To correctly change the oil in a Toyota Corolla gearbox, you need to know the answer to at least one of the following questions:
- What year of manufacture of the car, its body (for example, E120, E140 or E150 sedan, etc.);
- What type of transmission is installed (manual, robot, variator or automatic);
- Engine brand, type and volume (gasoline or diesel);
- The name of the original oil and its quantity, as well as acceptable analogues from other manufacturers.
Having the necessary initial data, you can select the right oil for the Toyota Corolla box.
Now let’s look at the example of the most popular generations of the car.
Toyota Corolla X
The tenth generation Toyota Corolla was produced from 2006 to 2010 (restyling from 2010 to 2013) in E140 and E150 bodies, equipped with a 5 and 6-speed manual transmission, automatic or robotic gearbox, as well as a CVT.
The cars of the model range were equipped with gasoline and diesel engines with power ranging from 90 to 136 hp. Belong to a C-class car.
Manual transmission
As for the manual transmission, 1.9 or 2.3 liters are poured here. transmissions, depending on the gear levels - 5 and 6, respectively.
You can also navigate by the installed engine.
- 4ZZ-FE and 3ZZ-FE (petrol) - 1.9 liters of transmission;
- 2ZZ-GE (petrol) - 2.3;
- 1CD-FTV (diesel) - 2.5.
The manufacturer recommends filling the gearbox with original transmission oils, for example:
- TOYOTA Gear Oil Manual Transmission “Getriebeoil LV 75W” - according to article 08885-81001.
- TOYOTA Manual Transmission Gear Oil GL-4 75w-90 GL 4 - 08885-81026.
But since original working fluids are expensive, analogues can be used - the main thing is to adhere to the correct specification. According to API, this is GL4 or GL5. According to SAE - 75W-90.
Here is an excerpt from the manual.
For example, there is a good analogue - ZIC GFT 75w-90.
Automatic transmission
The 4-speed automatic transmission U340E, which is installed on cars in the E140/150 body, is filled with other brands of transmission oils. Here you need to focus on the ATF specification.
The manufacturer recommends filling the Toyota Corolla automatic transmission with original transmission oil ATF Type T-IV (for early models) or ATF WS (for later ones, red).
It is not recommended to mix these oils, so read the documentation for the machine before replacing the transmission.
As an analogue, you can use other oils, for example, Mobil ATF 3309, CASTROL Transmax or TOTAL FLUIDE XLD FE.
There are many similar oils for automatic transmissions on the market, so there is no point in listing them all, the main thing is that they fit the above specification (ATF), but it is still better to pour original oils.
Replacement can be made either partially or completely. In the first case, when the working fluid is not very dirty and the replacement is done manually, up to 4 liters may be needed. transmissions (at a standard of 8). With washing it will take a full 8.
In the second case, when the replacement takes place using a service device, you may need from 10 to 12 liters.
Variable speed drive
As for the Aisin K311 variator, which is installed on a car in the E150 body, Toyota CVT Fluid TC transmission fluid is poured here - according to article 08886-02105 (for warm climates) or Toyota CVT Fluid FE (for operation in low temperatures) in an amount of about 10 liters (you will need 3 cans of 4 liters each). TC oil is more viscous.
Robot
As for the oil in the Toyota Corolla X robot box, 1.9 or 2.4 (for a six-speed unit) liters of the original Genuine Manual Transmission Gear Oil LV is poured into it - article number 08885-81001. The same specifications are maintained here - according to API GL-4 and SAE 75.
There are analogues, for example, the German RAVENOL MTF-3 SAE 75W or Castrol Syntrax Longlife 75W-90, but it is still better to pour an analogue.
Checking the volume and condition of the oil
The volume of remaining oil, poured on the factory conveyor, is usually controlled with a special dipstick. It is located in the oil filler hole. It can be found in the engine compartment. The dipstick shows Max and Min marks, indicating the optimal or insufficient oil level. For example, it may be necessary to add fluid if it does not reach the Min mark. It is necessary to pour until the oil reaches the Max mark, but does not exceed it. Otherwise, the oil will have to be drained, and this will take a lot of time.
To understand that the oil has lost all its beneficial qualities, let’s check it by color, smell and composition. For example, bad oil is indicated by a dark brown color, cloudiness, as well as a specific odor and floating metal shavings. In general, any suspicious sediment indicates signs of mechanical wear. In addition, another fact is obvious that adding oil alone cannot do this. This will require a comprehensive replacement of the substance, and this must be done as soon as possible.
Toyota Corolla IX
The ninth generation Toyota Corolla in the E120 body was produced from 2000 to 2005.
The car with the 4ZZ-FE engine (97 hp - 1.4 l.) was equipped with only a manual transmission, and with the 3ZZ-FE engines (110 hp - 1.6 l.) and the forced 2ZZ-GE with VVT-L (215 l. .s. - 1.8 l.) - Automatic transmission.
