5 speed auto fluid exchange

[saudi]

Today I finally did a full fluid exchange on my 2003 5 speed auto. I use a machine and just put new in while the box pumped out old. It wasn’t changing bad I just thought at 268000 miles it was due a change . Old fluid wasn’t that bad . After changing fluid I then changed filter and topped up.i used 20litres of atf.
We will now have to see how it goes

 

[tarbe]

Do you know if the fluid had been changed previously?

 

[Malleus]

You really should do this yearly. I recently discussed fluid changes with a Lexus technician, of 30 years. He told me that as far as he knew, every failed transmission he'd ever seen was due to lack of clean fluid. The clutch discs lose their firction lining over time and it goes into the fluid. Add to that the fluid loses its ability to lubricate because it breaks down, and sooner or later, you really don;t have ATF any more, you just have dirty fluid.

You don't need a machine; you can use the transmission pump to do it:

Disconnect the upper (supply) cooler line and run it into a bucket. The transmission will pump fluid out while the engine runs. If you use a graduated container, you can put in pretty much what comes out and not miss any.

 

[saudi]

Do you know if the fluid had been changed previously?

Sadly no , my mechanic thinks not

 

[saudi]

You really should do this yearly. I recently discussed fluid changes with a Lexus technician, of 30 years. He told me that as far as he knew, every failed transmission he'd ever seen was due to lack of clean fluid. The clutch discs lose their firction lining over time and it goes into the fluid. Add to that the fluid loses its ability to lubricate because it breaks down, and sooner or later, you really don;t have ATF any more, you just have dirty fluid.

You don't need a machine; you can use the transmission pump to do it:

Disconnect the upper (supply) cooler line and run it into a bucket. The transmission will pump fluid out while the engine runs. If you use a graduated container, you can put in pretty much what comes out and not miss any.

I do like to be really careful as I’m in uk so 100 series are rare here, no Lexus 470 as our Toyota version just about the same

 

[tarbe]

Best wishes @saudi - please do let us know how this turns out.

 

[jLB]

You really should do this yearly. I recently discussed fluid changes with a Lexus technician, of 30 years. He told me that as far as he knew, every failed transmission he'd ever seen was due to lack of clean fluid. The clutch discs lose their firction lining over time and it goes into the fluid. Add to that the fluid loses its ability to lubricate because it breaks down, and sooner or later, you really don;t have ATF any more, you just have dirty fluid.

You don't need a machine; you can use the transmission pump to do it:

Disconnect the upper (supply) cooler line and run it into a bucket. The transmission will pump fluid out while the engine runs. If you use a graduated container, you can put in pretty much what comes out and not miss any.

Amusing, considering that my Lexus dealership refused to do a transmission fluid change, on my 06 LX, because it was a “lifetime item”. I had an independent do a fluid exchange, and it was dirty.