Trans filter for 10th Gen Corolla

[HangFire]

I'm coming up on 100K soon on my 1.8L Corolla and am thinking of changing out the "lifetime fill" transmission fluid. Currently it is a dark but intense red with a definite tinge of black crud that really shows as black when wiped on a white paper towel, and the red wicks away. Transmission works fine. I'm thinking of doing a few 5K drain/fill cycles and then a full flush and fill.

So my product questions are, are there any experiences/preferences as to new gasket&screen (Toyota, WIX 58324, Hastings TF165, Purolator P1294 etc.), and ATF Fluid- what aftermarket synthetics meet Toyota's spec? (Is there a spec?)

And a procedure question, when in the cycle should I drop the pan and replace the screen and clean the magnets? I was thinking after the drain/fills and before the full flush&fill.

Thanks!

 

[Donald]

I would do it in between as you are thinking. Amsoil would be my first choice of ATF.

 

[NineFingerFury]

I'm interested too. My wife's 09 Corolla is nearing 100k as well.

 

[EricF]

What year is it?

You'd be fine with any of those tranny filter kits.

I'd need to know the year cuz I don't know what 10th gen qualifies for.
But for synthetics, amsoil or redline.
Mobil 1 if you don't have to use toyota's WS

 

[NineFingerFury]

I believe the 10th gen is 2009-2013.

 

[HangFire]

Yes, 2010. I forgot I'm not on the Toyota Nation forum.

Which brings up another question- my Toyota Maintenance Guide is incredibly vague about ATF. I don't even know if I have WS or T-IV fluid. I do have an ATF dipstick. I've read several forums and I've heard reference not having dipstick==WS, but then I read that the Corolla is an exception.

What is a reliable way to tell?

 

[NineFingerFury]

I have an 09 and was told by dealer it's WS and not to change it.

 

[RF Overlord]

My B-I-L's 2009 Corolla clearly states in the owner's manual that it uses WS.

Originally Posted By: HangFire
I'm thinking of doing a few 5K drain/fill cycles and then a full flush and fill.
Why are you doing it that way? Why not just do a complete fluid exchange right up front?

Quote:
And a procedure question, when in the cycle should I drop the pan and replace the screen and clean the magnets? I was thinking after the drain/fills and before the full flush&fill.
Again, why? The purpose of the filter is to catch the wear material that is generated in the first 10,000 miles from new. After that point, wear drops to almost nothing so there is little for the filter to catch. Just change it.

 

[RF Overlord]

Originally Posted By: NineFingerFury
I have an 09 and was told by dealer it's WS and not to change it.
That's because your dealer doesn't want to go against Toyota official policy stating that the fluid doesn't need changing (read: marketing hooey), which is incorrect. There is no such thing as "lifetime" fluid.

 

[HangFire]

Originally Posted By: RF Overlord

Originally Posted By: HangFire
I'm thinking of doing a few 5K drain/fill cycles and then a full flush and fill.
Why are you doing it that way? Why not just do a complete fluid exchange right up front?


Because of repeated warnings on this forum and others not to do exactly that. Apparently a complete replacement up-front causes chunks of sludge to dislodge and cause havoc in tight orifices and valves. By incrementally replacing ATF, sludge gets dissolved bit by bit. Search for "drain and fill" versus "flush and fill".

The "drain and fill" procedure is also codified by Honda as the specified way to do their 30K transmission fluid service.

 

[nthach]

Toyota seems to be using a SPX Filtran sourced filter, so I would go ahead and drop the pan and change it. And since you're out of warranty, use any low-viscosity "universal" ATF - MaxLife works fine.

 

[HangFire]

Originally Posted By: nthach
Toyota seems to be using a SPX Filtran sourced filter, so I would go ahead and drop the pan and change it. And since you're out of warranty, use any low-viscosity "universal" ATF - MaxLife works fine.


lol... I'm at 85K, I won't be out of warranty until 100K. (Toyota Certified used car.) So I guess it depends on how soon I'll do it.

