2003 Toyota Corolla Maintenance question

Hi guys:

About a year ago, I bought an 03 Corolla. About a month ago, I received a notice that it was due for 15,000 mile tune up. Never heard of a car that had to have a 15,000 mile tune up. The price was regularly $300, but I brought a pocket load of coupons, and brought the price down to $220.

One of the things they changed was the transmission fluid. I thought this was ridiculous. I looked in the Maintenance schedule, and up to 100,000 miles, it doesn't say anything about changing the transmission fluid at 15,000 miles, unless the vehicle is operated under "special conditions." I bought a Toyota because they are known for their dependability. I didn't know I'd have to change this fluid every 15k miles.

I know for a fact that on GM cars, the transmission fluid doesn't have to be changed for at least 60,000 miles.

I think this is just a money maker for the dealer.

Any thoughts?

Erick

The answer is yes and no. It's not necessary to change the transmission fluid every 15,000 miles but there are some great benefits to doing so. Longer life span of the trans is the main one. I push mine off to every 30,000 miles or so. I also make sure that they actually pump out my automatic trans rather than doing just a drain and fill. Just draining an automatic trans only gets about 1/3 of the fluid the rest stays in the torque converter and has to be pumped out.

Your trans fluid change probably wasn't totally necessary and yes it did make money for the dealer but you will get the benefits from it too. I think it works out in the wash.

my :2cents: Hope it was some help.

Hello...

Thanks for replying...OK, Toyotas are supposed to last forever...I think it'll be OK to change it every 30k. That seems to be the consenus around here as well. Thanks again.

Erick