need help with transmission flush!

[cupidstoy]

Getting ready for the 60,000 mile tranny flush on an 03 Corolla. Anybody done one or care to post a procedure? We are going on a trip and when we get back, I'll be tackling this job.

Is it a drop the pan and leak fluid all over the place and replace the filter and refill kind of job? Or can I break the cooler line going to the radiator and pump out the torque converter and get a complete flush before replacing the filter?

Also, is the transmission/front diff the same fluid or is there a separate drain and fill for the differential?

Anyone with experience please feel free to post what you know....

[cupidstoy]

well, i went ahead and did the transmission the easy way today before the trip. i looked at the fluid and it was starting to go form bright pretty red to darker reddish brown so when i was changing the oil and already had it up to look things over, i drained the tranny/diff and put in three fresh quarts of t-iv. it was really easy. there's a drain plug just like on the oil pan. doing it this way changes out about half of the total capacity. from talking with the dealer and reading other forums, the filter doesn't need to be replaced. it's just a metal screen. unless you let it go a really long time, you don't need to take the pan off and do anything with the filter.

so, i also looked everything over, shined up the CV and steering rod boots with vinyl protectant and looked them over, sprayed down the rubber chassis bushings with vinyl protectant, sprayed the MAF wire with electric parts cleaner, put in a can of seafoam into the gas tank, etc.

runs and drives like a new 'rolla! i'm still getting a third or forth crank start up sometimes so am psyching myself up to do the fuel pump someday. for now, it's not that big a deal.... doesn't both the wife and so i'll save it for a nice day when it's warm outside and there isn't anything more pressing going on.

[jake696]

I run a fleet of these cars and the local Goodyear changes the tranny fluid for me for 59 bucks. We run about 6K a month, we try to get the tranny fluid every 35K and a LOF about every 4500 or 5K. One (TMA) shop tries to convince me use this 2-step cleaner in the trannys, for 20.00 bucks more. I say BS, not sure why to use this?

I just put plugs in two '03 Corollas with 185K, that was the first change of plugs! We get about 31 MPG's out here on the prairie - at our higher winds and overall driving speeds. (75 mph Interstate-65 mph on 2 lane)

The Matrix's we run get less (29-30 mpg's) and have not been as reliable; however, they do carry a ton of things in the back!

[cupidstoy]

on our trip, we got up to 37 mpg out of the corolla during one leg. the rest of the time 31 - 33 mpg! i was impressed!