 

[HangFire]

Originally Posted By: nthach
Toyota seems to be using a SPX Filtran sourced filter, so I would go ahead and drop the pan and change it. And since you're out of warranty, use any low-viscosity "universal" ATF - MaxLife works fine.


Hmm... I don't see a MaxLife here:

http://www.valvoline.com/products/consum...smission-fluid/

Valvoline seems to push Import Multi-Vehicle for Toyotas, but according to this:

http://www.valvoline.com/pdf/multi_vehicle_atf.pdf

Toyota type T, T-III and T-IV applications are covered, but WS is not mentioned.

Meanwhile, over on the Red Line site, D6 is recommended: http://www.redlineoil.com/product.aspx?product=30704

 

[HangFire]

OK I see it now... text does NOT show up on the Valvoline page but the image of Dex/Merc says MaxLIFE. D'Oh!

I don't know what to think of Valvoline saying it replaces both T-IV and WS, while Toyota does NOT replace T-IV with WS but continues to use both for their respective applications.

 

[HangFire]

Hmm According to this 2010 thread:

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2027101

Redline stopped recommending D6 in place of WS. But their current web application guide does recommend D6 now and lists standards AW-1 - JWS 3324, NWS09638.

Now I really don't know what to think- why does Redline keep changing gears? (pun intended). Or was that thread all wet?

 

[SXE10]

Originally Posted By: HangFire
Yes, 2010. I forgot I'm not on the Toyota Nation forum.

Which brings up another question- my Toyota Maintenance Guide is incredibly vague about ATF. I don't even know if I have WS or T-IV fluid. I do have an ATF dipstick. I've read several forums and I've heard reference not having dipstick==WS, but then I read that the Corolla is an exception.

What is a reliable way to tell?

If your trans has a dip stick, pull it out & see what is written on it. Toyota always print the spec on them.

The trans filter fitted in Japan is a mesh type one which can be cleaned.

 

[HangFire]

Originally Posted By: SXE10
Originally Posted By: HangFire
What is a reliable way to tell?


If your trans has a dip stick, pull it out & see what is written on it. Toyota always print the spec on them.


D'oh! Thanks. Indeed, it says "WS". I was thrown a bit because there are several parts sellers out there on the web that says if it has a dipstick, it is T-IV, if it doesn't, it's WS. Maybe that was true at one time but it is not true for my US Corolla.

Originally Posted By: SXE10

The trans filter fitted in Japan is a mesh type one which can be cleaned.


Interesting. Due to the 3/5 year tax structure in Japan, few people own economy cars like the Corolla past 5 years. Japanese consumers expect absolute reliability during those 3 or 5 years, though, but typically maintenance is not a high priority for them.

As a result, I do not take my maintenance cues from JDM manuals or practices.

HF

 

[nthach]

Originally Posted By: HangFire
Originally Posted By: nthach
Toyota seems to be using a SPX Filtran sourced filter, so I would go ahead and drop the pan and change it. And since you're out of warranty, use any low-viscosity "universal" ATF - MaxLife works fine.


Hmm... I don't see a MaxLife here:

http://www.valvoline.com/products/consum...smission-fluid/

Valvoline seems to push Import Multi-Vehicle for Toyotas, but according to this:

http://www.valvoline.com/pdf/multi_vehicle_atf.pdf

Toyota type T, T-III and T-IV applications are covered, but WS is not mentioned.

Meanwhile, over on the Red Line site, D6 is recommended: http://www.redlineoil.com/product.aspx?product=30704

It's this stuff: http://www.valvoline.com/products/consum...ission-fluid/37

Of course if you can get a good deal on WS, go with that.

 

[HangFire]

Thanks. It bothers me that Valvoline ML is qualified for both T-IV and WS, yet Toyota never back-spec'ed WS for use in T-IV applications, and continues to sell both. Obviously ML can't be exactly like both.

Maybe somebody can explain how that works.