Who's wrong, Me or Toyota?
 

So backstory - I called a few weeks back to discuss having my transmission serviced as Im getting close to the 50,000 Mile Mark. (Automatic)

On the phone, the service adviser told me that the Automatic transmission is SEALED and that the transmission fluid inside is never meant to be changed. Changing it could potentially harm the transmission and I should never let anyone convince me to change it. Although I appreciated his honesty, I know that's literal bullshit lol.

So I waited, went in today to speak to the service manager and someone from the service department themselves and I got the same issue. I went in and they called one of the mechanics and they gave me the same answer. I showed them in the service book where it shows a "R" for Replace at 60,000 for the ATF and they still told me no. They looked it up in their computers and they claim "2013-2015 FRS is a LIFETIME FLUID"

With how much I drive the car in manual mode like it's made to be driven I know eventually I'll have issues not servicing. I just feel like im literally being fucked by Toyota for not purchasing the Manual. The guy who was working the service department told me the process of doing the transmission is extremely intricate and one mistake could leave me "walking" which is extremely true, but I've heard stories of other people having it done.

So now, I'm torn between attempting to find another place to change it and maybe they'll ruin my car, OR drive it without changing and in another 20-30k i'll just need a new car.

I would try another dealer and see what they say. I believe you are right.

Well technically it is. If you never change the fluid, one day the transmission will die, so technically it lasted it's lifetime...Now if you want to extend it's lifetime...change the fluid.

I would find a new dealership.

Tell us the name of the dealership.
Also find a new dealership.

Call Toyota’s corporate customer care line and explain what you’ve been told by the dealer and ask for a clarification on their service recommendation. If they tell you the same thing the dealer did, ask to have them send you an e-mail with their recommendation in writing and then reply to the message indicating that you have concerns over the long-term reliability of a transmission that never needs maintenance - if something ever happens, at least you’ll have documentation that you wanted to maintain the transmission but they recommended against it. This won’t guarantee that they’re on the hook for replacement, but it may help you have them do it as a good will gesture.

The dealership is Toyota of Warrenton.

Their phone number is (540) 878-4100

Update: just got quoted at for a "Transmission Service" from Fredericksburg Toyota for $343.00 lol

Well I paid $107 for 2 gallons of Red Line when I did mine, Toyota WS is probably a bit cheaper... so ~$250 labor...that's pretty steep.

I'll be shopping around. Hoping that Corporate Toyota will work with me to contact my local dealer.

Were they maybe looking at some other Toyota.? Like you said it is a very clear "replace". There is also quite the long list of instructions on how to do it for something they say doesn't need to be done.

Get a couple of prices from some good transmission shops.

They were defo looking at my car, i had the service manual in hand. I don't know if it's something I want to outsource due to how complicated changing the ATF is in our vehicles. Also, if they mess it up they'll cover it because i still have my 6 year 60k powertrain.


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Ya if you have extended warranty then there is a plus side to sticking to the dealer. They will all be about the same price though since they consult a price list that is by the job not an a hourly rate plus materials.

Any reputable shop will do it right. Not ever single tech in the world is a fumbling moron contrary to what car forum users seem to think. A place specializing in transmission repairs does hundreds a week. They know what to do. If they don't know what to do they close down fast.

Yes, they are.

Dude, how many times have I told you to stop taking your cars to Bubba's Autoshop, Wings and Knick Knack Emporium?