Automatic and manual transmission oil in Toyota Corolla 150: how to replace and check the level

The oil in the Toyota Corolla gearbox, just like the engine oil in the Corolla 150 engine, is susceptible to heavy loads and temperatures. As a result of the influence of these factors, transmission oil loses its lubricating properties and its protective function deteriorates.

Failure to change the oil in a timely manner can cause unstable operation of the transmission and failure of its component parts. For example, in a manual transmission, scuff marks appear on the main gear, and the gears emit a peculiar hum. If this problem is left to take its course, then after ~500 km the gear teeth will be destroyed and the manual transmission may jam.

Preparation, tools and replacement

The preliminary stage is studying the safety precautions for servicing a car, as well as preparing tools. Changing the oil in a Toyota Corolla E150 manual transmission is carried out in special clothing and protective gloves, as well as in a sufficient level of lighting. Before performing the procedure, you must allow the car to cool for 20 minutes.

Tools:

• screwdriver, wrenches, and hex keys;
• an ordinary watering can and a half-meter hose;
• special gaskets for filler and drain holes;
• free container for draining used consumables.

Step-by-step instruction

After purchasing a new consumable, you need to prepare the tools and garage space for the oil change procedure in a 2008 Toyota Corolla box.

• First of all, we drive the car into the “pit”, remove the protection and dismantle two plugs: drain and filler, and then drain the old lubricant into an empty container.

Location of drain and filler necks

In order to remove the protection, you will need a 17-size wrench, and to remove the plugs, you will need a 24-size wrench. On the dismantled plugs, the car owner may see a warning about the need to first study safety precautions. The spent consumables are completely drained within 20 minutes.

• After draining, we evaluate the condition of the lubricant.

If chips appear, rinse and clean the tray. As a rule, the color of the drained lubricating fluid is practically no different from the new one, otherwise there is a malfunction in the operation of the gearbox. The drain plug on the model in question is not equipped on the inside with a special magnet that effectively collects chips, as in cars of other brands.

You need to buy new O-rings

• Then you need to tighten the plug on the drain hole.

Next, using a watering can and hose, you need to pour new fluid into the filler hole.

• Be sure to check the oil level in the box; lubricant should be at the bottom edge of the filler hole.

Upon completion of the oil renewal procedure in the Toyota Corolla E150 manual transmission, you should tighten the filler cap and also return the protection to its place.

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Preparation for replacement and necessary tools

Preparing to change the oil in a Toyota Corolla E150 manual transmission involves studying safety precautions and preparing tools.

Safety rules when changing oil in a manual transmission:

• find special clothing and gloves;
• turn on bright lighting;
• Replacements can only be made 15-25 minutes after arrival. The oil should cool down a little.

List of necessary tools for changing the oil in a Toyota Corolla E 150 manual transmission:

• set of wrenches and hex keys.
• pharmaceutical syringe.
• screwdriver.
• empty container for waste liquid.
• fresh oil.
• additional gaskets for the drain and filler holes.

Draining old oil from the gearbox and cleaning the pan

Draining old oil from the tank into a manual transmission on a Toyota Corolla E150:

• The car is placed in the garage on a pit or a lift.
• The filler plug is unscrewed at the bottom of the vehicle. The car oil is drained within 15-25 minutes.
• The plug is screwed back in.
• Using a wrench, unscrew the pan and carefully drain the residual oil. The condition of the liquid is assessed. If there are chips, the tray is thoroughly washed, cleaned with a wire brush and wiped with a clean rag.

• The tray is installed in the reverse order. All bolts are carefully tightened.

Filling new oil in the manual transmission

Step-by-step process for adding new fluid:

• The filler plug opens. Located on the crankcase.
• Using a syringe, the oil is filled to the maximum level.
• The plug closes. The engine starts and warms up for 10-15 minutes.
• The oil fluid level is rechecked. If necessary, top up.

In order not to overpay for transmission fluid, many people dilute semi-synthetic and synthetic oil. This is strictly not recommended. If the proportions are incorrect, the liquid will begin to foam, which can cause the box to jam.

