2015 Corolla - Question About Transmission

[graxler]

Does the new 2015 corolla have a transmission dipstick? I ask because I used to have a VW passat and this didnt have one. I also ask because I like to change out the trans fluid every 50k myself. Thank you

 

[dlayman]

If you mean the CVT transmission, the answer is no. It is a sealed unit, and Toyota specifies the fluid be diagnosed at a certain interval by the dealer, using some type of sensor. It is intended to be a "lifetime fluid", for whatever that means. Changing the fluid is not a simple task, and Toyota CT fluid should be used.

If you are asking about the manual transmission, I do not know.

 

[graxler]

sorry I should have specified what I was talking about. I was referring to the automatic trans on the base model corolla

 

[graxler]

Anybody??

 

[dlayman]

There probably aren't many L models out there, and many people that do buy that model do so to get a stick shift and save money against the S. You could look up the operator's manual on Toyota's website and it should say. My guess is that it does not, but just a guess.

 

[little rebel]

I believe that as toyotas go, the 4 speed autos have a dipstick, the cvt's and the 5 speed autos do not.

 

[echarleswhyte]

not sure, would not be surprised if it didn't. However, in the manual there is a picture of the engine bay with everything labelled and it will tell you if it has a dipstick and show where to look for it.

 

[graxler]

Upon looking at the manual for the corolla online I dont think it has a transmission dipstick. It has the engine oil cap, engine oil dipstick, coolant level, and washer fluid labeled and says nothing about any tranny dipstick.

 

[15BlueRolla]

I just checked 8 new corollas and none of them had dipsticks. There is a plug where the dipstick would go but I don't think I can look up to see if I can order one. Pretty sure they are closed transmissions and you have to do the drain and fills the hard way with a scan tool.

 

[Donabed Kopoian]

I have yet to see a manual with a dipstick.

I think only the 4 speed in the Corolla L has a dipstick (it does on my girl's 2010 anyway).

 

[15BlueRolla]

I have yet to see a manual with a dipstick.

I think only the 4 speed in the Corolla L has a dipstick (it does on my girl's 2010 anyway).

No manual transmission has a dipstick. You don't need one, all you do is drain the fluid and fill it back up with diff fluid till it spills out.

And none of the new corollas have dipsticks. CVT's are a closed transmission. And I'm thinking the new corollas are closed too. Toyota WS trans fluid is 100k mile fluid.

 

[dlayman]

No manual transmission has a dipstick. You don't need one, all you do is drain the fluid and fill it back up with diff fluid till it spills out.

And none of the new corollas have dipsticks. CVT's are a closed transmission. And I'm thinking the new corollas are closed too. Toyota WS trans fluid is 100k mile fluid.

I thought the WS trans fluid was considered "lifetime" (whatever that means), and that no mileage limit was specified.

 

[Donabed Kopoian]

Depends on who you talk to. I've heard 60k to lifetime depending on the stealership.

 

[15BlueRolla]

Yea it is "lifetime". Toyota doesn't recommend a trans flush until 100k. But I've seen the fluid black at 40k.

 

[dlayman]

Yea it is "lifetime". Toyota doesn't recommend a trans flush until 100k. But I've seen the fluid black at 40k.

Are you referring to conventional automatic transmission or CVT?

 

[15BlueRolla]

World standard "WS"

 

[Savoir-Faire]

My US model 2015 Corolla *L* 4 speed automatic Has a dipstick to check the ATF.

 

[graxler]

My US model 2015 Corolla *L* 4 speed automatic Has a dipstick to check the ATF.

Thank you. I wonder why the other guy said the 8 other models he looked at didnt have one. Maybe he was looking at S and LE models?

 

[Savoir-Faire]

Automatic Transmission

Thank you. I wonder why the other guy said the 8 other models he looked at didnt have one. Maybe he was looking at S and LE models?

The 2015 US model L is the only Corolla model offered with a conventional 4 speed automatic transmission and a dipstick to check the ATF. CVTs do Not have a dipstick and are Not an option on the L models.

 

[15BlueRolla]

Yea sorry about that. I guess I could of just used my Toyota account and looked it up, instead of actually opening hoods.

 

[Savoir-Faire]

Opening Hoods

Yea sorry about that. I guess I could of just used my Toyota account and looked it up, instead of actually opening hoods.

