Forget 100k auto trans. service, dealer claims NEVER...

Just thought I would post this as I found it funny. So I am going to Boise to see the family soon, and figured I might get the transmission serviced while I was around. Called a dealer there to see how much it would cost for a flush, ect. A "service advisor" told me that they DO NOT recommend changing the fluid in the transmission....EVER! Even after 100K. I laughed and asked what about 200k....she claims NEVER! After towing/4x4 frequently I asked....NEVER. Only inspect it to see if its at the correct level. Apparently this oil NEVER breaks down. Just think that its a little odd that they have so much faith in the WS fluid that it never needs changed.

That aside, found a dealer closer that has the proper flush machine and will do it for $260 w/cleanser, $230 without
Now, to use the cleanser or not. Hmmm.....

 

The key always seemed to be every 30k or never. I had a 94 pickup the PO flushed the tranny after 100K. lasted 2 months, or 1 day after I bought it, yup 26 hours and the transmission cooked. Dunno about newer trannys but that was just my experience

 

Wow, they failed hard. Toyota actually changed the interval from 100k to 60k.

 

I was told the same thing by my service advisor at Toyota. I do alot of towing and figured at 60k I would get it changed. I made an appointment and after I dropped it off they soon called me and told me I didn't need to get it changed and it NEVER EVER EVER needed to be changed. I didn't believe a word she said. So I asked if I could go ahead and get it changed anyways. They told me they couldn't even perform the change. I called a different Toyota dealership and they recommended me changing it considering I tow alot. If you never towed/hauled, drove all highway miles then you dont need to have it changed. But rarely is that the case for most people.

 

I've always been told the same thing Vermonterlost stated, change it frequently or don't change it at all. The grit that builds up over time can actually become the only reason an automatic transmission functions. the grit is what creates the friction between plates so when you flush the fluid, it no longer has the grit and the transmission is officially dead. Some shady shops back in the day used to put saw dust in the transmission because it'd make a shot transmission work long enough for a customer to drive off the lot.

Personally I plan on changing mine every 50k miles. I've heard on here though to wait til 100k and change it then. I guess just different mentalities but I'd love to see some real world data to back up any of the methods since the trucks seem to last a very long time regardless.

 

Really?!

 

my bmw was the same

 

Ok if you never done flush in past 100K get them to replace Tranny filter first then do the flush. If they do flush without tranny filter replacement you may loose tranny soon after

 

When they flushed my transmission they were only going to charge $180.

 

Someone on here made a comment in another thread about the dealership not performing the flush anymore. Just draining and refilling. I wonder if what you're talking about has something to do with that? I'm guessing because they'd be flushing all the crap out of the filter back into the tranny?

 

I dont know about that.... but
Main Reason why not to do tranny flush after long mileage is simple. All the wear material gets collected o n the bottom of the pan and it is magnetized. Flush rips those chunks out and drags them out but never does clean all of it (You lucky if you get 10% dirt out). once you turn truck ON all those chunks will try to go over the clogged filter that most of the time needs to open bypass valve sending metal gluts all over the tranny. Torque converter will eat them but valve body will not, resulting in all hell breaking loose.
long mileage tranny maintenance should always consist replacing filter FIRST with mandatory pan cleanup. Then a flush if you really want to.

 

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This "transmission fluid issue" has bothered me since Toyota dropped the dipstick on some models. Other manufacturers have tried this or are trying this with limited success.

This would be the first mechanical item that I have even seen that works better with no lubricant change ever. It makes NO sense.

IMO ... with no fluid change until 60K or 100K miles .. the dealers don't want the liability when the fluid is changed and crud moves around and the transmission goes out the next week.

I talked to a different dealer and directly to the transmission tech and he told me that he would personally change it every 25K miles max. and more often with heavy city driving or towing.

I can't remember at the moment, but the standard transmission lubricant is "dino based" and not even a synthetic, I think.

Both "dino based" and synthetic based oil breaks down with use and time ... period ... there is no such thing as forever.

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I am pretty sure Drain and refill does not include filter replacement. You need to ask dealer to replace filter. And In case those WS transmissions I am assuming this is going to be 45 minute explanation with FSM pictures to convince them there is actually filter.
And yeah that could be reason why. I never understood why it is so difficult to get people to replace that filter, but as friendly mechanic told me, replacing Automatic transmissions is the best and most profitable business in America

 

That was the other thing that got me. Both places said to NEVER replace the filter, as it was a sealed trans. and dirt and other contaminates cant get inside, blahblahblah...Well having the "old truck" mentallity and always performing the drain/filter/fill replacement myself, and seeing the metal shavings in those old filters, I am having a hard time not replacing the filter! Its just hard to imagine that the filter never gets clogged up with just normal wear and tear inside the trans. itself.

SO, replace the filter????? If so, I will be the first one to EVER replace it in Idaho.....at least in these two dealerships

 

Maybe a dumb question Where is the tranny filter? Going to be changing mine soon around 75,XXX

 

It's interesting to me that the service guide says to only check the ATF at 30/60/90K

http://smg.toyotapartsandservice.com/guides.php?xv=22&xy=2006&xint_id=18&v=22&y=2006&int_id=6

 

I am the same way, I know how much material gets collected o n the bottom of the pan so NEVER is a lie for sure.
usually you can feeel shifting changing when filter is clogged. So 30 - 60K interval, depending on if you have Tranny cooler, do you tow, and where you live. Or change when shifting becomes harder.

Filter is inside, so to access you need to remove Transmission oil pan, look at the link ( I posted this to somebody else)

 

After you drain the fluid, what is the method used to put new fluid in?

 

When they did mine they said it had to be at certain temp to be able to properly check the level of the fluid.

 

Toyota figures you'll get new fluid when you have to replace the trans.