Toyota Corolla 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.8, 2.0, 2.2 automatic transmission oil, how much and what kind is required?

The Toyota Corolla series of compact Japanese cars dates back to 1966, when the first generation of this line was presented. This model range is unique not only because it is still in production. It can also boast of being included in the Guinness Book of Records, as these vehicles were recognized as the best-selling cars in the world. At the moment, there are 12 generations of Toyota Corolla, which were equipped exclusively with mechanical, automatic 4-speed and 5-speed robotic transmissions. Therefore, next we will talk about oil for the Toyota Corolla automatic transmission, discuss its factory specifications, and also give examples of original and analog products.

Automatic transmission oil for Toyota Corolla

About approvals The following
were installed as automatic transmissions on the Toyota Corolla line of compact cars:

• 4-speed automatic transmission A240L/A241H/A245E
• 4-speed automatic U240E/U340E/U341E
• 5-speed robot C50A

As a transmission fluid, according to the recommendation of the car manufacturer, it is necessary to fill them with oil approved by ATF Type T-IV, Type WS or MTG Oil LV API GL-4 SAE 75W (depending on the modification of the machine). It is also worth understanding that these vehicles were also equipped with CVTs, information about which can be found here (link) .

Select your Toyota Corolla model:

Toyota Corolla automatic oil A240L/A241H/A245E (4 gears)

One of the first automatic transmissions, which was equipped with earlier Toyota Corolla models, is the Aisin Warner 4-speed hydromechanical automatic of modifications A240L, A241H and A245E. This 240 series was equipped with many models of this line from 1993 to 2008. Accordingly, when servicing them, it is necessary to purchase oil with an ATF Type T-IV or Type WS approval. At the same time, Toyota recommends using transmission fluid with ATF Type T-IV approval in models produced before 2005, and oil with Type WS specification after 2005. This can be either the original Japanese products Toyota ATF Type T-IV, Toyota Type WS, or its substitutes Neste ATF Multi, Wolf Ecotech Multivehicle ATF FE and many others.

Level control and required volume

While operating a Toyota Corolla, you should regularly monitor the oil level in the box.

On a new car, it is necessary to control the amount of lubricant after 50 thousand kilometers. On cars older than five years, the inspection frequency is every 20 thousand kilometers traveled or once a year.

The oil level in the Corolla automatic transmission can be checked using a special dipstick installed in the transmission housing. With a cold engine, the volume of lubricant should be no less than about on the dipstick rod. After the box has completely warmed up, without turning off the engine, you need to make sure that the amount of fluid is at the o level. If the oil volume is insufficient, it is necessary to add it and find out the reason for the decrease.

Probe rod with marks

The full filling capacity of a Toyota car box depends on the country where the cars are delivered. Four-speed automatic transmissions Corolla 120 and 150 for European regions hold 3.8–4.0 liters of lubricant. Cars for the Japanese domestic market - Spasio and Fielder are equipped with all-wheel drive, so their gearbox crankcases are more capacious and hold about 8 liters of fluid.

Transmission fluid in automatic transmission Toyota Corolla U240E/U340E/U341E (4 gears)

The latest Toyota Corolla models from 2006 to 2014 (after which CVTs were installed) were equipped with a 4-speed Aisin Warner automatic transmission of modifications U240E, U340E, U341E, which during its operation prefers transmission fluid with Type WS approval. Toyota Type WS, Total Fluidmatic LV MV, Petro-Canada DuraDrive MV Synthetic ATF and others have this specification.

Detailed photo instructions for the car enthusiast

Fig.1 Location of the drain plug

Rice. 2 Replacing the ring on the drain plug

Rice. 3 Oil to change

Rice. 4 Location of the automatic transmission filler neck

Rice. 5 Cover-pan automatic transmission Toyon Corolla

Rice. 6 Cover removed

Rice.
7 Toyon Corolla automatic transmission oil filter When replacing the filter, install a new gasket under it!

Rice. 8 Mounting bolts and filter mounting hole

Rice. 9 Used oil (waste oil) – “hero of the occasion”

The four-speed gearbox on the Toyota Carolla is considered almost “indestructible”. The first oil change is scheduled after 150,000 km under good road conditions. In Russia, it is better to make this replacement every 50,000 km.

1. Specialized devices are used;
2. Replace with partial draining and adding new oil of the same brand in a percentage ratio of 1:3 without replacing the filter. Please note that this is a temporary measure, and if possible, it is recommended to perform a complete replacement;
3. Carry out a complete oil change yourself by removing the pan and installing a filter purchased at a car store.

Changing the oil in the Toyota Fielder variator.

Oil for Toyota Corolla robot

Also installed on the Toyota Corolla line was a 5-speed C50A robotic transmission, working in tandem with the 1.6 liter 1ZR-FE. Accordingly, the Japanese automaker recommends filling this robot with transmission fluid with MTG Oil LV API GL-4 SAE 75W approval. Therefore, it is worth purchasing both the original Toyota Gear Oil LV 75W MT and its analogues RAVENOL MTF-3 SAE 75W, CASTROL SYNTRANS B 75W.

Replacement frequency

Automatic transmissions installed on various cars, including the Toyota model range, are more complex designs compared to manual transmissions. They have a large number of moving elements that necessarily require effective lubrication. Otherwise, they will begin to wear out, and this will lead to serious damage. Therefore, the role of high-quality gear oil cannot be underestimated. At the same time, this liquid performs several functions:

• dissipates heat;
• transmits torque in torque converters;
• lubricates the teeth of rubbing and moving surfaces;
• contributes to the correct and smooth operation of the automatic transmission.

