atf
#1
Member
Thread Starter
atf
My 2007 Corolla has 44,000 miles and never any atf added. I checked the stick after driving 10 minutes like the manuel says and it appears a little under the lower hot notch -there are two and it should be between them.
My neighbor blew his transmission with the wrong fluid at a lube place so I am afraid of someone goofing.
I checked it agin this am cold but running and it seemed low then too.
Should I trust a service station or dealer or should i add a little by myself?
I ask because I want to be sure I have the right kind.
I can look in the manuel for the right one.
Question;
Does 10 - 15 minutes at 35 mph sound long enough to get an accurate reading or should I drive it longer. I live in a camera controlled area where we all go about 35.
Thank you
My neighbor blew his transmission with the wrong fluid at a lube place so I am afraid of someone goofing.
I checked it agin this am cold but running and it seemed low then too.
Should I trust a service station or dealer or should i add a little by myself?
I ask because I want to be sure I have the right kind.
I can look in the manuel for the right one.
Question;
Does 10 - 15 minutes at 35 mph sound long enough to get an accurate reading or should I drive it longer. I live in a camera controlled area where we all go about 35.
Thank you
#2
That's more than enough driving and yes you can add a bit to get to the full mark. Check your owner's manual for the proper type, but should be Dexron (although you can spend the extra for genuine Toyota fluid if you're so inclined).
#3
Member
Thread Starter
Atf
I should have gotten some yesterday while I was at Pep boys so off to the store after reading the manual.
I'll call the dealer for the fun of it. I'll bet it is twice the price.
Thank you for verifying the miles.
I'll call the dealer for the fun of it. I'll bet it is twice the price.
Thank you for verifying the miles.
#5
Member
Thread Starter
Atf
Yes, thanx for the reminder as older gys tend to do some foolish things. I just came in from the car and it is Type T- IV
Then it has a bunch of numbers under it;JWS3309 or
NWS6500.
I don't know why there is a difference.
For the few extra dollars I will go to the dealer and get the genuine Type T-IV and put in 1/2 dixie cup at a time till the level is ok so I don't overfill.
Then it has a bunch of numbers under it;JWS3309 or
NWS6500.
I don't know why there is a difference.
For the few extra dollars I will go to the dealer and get the genuine Type T-IV and put in 1/2 dixie cup at a time till the level is ok so I don't overfill.
#6
no, at 44 000 miles you do no dixie cups, you do drain and refill. will cost you about 4 qrts, maybe less, as it's small car.
I do Amsoil 100% synthetic, as it is compatible with all Toyota ATFs. But you won't do it, it's $12 a qrt.
I do Amsoil 100% synthetic, as it is compatible with all Toyota ATFs. But you won't do it, it's $12 a qrt.
#7
Member
Thread Starter
Atf
I thought for years the owners manual was the car's Bible.
It says ,"It is not necessary or advisable to change the ATF under normal driving conditions until you reach 60,000 as indicated by the schedule."
My driving is very conservative; the fluid is bright pink and when driven 10 minutes the fluid just touches the lower of the two marks.
Oil is 7,500
Plugs are 60,000.
Why would I put the manual aside and do contrary to it?
It says ,"It is not necessary or advisable to change the ATF under normal driving conditions until you reach 60,000 as indicated by the schedule."
My driving is very conservative; the fluid is bright pink and when driven 10 minutes the fluid just touches the lower of the two marks.
Oil is 7,500
Plugs are 60,000.
Why would I put the manual aside and do contrary to it?
#8
You don't peter....others do though. If it's not time to change it (either mileage or calender) then don't worry about it except to bring it up to the mark.
I know some people that change out all fluids on a new car at around 1500 miles. Oil, trans, differential, brake flush, coolant......on a brand new car!
I know some people that change out all fluids on a new car at around 1500 miles. Oil, trans, differential, brake flush, coolant......on a brand new car!
#9
UK is just erring on the side of caution which is always better than erring long. I would just do it at 50,000 miles; that's still on the "cautious" side and gives you a nice round number to remember (next one at 100,000).
#10
Member
Thread Starter
atf
The car may outlast me but for now I'll top off as there are no signs, it is bright pink and just a tad beneath the mark.
I know you can't always go by the Book but it seems cars are pretty good about that.
Appreciate the information from all.
I know you can't always go by the Book but it seems cars are pretty good about that.
Appreciate the information from all.
#11
Hey, what can I say. My Camry manual says "lifetime fluid", yet almost all of us owners at Toyota Camry Hybrid forum had it done around 45 - 50 000 miles. Our plugs are 100 000 miles warranted, yet we virtually all had them replaced way before that.
Somehow, I can not rid of a conversation I had with a guy years ago. He said - my grandpa was religious about oil changes. The very moment that oil level will drop down, he'll get it changed. And I have great respect to old man talk.
Here's funny way I check on ATF. I smell it. ATF has very particular smell when it's good. And color can be pink, but when I start smelling burn in it - it's done, replaced. Trannies are $$ to replace, and there was some reason level dropped, aye, mates?
Just me.
Somehow, I can not rid of a conversation I had with a guy years ago. He said - my grandpa was religious about oil changes. The very moment that oil level will drop down, he'll get it changed. And I have great respect to old man talk.
Here's funny way I check on ATF. I smell it. ATF has very particular smell when it's good. And color can be pink, but when I start smelling burn in it - it's done, replaced. Trannies are $$ to replace, and there was some reason level dropped, aye, mates?
Just me.
#13
Member
Thread Starter
atf
It is bright pink, no burnt odor and no signs of a leak under the parking spot.
I run from MD to MA and MD to FL now and then.
Isn't it possible that after 45,000 the level would have dropped due to milage.
I don't mind old man talk bit I would take exception if you said old lady talk.
I run from MD to MA and MD to FL now and then.
Isn't it possible that after 45,000 the level would have dropped due to milage.
I don't mind old man talk bit I would take exception if you said old lady talk.
Last edited by peterr; 09-16-12 at 06:38 AM. Reason: ommision
#14
Old man talk is normally referred to as common wisdom coming from experienced - usually old - folks. Has none to do with gender. It's a proverb. Was not pointed at you. M'am.
If it's pink and does not smell fouled - go for it, add some. Personally, I'd have it drain refilled at 35 000 anyway. But that's old man talk.
If it's pink and does not smell fouled - go for it, add some. Personally, I'd have it drain refilled at 35 000 anyway. But that's old man talk.