Transmission showing signs of wear

[Twistoffate0817]

Hello,

I just went and got an oil change today, and was told that my transmission was showing signs of wear. I have always complained about the transmission to two Toyota dealerships, saying that my car always feels like its dragging, and its not shifting the correct way. Both dealerships claimed my transmission was fine. I'm not really sure what to do now. Do I take it back to dealership and claim another shop told me my transmission is showing signs of wear? I still have the warranty on my Yaris.

Suggestions?

[CTScott]

Is it an auto or manual?

[Twistoffate0817]

Automatic.

[RedRide]

Just what does the shop that told about the "wear" want to do for you?.
It might be just a case of them wantind to drum up some business such as an unneeded tranny flush which is a money maker.

Also just how did they determine it had abnormal wear?

BTW "my car always feels like its dragging" is a fairly vague statement.
Is the car is changing gears properly?

[jpmck03]

... I just went and got an oil change today, and was told that my transmission was showing signs of wear. ...

I'm curious why the shop you took it to would be checking the transmission for wear during an oil change. Seems like they might be using the "you should get a transmission flush" angle to drum up some business, as RedRide suggested.

[CTScott]

Agreed with both above.

Do a check for yourself, by checking the ATF fluid via its dipstick. When you wipe the dipstick on a paper towel, It should be red or purplish-red and should not smell burnt. If the tranny is really showing signs of wear the fluid will be the first indicator.

[Twistoffate0817]

The shop said I need a transmission fluid flush at 30 thousand miles but if I did it today it wud be done for a long time. I'm at 22k miles. I said no because I didn't know anything about it. Im going to check the color and smell and then go from there.

[MadMax]

You gotta be kidding, a transmission flush at 22K?!? Unless you drive like an absolute maniac, there is nothing that requires a flush at such low mileage...

[Twistoffate0817]

As much as I think he was trying to get me to do it, I want to know my transmission is fine and not wearing like he said it was. He also told me my anti freeze was really low so he filled it. With such low miles why is my car having all these issues?

[Altitude]

As much as I think he was trying to get me to do it, I want to know my transmission is fine and not wearing like he said it was. He also told me my anti freeze was really low so he filled it. With such low miles why is my car having all these issues?

That's just it - you're not having issues. People are telling you that you have issues. People that want your money.

[The Limo]

Look at the little cover on your transmission tip stick where it fits over the fill tube. Does it say something to the effect. " Under normal use the fluid in the transmission is good for the life of the transmission"? If this is the case all you have to do is check every so often (the TSB on this says every 100,000 miles) for low fluid (leak) or discoloured or burnt fluid. l personally check mine every 16,000 Kms (10,000 miles).

The antifreeze level can be checked in the overflow tank (semiclear tank near radiator). There are lines on the tank (low and full). If the engine is cold, then the antifreeze should be near but above the low line and if the engine is hot then the antifreeze should be near but below the full line. lf engine is hot do not loosen rad cap as hot antifreeze will squirt out and possibly burn you.

Do these checks before you go to get an oil change and you will know if they are wanting some extra money from you. If so, then go somewhere else for your next oil change.

My two cents worth.
Roy

[MadMax]

As much as I think he was trying to get me to do it, I want to know my transmission is fine and not wearing like he said it was. He also told me my anti freeze was really low so he filled it. With such low miles why is my car having all these issues?

That's just it - you're not having issues. People are telling you that you have issues. People that want your money.

Yep, you're worrying because someone told you to. Have you actually ever driven another Yaris? Go find one with an automatic at a dealership and take it for a test drive (tell them that you're considering buying it for your girlfriend or something). Chances are you'll find it drives pretty much the same as yours.

It's the way the car is designed, I have the same transmission and on cold mornings it can be a bit rough at first; but I travel for work a lot and drive a variety of different rental vehicles and I can tell you that the shifting on the Yaris is no worse than many other cars in its class.

Actually, I had a 2012 Corolla the week before last in Albuquerque, and I was amazed at how similar the two cars were. Sure the Corolla has a slightly bigger 1.8L engine and a little more horsepower, but for the most part it drove about the same as my Yaris. Actually, I felt the visibility of the Yaris is actually better.

Quit sweating non-existent problem, unless you have noticed some serious issues with your car, or beat the living snot out of it when you drive; chances are that these claims of needing a transmission flush are purely to increase the shop's profits.

I would actually recommend looking for a better/more reputable garage to take your Yaris for maintenance...

Speaking of which, where did you have this oil change done? It wasn't one of those horrible quick-lube joints, was it? If so, then there's your biggest problem!

Cheers! M2

[bzinn 1]

I looked at my fluid a few months back at like 65000 miles and it still was looking good,that is 3 bad winters using the gears,lots of hills,lots of stop light fast starts, and lots of stuck in traffic for hours a day.

Gonna change mine out next month due to the fact it even still looks ok and smells good probably needs changed out,fresh fluids are always best to make something last in a car.

But I would think unless your trashing the poor thing 22000 is way too soon.

[Twistoffate0817]

So I just checked the fluid and its light pink and smells like chemicals... no burnt smell.

