Multiple automatic transmissions?
 

I have a 2013 automatic FRS due for its 60k mile transmission fluid change.
As I had seen online that this process was lengthy and complicated, I brought it to a Toyota dealer this morning to have it done. I just got a call from a guy at the dealer saying that I had a "World Standard" transmission, and he explained it's a sealed transmission and it would be significantly more expensive to replace the fluid in this, and that I wouldn't need to do it until 100k miles. I explained the 60k mile interval for this and that I had seen others had done it online. He told me there are two different automatic transmissions used in this car. The Wikipedia page for the 86 only shows one automatic transmission (A960E). And looking at the specs for this transmission, one can clearly see a drain and fill plug.

Does anyone know why the dealer is telling me this and if it's correct? If the guy is wrong, is there somewhere I can refer him so he gets it?

This is wrong. Change your fluid asap!


I had my dealership tell me the same thing. Do not listen to them.

My car started shifting like crap @47K they tried to get me to not change it till 60k. I told them to do it and them walked out into the shop and talked directly to the mechanic. He told me "the fluid is dark, you totally need to change it, I have no idea why the salesman would say that to you" Direct from the certified toyota mechanic.

I had it changed again at 73K. I drive hard...


Good luck!

Thanks! Unfortunately I'm not there so I'm not sure what to tell him over the phone to get him to understand. Currently looking through the service manual. The other issue is I was originally quoted $190 for the fluid change, but now they are saying something like $450 since they think it's sealed. So I don't want to tell them to do it and then get charged more than double what I should be paying.

@James Russels
Do it your self, easy job. lots of DIY on this. typically you just need to do a drain and fill once every 25-30k, but if you want to do a full "flush" you have to do 4 drain and fills.

locate drain plug, overflow plug, and fill plug, pull drain plug till fluid stops flowing then replug, pull overflow plug and fill plug, fill fluid in fill plug until it starts draining from overflow plug, stop and plug overflow plug then fill plug, then start car and while idling with foot on brake slowly move shifter from Park through N to R to D and back through R-N-P, pausing for a 5 seconds at each one. Do this twice (should be about a minute procedure, maybe idle car for an additional minutes to let fluid circulate more) If you are doing a simple drain and fill you can now do the leveling procedure, if you are trying to do a full "flush" repeat all these steps 3 more times doing 3 more drain and fills for 4 total.

To do the leveling procedure warm trans fluid up to 108F but not over 115F,
pull fill plug then overflow plug and begin filling fill plug until the fluid draining from the overflow plug is a slow trickle. Then replug overflow plug then fill plug.

To get the trans temp just get a Scangauge II it is worth the investment, otherwise you have to do a complicated procedure that will double the time needed to do this that i do not feel like typing out. Scangauge will tell you exactly what your trans temp is so you can know when to start, and have someone watching to make sure it doesn't go over 117F, if it does you need to stop, plug everything and let it cool down and try again.

Which dealership? I'm in Chicago and know of a Toyota dealership that does it for ~$210 for our Auto trans.

Toyota 00289-ATFWS Lexus & Automatic Transmission Fluid WS ATF World Standard 9 quarts is about 70$

Also a lot of dealers will only do one drain and fill. And not a complete fluid replacement.

This is the Bob Rohrman Toyota in Lafayette, Indiana. The Schaumburg Toyota I bought the car at quoted something in the $300s so I took it here. Which dealership do you know that does it for $210?

The guy just called back saying he spoke with the mechanic and they can do it for $249. After he told me the reason for the increased price was because they had to do it at two different temperatures and also realizing he probably wasn't in charge of prices, I told him to go ahead and do it. I'll discuss the price when I pick the car up.

My buddy took his to Oaklawn Toyota. Give them a call if yours does not work out. Make sure it's a fluid change and not just a drain and fill.


That's weird. My friend took his ~460whp FRS there and he said they did everything correctly, following the tech manual they had. It was a pain in the ass to do, but he said they did it correctly and not just a drain and fill. I wasn't there to witness it in person, but I'll take his word on it since he knows his way around cars and does not mess around.

I hate the way some dealerships jerk you around.

My dealership told me that they couldn't get my car on the alignment rack because it was lowered 1".

Later, I find out that they cant get a stock height FR-S on their super old alignment rack. I was pissed that they lied to me.

Anyway...

OP, It sucks that they keep changing the price on you. I hope everything goes well when you pick up your car.

How much whp someone makes is irrelevant. And most people do this simple procedure themselves.

Also unless he watched them physically do 4 drain and fills, how would he know? The end result is no different besides having a much higher percentage of new vs old fluid. But like i said a lot of shops will just do a drain/fill/level and not a full drain/fill of the entire system which requires doing 4 drain and fills then leveling but they will still call it a transmission fluid change. Only way to know is if you watched them, or got the fluid tested right after. Some shops will do it correctly but 210$ plus sitting for 2h+ vs 70$ Easy 2h DIY.

Tell that to the dealership, who apparently needs it until tomorrow morning lol. I dropped it off at 8:00 a.m. today.

Thats why you just do it yourself. Many people myself included have done it. Its pretty easy. I already typed out a DIY for you.

K let me just break into the dealer and get my car back mid-fluid change, brb

I had mine in at the dealership, and had a full argument with the tech and service manager about if my FRS was lowered or not. I insisted it was not as I have to monster truck size wheel gap, but they thought it was too low.