ebay or amazon.

 

[torontoguy222]

I am an OEM T-IV type guy

 

[jsean]

Valvoline Maxlife ATF is well liked and I’ve been using it for the past 40k miles now.

 

[retiredat444]

I would not worry about it...

 

[billthedataguy]

+1 for OEM. I didn’t do the filter, not sure what the recommended service interval is for filter vs just fluid change.

 

[kevcules46]

+1 for OEM. I didn’t do the filter, not sure what the recommended service interval is for filter vs just fluid change.

There is no filter, it's a strainer and never needs to be changed. Worst case, you may have to clean it after a few hundred thousand miles if you neglected proper fluid change intervals.

 

[gigabyte323]

There is no filter, it's a strainer and never needs to be changed. Worst case, you may have to clean it after a few hundred thousand miles if you neglected proper fluid change intervals.

So this one is just a strainer that I do not need to change, but only clean ?

 

[Esso]

I wouldn’t replace if you have been doing your regular trans oil changes. I did mine and it was spotless(170k). You do however pull the trans pan to clean the magnets on the pan. Then reseal and refill. Easy.


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[kevcules46]

View attachment 405383
So this one is just a strainer that I do not need to change, but only clean ?

Correct, if that's the OEM strainer.
If you buy an aftermarket pan gasket, it usually comes with a regular foam filter as a kit.

 

[porschetarga]

I would do a drain and fill. Using toyota WS fluid. I bought mine on amazon.

 

[ken2116]

The recommended Toyota fluid for your car, or one from a reputable company that meets the same specs is good enough, no need to switch horses now.

There are too many counterfeits on eBay and Amazon, suggest buying from the dealership, a brick and mortar store, or an official online Toyota store, or a known on-line auto parts store with a good reputation. Check for proper labeling when you receive it.

 

[Indy John]

I am sure my Corolla is well due for a transmission fluid change. Seeing as the previous owner changed the fluid at 177k , I believe changing the fluid should not be a problem, as the fluid has been changed recently enough that I think I do not have one of those "don't change the fluid" cars on my hands. I am quite busy lately and do not have time to change the filter, I am considering draining and filling the transmission and then changing the filter and gasket maybe 5-10k from now. Which transmission fluid and filter do you recommend ? I would like to buy something off ebay or amazon.

Use whatever fluid is specified in your owner's manual - this isn't rocket science. The Car Care Nut recommends leaving the pan and filter alone - he's never seen a Toyota tranny filter that needed changing. A drain and fill every 6 years or 60k is his recommendation. If you don't have a dipstick, you'll need to watch the videos on getting the level right.

 

[Stanny1]

I am sure my Corolla is well due for a transmission fluid change. Seeing as the previous owner changed the fluid at 177k , I believe changing the fluid should not be a problem, as the fluid has been changed recently enough that I think I do not have one of those "don't change the fluid" cars on my hands. I am quite busy lately and do not have time to change the filter, I am considering draining and filling the transmission and then changing the filter and gasket maybe 5-10k from now. Which transmission fluid and filter do you recommend ? I would like to buy something off ebay or amazon.

Just fill it to the top and forget the change. The detergents in the new fluid will loosen all the gunk and your tranny will be junk. You can change the filter and that won't hurt anything. For those of you doing regular tranny oil changes, REDLINE makes the best real synthetic fluid (Group 4/5). The OEM fluid is not synthetic and the stuff for $25 a gallon at your auto parts store is only Group 3. REDLINE is available at Amazon.

 

[ken2116]

I am sure my Corolla is well due for a transmission fluid change. Seeing as the previous owner changed the fluid at 177k , I believe changing the fluid should not be a problem, as the fluid has been changed recently enough that I think I do not have one of those "don't change the fluid" cars on my hands. I am quite busy lately and do not have time to change the filter, I am considering draining and filling the transmission and then changing the filter and gasket maybe 5-10k from now. Which transmission fluid and filter do you recommend ? I would like to buy something off ebay or amazon.

Many cars call for inspecting transmission fluid at 30,000mi. or longer intervals and changing when it shows signs of aging. At 60,000mi. it seems due for a change, but unless it's seen heavy duty service it's unlikely to be aged to the point where you need to worry about hurting the transmission by changing it. I've changed much older, coffee colored fluid on used cars I've purchased without encountering problems.

Start by draining the pan and, if it's not too difficult (rusted bolts, etc.) removing and cleaning the pan, magnets and cleaning or replacing the filter screen if necessary. After replacing the pan (and gasket), refill with the quantity you drained and drive it a bit, rechecking and correcting level every few minutes until it's stable and you've done what most people do - this changes perhaps half the fluid. You might want to repeat this in maybe 10,000mi., sooner if the fluid looks bad., thereafter reverting to regular intervals.

After doing the above, I prefer to also change out the old fluid remaining in the torque converter by opening the line between torque converter and cooler at the radiator and running the engine to pump the old fluid out while pouring new in, pausing as needed to correct fluid level and stopping when the fluid coming out looks new. This is a busy process and it's good to have a helper to start and stop the engine while you keep an eye on levels. Because some mixing of new and old fluids is unavoidable, the entire process requires 2-3qt. more than the listed capacity of the whole system.

 

[BillDurham]

Toyota with red trans fluid is MerconV aka Max Life. When torque converter clutches came out in the 90's Ford got the fluid right and everyone else used it. Way cheaper than inventing your own. Maxlife is a fabulous fluid and is backward compatible with older cars using Dextron. At your mileage I would grab a pan gasket and some nickel sized neodium magnets to glue inside the pan. The only advantage to dropping the screen is you get another cup of old fluid out. The magnets grab any steel particles, fun fact if a particle is small enough to pass thru the screen it won't be a problem. Otherwise, just dropping the fluid from the drain plug and topping is fine. Measure the fluid you took and put that quantity back in. If the fluid is really gnarley, every oil change just change the trans fluid too. Remember you are barely getting a third of the fluid out at a time. My boss at the last garage I worked at loved to sell trans flushes. So he could sell a transmission 3 months later. Some have mentioned to pour fluid in while it pours out of a line. If the sump goes dry and sucks air, the main pump can be destroyed in seconds. I wouldn't, even though my car had black and silver fluid when I finally went to change it. I just dropped the 2 qts or so, filled it, ran it for 10 minutes, repeated Alot. hth

 

[JohnGD]

If your transmission spec the old dino T-IV sure just use that. Aisin is a Toyota group company and on rockauto:

More Information for AISIN ATF0T4

Adjust quantity to get the biggest band for the shipping buck. Beck Arnley or Wix filter and gasket kit on rockauto too.Pick the brand so everything ships from the same warehouse to save on shipping.

Rockauto 5% off discount code if you buy there, scroll to the latest post:
RockAuto Discount Code

I would prefer fully synthetic Valvoline Maxlife ATF, about $26/gallon at Walmart.

 

[BillDurham]

Tip from an old car guy, lightly coat the new gasket with red sticky grease ( Lucas?) to hold it in place. It also acts as a sealer.