Gearbox Oil Change T27 Avensis Estate 1.8 Petrol

[MrAurisT]

Afternoon and apologies if this has been asked before. The gearchange on my car is the nicest, most precise of any car I think I have ever owned to be fair. Is there a need to change the gearbox oil, or are they this 'sealed for life' idea (never believe in it myself)? Just looking for opinions and if anyone has done it, a walk through please.  Many thanks.

[Cyker]

There should be a service schedule for it somewhere; I think it was like 60,000 miles or something like that for most Toyotas?

If your dealer aren't awful, could try calling them as they should know, or at least be able to find out .

It can be a bit risky tho', as I had the gearbox oil changed in my Mk2 and then it failed something like a year later and I can't help wondering if they put the wrong oil in or otherwise messed something up...

 

[2009joe]

5 hours ago, Cyker said:

There should be a service schedule for it somewhere; I think it was like 60,000 miles or something like that for most Toyotas?

If your dealer aren't awful, could try calling them as they should know, or at least be able to find out .

It can be a bit risky tho', as I had the gearbox oil changed in my Mk2 and then it failed something like a year later and I can't help wondering if they put the wrong oil in or otherwise messed something up...

 

i bought genuine toyota gearbox oil from Toyota deller the other day to do mine byt my car is a 2.0d4d one with 51k on it so think its as you say good to 60k but think il do it next year i bought one f those wee pumps that this video of scotty here has 

 

[MrAurisT]

I have heard that if its an auto box you should change the fluid more frequently, but, mine is a manual 6 speed box. With previous older cars I have owned, I have changed the gearbox oil. I did it (for example) on my wife's and sons manual Mini's when they had done about 90k. It was surprising how 'bad' the oil looked coming out. I also did it to my last car, a 2008 X Type Diesel Jag estate, manual box at about 100k. Again, it looked dreadful. Just wondering if anyone has on their Toyota.

[JiiN]

Toyota service guy told me that T27 manual gearbox oil change is at 100k (kilometers). I changed mine at 110k and old oil was pretty dark and there wasn't that much oil from factory as there should be. I bought new oil from Toyota dealership.

[TonyHSD]

Toyota usually does not recommend gearbox oil change at any mileage, however they do recommend oil check on most of their models at every 40k miles. You can change the oil if you like at anytime or any mileage over 60k but it is important to only use exact same oil spec, preferably genuine Toyota oil bought from a dealer. Also very important when filling up new oil Not to overfill, more oil in transmission cause more trouble than less oil. Once you have drain the transmission you can measure the old oil quantity and if within the car spec just refill the same amount, minimising the risk of overfilling. 👍

[JiiN]

1 hour ago, TonyHSD said:

Toyota usually does not recommend gearbox oil change at any mileage, however they do recommend oil check on most of their models at every 40k miles. You can change the oil if you like at anytime or any mileage over 60k but it is important to only use exact same oil spec, preferably genuine Toyota oil bought from a dealer. Also very important when filling up new oil Not to overfill, more oil in transmission cause more trouble than less oil. Once you have drain the transmission you can measure the old oil quantity and if within the car spec just refill the same amount, minimising the risk of overfilling. 👍

There are two filler plugs at T27 manual transmission. Toyota service guy from Toyota dealer told me to open them both and fill oil from top one until oil comes out at lower plug and then oil quantity is right. He even told me that oil quantity can be lower from factory that it should be. Ofcourse car needs to be leveled (not jacked up at front) when refilling transmission.

And that Toyota does not recommend gearbox oil change is nonsense. My last service was bigger (coolant, brakefluid etc.) so I got my car to Toyota dealer to let them to do it and first thing they asked was that have gearbox oil ever changed because it is at service program and I didn't order it.

Edit: Gearbox oil change is in service program here in Finland. I don't know how it goes in other countries.

[2009joe]

9 hours ago, TonyHSD said:

Toyota usually does not recommend gearbox oil change at any mileage, however they do recommend oil check on most of their models at every 40k miles. You can change the oil if you like at anytime or any mileage over 60k but it is important to only use exact same oil spec, preferably genuine Toyota oil bought from a dealer. Also very important when filling up new oil Not to overfill, more oil in transmission cause more trouble than less oil. Once you have drain the transmission you can measure the old oil quantity and if within the car spec just refill the same amount, minimising the risk of overfilling. 👍

that video i have linked of scotty is good but the problem is what if the gearbox looses oil so migt be less in it how would anyone know is the right amount to put in it .i got my gearbox oil from  genuine Toyota dealer he gave me 3 1l bottles of oil 

[TonyHSD]

32 minutes ago, 2009joe said:

that video i have linked of scotty is good but the problem is what if the gearbox looses oil so migt be less in it how would anyone know is the right amount to put in it .i got my gearbox oil from  genuine Toyota dealer he gave me 3 1l bottles of oil 

You are right. If the gearbox is leaking there will be traces then if the drained oil is not close to the specs 3ltr for example then you may need to look to fix the leaks first and then change the oil.
Measuring the oil out and then filling up the same amount it’s just like extra precaution or extra step let say about doing things right like a pro. 
Sometimes I change the oil then use the old 3x 1ltr bottles to store the old oil and the measurements add up correctly. 

