07’ Toyota matrix, 75k miles, 4 sp auto (guess you could say this one’s for Scotty himself). Recently purchased this matrix that runs great for 16. Third owner but the vehicle has been within my family since new, and both previous owners were diligent in service. Except for one key piece: transmission fluid. I figured it’s ready for its second or third fluid change but I checked the records and it’s never been done. It shifts and runs well enough that I would never have guessed it wasn’t serviced.
I know it’s recommended to change between 60-100k, but some say after 10 years it should stay sealed. Should I leave it or have the fluid changed? I’m aware of the issues a full flush can cause at this interval. Anybody have experience with this trans? Some research suggests it’s the same as the 90s-00s corolla and platform mates (celica, rav4 etc) outside of gearing ratios
I changed my 05 matrix at 191k and it hadn't been done since 90k, and that was likely a drain and fill. I did 4 drain and fills over a couple of thousand miles when I bought it last August.
I have put over 20k miles on it since then in less than a year and it is running great. I don't mean easy miles either, I do delivery driving, and push it fairly hard.
Checking the faq on this website is a good idea.
Thank you for the time, you gave helpful info. But, in my rudimentary understanding our situations aren’t the most comparable. Since you bought it at roughly double the fluid change mileage, I’ll assume it was roughly halfway through its lifetime. That would mean 8-9 years from new, to first change, to second change. Which is at the long end, but still within most mechs’ recommendation of 10 years or sooner. If that’s the case my car would be relying on dirt that’s twice as old. Feel free to correct me if i’m wrong.
Mine likely only had a drain and fill at 90k. Even if it didn't, and it had a full fluid exchange, mine was at 100k miles into the second change, and the trans had 191k on it already. In either case, my trans was likely in worse condition when the fluid was changed the second time than yours is.
If you want a straight age comparison, I did 2 drain and fills on a 99 corolla 2 years ago and it had 107k miles, and it is rolling down the road just fine.
You’re absolutely correct, I was originally a little scared to check the fluid. I did yesterday and outside of a little dirt on the dipstick the fluid was still red and pretty clean. Did you drop the pan?
I got lazy when I first did it because I had so much work to do, but I plan to drop the pan and change the filter within a month. I want to put some more amsoil atf in it anyway.
Please read the article in our FAQ. It should answer most of your questions, but if not then feel free to come back and ask.
