ATF drain and fill

Because it seems so relatively easy, I've pretty much decided that I'm going to do my own oil and filter changes in my C. But I'm also strongly considering doing my own ATF drain and fill, since it too looks very straightforward and fairly easy. My only real hesitation is that if down the road, I have any issues with the transmission. I just bought a Toyota extended warranty, but could my doing my own ATF drain and fill be a perfect excuse for them to deny any future claims if I should ever have tranny issues? For the infrequent need of doing it, I'm wondering if it would be safer to just pay a dealer to do the drain/fill. What's likely to be the cost for that at a dealer?

 

Thanks. I guess calls to a couple of dealers will answer my question. And yes, I've read far too many stories about folks who have drained the transmission fluid before realizing they couldn't budge the fill plug. Yikes. Words to the wise indeed.

Any thought on how my doing it myself might affect possible future warranty issues?

 

Thanks. Yeah, I remember seeing that hex (or torx) socket under there for the drain, but I didn't notice the all-important fill plug when I gave a quick look.

I can keep a record of my DIY service, but I'm more concerned at if they'll see that as an excuse not to cover something down the road.

 

Hmmmm.....good point. Thanks. With any luck, it will never even be an issue.

 

So I took a look again. The drain plug looks easy enough to access, but it looks like I'll need an extension to get enough leverage on that fill plug. That's assuming I'm looking at the correct things. Pics attached.





And I'll definitley have to snake a plastic hose down there to refill it. may have to wait until I can recruit another pair of hands before I attempt this.

 

And I'm having a heck of a time trying to find a (reasonably priced) 10mm hex socket with a 1/2" drive, which is what my breaker bar is. I'm finding 3/8 drive no problem.

 

Thanks. And the adapter is probably something I should have had all along anyway. Local dealer sells the ATF WS for $9/qt, so I should be fine.

So I'm assuming those pics are showing the proper drain (top picture) and fill (bottom pic) plugs?

 

Thanks. I have no idea about any missing underpanel since I don't know what it's supposed to look like under there. I know it looks a lot cleaner than the underside of my '06 Forester looked. It's lived its life in MA, so I don't expect things to remain bright and shiny for long.

I just picked up a 1/2" to 3/8" drive socket adapter for $5 and a 7 piece 3/8" drive hex kit (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10mm) for $10 from Lowes. I should be covered for this job...and if I ever buy any furniture from Ikea.

 

Mission accomplished..successfully. It was a bit of a pain getting the bolts loose, to the point where I figured I'd call to see wht a dealer would charge for the job. Called two. Both said they don't drain and fill, but flush the whole system, to the tune of $250+. That made up my mind to go at it again. I hit them with Kroil, then drove down to the dealer to pick up the four quarts of ATF WS, then to Lowes for 3' of tubing. Came back, and with a few extra grunts, got the fill plug loosened, then attacked the drain plug.

I must say I was impressed that the fluid that came out was still nice and red (actually, it was more the color of black raspberry ice cream). The plugs themselves were as clean as a whistle. Buttoned everything up, torqued them to 29 lb/ft and all's well. Or at least I hope so.

Thanks for the words of encouragement. I may or may not do it again in another 60k miles.