Can non-Toyota dealers/repair shops replace transmission fluid w/o "special equipment

[lejulie]

I went to Christian Brothers Automotive today. Would they have the special tools or equipment to check on my 2007 Yaris' transmission fluid? They said I needed a transmission flush. So I called a Toyota dealer today......the guy on the phone said that Christian Brothers Automotive doesn't even have the tools to be able to get to the transmission fluid. It was specially sealed. He implied that you could only have your transmission fluid checked/replaced at a Toyota dealership.

Is that true??

[jpmck03]

Guys do it themselves in their driveways all the time...

DIY: CHANGE MANUAL TRANNY OIL (http://yarisworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8912&highlight=transmission+fluid)

Looks like all you need is a 24mm socket. I've never done it myself, but it appears that it's no different than a regular oil change. So, no special tools should be required.

Sounds like the dealership is just trying to get your business is a less than honest way.

[Betrivent]

^ truth

[lejulie]

Get this - the dealer guy said "Let me check with my supervisor..(few second later)..no, nondealerships should not have the tools. They were lying to you."

So frustrating!!! I need to learn more about cars to protect myself!! Any good book recommendations for the Yaris? I am planning to get general auto maintenance books but would like to know if there are any for the Yaris in particular. The owner's manual is kinda vague.

[A-Dingo-Ate-My-Baby]

manual tranny vs automatic


automatic transmissions require a pumping machine in order to replace
all the fluid, otherwise a lot of fluid remains in the valve body and
torque converter

an automatic transmission regular maintenance is: drain 3 quarts or so of the 12 total
and replace what drains out (I am unsure of the total amount in the Yaris). do little
changes like this when the manual states, and it keeps the tranny running well. My
Yaris has none of these mini-intervals recommended.

an automatic transmission full maintenance is: drain the 3 quarts, drop the pan, replace
filter, put it all back, then power flush the rest with a machine

a Yaris automatic transmission doesn't need any minor or major maintenance for 100,000
miles, so you gotta figure out: what is the exact problem and what are you paying for maintenance ? and why ?

[A-Dingo-Ate-My-Baby]

Get this - the dealer guy said "Let me check with my supervisor..(few second later)..no, nondealerships should not have the tools. They were lying to you."

So frustrating!!! I need to learn more about cars to protect myself!! Any good book recommendations for the Yaris? I am planning to get general auto maintenance books but would like to know if there are any for the Yaris in particular. The owner's manual is kinda vague.

go to techinfo.toyota.com pay your money and you have access to
ALL the exact documentation a dealer gets for servicing any part of any Toyota

[bronsin]

Check your owners manual and follow the guidelines VERY closely about when to change your automatic transmission fluid.

[lejulie]

Thanks so much for all the good info!

I will go to the website mentioned above!!

[RedRide]

It should be undersood that a large part of any dealer's income is their service dept and they maximizie it anyway they can..... even by blatenly lying to customers knowing that most of their customers know little about cars.

One must always be on their guard when dealing with a dealer.

["G"]

Do you have an auto or 5 speed? You should never let anyone flush (not even the dealer) an auto trans. Just drain and fill.

I went to Christian Brothers Automotive today. Would they have the special tools or equipment to check on my 2007 Yaris' transmission fluid? They said I needed a transmission flush. So I called a Toyota dealer today......the guy on the phone said that Christian Brothers Automotive doesn't even have the tools to be able to get to the transmission fluid. It was specially sealed. He implied that you could only have your transmission fluid checked/replaced at a Toyota dealership.

Is that true??

[Klink10]

I would like to know how many miles and as asked manual or automatic. Also you didn't state what reason they gave you for the need. Flush to me is a generic term used to get rid of while replacing at the same time. (Flush the comode)....Manual trans are drained and refilled. Most dealerships have a system the flushes (automatics) although they charge an arm and leg for it.

Dingo described the process for autos quite well. It can be a DIY but you really have to understand what tubes go where and how fluid flows etc. Typical DIY doesn't get it all but addresses the cleaning of the pan, cleaning and or replacing the filter and the drainage and replacement of fluid from the pan removal process. You can see where this still leaves old fluid in the transmission but the majority is replaced with new stuff and most folks will call this done.