Automatic Transmission Service

cheap_charlie

I have a Toyota Corolla auto and I just got it serviced but have been advised I also need a specialist service on the transmission, which is recommended in the log book.

I've been told it will cost in the region of £100...is this true?

And how important is this service - is it essential?

Thanks in advance for any replies.

harveybobbles

It probably means having the ATF checked/topped up.. Ask your serviceing garage to perform this.

jeannieblue

Huh? Sounds more like the transmission oil needs replacing and why they didn't do it as part of the service I just don't know - the price is ridiculously high.

Main dealers aren't changing gear oils as much as they used to and they come into us and the oil is like black treacle at times. Its important to change the gear oil regularly (not as often as engine oil of course) to keep the gearbox 'healthy'.

To do this, approx 3L of oil and around half an hours labour on a Corolla should suffice.

Next they'll try and charge you a fortune to 'service' the air con.....

harveybobbles

ATF - Automatic Transmission Fluid....................

jeannieblue

harveybobbles wrote: »

ATF - Automatic Transmission Fluid....................

Sorry - my 'Huh' was directed at what the OP had been told - I do apologise!

Some garages like to make a simple procedure sound so 'dramatic'! Poor customers...........

deltic_2

Daft question maybe, but have you checked the owners handbook or service book with the car to see what it recommends. If it says it needs it then it does.

Not sure if your garage is a Toyota dealer or not. If not, ring one up and ask their advice. If it is, you could always ring Toyota Customer Service to check.

jeannieblue

Beg to differ there a bit Deltic - handbooks all very well, dealerships - least said really. Much better and simpler to just get the oil checked. If its nice and clear - lovely, if its black, get it changed.

Depends when it was last changed, if ever. Believe in, if needs replacing, replace it - don't go by the handbook/or what dealers say. They have set prices/times when they do things. Never take into consideration of what mileage the car has done, its... 'Oh its due this service - it'll be this much..'
'We do this.. on this service' (whether it needs it or not... rip off).

I'd like to know if OP went to dealership - sounds like their sort of 'lingo'.

goldspanners

on an automatic transmission service they will change the ATF (usually red even when used) if there is a filter in the transmission this will be changed to and also check the pressures.
it is a fairly simple job,£100 is a little steep,try a smaller local garage.

vikingaero

goldspanners wrote: »

on an automatic transmission service they will change the ATF (usually red even when used) if there is a filter in the transmission this will be changed to and also check the pressures.
it is a fairly simple job,£100 is a little steep,try a smaller local garage.

IIRC the Toyota service jobs and schedule border on the anal.

But the transmission fluid does get burnt from hard use. More and more autoboxes seem to fail these days because most of them are considered to be sealed for life by the manufacturers.

If I were the OP I would check to see whether the £100 is a filter, inspection and oil top up service. £100 for a main dealer to do something basic like this sounds right.

I had the fortune to meet a brilliant guy called Trevor King at King Automatics in Epsom and he charged me £80+VAT (£94) for a filter, inspection and to pump all the old ATF out and replace with new ATF. Most autoboxes have no drain point or if they don't them some of the old oil remains.

If you need to find someone like Trevor King then check out:

www.fedauto.co.uk

Honest John recommends using this site to find someone to repair and service automatic transmissions.

cheap_charlie

The service schedule recommends the automatic transmission and differential fluids are changed at 60,000 miles - I mentioned this to my regular garage and they said they would contact the automatic specialists...so that's how I got the quote.

My last car died when the transmission went and I'd hate for that to happen again so I guess I will probably just go ahead and get it done but I really appreciate the comments and advice here - thanks :beer:

cheap_charlie

vikingaero wrote: »

If I were the OP I would check to see whether the £100 is a filter, inspection and oil top up service. £100 for a main dealer to do something basic like this sounds right.

I had the fortune to meet a brilliant guy called Trevor King at King Automatics in Epsom and he charged me £80+VAT (£94) for a filter, inspection and to pump all the old ATF out and replace with new ATF. Most autoboxes have no drain point or if they don't them some of the old oil remains.

If you need to find someone like Trevor King then check out:

www.fedauto.co.uk

Honest John recommends using this site to find someone to repair and service automatic transmissions.

Thanks for that link - turns out the garage recommended to me is on that list...which puts my mind at rest!