Auto-Transmission Fluid Change

[c2cummin]

Hi,

I have 2 questions and was hoping someone out there would be able to answer them:

1) How much transmission fluid does the car take after doing a simple drain and fill? I've read around on this site and different people seem to say different things regarding the amount to put back in once it has been drained.

2) Is draining and refilling only once effective enough or does it need to be done 2-3 times? Haven't been able to find much info on this one...

If anyone can help that would be great!

[Chiadog]

Hi c2c,
Drain and fill of base auto tranny takes approx. 3.2 quarts.
Toyota fluid costs about $6 / qt. at Carquest auto parts.
Do it yourself Flush/Fill is fairly easy and changes all the fluid. Think I used 10 quarts. Link below:
viewtopic.php?f=28&t=626&p=4204&hilit=ATF+change#p4204" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
good luck,
chiadog

[c2cummin]

Thanks!

So I take you drained and filled 3 times then? Just wondering how much driving you did in between the changes?

[c2cummin]

Sorry,

Ignore my previous post. I replied before reading the link you provided. That process does seem fairly easy.

On another note....does this type of ATF get dark quickly? I'm at roughly 54000 miles and while the colour still has a reddish tinge to it, it's really dark. I haven't any problems with the transmission slipping or shifting rough but the really dark colour does worry me a little....

[Caretaker]

I took my 2009 Vibe (automatic) to Toyota and got a full World Standard (WS) fluid flush for $200. I had 62,000 miles on the car at the time. Toyota informed me that they have seen a lot of tranny problems in their cars which, according to the owner's manual, "don't require replacement of the tranny fluid," and that have been subsequently cured of their ailments once a fluid replacement was done. At 62,000 miles, I have no intention of ever getting another flush done since it is WS fluid and should last upwards of 100,000 miles or close to when I will depart with this vehicle. I can report that in addition to negotiating a great deal for my flush, I am glad I did the flush; my tranny is shifting a bit smoother than before, especially when climbing hills and the car downshifts from 4th to 3rd, or 3rd to 2nd gear. Even on my Hyundai, which does not require tranny fluid replacement until (at a minimum) 60,000 miles. The fluid in that car at 42,000 miles was very grey and I don't consider myself living in a severe climate zone. I can't speak to the procedure of simply draining the fluid out from time to time as has been suggested many times on this board. I can only attest to the fact that people are being fooled into thinking that the factory fill will last a lifetime or upwards of 100,000 miles; it doesn't, even in non-severe climate driving areas.

[c2cummin]

I agree that the factory fill won't last just by the colour of my fluid alone. The fluid has no burning smell to it and the transmission is shifting just fine but I still think it needs changed. I do plan to just a drain and fill myself since the dealerships around me want an insane amount to do a flush or even a simple drain and fill. I've read on this forum about people getting well over 300,000 miles out of the original transmission by doing simple fluid changes every few years. A little bit of work will go a long way.

[Caretaker]

Yes, the GM dealerships around the Delta Quadrant wanted $259 for a flush, and that was likely with the wrong fluid T-IV as stated incorrectly in the 2009-2010 owners manual. I know World Standard fluid is very expensive for the 2009-2010 models, so I kinda got away with murder at the Toyota dealership.

[Chiadog]

here are my calculations for vibe tranny Drain/Fill.
My 05 base transmission pumping rate at IDLE is 1Qt./20 seconds or 3 Quarts per MINUTE! (I measured!)
So, Drive car till operating temperature is reached - Drain tranny, add 3qts. to fill - Start engine at idle in PARK and run 1 minute. Stop engine,Drain tranny, add 3 Qts. to fill. - REPEAT. - You're finished! Total tranny fluid used 9-10 quarts.

Notes from my one-time vibe tranny flush:
My abused Vibes first Tranny flush came at 137K And the radiator tranny cooler was BYPASSED when I bought it! I'm guessing you could go another 30K no-sweat, as long as the tranny is operating fine.
My old fluid was very dark, but didn't smell burned. I did the full flush as described in the link and my "new" fluid was already darkened some within weeks.
I also dropped the pan and replaced the filter which is basically a screen on the base 05 Vibe. The tranny pan was surprisingly clean and the screen was in essentially new condition. I see no reason to drop the pan on a low mile base model. The GT has a foam or paper tranny filter from what I hear.
chiadog

[c2cummin]

I actually called both the toyota and GM dealers to see how much the type T-IV fluid and is. Toyota wanted roughly $7/quart and GM wanted almost $13! I think I'll obviously be getting it from Toyota.

Both dealers did also tell me to not bother changing the filter this early. They said it's something that's changed so little on these vehicles that they don't even stock the part.

My tranny does seem to be working fine. There's no slipping or hard shifting while driving. The only thing that concerns me is that it slams into 'drive' fairly hard when going from park or reverse. Has anyone else experienced this?

[Chiadog]

Check Carquest auto for the best price on authentic Toyota fluid!

[trb]

I am planning to change the fluid on both of our vibes in the next few weeks as one is at 61k, the other is at 55k. My Toyota.Dealer has a special on a case for like $5 a quart, so i will be shopping there. A side question, i will be towing a Uhaul trailer next weekend, think i should change it before? I will check the condition later today.

[circuitsmith]

A simple drain and fill every 30k miles will keep enough fresh fluid in the mix.
An easy DIY job.

[trb]

Follow up note - I stoped by my Toyota dealer and picked up WS fluid for my 10GT. It was $7.85 a quart by the case, vs $9.85 by the individual quart. The T-IV is $5.85 by the case, that is the one he quoted me previously. I was hoping it was the WS price.

[cptnsolo77]

I have done 2 drain & refills so far and zero problems with 143K on the odo. You will be fine !

[c2cummin]

I have done 2 drain & refills so far and zero problems with 143K on the odo. You will be fine !

Thanks!

Just wondering if you remember how much fluid went in? Also did you just drain and refill it once or do it 2-3?

[Chiadog]

Hi c2c,
Drain and fill of base auto tranny takes approx. 3.2 quarts.
good luck,
chiadog

[cptnsolo77]

....also i have not dropped the pan or cleaned out the screen. No problems. Forgot to mention that.

[lannvouivre]

....also i have not dropped the pan or cleaned out the screen. No problems. Forgot to mention that.

I have done those two things and everything went fine. Also cleaned the magnets, which was a pain because the silty metal particles didn't want to detach from them. Oh, and I only found two of the magnets...