Transmission fluid turn dark after 7000 miles

[strykersigma]

Hi,

I have a 2009 Toyota Corolla 1.8 LE with 97,000 miles on the odometer.

During the 85,000 maintenance service, the dealership told me that the transmission oil needed to be changed, so I shopped around and found a better deal at an out of town Toyota dealership. They performed the transmission fluid flush at 89640 and I actually saw the technician when he hooked up the machine to the transmission and did the service.

Right now, at 97000, I wanted to check the condition of the transmission fluid and I was surprised to see that it has a dark purple color.

I wonder if there is an issue with my transmission and if I should take it to a transmission shop and have the pan dropped and the transmission oil filter changed instead of just flushing it.

Any advice would be highly appreciated

Thank You

 

[Rock'n Roller]

The factory fluid may be different color other than red, especially if a synthetic fluid was used. May need to verify that with your dealer.

 

[cochiseG]

got mine changed a few years/miles ago (2-4 years, 20-40 miles ago) and its dark purple almost black... I think to keep it fresh looking red you should drain and refill1-2 quarts, like every oil change or each year at the least

 

[CorollaCommuter]

Even though they flushed it they may not have gotten all of the old fluid out of it. I have a 2012 Corolla that I bought used with 114,000 miles on it to use as my commuter and I have drained and refilled my transmission twice (at each oil change) with Toyota WS fluid since I have owned it and the fluid is now almost bright red (it was pretty dark when I bought it). I realize I'm only draining/replacing a little less than 3 quarts each time but doing this annually should keep the fluid somewhat fresh.

 

[cochiseG]

would it be right to change mine again slowly (id like to change a quart 6 times at 6 months intervals...) its dark and has already 4+ years/40kmiles on it? first time it was changed in a garage but dont wanna pay that bill again..

 

[CorollaCommuter]

would it be right to change mine again slowly (id like to change a quart 6 times at 6 months intervals...) its dark and has already 4+ years/40kmiles on it? first time it was changed in a garage but dont wanna pay that bill again..

I don't know how you would stop the flow (once it starts draining out) at one quart, the pan holds approximately 3 quarts (I believe the book says 2.8 quarts). That's also a lot of extra wear and tear on your drain plug and transmission pan threads. Personally I wouldn't do it that way, I would just do a drain and refill two different times ... maybe just do it the next two times you change your oil. Hope that helps.

 

[cochiseG]

yes the more i think, stopping the flow would be very messy... ill try going to toyota get ws fluid (2011 automatic is ws?)

and i might ask for a pan gasket and a filter? is this best if i drop the pan and change the gasket and the filter?

i dont have many tools, think i would need a small torque wrench, at least (i just got one for tires but think i need one in inches/pounds)
what else would i need ? (for now i know i have to get a funnel and a tube to get the fluid in the dipstick hole... and a pan to catch the waste fluid)

 

[CorollaCommuter]

yes the more i think, stopping the flow would be very messy... ill try going to toyota get ws fluid (2011 automatic is ws?)

and i might ask for a pan gasket and a filter? is this best if i drop the pan and change the gasket and the filter?

i dont have many tools, think i would need a small torque wrench, at least (i just got one for tires but think i need one in inches/pounds)
what else would i need ? (for now i know i have to get a funnel and a tube to get the fluid in the dipstick hole... and a pan to catch the waste fluid)

You're right, the 2011 automatic also uses WS. It wouldn't hurt to drop the pan and change the filter but you're right, you would need a small torque wrench, a funnel, a drain pan and obviously a socket set. You could probably pick up an inexpensive torque wrench at Harbor Freight.

 

[cochiseG]

anything i need to avoid to do, beside the obvious not running the car when its out of fluid?

after i reassemble the pan and fill back (with the same amount of fluid i will have drained?)

Is there anything else important to do? I heard the fluid expands when its hot, so after shifting it through all gears while holding the brake, i can simply check fluid the level, drive it 5-10 minutes and check fluid the level again compared to the hot mark?

Looking at filters on ebay, i find the wix brand for 25 us... i think the garage who changed it at 100k miles said they put a wix filter in too...

 

[Rayduport]

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