[Guest]

We did this on my old Fiat. Can't say it did much but it definitely had not been done, had to order from a specialist supplier to get the correct stuff, would 100% do the same from Toyota, get it directly and not a 'good as' option (some other brand dealers local to me had admitted to running to the local auto factors for some parts sadly). Can't fault our Toyota dealer yet though. 

Surely over the years micro bits of metal break off inside the gearbox and probably the oil gets less efficient at dispersing heat too, so well worth a change. 

For my 2018 D4D Avensis 6 speed manual they prescribe 'LV Gear Oil API GL-4' - maybe it's the same for yours / same across the range?  Good luck 

[2009joe]

3 hours ago, SB1500 said:

We did this on my old Fiat. Can't say it did much but it definitely had not been done, had to order from a specialist supplier to get the correct stuff, would 100% do the same from Toyota, get it directly and not a 'good as' option (some other brand dealers local to me had admitted to running to the local auto factors for some parts sadly). Can't fault our Toyota dealer yet though. 

Surely over the years micro bits of metal break off inside the gearbox and probably the oil gets less efficient at dispersing heat too, so well worth a change. 

For my 2018 D4D Avensis 6 speed manual they prescribe 'LV Gear Oil API GL-4' - maybe it's the same for yours / same across the range?  Good luck 

This is the oil I got from donnley and taggert Toyota .genuine stuff for my car Shane 

[Guest]

On 12/6/2022 at 8:34 PM, 2009joe said:

This is the oil I got from donnley and taggert Toyota .genuine stuff for my car Shane 

That's the exact stuff I need Joe! 

What price did they charge? 

I was going to ring them tomorrow and check as I've found they're pretty on par with Toyota's eBay store without the delivery fee or wait time. 

I was also, for the fun of it, going to check how much they'd charge to change it - I paid them to do the coolant and brake fluid earlier this year when it was getting the EGR cooler recall about £50 each one. 

Did you change the gear oil yourself, and if so how was it? Any unnecessarily difficult steps?  And did it make a difference to the gear change or just 'good to know it's done' sort of maintenance

[2009joe]

16 minutes ago, SB1500 said:

That's the exact stuff I need Joe! 

What price did they charge? 

I was going to ring them tomorrow and check as I've found they're pretty on par with Toyota's eBay store without the delivery fee or wait time. 

I was also, for the fun of it, going to check how much they'd charge to change it - I paid them to do the coolant and brake fluid earlier this year when it was getting the EGR cooler recall about £50 each one. 

Did you change the gear oil yourself, and if so how was it? Any unnecessarily difficult steps?  And did it make a difference to the gear change or just 'good to know it's done' sort of maintenance

tbh i cant remember how much i paid got 3  bottles and its still here as i have not put  it into my car yet i just didnt get around to it plus my car only got on it 52k  .guess about 60k is good time but i will do it sooner i never asked how much they charge to put it in but id say cant be hard just 2 bolts and loosen the fill one first then empty out whats in the box and fill the exact same amount back in .my car is clean but i want to do gear oil as want to look after the car 

[Guest]

On 12/8/2022 at 10:21 PM, 2009joe said:

tbh i cant remember how much i paid got 3  bottles and its still here as i have not put  it into my car yet i just didnt get around to it plus my car only got on it 52k  .guess about 60k is good time but i will do it sooner i never asked how much they charge to put it in but id say cant be hard just 2 bolts and loosen the fill one first then empty out whats in the box and fill the exact same amount back in .my car is clean but i want to do gear oil as want to look after the car 

I'd say it's not difficult in theory but the access would be hard? And doesn't the car need to be on level ground / not at an angle to get the level right?    I'm going to ring up on Monday and ask to see, if it's £50 or less I'll let them do it 

[2009joe]

2 hours ago, SB1500 said:

I'd say it's not difficult in theory but the access would be hard? And doesn't the car need to be on level ground / not at an angle to get the level right?    I'm going to ring up on Monday and ask to see, if it's £50 or less I'll let them do it 

Well half thinking if u take out all the oil and measure it and put in the exact oil again new stuff should be fine unless your gearbox is leaking gear oil. I seen that video of Scotty kilmer on YouTube which a wheel is taken off and the plastic trim where engine is that will give you access to the both nuts .but tbh if Toyota  dealer charge £50 might be tempted myself 

[Oisin]

1 hour ago, 2009joe said:

Well half thinking if u take out all the oil and measure it and put in the exact oil again new stuff should be fine unless your gearbox is leaking gear oil. I seen that video of Scotty kilmer on YouTube which a wheel is taken off and the plastic trim where engine is that will give you access to the both nuts .but tbh if Toyota  dealer charge £50 might be tempted myself 

You can just fill until oil starts coming back out the fill hole.  I doubt a dealer will cost £50 or less.  I had an Auris done at a dealer before and the cost was around €100.

