Do I need transmission flush?

[Kermy]

Hi guys, so I got my Solara at 72000 miles. Have no idea what maintenance has been done before. One area that concerns is the transmission. I checked the transmission fluid earlier today and it came out to be a purplish color after I wiped it on a white napkin. Sorta like cherry juice on a napkin or grape juice on a napkin type of color. Also I smelled it and there was no burning smell. Very light oil smell.

What do you guys think? Flush?

[BradOwens]

it wouldnt hurt. also, do an oil change since u dont know the last time it had one

[StockSolara]

Well the tranny fluid is redish color. . . you can spend the money for a power flush to get all of the fluids out or just drain the pan yourself but that will only replace like 3 quarts of the fluid. . . Our transmission holds a total of around 12 quarts of oil

[Solorange]

I would get it flushed. I had the dealer do it and they charged me 60bucks.

[Kermy]

Wow only $60? Dealer wanted $159. AAMCO wanted $120.

[StockSolara]

I would get it flushed. I had the dealer do it and they charged me 60bucks.

Are you sure it was a flush with them hooking it up to the machine and blasting all of the oil out of your tranny including the torque converter and not a drain and refill?

[Sap Z]

yea..the best deal i found was at AAMCO for 99...and i found a $10 off idscount coupon on their website..

so its $90...thts next on my list...or maybe brakes..mine r sqeeking!

[SleeperSolara]

Well the tranny fluid is redish color. . . you can spend the money for a power flush to get all of the fluids out or just drain the pan yourself but that will only replace like 3 quarts of the fluid. . . Our transmission holds a total of around 12 quarts of oil

Our tranny holds around 12 quarts??????
I only put in about 5 to 6 quarts.
Do i need to add more???
I thought it was about 8 quarts or something like that.

[JMSinMaryland]

Go to your local Toyota dealerships websites. A lot of them have coupons for service. My service advisor tells me to collect from a few sites, bring it to her and she matches all the coupons =). Jon.

[Solorange]

I would get it flushed. I had the dealer do it and they charged me 60bucks.

Are you sure it was a flush with them hooking it up to the machine and blasting all of the oil out of your tranny including the torque converter and not a drain and refill?

Oops my bad, it was a drain refill. I went there and told them to change my tranny fluid. I figured a flush would have been part of that.

[quikz]

Well the tranny fluid is redish color. . . you can spend the money for a power flush to get all of the fluids out or just drain the pan yourself but that will only replace like 3 quarts of the fluid. . . Our transmission holds a total of around 12 quarts of oil

Our tranny holds around 12 quarts??????
I only put in about 5 to 6 quarts.
Do i need to add more???
I thought it was about 8 quarts or something like that.

i only put 5 quarts and that was still to much, save some money and do it your self.

[Yanks0114]

Well the tranny fluid is redish color. . . you can spend the money for a power flush to get all of the fluids out or just drain the pan yourself but that will only replace like 3 quarts of the fluid. . . Our transmission holds a total of around 12 quarts of oil

Our tranny holds around 12 quarts??????
I only put in about 5 to 6 quarts.
Do i need to add more???
I thought it was about 8 quarts or something like that.

i only put 5 quarts and that was still to much, save some money and do it your self.

you are correct about the save you money part, but for the wrong reason - the tranny plus torque converter hold around 12-13 quarts.

Most places will just drain and refil the tranny, and not deal with the torque converter. This is basically useless. Get a full and refill, its well worth it

[SPF 0]

I concur that a fluid <i>flush</i> is a great idea, doubly so if the car came from The Snowbelt.

If the dealership will match coupons, I'd much rather have it done a dealership so that I can easily retrieve the car's service history at resale time.

It's very inexpensive insurance relative to having a transmission repair.

[krook]

I wiped it on a white napkin.

What do you guys think? Flush?

every time you wipe you should flush.

[~Spadwaller~]

I wiped it on a white napkin.

What do you guys think? Flush?

every time you wipe you should flush.

hahaahhaha