[Dewey44]

Great topic. At 93,000 miles do I need to have the transmission flush or just do a change?

 

[jc]

Great topic. At 93,000 miles do I need to have the transmission flush or just do a change?

You can get away with just a drain and fill. How dark is the fluid? If you pay a shop to do a flush it may cost you around $200. You can buy a lot of fluid for $200.

If the fluid is a dark colour you could do a drain and fill and then do two more drain and fills a week apart. This is easy to do. If you want to learn about flushing a tranny check out youtube. There are a few good videos on the subject.

Regards, JC.

 

[Dewey44]

I bought Castrol Transmax Import Multi-vehicle. The bottle says it meets T-IV Toyota requirement. My Service book references the T-IV as well but then goes on to say use only Toyota ATF WS.

 

[rovi]

Check your transmission dip stick. Right above the hot mark will tell you what type fluid to use.

 

[jburner]

I picked up a 2007 sienna LE with 112K mi on it. Transmission fluid has never been changed as far as I can tell in the records. It shifts fine, lots of hwy mi in the last two years 80K put on it. I noticed a low rumble at lower speeds when tranny in 5th gear. Felt it under the driver's seat. Is that going to be cleared up with changing of transmission fluid, or is that how they generally operate? I plan to change fluid anyway. Drain, fill, drive, drain, fill, drive, drain, fill drive...Rather than a $180 flush at the stealer

 

[jc]

Yes do the drain and fill a few times. By dropping the pan you could remove a lot of the film that sits in the pan. Last time I dropped my pan, I added a few rare earth magnets to it. I will see what they pick up the next time I opened it up.

You will see a huge difference in the shifting with new fluid.

Once I switched over to Mobil 1 tranny shifted like it was brand new. I've since changed over to Valvoline max life for my 98 and I use it in the Wife's Civic as well. It is compatible with the Type I-V fluid spec as well.

Regards, JC.

 

[Scilane71]

Toyota also has no recommended change interval for the T-IV trans fluid in my 06, which IMHO is nuts for a non-synth ATF. I agree that Toyo know their cars better than me, but for peace of mind I'll spend the $25 for a DIY drain/refill every 30K-40K miles.

I don't see any ATF change requirement in my 06 Sienna manual. I had Camry and never change ATF during its 236,000 miles life. My 06 Sienna LE has 60,000 miles. So far so good without ATF change.

 

[thorongil]

After several Toyota dealers quoted me $6.22-$8 per quart of Toyota WS ATF fluid, I started looking for other compatible fluids. I found Valvoline Maxlife Dex/Merc ATF listed as compatible with both T-IV and WS specification. It is described as synthetic fluid, and costs $17.49 per gallon or $4.37 per quart in Meijer stores.

http://www.valvoline.com/products/br...sion-fluid/37#

 

[tcp]

seriously? for less than the cost of a quarter of a tank of gas( the difference between the dealer's fluid and the "compatible" one), you are going to fool around with a fluid that is "compatible" with pretty much every manufacturer's vehicle, yet not precisely made for any of them. I can't understand that. You drive how many miles every year and spend how much money on fuel, but are looking to save $20 on the fluid that will keep your transmission functioning well for many miles? It is just a disconnect for me. If you need WS fluid, buy WS fluid. If you need T-IV fluid, you can buy it at the dealer or use Mobil's JWS 3309 fluid, which is exactly what your transmission needs.
http://www.mobiloil.com/USA-English/MotorOil/Other_Products/Mobil_ATF_3309.aspx

 

[thorongil]

seriously? for less than the cost of a quarter of a tank of gas( the difference between the dealer's fluid and the "compatible" one), you are going to fool around with a fluid that is "compatible" with pretty much every manufacturer's vehicle, yet not precisely made for any of them. I can't understand that. You drive how many miles every year and spend how much money on fuel, but are looking to save $20 on the fluid that will keep your transmission functioning well for many miles? It is just a disconnect for me. If you need WS fluid, buy WS fluid. If you need T-IV fluid, you can buy it at the dealer or use Mobil's JWS 3309 fluid, which is exactly what your transmission needs.
http://www.mobiloil.com/USA-English/MotorOil/Other_Products/Mobil_ATF_3309.aspx

