Rav4 2003 Automatic

[ellyrav4]

Please can anyone tell me when do I need to have the AUTOMATIC box oil change?
Do i need to change differential /transfer box change too? how often how much ?

My car has done 72000 miles

Regards,

Elly

[Big Kev]

Deffintootly change the rear diff and tranny box oils, Elly.......wife's car quietened down no end when these and gearbox oils done not long ago. Do a wee search on recent automatic transmission fluid posting and you will find two distinct camps of renew and not renew, with claims of possible gearbox ruination by changing it. Believe me......my 2012 auto box will be having its fluid renewed when required.

[ANNAWONG]

Always agree with Big Kev Elly, he can be very ferocious when crossed!

Me, I have transfer box, rear diff. and the auto transmission oil changed around 20,000 to 25,000 miles. Some say to leave the transmission oil forever? but I am not in that school.

In the USA, the recommendation is to change as I have indicated. Quite why the Toyota dealers do not recommend the same in the UK, I cannot say. Regular oil changes at this duration are far less costly than refurbishing (or replacing!) either the diffs. or the auto transmission.

Finally, find a good Transmission Engineering servicing and repair company to do the work, rather than 'just a garage' or a Main Dealer. They will know exactly what lubricant and additives to include when oil changing and charge you a sensible figure.

Good luck! Let us know how you get on.

[firemac]

Always agree with Big Kev Elly, he can be very ferocious when crossed!

Me, I have transfer box, rear diff. and the auto transmission oil changed around 20,000 to 25,000 miles. Some say to leave the transmission oil forever? but I am not in that school.

In the USA, the recommendation is to change as I have indicated. Quite why the Toyota dealers do not recommend the same in the UK, I cannot say. Regular oil changes at this duration are far less costly than refurbishing (or replacing!) either the diffs. or the auto transmission.

Finally, find a good Transmission Engineering servicing and repair company to do the work, rather than 'just a garage' or a Main Dealer. They will know exactly what lubricant and additives to include when oil changing and charge you a sensible figure.

Good luck! Let us know how you get on.

"Quite why the Toyota dealers do not recommend the same in the UK, I cannot say."

Interestingly however, the label on the autobox dipsticks on both our previous 4.2 autos had a label saying ATF did NOT require to be changed. So presumably it's not the GB dealers who are responsible but Toyota in Japan.

[Parts-King]

It's only Landcruiser and GT86 that has an interval for changing the auto trans oil, there is no recommendation on mileage/time for any other model

But just because you don't have to change it doesnt mean you can't. I don't subscribe to that nonsense and personally believe it would be OK to change, if it was my car, i would!

Kingo

[firemac]

It's only Landcruiser and GT86 that has an interval for changing the auto trans oil, there is no recommendation on mileage/time for any other model

But just because you don't have to change it doesnt mean you can't. I don't subscribe to that nonsense and personally believe it would be OK to change, if it was my car, i would!

Kingo

Any idea why only LC's & GT86's are mandated and not the rest of the range? There must be a reason.

[Parts-King]

No idea lol I just took a look at our fixed price service matrix and every model (apart from GT86 and L/C) are listed as N/A

Not looked too deeply into it as you can tell :D:

Different type of ATF used maybe???

[firemac]

No idea lol I just took a look at our fixed price service matrix and every model (apart from GT86 and L/C) are listed as N/A

Not looked too deeply into it as you can tell :D:

Different type of ATF used maybe???

Perhaps. I've asked in several MrT's over the years and not one could find anything in the service scedules nor could they offer any recommendations.

Seems odd given MrT's focus on quality & reliability.

[Big Kev]

No idea lol I just took a look at our fixed price service matrix and every model (apart from GT86 and L/C) are listed as N/A

Not looked too deeply into it as you can tell :D:

Different type of ATF used maybe???

Perhaps. I've asked in several MrT's over the years and not one could find anything in the service scedules nor could they offer any recommendations.

Seems odd given MrT's focus on quality & reliability.

Once saw the workshop of an indie transmission specialist......NHS eat yer heart out......he will be changing my transmission fluid when time comes. Kingo min......could you ask around trade when would that be....?

[Parts-King]

When would what be Big Boy??

[ANNAWONG]

Mine has Dextron 4 with additional pressure additives! (The autobox.)

Recommended by the Transmission Specialists who do any work I need on autobox, transfer box or rear diff.

Works like a charm.......

[Big Kev]

When would what be Big Boy??

Suggested time/ miles for fluid change ya maddie....!

[ellyrav4]

Hi Many thanks for all your advice so far and I will be looking into changing the automatic fluid soon.

Regards

Elly