I have a 2005 Toyota Avalon with 130,000 miles, how often should I change the transmission fluid?
Asked by bluuemoney May 13, 2015 at 12:35 PM about the 2005 Toyota Avalon XLS
Question type: Maintenance & Repair
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3 Answers
Toyota says never. Fluid good for life of car. Even on the dipstick on the transmission of some Avalons it is written "Do Not Change". Toyota provides an exception to this, if you tax the transmission by pulling a trailer OFTEN at max capacity, with also a full cargo load of 880lbs. Then drain-and fill at 60,000 miles. Now, that being said, I did a drain-and-fill change on my Corolla @60,000 anyway, for no other reason than it will do no harm, and it really didn't need it, the fluid was still nice and red. In retrospect I should have waited until at least 80k.Or not at all and not waste my money. Whatever you decide, do not flush --if your fluid is still a reasonably nice red/pink. Only allow a flush if you are having transmission problems and the fluid has turned dark and/or has a 'burnt' odor. If not, leave it be, or drain-and fill only.
My 2006 owners manual says the fluid never needs to be changed unless the vehicle is operated in very dusty conditions. No sh.. it says that.