A/T Fluid color changes over time

[auxmike]

In the attached pic you will see;

2003 Tacoma, 54k, DEXTRON fluid

2008 yaris , 52k, WS fluid

2006 Corolla, 32k, Type T-IV fluid

They all have different color tones and all say on the dipstick no need to change.

Just wondering if my Yaris oil looks ok, it's kinda purplish....:confused:

[fnkngrv]

How did you get some of the fluid out? Did you just open the fill port and get it from there?

[auxmike]

LOL! No, I just wiped off the dipstick of each vehicle ...
Remember, the A/T s have dipsticks and are filled via the dipstick tube.

[Lux]

The correct method of testing ATF is to smell it and feel it between your fingers. Worn out fluid will smell burned and exhibit a grainy texture to it, like very, very fine sand. Discolouration is only the chemical breakdown process of the fluid dye and is not always a suitable indication of fluid condition. For instance, Hyundai ATF looks like diarrhoea at 15'000 km but smells, feels, and functions perfectly fine...

Major contributing factors to ATF service intervals are load (towing), driving aggression, and operating temperature (such as from a dysfunctional ATF cooler).

[auxmike]

Hmm, I think I'll try feeling for grainyness tomorrow. Thanks for the tip!

[yaris-me]

Toyota's WS trans fluid is rated at 280 deg for 30 minutes. It doesn't break down, instead you'll find particles suspended in the fluid.

I would think that the reason for changing the fluid is to get the fine particles out of the transmission.

The new WS fluid may smell burnt and that may be because of the way it's processed.

[why?]

Yes, Toyota pretends its transmission fluid doesn't need to be changed, but that is a fantasy. 60k though is a minimum, depending on how aggressive you drive.

[The Limo]

Toyota Canada recommends that the A/T fluid be changed every 96,000 Km (60,000 miles).
Roy