Looking for dealer's ATF "flush" experience

[jeober]

I have a dealer coupon for a $129.95 ATF flush from their monthly mailer. Given the cost of the WS fluid alone this seems to be a good value. I am concerned about the following:

Is this a direct fluid exchange using the cooler lines or do they drop the pan? Has anyone seen their machine? How many quarts/liters are used? The coupon mentions a conditioner is added -- This worries me.

I'll ask these questions at the dealer but appreciate other's experiences or advice here.

 

[Jeff Kleb]

That sounds like a decent rate for a stealership. My girlfriend has a 2002 Highlander and it was $220 for both the transmission and power steering fluids to be totally flushed out and exchanged at 70,000 miles.

Apparently, they use some type of device that works with the transmission's own pump pressure. It is a 'total exchange' that supposedly includes the torque converter as well. As for the additive, they put in something called "BG" - purported to be pretty good stuff.

My 4Runner only has 10k on it and I leased it for 36k, so I doubt I will have my Toyota long enough to worry about this service.



P.S. Check with your dealer that the price is good for the tranny fluid used in the 4Runner. My girlfriend's '02 Highlander has a different type than my '05 4Runner. The 4Runner also uses different coolant.

 

[Bluto]

Unless you have done some severe towing you don't need a flush.

I doubt they'll honor the coupon for WS fluid. It would be a steal.

Will dealers need different flush machines for different fluids?


A little reading about flushing:

http://www.amsoil.com/lit/filter_man_council01.pdf

Does Toyota use filters in any of its transmisions?

 

[nh00gts]

We do a tranny flush here at the dealership on Jeeps and Dodges. It usually takes 15-16 quarts, does not require pan dropping and works pretty well.

 

[marko3xl3]

... does not require pan dropping and works pretty well.

There is the problem. A good mechanic shop (no offense, and this is usually the fault of management) should always do (and be required to) drop the pan and check the filter for transmission shavings before doing the flush.

The reasoning here is simple...if you flush a transmission that has had prior damage to it, it will fail, right then and there, but if you leave the existing fluid in there then it'll still run for a while (deteriorating as time goes on).

Why? To me (and a lot of others) it's a mystery, but I am convinced there is a logical solution out there, search for it.

 

[nh00gts]

There is the problem. A good mechanic shop (no offense, and this is usually the fault of management) should always do (and be required to) drop the pan and check the filter for transmission shavings before doing the flush.

The reasoning here is simple...if you flush a transmission that has had prior damage to it, it will fail, right then and there, but if you leave the existing fluid in there then it'll still run for a while (deteriorating as time goes on).

Why? To me (and a lot of others) it's a mystery, but I am convinced there is a logical solution out there, search for it.

Our shop services both ways but many a customer prefer just a quick flush than having the pan dropped. Dodge and Jeeps have both and internal and external filter on the 5 speed automatic(similar to Toyota 5 speed). Alot of times we check external filter for any damage which is as good a source as the internal...

 

[marko3xl3]

Our shop services both ways but many a customer prefer just a quick flush than having the pan dropped. Dodge and Jeeps have both and internal and external filter on the 5 speed automatic(similar to Toyota 5 speed). Alot of times we check external filter for any damage which is as good a source as the internal...

That makes sense, do you guys ever educate those "quick" customers on the benefits of checking the filter? I wasn't trying to bash you at all, I was just noting other people of the benefits as well.

 

[nh00gts]

That makes sense, do you guys ever educate those "quick" customers on the benefits of checking the filter? I wasn't trying to bash you at all, I was just noting other people of the benefits as well.

That really depends on the customer. We have alot of customers who plow and use their vehicles for work so we pusht hem towards pan drops and filter checks. Low mileage common maintenance customers we tend to sell the flush unless they exhibit a problem.

 

[Bluto]

Our shop services both ways but many a customer prefer just a quick flush than having the pan dropped. Dodge and Jeeps have both and internal and external filter on the 5 speed automatic(similar to Toyota 5 speed). Alot of times we check external filter for any damage which is as good a source as the internal...

So our Toyota 5 speed has filter(s)?

 

[nh00gts]

So our Toyota 5 speed has filter(s)?

I'm not sure of that I was stating that the trannies are similar but the Chrysler 5 speed auto has 2 filters.

 

[HuntRunner]

I just got back from the dealer (having my differential fluids changed) and I asked them about the tranny flush. They said they do not drop the pan because the 4runner transmission has a screen, not a filter, and that there is no reason to drop the pan. They said the flush takes out all the old fluid including the particles and metal shavings.
They recommend a drain and fill every 60K for $56.85 (03' and up).
By the way, they replaced the front, center, and rear diffs. with 75w-90 Mobile 1 synthetic.

 

[jeober]

update from original post

So I made the appointment with the dealership and showed up.
After 15 minutes the writeup guy comes and tells me that the transmission fluid is not servicable. I say that nuts because the owner's manual recommends service at 60K if towing. He goes back to his desk.

15 minutes later I ask him what's up and he says their calling the Toyota service rep. He then tells me the manual is probably wrong. I tell him that he's nuts once again.

15 minutes later he says the coupon doesn't apply. I say nuts to that and wait for the service manager to come back from lunch. The write-up guy also informs me that they don't have WS fluid in house.

The service manager shows up and admits that they have never done the WS flush and they have no idea of how to do it. We look up together the service procedure on his computer. The procedure document has the last 4 pages completely blank! By the way, I remember the transmission holds 1.9L in the pan, 3.9L in the valve body, and 5.9L in the torque converter. He says he'll honor his coupon but he needs to investigate this. (He made a mistake with the coupon - I suspected it, Bluto also said this.)

We talk a day later and service procedure is now understood and he's getting the WS fluid and will set this up for me and will be in touch.

So we'll see... If and when I flush again I will be using the DIY 2 quarts at a time technique.

 

[Bluto]

Thanks for the update.

BTW, for the 2 qt. DIY. You could buy 4 or 6 quarts and use them.

Drain and add 2 quarts, drive around some. Drain and add another 2, repeat one more time. I did this on my last vehicle (not flushable, drain only). If you are going to get messy, make it worth it.