Naw, Opening hoods is fun. It's interesting to see what's (and what's not)
underneath them. I think half the beauty of a vehicle is under the hood.

 

[graxler]

the drive train is well proven over time. I was even considering buying a 2000 corolla with 134000 miles on it because those corollas go forever. thank for answering my question though

 

[Donabed Kopoian]

the drive train is well proven over time. I was even considering buying a 2000 corolla with 134000 miles on it because those corollas go forever. thank for answering my question though

Good thing you passed on it. Those are the oil burner years.

 

[Jeffrey Guild]

I have never heard of of an oil that is good for 100,000 miles ? Oils get dirty an wear out the metals if you don't change them.oil is cheaper than buying a new engine or transmission..

 

[15BlueRolla]

I have never heard of of an oil that is good for 100,000 miles ? Oils get dirty an wear out the metals if you don't change them.oil is cheaper than buying a new engine or transmission..

They call it million mile fluid. You are supposed to be able to drive a million miles without changing the fluid.

 

[Jeffrey Guild]

So your saying that my transmission will go a million miles without an oil change an won't break down ? Manual maybe,automatic never make it.

 

[15BlueRolla]

So your saying that my transmission will go a million miles without an oil change an won't break down ? Manual maybe,automatic never make it.

CVT yes. I just discussed it with my Toyota MDT. He said he doesn't know why it wouldn't. Plus there is not much to a CVT.

 

[15BlueRolla]

World Standard fluid spec from Toyota.

 

[Farmercorolla17]

It all depends on how hard you run the tranny fluid....ive fried WS atf and dropped toyota auto trannies before.

BECAUSE I BELIEVED THE "LIFETIME" INTERVAL...

I'M A LOSER!

What did I learn? Don't OVERHEAT atf by top speed runs and over weight loading! ADD A TRANNY COOLER!!!!

I'm still debating about a cooler for my corolla CVT...because I know it operates at a higher pressure than regular automatics. I might use a heavy duty unit....

I don't even think there's, an aftermarket high performance WS ATF available...tried looking for an upgrade all the time.

 

[15BlueRolla]

It all depends on how hard you run the tranny fluid....ive fried WS atf and dropped toyota auto trannies before.

BECAUSE I BELIEVED THE "LIFETIME" INTERVAL...

I'M A LOSER!

What did I learn? Don't OVERHEAT atf by top speed runs and over weight loading! ADD A TRANNY COOLER!!!!

I'm still debating about a cooler for my corolla CVT...because I know it operates at a higher pressure than regular automatics. I might use a heavy duty unit....

I don't even think there's, an aftermarket high performance WS ATF available...tried looking for an upgrade all the time.

Pretty sure you don't need a tranny cooler on CVT. There is a lot less going on inside a CVT compared to an automatic. And there are aftermarket alternatives to WS. Amsoil makes some. There really isn't much to WS other than its full synthetic. Btw when the fluid is black, it doesn't mean it's bad.

 

[jolly]

It all depends on how hard you run the tranny fluid....ive fried WS atf and dropped toyota auto trannies before.BECAUSE I BELIEVED THE "LIFETIME" INTERVAL...I'M A LOSER! What did I learn? Don't OVERHEAT atf by top speed runs and over weight loading! ADD A TRANNY COOLER!!!! I'm still debating about a cooler for my corolla CVT...because I know it operates at a higher pressure than regular automatics.

Pretty sure you don't need a tranny cooler on CVT. There is a lot less going on inside a CVT compared to an automatic. And there are aftermarket alternatives to WS. Amsoil makes some. There really isn't much to WS other than its full synthetic. Btw when the fluid is black, it doesn't mean it's bad.

"Lifetime" for CVT fluid is not a Toyota claim. Actually, the Corolla maintenance guide mentions 30K checking with 60K mandatory fluid replacement IF severe use conditions apply (namely towing, which Toyota doesn't recommend in the first place). "Checking" involves more than level, but assessing the condition of the fluid. Indeed, darker doesn't mean bad. It's contamination - including foaming from overheating or metal scraps - that is a problem. If that occurred, then just changing the fluid without finding the source of the problem only means it will eventually repeat itself (that was the case with bad firmware for temp control in the first Nissan units).
It means that a) yes, the fluid might ends up lasting for the lifetime of the car and b) I'd be very careful installing a cooler, as CVTs are simple but precise devices designed to operate under very specific fluid pressure and temp.