[2009joe]

1 hour ago, Oisin said:

You can just fill until oil starts coming back out the fill hole.  I doubt a dealer will cost £50 or less.  I had an Auris done at a dealer before and the cost was around €100.

well tbh there is no exact amount i can find anywhere that is the right amount if im doing mine im going to just take out whats in mine and put in the same amount exactually .as tbh i dont fancy risking it making a mistake and putting to much oil in there and doing more damage. i watched that scotty youtube video on it and think i might follow his way it seems easy enough and plus it wont matter if the car is jacked up as long as the same amount of  oil goes in but i will make the car level and see if the oil comes out of the top fill hole and see if thats is the right level to go buy. just kina makes me wonder when scotty says put in the same amount that came out. well my car has 52k on the clock so be interesting the colour and smell of it when i change it 

[Seb_90]

Hi all,

 

The only gear box oil I can see on eBay Toyota Store for my car is this one:  Gear Box Transmission Oil LV 75W MT 1 Litre 0888581001

However the dealer repair manual says it should be 75W-90 which I can't find anywhere.

I will try to give Toyota a call tomorrow and ask.

[TonyHSD]

The 75w90 is probably discontinued by the manufacturer and 75w is used as equivalent replacement. Most important is to be exact spec by GL-4 or GL-5. Applications where GL-4 is required GL-5 can’t be used as there is a risk of corrosion on certain components. 

[paul9]

I seem to recall the 75/90 was specified for the gearbox on my D4D diesel. The straight 75 weight may be the petrol model gearbox oil. Not absolutely sure, though. It was a decent while ago. It may be worth checking further into.

[avensis_2018]

No need to change the gearbox oil.

why put your self in a danger from the first time ... just dont touch it.

 

[Seb_90]

11 hours ago, avensis_2018 said:

No need to change the gearbox oil.

why put your self in a danger from the first time ... just dont touch it.

 

 

Do you think 18 years old oil which was running for 145k miles will have the same viscosity and lubrication levels as new one? I know toyota says not to replace it but I just can't get my head around how an oil can last that long.

[avensis_2018]

the gear oil here act like a coller + area part friction, not as engine oil that got dirt and burn with the moving parts. , the gear box oil don't need to be change ever, because of this.

think of it as the blue liquid in a computer cooler system, or the liquid inside tesla electric engine, those are for life, never need to be change, how is that ?!

why you think you don't have a filter there, only metal filter that you never change, same as fuel pump filter, never need to be change in toyota,  i open some gear box of toyota, its like new inside, zero dirt on filter even after long long time.

just don't touch it. put your self on other things 🙂

[TonyHSD]

There are theories on both sides wether to change or not change transmission fluid on cars. Generally speaking any oil in any application will need replacement at some point. These include the electric cars too but at longer intervals. Transmission and differential oils needs change too. The “filled for life” terminology means really until manufacturer warranty expires and then it’s on you.  As you said oil works as cooler and transfers heat which means the oil gets hot and in some cases very hot which will be cooked and then with the time and repeatedly heating up the oil will deteriorate and change its viscosity, lubricity and general properties, it can even change completely and become something like between oil, sludge and grease solution that will starve the gears and bearings and cause greater wear and break down. 60-80k miles on any Toyota car it’s a good time to check and replace transmission fluid even if not extremely necessary. For some automatic transmission it’s mandatory to keep everything working, for those that it’s not , still a good idea to do it. 
In my 1.8 hybrid first change was at 80k miles and the oil was darker, not bad but significantly different from the new one, then after few more changes at 60k miles intervals and the oil remains cleaner than the first change and the transmission works perfectly fine without any noises or issues after 12 years and 236000 miles. Similar models at this age and mileage may had never have transmission fluid change and still operating ok but I don’t mind doing an easy and cheap work as extra precaution. We also have a car in the family that is. 22 years old at 140k miles and never had a transmission fluid change and it will never have until repair needed. 

[Cyker]

Oil can last a long time if it's within tolerance.

Engine oil needs frequent change because it's constantly subjected to extreme temperature differences and gets contaminated with fuel and combustion gases.

Gear oil has a much easier life as it's in a closed system, and as long as it doesn't get overheated, will last much longer as it just has to lubricate. It will need changing eventually depending on the quality of the oil and how well the gearbox is designed tho', but this can also cause problems (I still have a strong suspicion they used the wrong oil in my Mk2 which was partly responsible for it failing...).

It's riskiest in wet clutch systems, as a lot of the clutch material can end up in the oil, where it still allows them to function properly, but when it's drained and replaced the gearbox ends up failing because the clutch packs no longer have sufficient clutch material to work properly and burn out, requiring the clutch pack to be refurbished!