As in the tenth generation, the general approach to choosing oil for replacement in gearboxes (manual and automatic) is the same. But there are some nuances here.
Manual transmission
As for manual transmissions, many recommend pouring original TOYOTA LV 75W oil here and this is, in principle, correct. To replace, immediately prepare at least 2 liters. (norm 1.9).
But you can take a different path. We already know that the manufacturer recommends filling the transmission with GL4 or GL5 oil (API specification).
But many car owners of Toyota Corolla in the E120 body, from their experience in operating the car, still recommend pouring only working fluids according to the GL4 specification into the manual transmission, since they have a beneficial effect on the operation of the synchronizers, which cannot be said about similar fluids GL5 (GL-4+), which have a more aggressive composition, have a detrimental effect on synchronizers and are better suited for bridges.
Also avoid oils with the prefix "HYPOID", for example, Toyota Hypoid Gear Oil 85W-90. These are hypoid oils and, as a rule, they are poured into gearboxes; they can also damage synchronizers. And they don’t fit the SAE specification (75W-90).
Many people praise the synthetic gear oil BARDAHL 75W90, as it has not proven itself badly, but it is still better to use analogues (our opinion).
Automatic transmission
As for automatic transmissions, they are filled with the same TOYOTA ATF Type T-IV (in a black can - article 08886-81015) or in a silver can - under article 08886-01705.
To replace, you need at least 8 liters. (with flushing), so you will have to take two 4 (5) liter canisters at once.
But if you carry out the replacement at a service center, then be prepared to pay for 12 liters since the replacement there takes place using a hardware method. In this case, the filling capacity can be 6.8/6.9/8.3 l. depending on the automatic transmission model.
What's new?
In this generation (2012-2018), the car’s appearance has become more expressive. The improved aerodynamic performance of Toyota https://www.toyota-kurgan.ru/ was ensured by the smoothness of the sedan's silhouette; as for the drag coefficient, it is only 0.28.
The increased wheelbase (10 cm longer) gave the model a sportier profile. This entailed an increase in length (+ 9.9 cm) and length (+ 1.6 cm), but the height of the car, on the contrary, decreased, by 1 cm at once, which was done deliberately - this makes the car look more aggressive.
In addition to this, the overhang indicators have changed: the rear has decreased by 2.4 cm, and the front has increased by 2.3 cm.
Toyota Corolla XI
Produced from May 2012 to July 2021 in E160, 170 and 180 bodies. Sedan - Corolla Axio, station wagon - Corolla Fielder. Read here about the restyled Toyota Corolla E170 sedan.
The car was equipped with transmissions: manual transmission and V-belt continuously variable variator MultiDrive S. Automatic transmission was not provided.
Let's look at what kind of oil needs to be poured into a Toyota Corolla box using the example of a model in the E180 body.
Manual Transmission
For manual transmissions of the eleventh generation Toyota Corolla, you must adhere to the specifications - API GL4 and SAE 75W. Filled volume – 2.4 l. In a new car, the manual transmission may immediately be filled with Toyota Genuine Manual Transmission Gear Oil Lv, you need to look at the documentation.
The best option is considered to be LV GL4 75W MT - article number 0888581001 or a complete analogue of the first Ravenol MTF 3 75w.
Variable speed drive
As for the Multidrive S variator, its filling capacity is 7.6 liters. Those. you will have to buy two 4 liter transmission canisters.
It is recommended to fill the variator only with original Toyota CVT Fluid FE oil for low temperatures or CVT Fluid TC for warm climates - article number 08886-02505.
As an analogue, you can use Ravenol CVT Fluid - article number 4014835648555.
There are many other options, for example, ZIC CVT Multi, KIXX CVTF, Castrol CVT Multi, but:
- According to reviews, the original oil is still considered better;
- There is no point in saving on a CVT, because its price can reach several thousand dollars, so use what the manufacturer recommends.
What kind of oil do you pour into the Toyota Corolla gearbox? Share your experience in the comments, many will be interested.
Period for changing the oil in a manual transmission
The oil change schedule for the manual transmission of a Toyota Corolla is 50-60 thousand km. The most accurate replacement period can be determined by the condition of the oil, which becomes unusable ahead of time due to difficult operating conditions (sharp starts and braking, frequent trips on bad and dusty roads, active operation of the gearbox in traffic light jams, etc.). Of course, in such conditions, timely checking of the oil is recommended, otherwise various problems may occur. For example, jerks and twitches appear, and in this case there is no question of any smooth gear shifting. This occurs due to overheating oil and transmission parts that are not lubricated or cooled properly. As a result, the effect of dry friction occurs, metal shavings and other wear products accumulate, which negatively affects the service life of the gearbox.
Also read: Oil for Toyota RAV4 CVT
