Auto Transmission fluid question

Okay, sorry for another tranny fluid thread. I have searched the forums and read everything I could about flushing a tranny and what fluid to use.

I was at my Toyota dealer today and asked about flushing the tranny. They use Wynn's flushing system. They will put the T-IV back in if I want the standard fluid. If I want synthetic, they will put in the Wynn synthetic fluid. It is T-IV compatible. They also stated they haven't had any problems with the Wynn fluid, and Wynn stands behind their product.

I went by a well known local automotive shop. They use BG's flushing system and will put in BG's synthetic fluid (also compatible with T-IV fluid).

I know that my 04 D-cab takes the T-IV fluid. Originally I was leaning towards Amsoil synthetic fluid. What I want to know is how many have went with synthetic fluid versus the T-IV fluid. Has anyone that used synthetic had any issues? Anybody had any experience with either Wynn or BG fluid?

Thanks!

 

how many miles are on your truck and when was it last flushed it ever? Reason i ask is i've read in a few places that a flush can be detrimental to your tranny because it stirs up a lot of gunk. In fact I had a dodge car and i brought it in to have an oil change because i was living on campus and couldn't do it myself at the time. they talked me into a flush.... in theory it sounded like a good idea. 3k miles later the tranny shit the bed going up a slight hill on the highway....

Im pretty sure i am going to just drain and refill my atf fluid a few times over the course of 15k miles or so. Each time you drain it, only 1/3 of the fluid or so comes out. So after 3-4 times it should get all the old stuff out. I think after you drain it you can drop the pan and clean the filter screens out too. But im not 100% on that, it's on my list of things to look up.

I'm not an expert on transmissions but i've been trying to gather info for myself as of late. So if anyone finds anything i just said to be in error, please correct me if i'm wrong, as i'd like to know.

 

Flushing a system is not recommended. The ATRA (Automatic Transmission Rebuilders Association) does not recommend that a transmission be flushed but rather that the transmission be drained and filled 3-4 times over the course of 15k miles. At my transmission shop we do not offer flushes to customer. Even if they ask. We do have a flushing system in the back of the shop that we used to use but we do not use it any longer. It was a good system as the old stuff came out it was replaced with new stuff, but it still would create problems 4/10 cars that were flushed. So we quit using it about 3 years ago. Now if someone wants a flush we offer them a package deal on 3 drain and fills over 15k miles. They usually take and come back in a few months and have it done again. As for synthetics, we only use them at the customers request. Only OEM recommended oils are used even on rebuilts. Synthetics are great, I use them in my personal vehicles, but they are just too expensive to use in a competitive market. Take BMW for example, technically you don't have to ever replace BMW transmission fluid. It's that good. But when someone destroys the transmission and we have to replace the fluid because it no longer meets OEM standards, the fluid alone (my shop cost) is $180.00. Now I have to pass that on to the customer when they see their cost for the fluid, they crap a brick. Synthetics are nice, but they are not great for the everyday consumer. But if your going to do and don't mind the price, Amsoil is the best, Valveoline has come quite a long way to make a good product as well.

 

Take this knowledge as you may, but I used to service fords when I was just outta highschool (2006ish) and they all had internal filters in the auto trannies. We always had to drop the pan, swap the filter and fluid, then re-attach and refill.

Common sense would say that the tacoma's have some sort of internal filter as well... I can't verify though personally

 

The customer was the 3rd owner of the 2002 BMW. He had put X5 rims on a 325i, which was part of the root of the problem. When we told him that he would have to change the wheels and tires to a factory wheel and tire combination, his wife pitched a fit, "I told you not to buy those wheels, that was the biggest waste of money. I told you. I told you." It was humorous to watch, but I kinda felt for the guy. Oh AND the $180 was my cost not the customers. I have seen this time and time again. People buy a car for the "prestige" and the "logo" that it gives them. "I drive a BMW." Oooooooooooooo. They don't realize what the upkeep is on one until it's time to fix it then they find themselves in a .

Oh. Thanks I like my avatar as well.

98% of all automatic transmissions have internal filters that you have to remove the pan to get to. The exceptions being large tractors and some diesel engines. Usually a transmission service includes 5 quarts of oil, filter, and gasket. In reality, the filter is semi useless as it's not really a filter but more of a screen used to keep metal shavings and chunks from being pumped into the transmission. Many times if you are trying to save money you can look at the filter and if it doesn't have any holes in or it's relatively clean you can wash it out with a hose on low pressure, not really recommended a whole lot but it will work in a pinch.

