Transmission Fluid question

[Rabbit]

Hey everyone,
I need to swap the transmission fluid in my W58 and I'm not sure of the last time it was done, if at all. I heard from a friend of mine that if it has never been done before, changing it could screw the entire transmission up. Is this just a myth or is there any validity to it?

Thanks everyone!

[mavrick666999]

If the tranny is in fine running condition i dont see were it will hurt. Any vehicle i buy gets a fluid flush with in the first week of driving it. It gives you some idea about how much wear and tear is on the on the system. By the way i grew up in Wilmington North Carolina

[Superium]

Change it, lots of people use redline mt-90. Its a bit more expensive ($10-12/qt.) but its not like your ever going to have to change it again.

[Tanya]

Generally, only changing the fluid in automatic transmission can "hurt" it, and that's only because the auto tranny is already so worn out, the only thing keeping it together is the crap in the fluid, keeping friction going.

Changing the fluid in a M/T is a good idea, at any time. I've always used 80w90 GL-5 gear lube.

[Rabbit]

Awesome everyone. Thanks for the help on that. I'll do it this weekend then!

Thanks again!

BTW how much fluid does the transmission usually take? It's no biggie, I just don't want to run out to the store a bunch.

[doug82supra]

On auto's which have been neglected for a long period of time, the worn-off clutch material can end up suspended in the old fluid. Like Tanya says, it's sometimes a good idea to leave well enough alone. A sudden change in fluid in an extremely high-mileage slushbox could result in sudden slippage and the need for a rebuild.
*This was told to me by the owner of a local transmission shop and might not always be the case for all models, mileage, or transmissions.

[blacktoysupra]

i'm shocked at this thread...i was told at the toyota dealer that my manual transmission needed no fluid that only the differential needed it?! i definately need to do the tranny fluid then!!!

[CJSREDPRA]

BTW how much fluid does the transmission usually take? It's no biggie, I just don't want to run out to the store a bunch.

Manual says: W58 = 2.5 quarts. You can probably get away w/ 3.


I heard from a friend of mine that if it has never been done before, changing it could screw the entire transmission up.

WHERE on earth did your friend get this info??? Just NEVER CHANGING THE FLUID will do enough damage (despite the W58's being pretty robust, "Neglect" will still do harm).


...i was told at the toyota dealer that my manual transmission needed no fluid

Oh jeez.... Please AVOID that Toyota dealer in the future!!!!!! "Maybe" certain newer tranny's can "possibly" get away with this, but not older ones.

[blacktoysupra]

wow wtf damn dealer...so i need to change my fluid..can i do it myself?

[83CelWA]

You will need a 24mm socket, a drip pan and new oil. Goes pretty much the same as changing the engine oil, but the filler plug is on the side of the tranny. I know that I remove the shifter to fill it and have seen other people do it also since it does turn out to be about the same amount of time just easier.

[blacktoysupra]

thank you my friend

[CJSREDPRA]

You will need a 24mm socket, a drip pan and new oil. Goes pretty much the same as changing the engine oil, but the filler plug is on the side of the tranny. I know that I remove the shifter to fill it and have seen other people do it also since it does turn out to be about the same amount of time just easier.

As Chris just mention, their are actually 2 ways of doing this.

One is the easier way of just removing the shift lever & pouring in the fluid.

The second & slightly more of a PITA way of doing it, is the "factory" method. Up near the top & side of the tranny is the fill plug. MAKE SURE YOU LOOSEN THIS PLUG FIRST, before draining the fluid. Sometimes the plug is on pretty tight. Then you're going to need a hand operated pump that you attach to the bottle of fluid, in order to empty the bottle into the tranny (no, you can't simply tip the bottle over & pour it in, the floor panel gets in the way).

Now you see why pouring it into the shift hole is much easier.

[blacktoysupra]

understood...i'd take it to the dealer but they'll just tell me it doesn't need fluid...another DIY for me :)

[Supra Ev]

I did it today, its really not to-to bad. As cjsredpra said, its alot easier to just pour it down the shift hole than to pump it in. Just leave the fill plug out, then hopefully you'll have somebody to watch, when it starts pissing out fluid (hopefully into a drip pan) then tighten up the bolt and then re install everything else.

[Rich64N]

I agree with Dr Eng. No fluid is good for 20+ years.

As celpra stated, make sure you loosen the fill bolt before hitting the drain bolt.

I'd go with the recommended regular tranny oil. I think fancy stuff (synthetics) is overkill.
And please, avoid Lucas oil (their A/T stuff is good, but no need to waste money on their M/T stuff).

[Dave A.]

This stuff works great in a W58 or R154 trans. that is in top notch mechanical condition: http://www.amsoil.com/storefront/mtg.aspx

Not all synthetics are overkill. :) But yes, they are a big waste of money if you're expecting any miracles with a worn or abused trans..

[thor20]

Put Redline MT90 in it. It more expensive but it will shift smoother after putting it in. The stuff lasts longer too.