Automatic Transmission (AT) Information and Upgrade Thread

[wlfpck]

I don't remember where I read it... but the IS (excluding the IS-F) has a very non-racing transmission programming.

What this means is that when the car is placed into the Sequential Manual Mode (using paddle shift), the mode actually behaves more as a top gear limiter. The shifts are very slow, etc. etc. There is a chance that it could be the same. I am not sure.

I have also read somewhere that the programming is similar (slight modifications) to the IS-F programming.

None of these sources really had parts lists, tear downs, etc. so it is all speculative.

[UncleFester]

In my eyes it is a whole new transmission. It may be conceptually based and parts sourced from many of the transmissions discussed here. We just won't know until someone breaks one apart and does a side by side comparison. That will likely never happen.

So my suggestion is to stop speculating and just believe; not the same code not the same transmission.

[wlfpck]

Added the AT vs MT acceleration comparison modeling by GotM.

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showt...296#post616296

[fitcious]

Quick question on the auto trannies...is a tranny fluid change needed for these cars? Or are they lifetime oil? Also is the tranny oil hole easily accessible? Thanks!

[zoomzoomers]

Originally Posted by fitcious

Quick question on the auto trannies...is a tranny fluid change needed for these cars? Or are they lifetime oil? Also is the tranny oil hole easily accessible? Thanks!

I haven't checked the manual so take this with a grain of salt. I was told by a Subaru tech that it's lifetime, but the guys on this forum have said otherwise. I'll probably change mine out at about 50k miles or so.

[wlfpck]

Originally Posted by fitcious

Quick question on the auto trannies...is a tranny fluid change needed for these cars? Or are they lifetime oil? Also is the tranny oil hole easily accessible? Thanks!

On Auto transmissions, depending on how you drive will determine how often the fluid is changed.

If you drive aggressively/beat on the car day in and day out, you will need to change the fluid earlier than if you baby it.

In an automatic transmission, the fluid can burn (if it gets too hot), if it gets dirty (wear and tear of the clutch packs), etc.

Toyota has been using the Toyota WS transmission fluid for a while now. Even though it is a "lifetime fluid", it is still recommended that you change it.

As for how accessible is it to change? Not really sure. However, if you are flushing the transmission, it is better to have a professional do it so that you do not get air trapped in the case. If not, there are guides out there that show/teach the correct way to flush an automatic tranmission.

[CircuitJerk]

I read somewhere in this forum that an SOA rep/tech recommended to change it at or around 5000 miles if you track the car regularly. Makes sense to me.
I would think that those that go the FI rout, you'd want to give that even more consideration.

As for a fluid change, that was covered somewhere as well and I recall some steps that seemed somewhat elaborate. I'll see if I can find that info tonight.

[fitcious]

Originally Posted by CircuitJerk

I read somewhere in this forum that an SOA rep/tech recommended to change it at or around 5000 miles if you track the car regularly. Makes sense to me.
I would think that those that go the FI rout, you'd want to give that even more consideration.

As for a fluid change, that was covered somewhere as well and I recall some steps that seemed somewhat elaborate. I'll see if I can find that info tonight.

Thanks. Yeah I just want to see how easy it is to change the oil....on my 2010 camry the dealer charges an arm and leg due to labor since it had lifetime warranty oil as well and it is hard to access the hole

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[CircuitJerk]

Originally Posted by fitcious

Thanks. Yeah I just want to see how easy it is to change the oil....on my 2010 camry the dealer charges an arm and leg due to labor since it had lifetime warranty oil as well and it is hard to access the hole

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I found this: (Be nice if I could get my eyes on the shop manual.)

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showp...09&postcount=5

Originally Posted by Sony

With the automatic it's not quite so easy, there are three holes, two on the bottom and one on the side. One of the bottom ones is the drain hole and the other is a "Check" hole. To check the transmission fluid you have to start the car in park and then check the fluid using the check hole while the car is running. If fluid drips out slowly it's the right level, if it pours out then there was too much and replace the plug when it starts dripping, if there are no drips you need to add fluid. There may be some other steps in there, My Tacoma uses the same type of automatic transmission (albeit much larger) with the Toyota WorldSpec ATF (WS)/Subaru WS ATF fluid and the transmission fluid check is VERY complex, it requires jumping pins on the OBD port while the engine is cold, then starting the engine, shifting from park to neutral to drive a prescribed number of times which puts the transmission into "Fluid Check Mode" then you have to sit there for 15 minutes and wait while the transmission comes up to temperature, once the transmission comes to a very specific temp a light on the dash illuminates and THEN you can use the check hole to check fluid levels while the truck is in park. It's very complicated...I don't know if the BRZ requires that complex of a procedure...check the service manual it is posted in the stickies in the top of this section.

EDIT: I just checked the manual and yes he Automatic transmission has the same complex procedure as my Tacoma. Requires jumping pins on the OBD port and waiting for the proper temperature after shifting it into "Oil Temp Detection Mode." It's...a pain.

[zoomzoomers]

Wow, what a pain. No wonder the Subaru tech said it's a lifetime fluid and not to mess with it.

[Sony]

Originally Posted by zoomzoomers

Wow, what a pain. No wonder the Subaru tech said it's a lifetime fluid and not to mess with it.

If it's the same as my truck, draining the fluid from the drain pan will not change all the fluid, it only changes about a quarter of the total fluid. On my truck, the only way to change 100% of the fluid is to use the Trans-cooler lines and a transmission flush machine to run about 13 quarts of new fluid through the lines. Some people have done it by disconnecting one of the lines and draining 2 quarts by running the engine for 15 seconds then turning it off and filling the transmission with 2 quarts, rinsing and repeating about 5 or 6 times until the fluid runs clean. The procedure is a pain in the butt and the total transmission fluid capacity on the Tacoma is 11 quarts.

[Captain Insano]

Wow... yes that is way more complex than I would have ever thought!

[fitcious]

I know it is too early to tell...but I wonder how the auto trannies are for robustness.

I wonder will it be plagued like the last gen prelude autos.

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[2manysubies]

Well with a stall speed(rpm) of 1800, regardless of what mode is selected, this trans should live FOREVER behind a 200bhp FA20. I doubt you could hurt this trans short of being malicious with it, I'd like the car a bit more with a 3000 stall, Just to remove the stock tires a bit sooner!
Someone earlier in the thread asked about a "Clicking" sound from the AT shifter, it's the actuator that lets you move it out of park or N, Actuated with the brake pedal(Safety nanny)


Mac