This completes the oil change process for the Totota Corolla E150.

Practical advice on choosing automatic transmission oil

When changing the oil yourself in an automatic transmission of Toyota Corolla in bodies 120, 150, you need to approach the choice of consumables wisely. The further service of the unit depends on their quality. The choice of transmission brand must correspond to the modification and year of manufacture of the Japanese. For the Toyota Corolla E120, produced between 2000 and 2006, and the E150 model, the production of which continued until 2011 and 2012, it is recommended to buy different “transmissions”.

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When purchasing oil for a Toyota Corolla automatic transmission, you need to pay special attention. Even if you plan to update the oil not with your own hands, but with the help of service station specialists, you need to purchase all the necessary materials yourself in trusted stores. This way, the risk of purchasing a low-quality product will be significantly reduced.

Original oil

An original transmission is a product of a certain brand that was specifically designed for a given vehicle and recommended by the manufacturer.

This type of oil for the Toyota Corolla 120 automatic transmission is Toyota ATF Type T-IV. For cars in the 150 body, it is recommended to use Toyota ATF WC. Both types of fluid are interchangeable, and if necessary, their partial mixing in one automatic transmission is allowed.

The prices for the original product are very affordable. The cost of a 1-liter plastic canister with code 00279000T4-1 is 500 - 600 rubles. For a four-liter canister with article number 08886-01705 or 08886–02305 you will have to pay from 2 to 3 thousand rubles. The price range is explained by different manufacturers and different packaging.

Analogs

Any original products are copied by other manufacturers and released under their own brand. If all necessary standards are met, the resulting analogue is almost no different from the original. But the cost of the goods may be significantly reduced. Below are the brands of transmission fluid for automatic transmission Toyota Corolla 120/150.

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What gearboxes and what kind of oil for them can be found on a Corolla

The manufacturer installs manual and various automatic transmissions in Toyota Corolla. It all depends on the modification of the car. For example, the Toyota Corolla 150 has a K311 variator. Therefore, only the following brands of oil are used in the box:

• for warm climates - Toyota CVT Fluid TC under catalog number 08886-125;
• for the harsh regions of the far north, the manufacturer recommends Toyota CVT Fluid FE.

Attention! If you fill in any other oil, then there will be no such clutch between the belt and the pulleys in the automatic transmission that the original provides. This means that the service life of the variator will decrease. Therefore, it is so important to comply with the regulations of the Japanese manufacturer.

If the driver is in doubt about what kind of oil to pour into a robotic gearbox, it is recommended to read the manual for the operation of the automatic transmission. Or fill in the following oil in the box, which the manufacturer initially uses:

• Geniune Manual Transmission Gear oil LV under catalog number 08885-81001.

For a four-speed hydraulic automatic, the manufacturer recommends ATF Type T IV. This oil is found in almost all automatic transmissions from the birth of vehicles at the Toyota plant. Such oils are suitable for early Corolla models up to 2004.

After 2004, the manufacturer recommends ATF WS for hydraulic automatic transmissions. But you can use analogues, since the U340E automatic transmission itself is quite durable and, with proper care, covers 300 thousand kilometers without major repairs.

Analogues include:

• Total Fluid XLD FE;
• Mobil ATF 3309.

If the car owner has an 11th generation Corolla and does not know what oil is in the box, then he should refer to the owner’s manual. It should be taken into account that from the 11th generation the manufacturer stopped producing automatic cars. Only mechanics and a variator are used.

• for mechanics, all lubricants that have the specification APi GL IV, SAE 75 W are suitable;
• The same oils that were listed above for CVT gearboxes are suitable for the CVT.

Experienced car owners and mechanics do not recommend saving on CVTs and robots. You cannot fill them with cheap oil or use them without changing the lubricant and carrying out preventive maintenance until the last breath of the box. Since restoring a CVT transmission or purchasing a contract one will cost the car owner a high price.

