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Toyota Avalon Basic Maintenance Questions

290 messages,  Last post on Jun 16, 2009 at 8:51 AM

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What is this discussion about? Toyota Avalon, Oil, Sedan

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#41 of 290 Thanks, abfisch!! by 2099 Nov 07, 2003 (5:57 am)
Thanks for the info. I appreciate it and will go with the intervals you recommended. I did notice a slight (1-1.5 mpg) difference with the Mobil 1 oil, but it may have just been that I did more longer distance driving between oil changes the last time. The jury is still out on that one. Will change the A/C filter as I bought my 02 XLS with 11K last winter and don't know if the filter has ever been changed. (I know I haven't changed it!!) Car has been great so far.   Tom
#42 of 290 changing differential fluid by hank14 Jan 28, 2004 (7:11 am)
I posted this a while back, but no response. I drained and filled the transmission pan last night, and was wanting to change the diff fluid on our 98 Avalon, 89,000 miles. I found the drain plug for the differential, on the back lower side of it, but no fill plug. The manual says it uses ATF fluid. Do they share the same fluid, or is there a separate fill plug? Anyone with a manual that can fill me in on this? Thanks
#43 of 290 Answer 331/hank14 by abfisch Jan 28, 2004 (11:47 am)
hank14:   Email Nomad56. I think he has an older model Avalon and does extensive work on it. He probably missed your post. I am pretty sure, but not totally sure, the new model (2000-present) share the same fluid. Drain plug on bottom, filled through the dip stick for the transmission in the engine bay, using Dexron III.   abfisch
#44 of 290 ATF/Tranny by nomad56 Jan 28, 2004 (12:18 pm)
Y'up-it's like AB says...fill the tranny, it's a shared system, let the car idle and shift the shifter into all positions on the selector... 2,3,D,R, etc. ..then check your level again. -nomad56-
#45 of 290 Tranny fluid by fndlyfmrflyr Jan 28, 2004 (4:10 pm)
Changing the tranny fluid is one of the few jobs I like done at the dealer. Every now and then they have a sale on a tranny fluid flush and fill. This does a complete change of fluid rather than only about half with a drain and refill. Not a bad idea to do the same for brakes and cooling system if you plan on keeping the car for a long time.
#46 of 290 Tranny and diff fluid by hank14 Jan 28, 2004 (5:43 pm)
Thanks for the info. Just to be clear- there is a separate plug for the differential which is behind the transmission fill pan and plug. I found it by looking towards the front of the car from behind the front right wheeel. It is exactly the same as the diff plug on the front and rear diffs of my 99 Landcruiser. The only difference I see is that the landcruiser has fill plugs. In the Avalon manual, it states that the drain and refill quantity for the tranny is up to 3.7 qts and 0.9 qts for the differential. So I would assume that if you drain both of them you would add about 4.5 qts of ATF fluid to the tranny dip stick. Is this correct?   Also, we bought our Avalon out of a lease and it developed the worn strut mounts shortly afterward. Had to haggle to get them repaired, as they said it was not covered by the extended warranty.
#47 of 290 ATF and fluid changes by abfisch Jan 29, 2004 (7:37 am)
Forum People:   While I try at points to be the devils advocate, "leaving it to the dealer" gives me the whillys, unless it is a fair and competent dealership, which their are, but few and far between. By sticking to a REGULAR maintenance schedule, and changing all the fluids, no only including the ATF, and Brake fluid(every 3 years regardless of mileage, and Steering resevoir, you should really never need to flush the stuff, and have some incompetent put their mitts on your 30K machine. Yes, flushing gets all the fluid out, but replacement at scheduled intervals does also, without the exorbatant charges for turning a freaking screw and pouring fluid. I just can't let them do it, not at $75/hour. I would rather get frostbite!!!!   abfisch
#48 of 290 fluid changes by fndlyfmrflyr Jan 29, 2004 (5:34 pm)
I agree and hate to leave the car at a dealer. I usually do my own maintenance, but one dealer in town actually invited me to watch and ask the person doing the job any questions I might have about what was being done. The tranny flush is sometimes on sale for under $100. Brake and cooling system flushes are too.   Most of the Toyota dealers around here change book hours and more for labor. Sometimes I think the book hours are set for someone that has to read the service manual first and has little experience.
#49 of 290 ATF changes and Avalon by fin Jan 29, 2004 (7:12 pm)
If you want a really expensive mess, just leave that Toyota ATF in there for more than 30k miles. Avalon's generate a lot of heat in the transmission and the standard fluid turns to jello as you go past 30k. A change is cheap compared to a new transmission. The flush is probably not necessary (my experience) if you are under 100k. After that, maybe, depending on how long you intend to keep the car and how much money you want to spend. These transmissions should go 150k or more without trouble...if maintained. The '99 I had was very smooth at 92k miles when traded for an '03 XL. Enjoy your Av.
#50 of 290 Agreed!! by abfisch Jan 30, 2004 (7:24 am)
Avy Forum People:   Couldn't agree more with the last two posts. Doing it yourself, is always better if you can. Changing fluids are maintenance, not repairs, which should be very easy, with some basic equipment and safety. I have no experience with ATF longevity, since this is my first automatic car, but regular interval changes should bring it to over 200K without too much fuss, without flushes.   The Toyota Service manual, conveniently(2002), leaves out any mention of ATF change intervals or PS intervals. How freaking convenient. A new 2003 Civic manual, for severe service(much clearer) suggests ATF at first 60K interval, then every 30K thereafter. There is a NEW DEXRON III Synthetic now, instead of an organic DEXRON III. Does anyone have any experience with this synthetic in there tranny yet????????????? Nomad56?????????   abfisch

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