I cant tell if the fluid is low, because on the dip stick it says Warm/Cold and not High or Low.

Where should the fluid level be on the dipstick for it to be considered normal?

[CTScott]

So I just checked the fluid and its light pink and smells like chemicals... no burnt smell.

I cant tell if the fluid is low, because on the dip stick it says Warm/Cold and not High or Low.

Where should the fluid level be on the dipstick for it to be considered normal?

With automatics, it is best to check the level with the fluid hot. Here is the procedure for doing so, from the service manual.

INSPECT AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE FLUID

Drive the vehicle until the engine and transaxle are at
normal operating temperature.
Fluid temperature:
70 to 80 °C (158 to 176 °F)
(a) Park the vehicle on a level surface and engage the
parking brake.
(b) With the engine idling and the brake pedal
depressed, shift the shift lever into all positions from
P to L, and then return it to the P position.
(c) Pull out the oil level gauge and wipe it clean.
(d) Push it fully back into the pipe.
(e) Pull it out and check that the fluid level is within the
HOT range.

45558

[Chuck G]

Is it checked with the car idling?

[CTScott]

Is it checked with the car idling?

Yes.

[rick996]

Transmission service at 22K? Say thanks for the antifreeze and don't go back to that shop. If you really have transmission sluggishness (or whatever), to back to a dealership and keep complaining. Do you have a 2nd dealership close by?

[Twistoffate0817]

So I just checked the dipstick after driving 10 miles and with the engine running and the transmission fluid is on the first notch up from the bottom. Which means its really low.

This could be why the car isint shifting in the best manner.

Now, is it better for me to take it to the dealership so its on record, or put more in myself?

[CTScott]

So I just checked the dipstick after driving 10 miles and with the engine running and the transmission fluid is on the first notch up from the bottom. Which means its really low.

This could be why the car isint shifting in the best manner.

Now, is it better for me to take it to the dealership so its on record, or put more in myself?

Since you'd have to go to the dealer to buy the correct fluid, you might as well make them check/fill it.

Considering that they wanted to sell you more services for the tranny, I would make them do it with you standing right there.

[Twistoffate0817]

Ok, I guess I'll make an appointment to get it done.

[J_Lynn]

I'd get a print out of your previous complaints regarding the tranny too while you're there, just so that you have a copy of everything just in case.

[ruabadfish2]

You hinted this is a "third" shop you've taken it to, any previous history with this place? Tin Foil hat on, maybe they removed the wrong drain plug, and started to drain the transmission fluid? I have 128K on my '07 auto, and I checked the level after getting home. I'm just below the first tic mark for hot on the picture on page one.

Related-ish story; My best friend bought his first new vehicle back when we graduated college, a 2001 Jeep Cherokee. Come time for his first oil change...and he doesn't pay attention or read the manual, on which drain plug is which. I got the call to take him up to Autozone to get more transmission fluid.

I've been doing my own maintenance on my cars for over 10 years now, because I don't trust anyone else to touch my cars. Check the under side of your car too, and see if the drain plug for your transmission fluid looks like it's been tweaked. Or if it's "too clean" like someone wiped it off. Just a guess at why'd you have such a low level.

[CTScott]

You hinted this is a "third" shop you've taken it to, any previous history with this place? Tin Foil hat on, maybe they removed the wrong drain plug, and started to drain the transmission fluid? I have 128K on my '07 auto, and I checked the level after getting home. I'm just below the first tic mark for hot on the picture on page one.

Related-ish story; My best friend bought his first new vehicle back when we graduated college, a 2001 Jeep Cherokee. Come time for his first oil change...and he doesn't pay attention or read the manual, on which drain plug is which. I got the call to take him up to Autozone to get more transmission fluid.

I've been doing my own maintenance on my cars for over 10 years now, because I don't trust anyone else to touch my cars. Check the under side of your car too, and see if the drain plug for your transmission fluid looks like it's been tweaked. Or if it's "too clean" like someone wiped it off. Just a guess at why'd you have such a low level.


I did that once, with the first oil change on my Subaru. I remove the drain plug, catch the smell and color of the fluid flowing, and head off with the other car to pick up some ATF.

[Twistoffate0817]

So I took it to the dealership today, and the mechanic pulled out the dipstick and claimed the level was fine. I explained to him that this other shop told me my transmission was wearing and he looked at me like I was crazy. So lesson learned; do not bring my car to that quick lube place again. All they were looking for was more money.

[MadMax]

Well, at least you were smart enough to ask here before falling for their pitch!

Those quick lube joints are a rip-off, it's so easy to do your own oil changes and that way you'll know it's done right!

Cheers! M2

[RedRide]

Yeah, "quick lube place" explains it all!
In most quick lube places, an oil change is just a "lost leader" and employees are instucted to pad the bill and sucker the customer to get services/parts they do not need.

[J_Lynn]

^ my ex-husband worked part time at Jiffy Lube, and they would tell people they had exhaust dust on their air filter to make a sale .... seriously .... I would never in my life take my car to one. F'n exhaust dust!! and people would fall for it!!!