It is recommended to replace the filter device along with the transmission fluid. Usually it is a rectangular metal case with a felt membrane inside or mesh.

It can only be reached by opening the automatic transmission pan. It will also need to be cleaned and metal dust or shavings removed from the magnets. You also need to change all gaskets and seals on the drain and fill plugs to prevent the rubber from drying out and lubricant leaking as a result.

If a car owner doubts not only what kind of oil should be poured into a Toyota Corolla vehicle, but also how much, then the operating book for the machine will help him with this. Usually it takes 4 liters for a partial shift, and up to 10 liters for a full shift.

If a car owner wants to know what oil to pour into the engine, then the next block will tell him about it.

Replacement procedure: step-by-step instructions

It is recommended to carry out replacement in the classical way, partially by removing the pan. This is necessary in order to clean the magnets located on the inside. The dirtiest grease settles on them and should not be left. In addition, dismantling the pan will make it possible to install a new oil filter.

Required tools and accessories:

• funnel with a thin neck;
• new fluid;
• empty container for drainage;
• wooden spatula for removing the tray;
• 1 liter of gasoline or kerosene.

Before doing this, the car must be warmed up and then parked in the pit. Under no circumstances should you confuse an automatic transmission with a transfer case, which often happens on Toyotas with all-wheel drive. The drain plug, under which an empty container is placed in advance, should be unscrewed first. The liquid will drain for about 15-20 minutes.

Further actions:

• after draining the oil, you need to unscrew the pan bolts, leaving one fastener on each side as “fixed supports”;
• Using a wooden spatula, remove the tray from the glue along the entire perimeter;
• slightly lift the cover to completely unscrew the remaining two bolts;
• unscrew the differential magnetic plug located on the right side - it should be thoroughly washed with gasoline;
• replace the filter;
• carefully remove all the magnets, rinse thoroughly with kerosene and dry the tray elements, including the lid itself;
• install the magnets and the tray itself, along with a new gasket, in place;
• tighten the plug, replacing its O-ring;
• pour fresh oil through the neck - no more than 3.5-4 liters;
• warm up the engine to operating temperature;
• Switch the automatic transmission lever three times through all modes and back, holding in each position for 7-8 seconds;
• check the fluid level.

It is better to entrust the service of a complete replacement with pumping out the old fluid under pressure to services specializing in the repair of Japanese cars. For example, in Moscow, they have all the advanced equipment and necessary spare parts.

Old automatic transmission oil quickly loses one of its most important properties - resistance to pressure. As a result, it removes heat from the loaded parts of the gearbox less well, its level quickly drops, and lubrication of the rubbing elements is poor. Prolonged operation in this mode will definitely damage the gearbox, which should not be allowed. Therefore, changing the oil in the Toyota Corolla automatic transmission should be done in due time.

Time for changing lubricant in manual transmission and required volume

According to the manufacturer's recommendations, replacing the lubricant in a manual gearbox on a Toyota Corolla E150 should be done at least every 40 thousand kilometers. In practice, subject to moderate driving, fluid renewal can be done half as often; this procedure is carried out on average once every three years.

Factors indicating the need for another lubricant change in a manual gearbox:

• difficulty changing gears;
• the appearance of extraneous sounds and noises at the moment of gear shifting;
• the appearance of traces of engine oil leakage.

If any symptom occurs, it is necessary to prepare for the fluid renewal procedure, even if the next service is not due yet. In practice, it has been established that a Toyota six-speed manual transmission will require 2 liters of lubricant.

Checking the level

Before you begin the procedure for updating the transmission on a Toyota Corolla, you need to measure its level. To do this correctly, you need to follow the algorithm of actions:

• drive a car for about 10 kilometers to warm up the oil in the Toyota Corolla automatic transmission to operating temperature;
• stop on a flat surface;
• lift the hood and remove the automatic transmission oil dipstick;
• wipe it with a dry cloth and put it back in its original place;
• after that, take it out again and check the level at the upper mark marked “HOT”.