Seriously. If Valvoline says that a given fluid satisfies a requirement of a given specification - be it T-IV or WS, that is quite sufficient for me. Same applies to other non-manufacturer branded fluids. The fact that a fluid satisfies more than one spec is not particularly shocking, as specs are not necessarily mutually exclusive. But if you feel the need to only use manufacturer branded fluids, and/or single spec fluids - hey - it is your car and your money. My car and my wallet are happy with Valvoline, and everyone else will do as they please. I am not telling anyone what to do, only sharing info of a product I found that I am happy with.

 

[samilcar]

Interesting. Valvoline's Maxlife Dex/Merc didn't used to be recommended as a WS replacement. The starting viscosity for this new formulation (6.11cSt @ 100°C) looks to be dead on to the WS viscosity. I'm using the regular Valvoline Dex/Merc as power steering fluid, and this formulation is still thicker at 7.5cSt @ 100°C. It's good to finally have some more aftermarket synthetic options for the Toyota WS fluid.

 

[thorongil]

Interesting. Valvoline's Maxlife Dex/Merc didn't used to be recommended as a WS replacement. The starting viscosity for this new formulation (6.11cSt @ 100°C) looks to be dead on to the WS viscosity. I'm using the regular Valvoline Dex/Merc as power steering fluid, and this formulation is still thicker at 7.5cSt @ 100°C. It's good to finally have some more aftermarket synthetic options for the Toyota WS fluid.

Yes, I don't like being a hostage to manufacturer's prices, it is good to have choice. I called several Toyota dealers in Toronto just to verify prices here - they charge $7.25-10.40 per liter (plus 13% tax) of Toyota WS fluid (no quantity discounts either). Valvoline Maxlife Dex/Merc costs about $4.80 per liter here. And unless one would have all the proprietary data on base oils and additive packages used in manufacturing Toyota brand WS fluid and Valvoline one - one can not say which fluid is actually better.

 

[dunhamrc]

Joe:
What do you mean there is no filter in the 2005 Sienna LE automatic transmission ?

 

[Seriy]

I have Toyota Sienna 2008 LE 2WD with 60k. I drained transmission fluid when engine was very hot on equal level of ground. I measured old Toyota WS transmission fluid. I drained 5.1 quart and fluid was very dark color. Toyota dealer told me that I need 3.7quart. I go back to dealer and purchase 2 more quart of WS transmission fluid, because I need 5.1 quart. This is normal level when I check transmission fluid when engine run and hot. Before I unscrew drain bolt I shifted transmission to every speed and turn off the engine, then after few second I unscrew transmission drain bolt. I think it help to drain 1 extra transmission fluid. I drive test my Toyota Sienna, notice very different shifting, van run like new transmission. Later I will drain 2 more times transmission fluid to clean transmission complete. I have Honda Odyssey 99, and in the past I ask in Honda dealer how to change transmission fluid. He told me that more safe drain transmission fluid 3 times like I did. He not recommend to flush full transmission fluid complete for one time, because it can destroyed transmission. I done safe transmission flush to my 2008 Toyota Sienna.

 

[toomanycds]

I own a 1st gen/1998 Sienna with 193K miles. The check engine light indicated a P0770 solenoid problem and a transmission mechanic recommended a new trans after a relatively brief assessment 5-10 minutes. $2600 - ouch.

Will draining and changing the AT fluid help with this?
If so, the owner's manual says to use Dexron II or III. Is there a particular brand for type 1 engines?

If not, any opinions on putting in a new transmission on a reliable vehicle with so many miles already on it?

Thanks for all the feedback, photos, and info provided here.