First of all, remember that in automatic transmissions it is strictly forbidden to use transmission lubricants intended for manual transmissions. To change automatic transmission oil on Toyota cars, only special ATF fluids are allowed. This is a mineral or synthetic based oil with the addition of an additive package. Since the composition of transmission oils is complex, under conditions of active use of the gearbox and increased load, the process of its aging begins. That is, the lubricant loses its original properties and characteristics. In this situation, a change is required.

For Japanese cars, the factory provides for oil changes in Toyota automatic transmissions at certain intervals. For each specific model, the factory recommends a specific period. But it is fair to note that the service interval indicated in the operating manual is conditional. It is calculated based on the gentle operating mode of the automatic transmission. That is, the factory assumes that you brake smoothly, accelerate carefully, and do not make sudden transitions from gear to gear. In fact, replacement periods are much shorter. Under the influence of various factors, the rate of oil wear increases, which requires a reduction in the interval between oil changes.

The following can affect the reduction in the service life of transmission oil on Toyota cars with automatic transmission:

• transportation of heavy cargo and a large number of people;
• trailer towing;
• poor quality of road surface;
• driving on snow, gravel, sand and dirt roads;
• excessively hot climate;
• low air temperatures;
• regular use of the car in urban environments, where you have to stand in traffic jams for a long time and often change gears.

Under gentle conditions, the period for changing the oil in an automatic transmission is up to 120 thousand kilometers. If there are certain factors causing lubricant wear, it is recommended to reduce the interval to 80 thousand kilometers. Toyota cars equipped with an automatic transmission, but produced in 2000 or earlier, are best serviced at least once after every 30 - 40 thousand kilometers. If you violate these recommendations and continue to operate a car with old transmission oil for more than 100 - 150 thousand kilometers, you will encounter serious breakdowns and possible complete failure of the automatic transmission. Despite all their reliability and durability, even branded Japanese-made machines cannot withstand such long-term operation on oil, which has already lost its properties and characteristics.

Checking the condition of the lubricant and monitoring the level

If you have experience checking the engine oil level and monitoring transmission lubrication levels, there will be no problems. But this procedure has its own characteristics. Therefore, to check the oil level in an automatic transmission on a Toyota, follow several rules and consistency in your actions. All Toyotas have a special dipstick with which you can control the amount and condition of ATF lubricant. But simply pulling it out and looking at the marks will not work to correctly assess the condition. The motorist must know what the level on the dipstick should be and what to do when the oil level does not meet Toyota’s factory requirements. Japanese cars have a dipstick with two measuring scales. They are designated as Cool and Hot. The first is conditional, since it only allows you to roughly estimate the oil level in the automatic transmission crankcase. An accurate check should be carried out using the Hot marks.

For a correct assessment you need to do the following:

• start the engine;
• let it warm up to operating temperature (about 90 degrees Celsius);
• switch the automatic transmission to different positions, driving oil through the system;
• stop the engine;
• find the dipstick under the hood and remove it;
• wipe the dipstick with a lint-free cloth;
• put it back in and take it out again after a few seconds.

Now look at the location of the transmission oil mark. If the level is approximately in the middle of the Hot scale, this is considered normal for an automatic transmission. When the oil does not reach this mark or exceeds it too much, then you will need to add or drain a certain amount of lubricant. It is wrong to think that a high oil level in an automatic transmission on Toyota cars is not dangerous. When the amount of lubricant exceeds the norm, the liquid reaches the rotating elements, due to which the foaming process begins. This threatens to reduce the service life of the box, violate the temperature regime, deteriorate the quality of gear shifting, etc. Also, the foamed oil will begin to increase in volume, and the excess will be released through the breather. As a result, the entire automatic transmission will be covered in oil.

How to change the oil in a Toyota Corolla automatic transmission

Partial oil change in a Toyota Corolla automatic transmission is not a complex technical operation. Accordingly, any average motorist can implement it by following these steps:

• place the vehicle on a lift or inspection hole
• remove the engine protection
• unscrew the drain plug from the bottom of the machine
• drain the old oil
• dismantle the machine tray
• change the oil filter and consumables
• fill the purchased transmission fluid according to the level

Changing the oil in the automatic transmission of Toyota Corolla A240L/A241H/A245E

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:

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.

Step-by-step instructions for changing the oil

Let's look at the question of how to properly change the oil in a Toyota. To carry out the procedure correctly, there is a certain algorithm of actions. Before changing the transmission fluid, you need to start the car, warm up the engine to operating temperature, placing the car on a viewing hole or a lift.

Then, remove the drain plug and drain the waste product from the pan. When some of the liquid comes out, you will need to slightly loosen the bolts holding the pan. There are only 19 by 10 mm. Next, unscrew 17 bolts, leaving 2 pieces located oppositely.

We insert a wooden wedge into the gap formed between the crankcase and the pan, and disconnect the parts.

Important!

During the procedure, pay special attention to the sealing gasket of the pan. We try not to damage it.

We unscrew the remaining 2 bots and remove the pallet, pointing it to the side. This will make it possible to release it as quickly and completely as possible.

We dismantle the magnetic cover of the differential box and drain the lubricant. Carefully wash the pan and all plugs using gasoline. Particular attention must be paid to the magnets that catch chips. They are located on the pallet body. We unscrew 3 bolts with a diameter of 10 mm that hold the filter and change the device.

We perform the assembly in reverse order: the pallet is mounted back. To tighten tightly, the bolts are twisted crosswise. New product is poured through the dipstick hole. Up to 3.5 liters of oil is required. Be sure to check that there are no leaks through the sealing gasket and plug. The procedure for a Toyota automatic transmission is performed with the vehicle stationary. The process must be completed three times.

We start the power unit again to warm up the box. After which, we move the gear selector to all positions. Each one should take 10-20 seconds.

So, step by step, you can independently change the old oil to a new one. How to check the transmission fluid level in a Toyota automatic transmission: more on that below.