transmission fluid change on 05 ES

[Matthew]

I have an 05 ES 330 32k miles due for service. Maintenance schedule calls
for brake fluid change but no mention of transmission service until 60k
miles (aside from checking it). I do find this a bit odd. I do plan on
requesting the transmission service given the lousy nature of the
transmission of this vehicle in the first place. Not that I am looking to do
unneeded work, but 60K seems excessive.
Any comments on this??
Happy New Year to all,
Matthew

[Ray O]

Post by Matthew
I have an 05 ES 330 32k miles due for service. Maintenance schedule calls
for brake fluid change but no mention of transmission service until 60k
miles (aside from checking it). I do find this a bit odd. I do plan on
requesting the transmission service given the lousy nature of the
transmission of this vehicle in the first place. Not that I am looking to
do unneeded work, but 60K seems excessive.
Any comments on this??
Happy New Year to all,
Matthew

What type of ATF does your transmission require? If it is type T, then
60,000 miles is sooner than the manufacturer's recommendation.

[Matthew]

Ray, thanks for the reply. It is type T-IV. I actually had it done this am.
I guess no harm done, better sooner than later. Why such a long interval??
Because it is synthetic ATF??

Post by Ray O

Post by Matthew
I have an 05 ES 330 32k miles due for service. Maintenance schedule calls
for brake fluid change but no mention of transmission service until 60k
miles (aside from checking it). I do find this a bit odd. I do plan on
requesting the transmission service given the lousy nature of the
transmission of this vehicle in the first place. Not that I am looking to
do unneeded work, but 60K seems excessive.
Any comments on this??
Happy New Year to all,
Matthew

What type of ATF does your transmission require? If it is type T, then
60,000 miles is sooner than the manufacturer's recommendation.
--
Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

[Ray O]

Post by Matthew
Ray, thanks for the reply. It is type T-IV. I actually had it done this
am. I guess no harm done, better sooner than later. Why such a long
interval?? Because it is synthetic ATF??

There is no harm in changing type T-IV ATF early. Toyota calls it
"lifetime" ATF that shouldn't need changing under normal driving conditions
so changing it at all could be considered going above and beyond. I don't
know what makes it a "lifetime" ATF, probably more durable additives.

[j***@hotmail.com]

No, the $4/qt Toyota Type-IV ATF is actually Mobil-3309. It's a
conventional, or "dino", fluid. I'd actually go a step further in
using Mobil-1 fully synthetic ATF (new formulation, not the earlier
formulation):
http://www.mobiloil.com/USA-English/MotorOil/Other_Products/Mobil_1_Synthetic_ATF.aspx

IMO, you are doing the right thing in changing it out every 30K miles.
These Aisin transmissions are dirty. Better yet, have the pan dropped,
change the filter/strainer and wipe clean the metal shavings and
sludge at the bottom. The meaning of vehicle service "lifetime" varies
depending on if you're a manufacturer or an owner.

The only problem would be the technician messing up the fluid level or
introduce lint and cleaning solvent into the system. Many newer
transmissions need to be at a particular temperature range while
filling, so cleanliness and accuracy are very important.

Post by Matthew
Ray, thanks for the reply. It is type T-IV. I actually had it done this am.
I guess no harm done, better sooner than later. Why such a long interval??
Because it is synthetic ATF??

[j***@hotmail.com]

I think the 5-speed U151E pre-dates the LePelletier design that came
later? No? I don't know why Toyota in particular was having a lot of
problems with the LePelletier design (2007 Camry/ES skipping gears for
example). But you're right, the U-series are not as reliable as the
older A-series Aisin transmissions.




On Jan 2, 4:50 pm, "Matthew" <***@yahoo.com> wrote:

I do plan on

Post by Matthew
requesting the transmission service given the lousy nature of the
transmission of this vehicle in the first place. Not that I am looking to do
unneeded work, but 60K seems excessive.
Any comments on this??
Happy New Year to all,
Matthew