15 replies to this topic

[dimi108]

I'll be replacing the ATF fluid this weekend.
Now, i know i need the 7.65L of TOYOTA genuine auto fluid type T - III Automatic transmission fluid.
What else is needed for this procedure?
Do our cars have an ATF filter that needs replacing upon service? Or is it as simple as (most cars) undoing a sump plug, letting it drain and then replacing the fluid?

I found a guide here for the LS400, just unsure if it's the same procedure on our cars.

Thanks.

[CHA54]

dimi108, on Aug 13 2009, 10:52 PM, said:

I'll be replacing the ATF fluid this weekend.
Now, i know i need the 7.65L of TOYOTA genuine auto fluid type T - III Automatic transmission fluid.
What else is needed for this procedure?
Do our cars have an ATF filter that needs replacing upon service? Or is it as simple as (most cars) undoing a sump plug, letting it drain and then replacing the fluid?

I found a guide here for the LS400, just unsure if it's the same procedure on our cars.

Thanks.

That procedure doesn't flush out the torque converter, it's only really doing half a fluid change, to do it properly you can follow the procedure below, which was originally posted by Ribfeast at Toyotacressida.net.

Required:
Someone to help you as you cannot do this alone
14mm hex spanner for removing atx sump plug
8L of Toyota Type IV transmission fluid (comes in 4L metal tins). A third spare is useful too
Oil drain pan
Couple of old 2 litre drink bottles
A funnel that fits nicely into the ATX dipstick hole
2 litre measuring jug
Car jack + jackstands
Spare piece of hose

Optional:
New sump washer and/or plug

Steps:
1. Go for a drive to get the car up to operating temperature, then leave it for half an hour to cool slightly.
2. Jack up the car & place it on the jackstands (you don't want to die do you?)
3. Place drain pan underneath the ATX sump and unscrew the ATX drain plug with the 14mm hex spanner. This will get you about 3 litres of the old ATX fluid. But we are doing this properly, aren't we


4. Put the new washer on and screw the drain plug back in.

How gross does that old fluid look! And it smells burnt (well mine did)


5. Empty out the drain pan into a container for recycling. Don't tip it down the drain!

6. Open up the tins of the new Toyota Type IV ATX fluid. The trick is to press in the middle of the white cap until it pops, otherwise you'll have a hell of a time opening the tin up.






7. Remove the ATX dipstick and place the funnel in the hole SECURELY.

8. Measure 2 litres of the new ATX fluid into the measuring jug


9. Get your buddy to SLOWLY pour it into the funnel, while you hold the funnel in tight.


10. Measure another litre of ATX fluid and pour that in. That should replace the oil that was drained out earlier. But there is still around 5 litres of the old stuff left in there! This is how you get rid of it.

11. Remove the splash guard if present.


12. Unplug the transmission hose, have one of the 2 litre bottles ready to catch any stray fluid as you do this.




13. Find a small piece of hose and attach it to the nipple on the radiator, and run the other end into the second 2 litre bottle.


14. Put the dipstick in then start the car and run it until the 2 litre bottle is full of the old fluid (get your buddy to yell out when it is full). This will only take 5 - 10 seconds approx.


15. Pour the fluid into the drain pan for recycling later.

16. Measure out 2L of new transmission fluid and put it in via the dipstick hole like earlier. Put the dipstick back in.
17. Put the bottle back onto the hose again and run the engine for another 5-10 secs till the bottle is full again. Repeat this drain/refill procedure until the fluid that is coming out of the hose is a cherry red colour rather than a muddy brown, this indicates that all the old fluid is gone.


18. Re-attach the transmission hose and put the dipstick back in.
19. Start the car and shift between the gears, leave it in D for a bit so that the fluid cycles around a bit. Top up the fluid if necessary. All done!! Thank your buddy and help clean up any mess, then recycle the old fluid.

If you have a 1JZ-GTE engine then this fluid swap is mandatory every 5000kms if you want to preserve the life of your transmission. A transmisson cooler is a worthwhile purchase too. Fitting a temperature sensor to your transmission is good too, that way you can tone down your driving as the temperature approaches 100�C. High temperatures will kill the lubricating properties of your transmission fluid.

If you pay your mechanic to do this, make sure he doesn't stick in Dextron III like mine did, as you can see what my fluid looks like after only 5000kms.

[5hu7o]

looks like cranberry juice

[FragLord]

Changing trans fluid every 5,000km's are you serious? Thats a bit over the top isn't it?

[TRD JZX100]

Good thread. *STICKY'ed*

[CHA54]

depends on what power you're putting out and how often you plan to rebuild your auto.

[dimi108]

Haha cranberry juice.
Thanks for posting, sweet write up.

Hang on, do we use Toyota Type IV transmission fluid or Toyota tranmission fluid type T - III?

[CHA54]

what does it say on your ATF dipstick?

I've always used type IV in the JZ A341E's.

[dimi108]

Yeah mine says Toyota Type T - IV. Just got a bit confused because the General Maintenance thread said Toyota type T - III.

[CHA54]

well there you go, the maintenance thread is wrong.