Transmission: Drain & Fill or Flush

[unbalancedwood]

SO I want to drain and fill my transmission ASAP. I feel that when I shift into different gears (automatic) I get a 'knock.' I'm not sure if its just me noticing more things with the car or if its actually gotten worse. But I've called around and i can either so it myself or take it to get flushed 'professionally.'

Drain and Fill:
Gasket & Filter = $15
3-4 Qts Toyota Type IV = $6 each x 4 = $24
Total=$39

Flush:
Complete flush w/ Type IV = $100

Now the car has never been flushed since it was purchased 25k ago. Would I be alright if i did Drain&Fill method myself 2 times and see about the same results? I'm new to this, and just been researching, looking at the 'Tut' section, etc. But I've read stories with people using already used fluid to do a flush, etc. I just want to do it myself and make sure its done right.

PS, ive done a suspension switch & oil change myself...so i would say I'm 'somewhat qualified' to do this myself

[orlin03]

If you're paying to get it done, make sure the shop actually has a flushing machine (it hooks up to the lines and forces fluid through the system); lots of shops sell you a flush even though they just drain and fill. I usually do the "drain and fill twice" method myself if I feel the need; I trust it.

[Midias]

I just had a flush and fill done on my Gf's 98 camry 4 cyl it had not been done sense 90k and it has 122 now made a huge difference in shift quality.

[unbalancedwood]

Alright, say I want to drain and fill it twice, maybe with a 2-3 week grace period.
When should I put the new filter and gasket on?
The first drain and fill or the 2nd?

Thanks guys!

[orlin03]

I would do it on the second, and here's why: most of your crud is being currently suspended in the fluid, as your filter is most likely full. At least we know that, by putting new fluid in, you will be removing a large portion of this. If you were to install the filter now, as the rest of the old fluid moved through it, it would clean it out, leaving lots behind in the new filter. If you leave the old filter in, the crud should disperse throughout the new fluid, and come out at the second drain. With all the new fluid then added, you will get longer life out of your filter, along with added high speed flow. This is my own theory; I am sure someone could present a logical case supporting the other way as well!

[orlin03]

^^^one more thing... how much driving do you do in 2-3 weeks? I wouldn't think it'd be nescesary to put more than 500 miles between changes; I'd say 2-300 would even do it...

[Nyyankees3511]

I think your supposed to use dexron 3. Anyways a flush is much better than drain and fill. The tranny holds 12-14 qts i think and when your drain you only take 3 out. Just do the flush.

[unbalancedwood]

Is it DexronIII? Cause I've seen a lot of talk of type IV on here was confused because my dipstick does say Dexron III...

[Nyyankees3511]

Yea use dexron 3. Im not sure if we can use type 4.

[Jai_Jai_Binks]

I'm caution when it comes to things I can't do.
These are the my concerns with local shops:
1. Some of them don't have a flush machine (and just guise the drain and fill as flushing)
2. Some of them don't want to use 'your' fluids in their machine (they call it liability or other crap) even if you specify you want a special type of fluid (say for example synthetic, etc) they don't always carry it or don't want to use it in their machine.

For tranny's i've always gone to the dealership. I know they for starters have a flush machine, secondly my friend works there, hence he does it himself and ensures its been done, thirdly i get a discount (cus i know him). I think the last flush i did costed me close to 165 at the dealership. Yes its a tad bit more expensive, but i can sleep with a PEACE of mind!

[unbalancedwood]

Thanks all, hopefully I'll be doing the drain and fill this weekend.

What brand do you use? Ive seen the big, blue, 3qt bottle at walmart, its like $7.

If its somthing that can be bought at either Autozone, Napa or Advanced Auto, lmk. Ive got these three stores in less then 500ft of eachother

[Hsakuragi]

2az = type iv toyota brand only
5sfe and 1mz = dexron any brand
2GR ( u don't need to care) = ATF WS (45 bucks for 1 liter!)

[unbalancedwood]

If i do the drain and fill method twice, since im at college and dont drive my car a lot, how many miles should i wait before the fluid is flushed around before I change the filter&Gasket & do another drain and fill?

THANKS A TONNN!!!

[unbalancedwood]

Nevermind, read orlin's post.

I guess Ill wait 200/300miles before the 2nd, which might be 4-5 weeks if the car was down here the whole time, but since Its SB ill be making the 260mile trip home before I reach the 200mile mark...

[orlin03]

The only difference between Dextron 3 and 4 is that 4 is synthetic; like an upgrade to the type 3... I usually use the Toyota stuff though in Toyotas.