Side note, don't buy a transmission filter from Autozone or another "box" auto parts store. They will charge you upwards of $19. Look in the phone book for a transmission parts store, will save you $7-$20 depending on your application. Most of the time it won't come in a fancy box but a bag, but if you don't have to pay for the container and the overhead of an Autozone, more power to you.

 

so my 99 has 37,000 og miles. to my knowlage the previous owner did not change the a.t. fluid. by this point is there already too much gunk to flush it? should i just drain it and change 1/3 at a time like others have said?

 

I wouldn't flush your tranny. You may only have 37k miles but you have 12 years without a transmission service. I would recommend only doing the service. If you aren't noticing any slipping or hard/late shifting, you'll be fine. Be fair warned that when you have the service done or you do it yourself, you may not like what you see or smell in 12 year old oil. It could still be bright red, or it could be dark black. Won't know till you open it up.

Just don't it go another 12 years without a trans service.

 

I'm getting ready to change the AT fluid and filter on an 03 2WD that I just bought at 155K. I've read online that I need a "Toyota $pecial $ervice tool" to remove the gasket. Necessary or not?

Any other words of wisdom would be much appreciated by a first timer.

 

Stick with the Toyota fluid, I had mine flushed at the dealer( 50 K ) with a service coupon out the door $149.00. Didn't pull the pan which is OK by me as there is no paper filter to change out, just a screen to wash. With out pulling the pan no worrys of it leaking.

 

My wife bought an 07 C280 cause she liked it. Mercedes wants $180 for an oil change. Over my dead body.

As far as the flushing goes, I don't get it. Isn't part of the reason for the flush to get the gunk OUT? When you're just draining and refilling all the gunk is still there. That can't be good. Common sense, no? (ignorance here, not assholicness)

 

Can you drain the ATf oil then drop the pan and clean the screen? Or no?

 

OK so you have a $3K transmission and you want to save $20 bucks on aftermarket ATF why take a chance on mixing chemicals especially after the clutch packs and seals are already adjusted to the OEM fluid WTF! You think that Toyota fluid is price inflated wait till you have to drop the trany to replace a seal that pooped out.

 

Well, I ended up flushing the transmission and using Amsoil fluid. The shop that did it is one I trust and stands behind their work. We had a detailed discussion about flushing the tranny before I had them do it. I wasn't having any issues with the tranny...I just decided it was time to service it. 90% of the time, someone takes a tranny in for a flush when they experience a change in the way it is functioning. They think the flush will remedy the problem. Sometimes it does. Then other times it doesn't and makes the problem worse to the point the tranny fails.

As for the fluid, T-IV is a spec as others have said, if you go with a fluid that meets the specs, and has better qualities, you won't have any issues. Just as the previous poster said, motor oil is a prime example. All auto makers give a recommended oil viscosity. If they have their own brand, then they try to push their brand. How many people stick with those brands? Some do, but you will have those that have a oil brand they prefer that meets and exceeds the auto maker's specs. They switch and have no issues at all.

 

I had decided to go this route or just change with a my oil change. I tow a 2K load about once a week a relative short distance, but decided to play it safe and do a drain and fill on a 5,000 mile cycle. I also use a Valvoline T-IV designated fluid.

 

SO, the gist is that a flush is bad for the tranny??

I was about to get mine done too. 70,xxx mi.

 

That seems to be the consensus but it makes zero sense to me as I stated earlier in this thread.

ETA: Actually if you do some searching online you'll find just as many opinions about transmission flushes as there are opinions about synthetic motor oil. Seems like a never-ending debate kinda thing.

 

http://www.amsoil.com/faqs/ATF_and_Filter_Change_Procedures.pdf

i followed this and replaced mine. i started with a full case of amsoil atf and at the end i had none left. i did the drain and fill and then just kept doing step 13 until i had no more atf left. i did that at 75k on my 98. i am now at 92k and has been perfect so far...i plan on doing drain and fills from here on out.

 

has a drain plug stock

 

it may be a stupid Q but still wondering.

 

yes