bB2NER

If you change the fluid regularly (every 25K miles) you should NEVER need a trans flush. Unless you have nothing better to do with your money.

estados

(If you change the fluid regularly (every 25K miles)
Do you mean changing the transmission fluid by draining it and refilling it?
Like a regular engine oil change?

bB2NER

Yep. use the Toyota Tech IV fluid. Measure how much drains out and replace with same amount every 25K and the trans should last 300K plus. Flushing the trans stirs up all the hidden dirt and can actual cause trans problems.

bearcave

That's the maint required light that goes off every 5000 miles to remind you to change the oil. To reset this, perform the following (it's also in your manual)

Turn key to acc. Locate the push pin on your odometer. Place on odometer not trip meter. Hold push button in and turn key to on. You should see the odo change to 000000 and then --------- which will count down like this, -----, ----, ---, --, - , then flash back to odo.

OakToddler

Anyone know the tranny plug size for an auto?

Same as oil plug?

bB2NER

10mm Allen

OakToddler

great

thanks

OakToddler

OK, another quick question.

Is the transmission steel or aluminum?

Thanks

bB2NER

Combination, housing is aluminum and most of the internals are steel.

OakToddler

Hey, the allen can be replaced with a 10mm hex, no?

thanks again

bB2NER

Maybe, but why? Maybe get a magnetic plug if you are gonna change it anyhow?

OakToddler

You read my mind.

Thats why I was asking.

I heard the allen can strip easier and it seems hex is also available in that size for magnetic.

I am under the impression it has to be a low profile plug, too.

thanks again

vintage42

Of course it stirs up the hidden dirt. But it does not cause problems.

My dealer recommends flushing with the BG Powerflush equipment that he has. Flushing is the only way to clean all internal transmission components including torque converter, valve body assemblies, lines and cooler vanes. It dissolves and removes harmful deposits from every transmission component and exchanges all of the old oxidized ATF for new fluid.

A drain and refill only changes the small amount of ATF that comes out when you remove the plug from the sump. The majority of the old ATF is still trapped in the converter and valve bodies.

OakToddler

I am not sure what to think about that.
There are a few horror stories out there about flushing.

Urban legends?

I would not take a dealerships word for anything, though.

bB2NER

Yep, leave the stuck junk where it lays outta the clean areas. Why send all the junk thru to end up where you don't want it. Safe than sorry is my motto. Just change the fluid regularly and ride.
Now flushing it slowly at the lines to replace the fluid should be safe. I may do that when it gets more miles on it. I wonder if the T/C has a drainplug like my van?

dgenem

There is a really good reason to use synthetic over dino that most people over look. Synthetic does not sludge. Now in older cars, sludge was common and not too big of a deal. However in newer cars, especially Toyota with small engines and extremely tight clearances, sludge is an engine killer! There are other benefits from synthetic, but this is the main reason I use it in small engines. The minor difference in price is worth it for me. Especially considering I tend to go slightly over 5k between changes.

I am way past due for transmission fluid change. Going to do that in next few days. Mine still has factory fluid in it! Just going to do the drain and fill. Too many people have told me horror stories of the local dealer causing problems with the fluid exchange machines.

vintage42

It builds up where it lays and eventually causes problems. The BG equipment does not redistribute the junk to where you don't want it. It completely removes it.

The BG equipment injects the old ATF with a solvent/dispersant cleaner to remove accumulated deposits from the torque converter, valve body, filter screen, cooler vanes and other parts, then replaces that with new ATF. The circulation of the cleaner and ATF through the transmission and flushing equipment is done by the running engine, which provides all the pumping and flushing action.

CBSIMONSEZ

i say junk the slush box and replace with a manual. Just that easy.

bB2NER

Nah, If I wanted to change clutches all the time and row a bowl of goo I would have gotten a manual when I bought it new. My auto is perfect for the Box.

MadMike550

manual for me..only wish it was a 6 speed