Toyota ATF flush-Do the expensive one or cheap one?

Question

I have posted this question here before, but I recently got a different perspective from the Toyota dealer in town, and I wanted to verify. They said that Toyota has a built in filter and so, they do not necessarily recommend doing a full transmission flush all the time. Just draining and refilling the fluid every 15000 miles will suffice. My service station had told me that the fluid had become dark, and the Toyota people said that the Toyota fluid is by nature darker than most transmission fluids. Toyota has a Transmission service for 50 bucks and the full flush at the local mechanics is $125 and Toyota full flush is $160. Yet, Toyota says that the 50$ ATF change is sufficient. Any thought comments, suggestions?

Answer 1

1. The new toyota transmission do have a "permanent" filter. The filter can be changed, but it's like $78 from my Toyota dealer here in town so I haven't changed it.

2. The Toyota Type T transmission fluid is actually a lighter red than the standard dextron transmission fluid. It's also brighter, so I don't know where the service station is coming from. You can pick up a QT at your toyota dealer. They aren't cheap at around $5/qt.

3. If you do the drain and fill every year, I'd say the $50 is sufficient. I haven't had problems with my 2003 Toyota Corolla.

4. You local mechanic may be using a Dextron substitute that is suppose to be rated at the same viscosity as the Type T transmission fluid. I don't recommend putting anything in the Transmission except the Type T recommended by Toyota. They are using a slightly different Trans fluid that appears to be less viscous than Dextron. I don't know the exact details of the fluid specifications, but Toyota does have their own trans fluid, like many manufacturers do these days.

Answer 2

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RE:
Toyota ATF flush-Do the expensive one or cheap one?
I have posted this question here before, but I recently got a different perspective from the Toyota dealer in town, and I wanted to verify. They said that Toyota has a built in filter and so, they do not necessarily recommend doing a full transmission flush all the time. Just draining and refilling...

Answer 3

How many miles are on the vehicle? The reason i ask that is because over 75,000-100K miles, doing a full flush may send all that sludge build-up all over that transmission. Also most Toyota's do have a in-line filter. When the transmission is flushed and that is not replaced, can send debris right down the line and again gunk up your newly flushed tranny. I would do the $50, and making sure that they change that in-line filter, if the car is over say 100K miles. Less than that I'd do the full flush, while your not risking anything.

Answer 4

The main problem with auto transmission flush and drains is in the refill. Because of all the nooks and crannies inside the transmission housing, it is difficult, if not impossible, to get all the old fluid out. Then, if the transmission is refilled based on the factory specs or capacity, it can easily be overfilled causing the fluid to foam when hot and, voila, you end up with a burned trans. The best method if you are determined to drain it is to keep the old fluid, measure it into quarts and replace with fresh fluid only to the amount removed.