Transmission fluid in your car is essential for lubrication and maintaining a clean, healthy environment. It also protects the surrounding seals of your transmission, helping to avoid damage.
Automatic transmissions require a different fluid than manual ones due to their elevated temperatures. If not changed regularly, this fluid can accumulate broken metal shavings and other corrosives throughout its major components.
📢Read also: 2003 Toyota Corolla Transmission Fluid Capacity
Check the Fluid Levels
Your vehicle’s transmission relies on a special fluid to shift gears automatically. Over time, however, this fluid can break down and cease to provide lubrication.
Fluid changes are essential for keeping your transmission running smoothly and avoiding damage, which is why having it changed at regular intervals is recommended.
Checking your transmission fluid levels with a dipstick is the best way to go; do this when your engine is warm.
If your dipstick shows a low reading, it is imperative to top up the transmission fluid level. You can add small amounts at a time and check your status frequently.
If your transmission is malfunctioning, it’s wise to bring it into a service center for expert advice and diagnosis. Doing so will guarantee your car is back on the road quickly.
Remove the Pan
The transmission fluid pan is typically attached to the bottom of your transmission with six or eight bolts. Remove each bolt halfway, unscrew all bolts, and notice that the pan has shifted slightly as old fluid drains away.
There are various reasons why you might need to remove a transmission pan. One reason could be that you want to inspect its gaskets or other components.
If your pan leaks, you may need to replace it. You can use an existing gasket in good condition or purchase a new one with some silicone sealant for easier installation.
Replacing a pan is an easy DIY project with a low risk of errors and minimal mess compared to traditional fluid change procedures. Not only will you save money on maintenance costs by doing it yourself, but the experience itself can be quite enjoyable as well.
👀Look at this: Toyota Corolla Automatic Transmission Not Engaging
Clean the Magnets
The bottom of a transmission fluid change pan typically contains magnets to trap small metal particles and prevent clogging up its delicate parts.
When your transmission’s internal parts wear, they will shed fine ferrous metal fragments. These particles can clog hydraulic circuits and bearings with debris.
However, metal shreds can also be dangerous and cause severe damage to your transmission. That’s why some auto manufacturers have installed drain plugs or magnets in their transmission fluid pans.
Magnets are intended to capture ferrous debris that would otherwise clog your transmission and lead to its destruction. Appeals can be taken out and cleaned, then replaced after you change your transmission fluid.
Fill the Pan
It can be challenging to access the pan that holds transmission fluid in your 2018 Toyota Corolla. Unfortunately, manual transmissions often don’t come equipped with a dipstick to check fluid levels, making it especially challenging to stay informed of necessary adjustments in this pan.
🚨You may be interested in: Toyota Corolla Transmission Problems
That is why it is critical to check the fluid levels between your fluid and transmission flush service intervals. Doing this ensures the vital parts of your transmission remain topped off with clean fluid rather than filled up with broken metal shavings or other corrosives. To do this, position a drain pan under the transmission fluid change pan and use a 15/16” socket to remove the fill plug. After the old fluid has drained out, replace it with a new crush washer and tighten it to 29 lb-ft with bolts. Now your pan is ready for refilling with transmission fluid!