2003 Corrola fluids

Located in DC.

Years ago I always did this stuff myself but I don't have a driveway
or garage anymore.



On Aug 6, 6:08 pm, "mack" wrote:
> "BM5680" wrote in message
>
>
>
> > Why would one service station say that they cannot change my
> > transmission fluid because I have over 100K miles? They said that the
> > dealer must do it. Another gave me a price of $160. What gives?
>
> Question 1. I don't know why they won't do it but find someone who will.
> $160 is way too high.> Also, doesn't $114 seem steep for a coolant flush and fill?
>
> Question 2. Yes is is too steep. Should be less than half of that
> figure AFAIK.
>
> Where are you located?
 >> Stay informed about: 2003 Corrola fluids 

"BM5680" wrote in message

> Located in DC.
>
> Years ago I always did this stuff myself but I don't have a driveway
> or garage anymore.
>
>
>
> On Aug 6, 6:08 pm, "mack" wrote:
>> "BM5680" wrote in message
>>
>>
>>
>> > Why would one service station say that they cannot change my
>> > transmission fluid because I have over 100K miles? They said that the
>> > dealer must do it. Another gave me a price of $160. What gives?
>>
>> Question 1. I don't know why they won't do it but find someone who
>> will.
>> $160 is way too high.> Also, doesn't $114 seem steep for a coolant flush
>> and fill?
>>
>> Question 2. Yes is is too steep. Should be less than half of that
>> figure AFAIK.
>>
>> Where are you located?
>
Well, maybe in the District it's that much, but I'll bet if you went to a
smallish town in MD or VA it would be about half what you've been
quoted....but whaddo I know, I live in So. California. (But was back in DC
and MD...and Mt. Vernon, last month and loved it (except for the humidity).
Got thoroughly soaked in a downpour at the Washington home but loved the
views from the porch.
 >> Stay informed about: 2003 Corrola fluids 

"BM5680" wrote in message

> Why would one service station say that they cannot change my
> transmission fluid because I have over 100K miles? They said that the
> dealer must do it. Another gave me a price of $160. What gives?
>
> Also, doesn't $114 seem steep for a coolant flush and fill?
>

There are a couple of reasons that come to mind why the service station says
that they cannot change your transmission fluid. They may not have the
proper transmission fluid, which is probably type T-IV, or they always flush
transmissions instead of just draining and re-filling. If a transmission
has not had its fluid regularly drained and refilled or flushed, then
flushing at high mileage can cause problems because sludge and metal
particles can become dislodged from the bottom of the pan and lodge in the
valve body.

As for the other service station that gave you a price of $160, make sure
they are using the correct transmission fluid. Check your owner's manual
for the correct fluid, or check the transmission dipstick.

Whether $114 is steep for a coolant flush and fill depends on prevailing
labor rates where you are. I always recommend Toyota Long Life Coolant (or
Super Long Life if that is what came in your car) instead of the green
stuff.
--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)
 >> Stay informed about: 2003 Corrola fluids 

I've changed the fluid once and am now at 149K miles. Do you think
there is any issue with me doing the drain and refill myself??



On Aug 7, 1:11 am, "Ray O" <rokigawaATtristarassociatesDOTcom> wrote:
> "BM5680" wrote in message
>
>
>
> > Why would one service station say that they cannot change my
> > transmission fluid because I have over 100K miles? They said that the
> > dealer must do it. Another gave me a price of $160. What gives?
>
> > Also, doesn't $114 seem steep for a coolant flush and fill?
>
> There are a couple of reasons that come to mind why the service station says
> that they cannot change your transmission fluid. They may not have the
> proper transmission fluid, which is probably type T-IV, or they always flush
> transmissions instead of just draining and re-filling. If a transmission
> has not had its fluid regularly drained and refilled or flushed, then
> flushing at high mileage can cause problems because sludge and metal
> particles can become dislodged from the bottom of the pan and lodge in the
> valve body.
>
> As for the other service station that gave you a price of $160, make sure
> they are using the correct transmission fluid. Check your owner's manual
> for the correct fluid, or check the transmission dipstick.
>
> Whether $114 is steep for a coolant flush and fill depends on prevailing
> labor rates where you are. I always recommend Toyota Long Life Coolant (or
> Super Long Life if that is what came in your car) instead of the green
> stuff.
> --
>
> Ray O
> (correct punctuation to reply)
 >> Stay informed about: 2003 Corrola fluids 

"BM5680" wrote in message

> I've changed the fluid once and am now at 149K miles. Do you think
> there is any issue with me doing the drain and refill myself??
>

If you have only changed the automatic transmission fluid ("{ATF") once in
149K miles, I would not have the transmission flushed.

