Hello, I have a question about a 2007 Toyota Corolla CE. The car has 99,000 miles on it, and has an automatic transmission. I recently bought it from a private party. As fas as I know the trans fluid has never been changed. I was wondering if I should change the transmission fluid or just leave it alone. Will changing it wreck the transmission?
Please leave it alone. I did change mine a couple of months ago and all I could go was a1000km. The seals in the transmission gave way and the oil began leaking. I learned the new oil is able to dissolve sealants in the transmission leading to leakages. I will never change the transmission oil. That's how come newer cars have sealed transmission requiring no oil change.
sealed transmission requiring no oil change.
there's no such thing
you should read the FAQ.
Also:
That's how come newer cars have sealed transmission requiring no oil change.
That is incorrect. It is perfectly safe to change transmission fluid on a reasonable schedule. I've done it many times. The problem comes in with conventional automatic transmissions when one waits so long that the fluid gets burnt and gritty with worn friction material. (Not applicable to CVTs, which operate on a different principle.)
"Sealed" transmissions are cheaper for the manufacturer and if the fluid is never changed premature transmission failure is pretty much guaranteed - usually after the manufacturer warranty expires. It also makes for fluid that is much more difficult to check when the vehicle gets old. A minor leak that is easily monitored with a dipstick becomes a disaster waiting to happen.
