About to replace the transmission fluid on an automatic 2008 yaris with 172kms

[jessesYaris]

Never changed the transmission fluid before.

I know it sounds bad that I've yet to change the transmission fluid at 172kms... :laugh:

But in my defence it's mostly highway/long distance travel and the transmission fluid is still bright pink. Doesn't smell burnt. Etc. Looks fresh.

Starting to wonder though... It can't last forever and the fluid is only $9/liter from the dealership so I figured I should replace it.

Got to the dealership, asked for a price on transmission fluid filters and the lady says "there are no transmission fluid filters for the yaris, we just drain it and add new fluid here".... ???

So first question... is that true? Are there transmission fluid filters for the 2008 yaris or not? I don't see anything about transmission fluid filters in my manual... but they certainly sell them at other local shops like napa/partsource.

Second question... is this a good idea or not? Changing the transmission fluid for the first time in 172kms???

I've read everywhere that if I've left it this long, that it's probably best not to change it lest my transmission start slipping/I can ruin it by changing the fluid.

What do you suggest?

[bronsin]

Amount of fluid you can change about 2 quarts.

Amount of fluid remaining in the transmission at least five.

It couldn’t hurt to change it But how much you will help I can’t see

[bronsin]

My wife’s Camry has 191,000 miles no transmission oil change

[jessesYaris]

Thanks for that, bronsin!

I was reading one of your threads about transmission fluid changes earlier!

There are definitely transmission fluid filters for the 08 yaris though right??

[bronsin]

I don’t know whether there are or aren’t. Anybody out there know?

[jessesYaris]

They sell them at rockauto and virtually every other parts store so... they must exist inside the car???

Does nobody on yarisworld here ever replace them either?

The dealership said they never replace the filters.

[jessesYaris]

OK so I changed it and everything was perfectly fine!

No slipping of the transmission under any circumstances, and I drove it HARD to test it out.

Got almost 3 full litres of transmission fluid out, so it's a good thing I bought more fluid than I thought I would need.

ALMOST stripped the drain bolt... going to replace it when I change the fluid and filter again in another week or so.

There was a ton of corrosion on the bolt so I couldn't get the hex wrench in all the way. Took a wire brush to it and then hammered the hex wrench into the bolt before trying again and it came off easily. So watch for that.

Took some photos of the used transmission fluid on a white piece of cardboard... right next to the fresh transmission fluid on the same piece of cardboard and wow... it's almost identical.