Transmission flushing at home: Really easy, really effective

**msir1995** · 10-22-2007, 10:06 AM

If you change the transmission fluid using the "Gibbons Method", do you have to reset the Fluid Change Counter? In the procuedures I have from an online repair manual that I subscribe to, it speaks of resetting the Fluid Change Counter. Also, is the Toyota T-IV Transmission the correct fluid to use in XC if changing out the entire system as PierreC did. Or is it best to used Volvo oil since it the "Gibbons Method" may not clear everything out.

**PierreC** · 10-23-2007, 08:19 AM

Originally Posted by msir1995

If you change the transmission fluid using the "Gibbons Method", do you have to reset the Fluid Change Counter? In the procuedures I have from an online repair manual that I subscribe to, it speaks of resetting the Fluid Change Counter. Also, is the Toyota T-IV Transmission the correct fluid to use in XC if changing out the entire system as PierreC did. Or is it best to used Volvo oil since it the "Gibbons Method" may not clear everything out.

msir1995 I had asked the same question before I decided to use the T-IV ATF, and all the answers came back positive. Btw, in order to get as much as possible if not all the old ATF out (7.5 litres of the stuff) I pumped through 16.1 litres of the new ...

**msir1995** · 10-26-2007, 09:08 AM

Is there enough ground clearance to get to the transmission drain plug, or do you have to jack up the car?

**gibbons** · 10-26-2007, 10:01 AM

Jacking it up makes it a lot easier to get plastic fairing thingy off (that covers the bottom of the engine, trans, CV shafts, etc). Then the car can be lowered back down so the draining fluid doesn't have to drop as far (less potential splashing). Absolutely have it flat on the ground to check the fluid.

**msir1995** · 10-26-2007, 01:04 PM

Is the transmission drain plug crush washer the same size as the engine oil ??

**Pennhaven** · 10-26-2007, 04:22 PM

Originally Posted by msir1995

Is there enough ground clearance to get to the transmission drain plug, or do you have to jack up the car?

I was able to do mine without raising the car. I am 6'1", 180 lb. If you are much heavier than that you will probably need to lift the car. It was a stretch to get to the rear bolts for the under shield, but it still would not have worth the trouble to jack up the car in my case.

**BillAileo** · 10-26-2007, 04:47 PM

Originally Posted by msir1995

Is the transmission drain plug crush washer the same size as the engine oil ??

Yep, its the same size.

Bill

**msir1995** · 10-27-2007, 07:37 PM

Gibbons, PierreC, JRL and others

Well, I changed my transmission fluid today using the Gibbons method. I have driven the care about 25 miles and shifts seem to be getting less harsh. At 115K and not knowing if the fluid has ever been changed, needless to say, it was dark brown. In all I used about 15.3 quarts and was able to get a wholesale price of $3.80 per quart for the T-IV ATF fluid at our local Toyota dealer. I checked with our Vovlo dealer and not sure if they would have given me a price break. The girl at the parts counter let me see her screen and it is crazy what they charge for each quart. The retail price is about $19 per quart and cost is around $9 per quart. I just don't get it, Mobil 3309 is designed for Vovlo 5 speed automatics aisin warner transmissions and Toyota transmissions that take T-IV fluid. Why the large price difference, I don't know. I just hope that my transmission will not self destruct with the T-IV fluid. The service folks kept discouraging the tranmission change out. I am almost convinced that they are leveraging Volvo's instructions to never change the fluid unless towing a trailer. While at the same time, realizing that you have to service a tranmission regualry and no such thing as lifetime fluid. I just wonder that if the dealer wants the tranmission to fail so that they can obtain the work in the future. anyways, hopefully this will do the trick. Thanks again

**PierreC** · 10-28-2007, 05:54 AM

msir1995:

Congratulations on taking the plunge ...

It is now a week since I had changed my car's transmission fluid and the shifts are actually getting smoother as time goes on. There was an immediate improvement after the flush, but a week later there has definitely been a further improvement.

I hope that you will have the same experience!

This was my first tranny flush (at 109.000 km - almost 70.000 miles) and I will do the next one at 180.000 km. That is the scheduled time for the cambelt replacement, i.e. it is a "big" service anyway, so I may just as well do a transmission flush too.

On using T-IV: In another thread [Transmission Service -What Do You Think] I had posted a quote form the Mobil 3309 technical specification brochure, which effectively states that Mobil 3309 can be used in applications where T-IV is prescribed (Lexus, Toyota). I presumed that the converse applies and that T-IV can be used where Mobil 3309 is approved ... so I am not overly worried by the fact that I had used T-IV.

**MoeB** · 10-28-2007, 06:35 AM

Originally Posted by PierreC

On using T-IV: In another thread [Transmission Service -What Do You Think] I had posted a quote form the Mobil 3309 technical specification brochure, which effectively states that Mobil 3309 can be used in applications where T-IV is prescribed (Lexus, Toyota). I presumed that the converse applies and that T-IV can be used where Mobil 3309 is approved ... so I am not overly worried by the fact that I had used T-IV.

By this logic, Castrol Import Multivehicle ATF should also be OK since it can be used where T-IV is required. However, it says "Volvo (except 5 speed)" in the recommended use list. I am not saying T-IV is not suitable in the AW 5550 (I believe it is), just that you cannot use converse applicability since ATFs are often backward compatible with fluids that will not work in the same applications the newer ATF will.

on edit: Since Castrol Multivehicle appears to now be JWS 3309 compliant (see below), change my analogy to Toyota T-3 instead.