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If the transmission fluid level is low, it should be topped up. If the level is exceeded, then use a syringe and a thin tube to pump out the excess.

What does the market offer?

• mineral;
• synthetic;
• semi-synthetic.

Mineral gearbox oil is used in older foreign cars with rear-wheel drive. It has no cleansing properties, but it has the lowest price. You will have to change this type of oil most often (on average every 35 thousand km).

Synthetic is recommended for use in new cars with rear- and front-wheel drive. This type contains a huge variety of useful additives and is characterized by a long service life. The main disadvantage is the high price.

Semi-synthetic oil is a compromise between the two categories described above. It is used in economy class cars, as well as some budget models. It has fewer additives compared to synthetics, but is in great demand due to its affordable cost.

Gearbox design

There are many types of automatic transmissions, but they all consist of 5 main elements:

1. Planetary series. Serves to vary the gear ratio when changing speed.
2. Torque converter. An analogue of the clutch in a manual transmission.
3. Electronic components of the control unit.
4. Brake band.
5. Front, rear clutch.

The automatic transmission changes speeds independently. This ensures comfortable driving conditions in accordance with the road situation and engine operating mode. You need to choose the direction of travel, press the gas pedal to go. The automation will do the rest itself.

What to buy

The car manual (in addition to the replacement period) should contain information about the brand of recommended oil. If you have the opportunity to purchase one, be sure to do so. Only original products guarantee the declared service life and will also eliminate transmission breakdowns due to low-quality oil. It is recommended to buy synthetic or semi-synthetic oil.

The original oil can be of Japanese or European origin. If it is not a fake, then there is not much difference between them. There are plenty of cheaper analogues on the market. But be sure to pay attention to the packaging and also read the specifications. Using the wrong oil will cause a hum in the box and accelerated wear of the teeth.

Price issue

To change the oil in the automatic transmission of a Toyota Corolla in the 120/150 body, it is not necessary to seek help from specialists at expensive service centers. Updating the transmission fluid yourself will not be difficult for the average car enthusiast, and at the same time will save money.

A partial oil change will cost the owner 4–5 thousand rubles. A full cycle using two or even three canisters of liquid will cost 6–7 thousand.

The total cost of replacement consists of the cost of transmission fluid, oil filter, and gaskets for Toyota Corolla. Any service station mechanic will ask for work from 3 to 7 thousand rubles, depending on the level of the service center and region.

Necessary components for work

To replace the transmission, it is not oil that is used, but a special composition intended specifically for this unit. The container label for this liquid bears the designation ATF (automatic transmission fuid). This liquid is able to function under more difficult conditions, withstanding significant loads. When the gearbox is operating, the operating temperature of the parts reaches 300-400*C.

The torque converter experiences heavy loads: when the car is moving, the temperature of the systems reaches 150*C.

During long-term operation of the gearbox, volatile components evaporate from the solution used for lubrication and cooling, and the composition of the transmission fluid changes, which is unacceptable.

The fluid poured into the Toyota Corolla automatic transmission performs a dual function:

• heat removal from the box parts to the external environment;
• lubrication of contacting parts.

To stabilize the solution at high temperatures and stabilize ongoing processes while preventing oxidation, special additives are added that prevent wear of parts and allow mechanisms to function normally at temperatures from -40* to +150*C.

During long-term operation of the gearbox, volatile components evaporate from the fluid used for lubrication and cooling, and the composition of the transmission fluid changes, which is unacceptable for the normal operation of the mechanisms.

The type of fluid used for each vehicle's transmission is indicated in the factory documents. The most commonly used type of transmission fluid is DEXRON (modifications I, II, III).

When completely replacing the fluid, it is imperative to determine the labeling of all the necessary components that may be needed for replacement: oil filter, O-rings and gaskets.

Typically, synthetic solutions used for transmission are 2-3 times more expensive than mineral solutions.

It must be taken into account that fluids are poured through the level measurement hole in the gearbox, and in some brands of cars using a control plug in the automatic transmission box.