DIY: Automatic Transmission Drain and Refill Oil

babelbox · 10-16-2009, 11:11 PM

I just did a quick 'drain & refill'. My xB is at 72127 miles, auto trans. According to the Service Guide, there's no need to replace the ATF under normal driving conditions. It also says in the ATF dispstick. But I was curious to see what it look like after all this mileage. I'm planning to send a sample ATF to Blackstone Labs (not affiliated) for analysis. It costs about $20 to have it analyzed. I'll post the report when I get it back.

Tools I used
10mm Hex Wrench
Empty 5qt Oil jug (container)
Paper towels
Funnel whit a the spout small enough to fit the ATF Dip Stick hole

Parts :
ATF Type T-IV - $4.83 at the dealership

Drain Plug Gasket (Washer) - $1.50 at the dealership (picture of the used one)

1. Locate the Transmission Drain Plug, right underneat the auto trans oil pan. It is at the opposite side of the Engine Oil drain plug.

2. Removed the drain plug with the Hex wrench. Removed the gasket as well.
3. Let the ATF drained into the empty 5qt. jug. It helps to use a funnel into the jug to catch all the ATF Fluid. When it was done, it drained close to 3 qts. According to the service manual, the ATF Drain & Refill called for 3.1 US qt.
4. Installed a new gasket and the drain plug. According to Service Manual, the drain plug torque is 36 ft. lbs.
5. Remove ATF dispstick. This one had a reddish colored handle. And place the funnel.
6. I first poured 2.5 qts. Started the car. Let the engine warmed up to running temperature (about 180 degrees in mine) and moved the shift lever from P to L then back to P again.
7. Wiped the ATF dip stick clean and inserted it back to the pipe. Took it out and checked if the level is at the hot position.
8. Left the car running and poured some more ATF fluid until it reached the right level.

9. Put back the ATF dispstick, inspect for leaks underneat then cleaned up. Will dispose the old ATF at my town's Recycling depot.

Here's a comparison of the old and new ATF.

Note : According to the Service Manual, the ATF Dry fill called for 7.2 US qt. If I understand this correctly, I only replaced about 44% of the ATF Fluid. I guess I have to drain and refill it again soon.

CBSIMONSEZ · 10-17-2009, 09:54 AM

i wonder ....

If anyone makes a synthetic tranny fluid &
If it would be worth it to replace the filter ( if there is one ) while you have the lower end empty?

05blackbox · 10-17-2009, 01:32 PM

the best way to service the transmission is to have a transmission flush service done to it it will replace all the fluid that is in the transmission and in the torque converter or if you dont want to go through that you can replace the filter.

hotweelz4me · 10-17-2009, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CBSIMONSEZ

i wonder ....

If anyone makes a synthetic tranny fluid &
If it would be worth it to replace the filter ( if there is one ) while you have the lower end empty?

There are synthetic options out there for example B&M Trick Shift Synthetic ATF. Replacing the filter would also require a new pan gasket. A ATF flush and full replacement of synthetic fluid would be a nice upgrade down the road.

PCH · 10-17-2009, 08:19 PM

BG Makes synthetic trans fluid: BG Products, Inc.
Nice DIY

05blackbox · 10-17-2009, 10:00 PM

i forgot about bg we used them all the time when i worked at the dealership but they do have awesome stuff if you call around im pretty sure you could find a shop that uses there products and they will use the synthetic fluid for the tranny when they do the flush

silvertoast · 10-17-2009, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CBSIMONSEZ

i wonder ....

If anyone makes a synthetic tranny fluid &
If it would be worth it to replace the filter ( if there is one ) while you have the lower end empty?

royal purple max atf is compatable doesnt say on the bottle but if u go to the website it is compatable with what the service manual says to use.

im currently running it in mine

06xbox · 10-17-2009, 10:54 PM

I work at a Toyota dealership and we recommend every 15k to change the Type T-4 fluid. I know Toyota says there is no need to change the fluid but I wouldn't recommend that at all. At 15k I have seen it totally black like the picture above. Def. a great write up!

falcondrgn · 10-18-2009, 10:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 06xbox

I work at a Toyota dealership and we recommend every 15k to change the Type T-4 fluid. I know Toyota says there is no need to change the fluid but I wouldn't recommend that at all. At 15k I have seen it totally black like the picture above. Def. a great write up!

What is toyota's definition of "Normal Driving"? Does stop and go traffic in NYC qualify as normal driving or severe driving? If what you are saying is accurate you mean we should change our transmission oil every 15,000 miles? That sounds awfully soon.

06xbox · 10-19-2009, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by falcondrgn

What is toyota's definition of "Normal Driving"? Does stop and go traffic in NYC qualify as normal driving or severe driving? If what you are saying is accurate you mean we should change our transmission oil every 15,000 miles? That sounds awfully soon.

That would qualify for severe driving. Toyota and other auto manufacturers are very vauge when describing the maintenance schedules. Actually if you live in a climate where it is hot in summer and cold in winter this qualifies for the "severe" plan. I have seen it completely black at 15k or even sooner. Do what you feel is the best but I was always taught its better to do maintenance more often than not enough it will never hurt your vehicle.

gothbox · 10-19-2009, 01:44 PM

i use Royal Purple in gothbox, I dropped the pan and changed the filter and gasket as well when I did that. Picked both the filter and gasket up at Auto Zone as a "combo kit" for not a whole lot of $$.