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Transmission Fluid question

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by sbx22, Jul 20, 2010.

  1. Jul 20, 2010 at 7:09 PM
    #1
    sbx22

    sbx22 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Recently, went to my local Toyota dealer, and got a tranny flush. Here are the details. The service was $92, the flushing process itself was $29.99, and then it says 17@$6.80. I'm assuming that's 17 quarts of tranny fluid, automatic WS. Did I just get raped? This is my first time getting the tranny flush done.
     
  2. Jul 20, 2010 at 7:31 PM
    #2
    larryde09

    larryde09 Well-Known Member

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    That sounds like a lot! Both in cost and quantity. Check your owner's manual, it should have the capacity in it, I doubt it's 17 quarts. Standard procedure for changing auto trans fluid is to let it drain and then fill it up with the same amount that drained. You never completely drain all of the fluid out of the trans, and this is the way it is typically done at certified shops too.
     
  3. Jul 20, 2010 at 7:37 PM
    #3
    skytower

    skytower Well-Known Member

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    Hitch and wiring, aux back-up light, rear strobe lights, radio and underseat sub.
    Your cooler, solenoids and torque converter all hold fluid. It doesn't return to the pan.
    When they flush, they remove the cooler lines and pump in and pump out an equal amount of fluid. It's not a change, it's a transfusion, since the new mixes with the old as it's pumped.
     
  4. Jul 20, 2010 at 8:32 PM
    #4
    WilsonTheDog

    WilsonTheDog Kylie's dad

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    As a reference, Firestone here does it for $140.
     
  5. Jul 20, 2010 at 8:37 PM
    #5
    larryde09

    larryde09 Well-Known Member

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    This is one of those services that they rip you off all the time...it's not that hard to do yourself.
     
  6. Jul 20, 2010 at 8:39 PM
    #6
    Celtic

    Celtic Tactical Trunk Monkey

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    It also depends on the type of fluid being used. Regular dextron/micrcon type III atf is cheap, while atf used on bmw, land rover transmission is about $14 a quart. So make sure you got a good price on fluid. They do call them stealerships for a reason... Don't heistate to make them explain what they did in detail. if they screwed up, check out the BAR, or Bureau of Automotive Repair. Dealer will change their tune quickly with the BAR on your side...
     
  7. Jul 20, 2010 at 10:14 PM
    #7
    sbx22

    sbx22 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Well, I've been reading around here, and it seemed like the majority recommended the dealership to use their "computer" or "equipment" to do the flush. And yes, I'm aware, I probably could have done it myself. I wasn't willing to go with any other ATF besides the WS ATF. That's just me. Doesn't it suck that the V6's don't have a dipstick? This truck is starting to bug me. I'm a DIYer by heart, and I just felt so helpless taking it to the Stealership.
     
  8. Jul 20, 2010 at 11:32 PM
    #8
    Series1000

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    Hey man, around 12 liters is average for a clean tranny, if you drive hard or tow it may have been dirty - then its flush till its clean. big after market coolers add volume as well don't forget.
     
  9. Jul 21, 2010 at 12:12 AM
    #9
    Janster

    Janster Old & Forgetful

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    Does it really matter if you got raped - after the fact?

    You should've called the dealer to get a quote before having the service done and posted a thread about how much the quote was.

    For only $92 for a tranny flush? That's sounds cheap to me!!!
     
  10. Jul 21, 2010 at 1:09 AM
    #10
    Nirvana

    Nirvana Tesla Auto

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    Yeah you got raped, just like I did when I took it in to get the trans fluid changed when I bought mine. It's just money, the world moves on.
     
  11. Jul 21, 2010 at 3:42 AM
    #11
    buddywh1

    buddywh1 Well-Known Member

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    I think the tranny holds 11 qts... so they wasted 6 quarts @ $6.80. That's a lot of poor workmanship you're being asked to pay for.

    IMO, 3 qts should be more than a reasonable amount to see it running clear. You got it documented...do you suppose you could go back and get them to refund 1/2 of the waste?
     
  12. Jul 21, 2010 at 5:59 AM
    #12
    rb11701

    rb11701 Oh yeah!

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    OP has an 2005. If he never change he tranny fluid I am sure it was dirty and a full flush would have reqiured more than 3qts. Just a drain and re-fill is ~3qts. Somebody did this themselves on here. I think it was 14qts he used IIRC.
     
  13. Jul 21, 2010 at 8:25 AM
    #13
    buddywh1

    buddywh1 Well-Known Member

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    You missed my point...maybe I wasn't clear...

    I definitely agree 3 quarts isn't enough for a full flush...so...assuming the tranny holds 11 qts max, then their using 17 qts means 6 qts were wasted. Clumsy workmanship, inefficient / broken machine whatever it is THEIR fault, not the OP's.

    IMO, they should be able to flush to clear wasting no more than one quart...so giving them 3 is more than enough. Ask...no, expect them to refund the cost of at least three quarts

    In the good old days of $0.50 per quart I'd not care...but at $6.80 a quart it's a whole different story.
     
  14. Jul 21, 2010 at 7:37 PM
    #14
    sbx22

    sbx22 [OP] Well-Known Member

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  15. Jul 21, 2010 at 7:39 PM
    #15
    sbx22

    sbx22 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    No, do the math again... not just $92. In this economy, I want every cent worth it. I know I should have called the dealership and asked for a price, but whatever, it's all said and done with now.
     
  16. Jul 21, 2010 at 8:22 PM
    #16
    krans

    krans Well-Known Member

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    What does the repair order say exactly? Just the 17@6.80? Maybe if possible scan the receipt or take a picture? I work at a dealership maybe i can help you out?
     
  17. Jul 22, 2010 at 3:26 AM
    #17
    tonto340

    tonto340 Well-Known Member

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    Maybe the dealer drained and filled up twice. The requirement for my Acura TLS is to drain and refill 3 times which supposedly gets 98% of the dirty fluid.
     
  18. Jul 22, 2010 at 3:41 AM
    #18
    tacomarich

    tacomarich luvsoffroading

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    besides when it looks dirty, what is the amount of miles driven until toyota recommends changing out the trans fluid? i thought i read somewhere, 70k? anyone ever use lucas oil based transmission fluid?
     
  19. Jul 22, 2010 at 6:59 AM
    #19
    buddywh1

    buddywh1 Well-Known Member

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    Most mfr's are just worried about getting cars to the 100K point with no major mechanical faults...most owners are happy with 36-60K. But there are a few who like to keep their's longer and know that more frequent auto tranny fluid changes have a major influence on service life.

    Many people do drain and fills (getting about 3 of the 11 qt. total capacity) at frequent intervals to at least keep the fluid fresh without the issues the OP had.

    I put in lucas auto tranny additive in my Maxima. The smell of the stuff tells me is prolly just ATF with a major dose of friction modifiers (amines, the smell is very distinctive) that made shifts a bit snappier; snappy shifts are good for clutch life but make the ladies fret when their double mocha capucino frizzies spill.
     
  20. Oct 13, 2010 at 3:30 PM
    #20
    FTB530

    FTB530 Well-Known Member

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    Well my locval dealer just told me it would cost me $435 to have my automatic tranny serviced,seems to me you got a great deal.
     

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