Philadelphia Car Meets
Evolved Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,235
Likes: 4
From: PA
hey really dumb question but what do you guys think of flushing automatic tranny fluid in a high mileage car (toyota corrolla)? the tranny fluid is brown/black and probably was never changed. Now this has no logic to it but I was raised with the mindset that once you mess with automatic tranny fluid that you start having issue so i've never changed it before. the condition of the fluid has me concerned and i will be kicking myself if it starts to fail from either not changing it or changing it. the tranny funcion is otherwise unremarkable. thoughts?
When was the last change Dan? If the tranny oil has been in there for a long time, its better you keep the old fluid. That's really whats holding the trans together. A high mileage automatic trans can really start to have problems with new fluids...at least that has been my experience.
The reason some people believe that it's not a good idea to change it is kind of wrong, but also has some merit. If it's changed on a regular interval, while the trans is 100% then it prevents wear of the clutch packs and bands because it lubricates. If it's left in forever, starts to turn brown, then it becomes less slick, and contains more particulates which actually create a gritty fluid. That keeps the clutch packs from slipping if they have already worn down and are barely holding on. But again, if it's changed regularly, they shouldn't get to that point in the first place. It's a damned if you do damned if you don't situation. At this point, it's black so the damage, if any is already done. I'd advise against changing it now, but in the future with a new car, it should be done at the regular service interval.
Josh, you made a hell of a lot more sense the way you put it than me. But all in all, that was the point I was trying to make. If the fluids have never been changed, dont do it now!
Robert, you should check out the Oakes meet sometimes. Its not an Evo only thing, but its where most of us met and kept in touch since. There's always a few evos around, and other cars. But in any case, you should be able to meet some great locals at the autox event on the 20th.
Yeah, looking forward to the 20th.
Cruise sounds good on the 20th, but going to go out for the Autox.
Definitely looking out for the next cruise.
Evolved Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,235
Likes: 4
From: PA
robert, what's your friend's first name? my neighbor in east norriton got an ms3 in red. wonder if it is the same guy. chip knows him as well
chu and josh, thanks for making sense of what i thought to be an urban myth. the corrolla is my wife's car. she had it since new in 2003 and drove the hell out of it. it is in beater condition at nearly 90k miles. the engine should hold on for a good time and she's washed it a total of 3 times since we've met!!! she's been very female in her vigilance of car maintanence. i keep up with the maintanence now for her but there are some things that just jacked up like her suspension.
chu and josh, thanks for making sense of what i thought to be an urban myth. the corrolla is my wife's car. she had it since new in 2003 and drove the hell out of it. it is in beater condition at nearly 90k miles. the engine should hold on for a good time and she's washed it a total of 3 times since we've met!!! she's been very female in her vigilance of car maintanence. i keep up with the maintanence now for her but there are some things that just jacked up like her suspension.
robert, what's your friend's first name? my neighbor in east norriton got an ms3 in red. wonder if it is the same guy. chip knows him as well
chu and josh, thanks for making sense of what i thought to be an urban myth. the corrolla is my wife's car. she had it since new in 2003 and drove the hell out of it. it is in beater condition at nearly 90k miles. the engine should hold on for a good time and she's washed it a total of 3 times since we've met!!! she's been very female in her vigilance of car maintanence. i keep up with the maintanence now for her but there are some things that just jacked up like her suspension.
chu and josh, thanks for making sense of what i thought to be an urban myth. the corrolla is my wife's car. she had it since new in 2003 and drove the hell out of it. it is in beater condition at nearly 90k miles. the engine should hold on for a good time and she's washed it a total of 3 times since we've met!!! she's been very female in her vigilance of car maintanence. i keep up with the maintanence now for her but there are some things that just jacked up like her suspension.
robert, what's your friend's first name? my neighbor in east norriton got an ms3 in red. wonder if it is the same guy. chip knows him as well
chu and josh, thanks for making sense of what i thought to be an urban myth. the corrolla is my wife's car. she had it since new in 2003 and drove the hell out of it. it is in beater condition at nearly 90k miles. the engine should hold on for a good time and she's washed it a total of 3 times since we've met!!! she's been very female in her vigilance of car maintanence. i keep up with the maintanence now for her but there are some things that just jacked up like her suspension.
chu and josh, thanks for making sense of what i thought to be an urban myth. the corrolla is my wife's car. she had it since new in 2003 and drove the hell out of it. it is in beater condition at nearly 90k miles. the engine should hold on for a good time and she's washed it a total of 3 times since we've met!!! she's been very female in her vigilance of car maintanence. i keep up with the maintanence now for her but there are some things that just jacked up like her suspension.
Dan, I don't think 90k is too high. If it was 150k and never been changed then I would say leave it. If its 90k, change it. I can't imagine your wife beats the living death out of her rola, you may but you don't drive it everyday.
Oakes is close, that won't be a problem.
Yeah, looking forward to the 20th.
Yeah, the intersection of all the major roads in the area 476, 202, 76 especially in KOP can be a pain. I stick to the back roads like 23 going in and around the area. Reading isn't too bad, I know a friend who lives out there. He and I got our new cars at about the same time. He went with an MS3.
Cruise sounds good on the 20th, but going to go out for the Autox.
Definitely looking out for the next cruise.
Yeah, looking forward to the 20th.
Yeah, the intersection of all the major roads in the area 476, 202, 76 especially in KOP can be a pain. I stick to the back roads like 23 going in and around the area. Reading isn't too bad, I know a friend who lives out there. He and I got our new cars at about the same time. He went with an MS3.
Cruise sounds good on the 20th, but going to go out for the Autox.
Definitely looking out for the next cruise.
I'm Pete, I'll be in Delaware on the 20th. I won't have my car, but one of the nice gentlemen in this thead are going to let me drive theirs.
Last edited by grillpt; Sep 12, 2009 at 10:42 AM. Reason: I can't spell
