2012 Yaris hatchback, 5MT: when to change transmission oil?

[matti]

Hello. I've got about 48k on my Yaris and it occurred to me that, as far as I can tell, the "recommended maintenance" schedule of the car doesn't say when I should change the manual transmission oil (I believe the schedule lists recommended maintenance items out to 120k miles). Any suggestions on when I should change the oil?

Thanks.

[bronsin]

Depends on how you drive it. Trailer towing...below zero operation...drag racing...dusty roads etc.

Me I would follow the owners manual...

[matti]

Depends on how you drive it. Trailer towing...below zero operation...drag racing...dusty roads etc.

Me I would follow the owners manual...

Thanks. I do, more-or-less, regular driving without too much start-stop. In winter, I do drive often when the temp is below O degrees F, however.

In regard to the owners manual, I cannot find any text giving recommended intervals for changing the transmission oil. So, I don't even know where to start.

[WeeYari]

So, I don't even know where to start.

Go to your Toyota Service Department and ask them to print out the service schedule for your car.

[bronsin]

Would this be DIY or would a shop do it?

[matti]

Would this be DIY or would a shop do it?

I would have a shop do it. I got this response from my local Toyota dealer today:

"Toyota doesn't have a recommended mileage for transmission fluid. They recommend it gets inspected every 30K. Toyota now uses a lifetime fluid and may never need to be changed until the clutch needs replacing or maintenance. in general, many vehicles recommend a 90-100K."

Thanks again for your help everyone.

[WeeYari]

It's surprising how many 'lifetime' fluids we are seeing touted nowadays.

[bronsin]

If you go the no change route definitely check the level every 30000 miles and inspect the trans for leaks every oil change.

[SirDigby]

change it every 50,000 miles. it only costs $20 for fluid. ($40 if you go fancy) why risk it pushing it to 100k when it's so cheap?
don't be cheap. just maintain that bitch...

[bentjazz]

There are two service centers where I bought my Yaris. One says to change transmission fluid no sooner than 90,000 miles. The other service center says you never have to change it. My Yaris has around 63,000 miles, and the transmission fluid is still cherry red. Plus, I have a lifetime warranty on my engine and transmission. So, I'm leaning towards never changing it, so long as the color maintains itself and there are no leaks.....

[Bluevitz-rs]

There isn't much in a manual transmission that can create contamination. If you drive it normally and don't abuse the synchronizers the fluid could technically last as long as the clutch.

[Thirty-Nine]

FYI, I changed mine at like 75,000 miles. Should I have done it sooner? Perhaps. However, it seems good. Replaced it with Redline fluid.

[SirDigby]

... I have a lifetime warranty on my engine and transmission. So, I'm leaning towards never changing it, so long as the color maintains itself and there are no leaks.....

what kind of a moron would offer a "lifetime warranty?" sounds fishy to me.

[bentjazz]

SirDigby,

Kerry Toyota, where I bought my Yaris in Dec. of 2010. One of the largest Toyota dealerships in this area. Lifetime warranty on both the engine and transmission....

[CoryM]

I believe Toyota's official answer is the M/T fluid is not required to be serviced. Gear oil does last a long time before losing it's performance: Especially in modern gearboxes/diffs. Typically water intrusion is what ruins the fluid rather than wear.

All that being said, the fluid is cheap enough that if you change it 2 or 3 times over the life of the car it's no big expense.