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Sedans Toyota Avalon Toyota Avalon (Prior to 2005) Transmission Questions
90 messages, Last post on Jan 03, 2009 at 11:18 AM
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I have a 2000 avalon, last Dec. (2006) I replaced the timing belt, decided to replace the transmission filter while I was working on the car. The fluid was dark looking and had a black sooty look in the oil pan and on the filter. Saved the filter and a little bit of the fluid and took it to a national name transmission shop and they told me the fluid had been over heated. I do pull a light boat, but not very far or very often. Would turn the overdrive off like the manual says. The manger at the shop said I shouldn't turn the overdrive off. Took the old filter and oil sample to the local Toyota dealer and they said I should have the transmission flushed every 30000 miles, the manual does not call for this, (159 dollars). Had around 61000 miles on car when I changed the filter.
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Replying to: cking35 (Aug 27, 2007 1:29 pm) I change the A/T fluid every 30K, and change the filter(there is a kit) every 60K. I have a tranny magnet on the outside of the tranny pan also. Whenever I have something in the trailer, I always take the OD OFF!!The manager "at the shop" obviously does not know what he is talking about. The manual (service manual)is incomplete. The car is rated to 2000lbs, including the trailer and anything in the car. That is not all that much. Light machines, mulch, wood from the hardware store is OK. Dirt I have a little problem with, although now I do not get more than one "scoopful" at a time. If you don't OD off, the tranny hunts too much. The 4 gear is too tall for the torque that comes on, about 2000 RPMs in the older models. Swithching the OD off, puts the engine in the perfect torque range for hauling up to its limit. Realize, it is a front driver, and a medium size V6 so it has limits. I have not had one bit of problems with the tranny. I had inner CV problems when I bought the car prior to using a trailer but that was a defect from the factory. Changing the tranny fluid, every 30-40K, especially when trailing is correct and will keep your tranny from most problems till over 200K. It takes Dexron III same as the power steering, which would also be a good idea to replace at the same time. Hope that helps. abfisch |
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my 2000 Avalon XLS has 123,000 miles and I have made the mistake of never changing the transmission Fluid. I'm having no transmission problems with the car. The dealer told me my fluid was dirty and needed changing along with a new filter. My question is, at this point should I bother. I've heard that after such neglect, the grime, metal chips, etc that exist in my old dirty fluid may be the only thing keeping it from slipping.
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Replying to: kjacktown (Jan 03, 2008 9:05 am) Your filter quit working a long time ago. The small bypass (probably) is the only thing that has kept you going this long. And the stuff in the fluid is not good for the other parts of the transmission. The manual suggests a mileage limit between changes for a reason. You got lucky, maybe. If it works OK and you intend to sell the car, leave it alone. It would be nice if you told the new buyer, but.. that is a personal decision. I drove both a '99 XL and an '03 XL to 90k miles each and the transmissions were perfect. Properly maintained, also. Hope this helps, others may have a different opinion..... Good luck. 
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Replying to: xomaman (Jul 08, 2007 11:39 am) Now that I have done it, I trust doing it myself over a tranny shop because I will use more care and pay more attention. It's fairly easy if you have a garage and basic tools. I bought the Dextron III fluid at WalMart. I found that my model Avalon only has a screen as a filter, so I decided not to remove the pan. I had the car on those drive-up ramps while doing this. 1. I drained the tranny pan, refilled it with new fluid and replaced the plug. 2. I then removed the tranny return line from the radiator and stuck about 6' of clear 3/8" tubing on there as a return line. The return line then ran into a large container off to the side to hold the old fluid. Use a clear container with quart marks so you can watch it and keep track of how much is coming out. I used a clear 4 gallon cooking oil container. I guess a gallon milk jug could work too. Make sure it won't tip over as it is filling. The radiator return line on my Avalon is at the bottom of the radiator on the driver's side. Or, if you lift the hood it will be the tranny line on the right as you are looking down. You need to remove the cover plate from under the car to access that area. Have patience, the hose clips and line can be a pain to get off. 3. I then removed the tranny dipstick and put a tranny fluid funnel in there. Then, with the help of my sexy assistant, I started the car. The tranny will pump the old fluid out and into the container from the exit line. It comes out as a full stream but with not a lot of pressure. It only takes about 30 seconds for a few quarts to come out. I wouldn't do it without an assistant to start and stop the car as you are watching it come out and pouring new fluid in. As the car is running, you need to pour new fluid in the filler tube as the old is being pushed out. Do a few quarts at a time at about the same rate as what is being pumped out. Eventually the fluid will be coming out clear which means all the old fluid is out. You need to buy a few more quarts than what the tranny holds. So...You are basically pouring fresh tranny fluid in the filler tube while the old tranny fluid is being pushed out through the hose you attached to the radiator return line, and this flushes the whole system...get it? That's exactly how it works at the tranny shop for $110 + dollars. I used 15 quarts of Penzoil Dextron III. Be careful and don't overfill it. Later check the fluid level several times on level ground as described in the owner manual. It's better to add a quart than having to drain one. Here is a link to a Lexus tranny flush tutorial. It's for a Lexus, but the basic idea is the same for the Avalon; http://www.lexls.com/tutorials/transmission/transflush.html Hope this helps. |
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Hello Guys Hope you have a good holiday and weekend and happy fourth of July. I have got a question and I appreciate if you can help me out. I have a Avalon XLS 1999. When I change the transmission to R to D or D to P and vice versa the car vibrates or shakes a little. I mean changing transmission is like shaking the car. Could you please give a comment about this issue? Sincerely 
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Replying to: mohull (Jul 06, 2008 6:54 am)
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Replying to: gomst1 (Jul 06, 2008 9:48 am) For the mechanic I have not shown it to any mechanic yet. I appreciate you if you tell me what engine misfire is and how it occurs and also motor mounts. I am new for this car. Have a nice day 
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Replying to: mohull (Jul 06, 2008 6:54 am) When you move the shifter from park or neutral into drive or reverse that increases the engine loading so the EFI fuel metering and idle air bypass must be opened up to a slightly higher level. The EFI increases the fuel level instantly but a sticking/sticky idle air bypass would delay having the correct idle A/F mixture.
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Replying to: wwest (Jul 06, 2008 1:03 pm) Appreciate Sincerely
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