ATF - To Change or Not to Change B4 The Cape Trip?

[rob_macca67 Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close rob_macca67]

Gents.....


Our 150's is coming up to its 90k service and we are heading up to the Cape in a little over a Month and I'm toying with the idea of getting the Auto Fluid changed in the Auto b4 we leave.... but someone mentioned why don't I wait until I return from the Cape & get it done at the 100k service. That way I would know that there was no water ingress in the Auto from our Cape Trip and I would know for sure that the fluid would be clean..... where as if I did it b4 & then did the Cape, I couldn't be sure that the fluid would still be clean, etc..... It go me thinking as to what to do.... B4 I go or After I come back.... comments?


cheers...
Rob

[Wagon Man Member Find all posts View Profile Close Wagon Man]

Rob take a quick sample to check the colour of the auto fluid.
Your box is going to get a good workout.
Do you have breathers fitted?
Personally I would change it.
Cheers Wagon Man

[Anth120playdo Banned Find all posts View Profile Close Anth120playdo]

I think after better.

[JPM21 Member Find all posts View Profile Close JPM21]

How hard has the auto worked in its life so far. By that I mean is it regularly towing heavy loads. If yes maybe before if not I'd wait until after, but as wagon man asked do you have a breather on it?

[gxl_d4d Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close gxl_d4d]

If you have a cooler and breather, check the colour, if it's ok, change the fluid before the trip.

If you don't, install a cooler and breather. Flush the fluid before the trip. You want new fluid before a long trip to keep the transmission clean heat kills the fluid through oxidation. Worn fluid dosn't provide much protection (wear, sludge and thumping=overheating).

[rob_macca67 Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close rob_macca67]

The Car has done only minor towing (our Van that's 1.9T). At the 80k Service they checked the fluid and they said is good. I still want to change it but b4 or afterwards is the thing..... I don't have an aftermarket cooler or extended breathers either......

[LargeInAPrado Member Find all posts View Profile Close LargeInAPrado]

before and after, its only a couple of hundred each time... why would you risk it?

[ttmx83 Member Find all posts View Profile Close ttmx83]

before and after, its only a couple of hundred each time... why would you risk it?

I'd be doing the same thing.

Cheers Brad

[stewydz Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close stewydz]

The Car has done only minor towing (our Van that's 1.9T). At the 80k Service they checked the fluid and they said is good. I still want to change it but b4 or afterwards is the thing..... I don't have an aftermarket cooler or extended breathers either......

I would highly recommend fitting a cooler before you go. Especially if your going up the Bloomfield's track. Our trailer is around 2.2T and I had heaps of tranny over temps even with it locked in first.

[yowie Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close yowie]

Rob,

I have a petrol auto, had the ATF changed after 4 years, and less kms than yours. Tow a van over 2 tonnes.

The ATF fluid had darkened a bit, not too bad, but had changed colour.

The Cape trip would be a bit of work for the auto gearbox.

[Kev7762 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Kev7762]

I had the fluid and filter changed at 40k when I had the trans cooler fitted and again at 90k by Toyota despite being told it was ok at the 80k service. I had them retain a sample of the old fluid and it was the colour of coke and had the smell of well used trans fluid. I mentioned to the service rep that this would not have occurred in the last 10k and they agreed. For my money I would have the fluid and filter changed before you go and have it checked on your return I case you have injected some water. The cynic in me says that Maybe it is in Toyotas interest to not change the oil regularly as the warranty runs out at 100k, who knows.