 

[jc]

seriously? for less than the cost of a quarter of a tank of gas( the difference between the dealer's fluid and the "compatible" one), you are going to fool around with a fluid that is "compatible" with pretty much every manufacturer's vehicle, yet not precisely made for any of them. I can't understand that. You drive how many miles every year and spend how much money on fuel, but are looking to save $20 on the fluid that will keep your transmission functioning well for many miles? It is just a disconnect for me. If you need WS fluid, buy WS fluid. If you need T-IV fluid, you can buy it at the dealer or use Mobil's JWS 3309 fluid, which is exactly what your transmission needs.
http://www.mobiloil.com/USA-English/MotorOil/Other_Products/Mobil_ATF_3309.aspx

TCP - Max life will do the job. Have you ever checked this same topic on BITOG?

I own a 1st gen/1998 Sienna with 193K miles. The check engine light indicated a P0770 solenoid problem and a transmission mechanic recommended a new trans after a relatively brief assessment 5-10 minutes. $2600 - ouch.

Will draining and changing the AT fluid help with this?
If so, the owner's manual says to use Dexron II or III. Is there a particular brand for type 1 engines?

If not, any opinions on putting in a new transmission on a reliable vehicle with so many miles already on it?

Thanks for all the feedback, photos, and info provided here.

I would try the drain and fill first. It won't hurt and is a lot cheaper than just spending $2500. Use Valvoline max life.

Joe:
What do you mean there is no filter in the 2005 Sienna LE automatic transmission ?

There isn't a filter, it's referred to as a strainer.

Regards, JC.

 

[dmax dan]

Hi everyone. I have an 04 sienna w/ 189k on it. Starting to feel a slight bit of shift delay in the lower gears, maybe 2-3. It almost acts more like a modulator problem than a fluid problem. Like when your coasting then resume with the pedal it has to shift. Its so faint my wife who drives it daily can't feel it. Anyway, I pulled the dipstick this weekend and the fluid is a Lil dark. Not bad at all for what Im assuming is 189k mile fluid. I want to change it but I'm kinda skeptic with that many miles on the odometer.
I would ask my dealer but Im stationed in Germany. They are still great guys at the local dealer. But I have a hard time communicating with them. I can ask them what they think about changing it. But what I can't differentiate is the difference in "should I change my trxn fluid?" Or "will you change my trxn fluid?" The basics he will get is that I want the fluid changed. What I really want is a second opinion. Anyone got any feedback they wanna share?

 

[jc]

Change your fluid. It can only make things better. Not sure what you can get in Germany, but I think Toyota Type IV should be available.

Regards, JC.

 

[shamsul_arefeen]

Hi Everyone,

I have a Sienna '04 XLE AWD with about 100K miles (163K KM) on it. Checking the Transmission fluid dip stick for oil color, it was found to be very dark, almost black. I have not noticed any abnormal thing in shifting but concerned with the color.

I understand it uses WS type oil (still need to confirm from the dip stick embossing) but not sure if the healthy color should actually be a dark reddish shade rather than the black I see.

The vehicle history I got from the Dealer (from Toyota database) mentions twice something about "Trans" oil/fluid change. 1st @ 45K miles and 2nd @ 83K miles.

I am not sure if this reference for "trans" means Transmission or Transfer case.

Appreciate if somebody in forum can suggest what is best to be done at this time?

Thanks

 

[thanwu]

The mileage you have on your 04 XLE AWD is the same as my 06 XLE FWD. I did the transmission fluid change twice roughly the same mileages as your vehicle. But both time my transmission fluid was pink (close to original color). I don't know if the previous owner might tow a lot with the vehicle. I would change it out if I did see mine turning black.

Hi Everyone,

I have a Sienna '04 XLE AWD with about 100K miles (163K KM) on it. Checking the Transmission fluid dip stick for oil color, it was found to be very dark, almost black. I have not noticed any abnormal thing in shifting but concerned with the color.

I understand it uses WS type oil (still need to confirm from the dip stick embossing) but not sure if the healthy color should actually be a dark reddish shade rather than the black I see.

The vehicle history I got from the Dealer (from Toyota database) mentions twice something about "Trans" oil/fluid change. 1st @ 45K miles and 2nd @ 83K miles.

I am not sure if this reference for "trans" means Transmission or Transfer case.

Appreciate if somebody in forum can suggest what is best to be done at this time?

Thanks