Doing the drain and refill yourself should be pretty straightforward. Get
the proper ATF from your local Toyota dealer, along with a new transmission
pan gasket. When you drop the pan, check the magnets in the bottom of the
pan for metal particles and wipe out any sludge-like goo that has settled on
the bottom of the pan. I'm not sure if the differential has separate drain
and refill ports, but if they do, be sure to refill that as well.
--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

>
>
> On Aug 7, 1:11 am, "Ray O" <rokigawaATtristarassociatesDOTcom> wrote:
>> "BM5680" wrote in message
>>
>>
>>
>> > Why would one service station say that they cannot change my
>> > transmission fluid because I have over 100K miles? They said that the
>> > dealer must do it. Another gave me a price of $160. What gives?
>>
>> > Also, doesn't $114 seem steep for a coolant flush and fill?
>>
>> There are a couple of reasons that come to mind why the service station
>> says
>> that they cannot change your transmission fluid. They may not have the
>> proper transmission fluid, which is probably type T-IV, or they always
>> flush
>> transmissions instead of just draining and re-filling. If a transmission
>> has not had its fluid regularly drained and refilled or flushed, then
>> flushing at high mileage can cause problems because sludge and metal
>> particles can become dislodged from the bottom of the pan and lodge in
>> the
>> valve body.
>>
>> As for the other service station that gave you a price of $160, make sure
>> they are using the correct transmission fluid. Check your owner's manual
>> for the correct fluid, or check the transmission dipstick.
>>
>> Whether $114 is steep for a coolant flush and fill depends on prevailing
>> labor rates where you are. I always recommend Toyota Long Life Coolant
>> (or
>> Super Long Life if that is what came in your car) instead of the green
>> stuff.
>> --
>>
>> Ray O
>> (correct punctuation to reply)
>
>
 >> Stay informed about: 2003 Corrola fluids 

On Aug 7, 1:11 am, "Ray O" <rokigawaATtristarassociatesDOTcom> wrote:
> "BM5680" wrote in message
>
>
>
> > Why would one service station say that they cannot change my
> > transmission fluid because I have over 100K miles? They said that the
> > dealer must do it. Another gave me a price of $160. What gives?
>
> > Also, doesn't $114 seem steep for a coolant flush and fill?
>
> There are a couple of reasons that come to mind why the service station says
> that they cannot change your transmission fluid. They may not have the
> proper transmission fluid, which is probably type T-IV, or they always flush
> transmissions instead of just draining and re-filling. If a transmission
> has not had its fluid regularly drained and refilled or flushed, then
> flushing at high mileage can cause problems because sludge and metal
> particles can become dislodged from the bottom of the pan and lodge in the
> valve body.
>
> As for the other service station that gave you a price of $160, make sure
> they are using the correct transmission fluid. Check your owner's manual
> for the correct fluid, or check the transmission dipstick.
>
> Whether $114 is steep for a coolant flush and fill depends on prevailing
> labor rates where you are. I always recommendToyotaLong Life Coolant (or
> Super Long Life if that is what came in your car) instead of the green
> stuff.
> --
>
> Ray O
> (correct punctuation to reply)

I would hesitate to get a cooling system flush at that mileage .All it
does in MY experience, is loosen the crud that is helping seal the rad
and you will have a leaky rad in short order.(been there done that)

By all means replace the fluid and use Toyota long life Coolant as
recomended above.Or use any long life coolant silicon free like Texaco
or any other name brand.

You may want to replace the rad hoses at the same time as well as the
thermostat.?Check and see what condition they`re in .
mred
 >> Stay informed about: 2003 Corrola fluids