If im going to let the dealer flush my auto tranny, can I take in Amsoil tranny fluid and get them to use it like my oil changes, or will they only use the normal stuff when flushing?

 

I did that with Mobil 1 synthetic ATF with my LC (took 15 quarts). Don't let them (Flush) meaning put anything but ATF in your transmission. Tell them you just want a fluid exchange, not a flush.

 

If you have access to actually view them while they do the service then yeah, go for it. But if you take it to a stealership to have it serviced they would probably tell you no... or yes and maybe switch out the fluid with factory stuff and told you they're using the Amsoil. You can't trust those bastards.

I just had my 90k service done at the stealership and wondered the same thing before I took it in. I just bit the bullet and had them use the factory stuff. It's fine for me I guess, but I'll need to put in a can of the engine flush before my next oil change back to synth.

 

Whats teh difference between the two. I calle dthe other day to the dealer I bought my truck from and asked them for a price, they quoted $130.00 . Not sure if it was a flush or not.

 

Same machine, you just tell them not to put the cleaner in your transmission. You don't want anything but ATF in your transmission. That cleaner they use when they do a normal flush can cause your transmission to fail in a couple of thousand miles. JMHO

 

Gotcha, so do I need to take the exact amount of fluid needed for a complete fill or will they need extra?

 

When we do a flush at my shop, we use about 20qts. of fluid on most transmissions. We flush until the fluid is clean.....and we NEVER use solvents because of the damage they can cause. I can tell you that WE do not let customers bring their own fluid because the machine has a supply line directly from our 255gal. drum and it would be a great hassle to feed from a bucket or some other source for the customers fluid. I am sure not all flush machines are alike, and I also know some machine have onboard tanks, so if the dealer has this type, there should be no reason why they cant use your suplied fluid, but it will be costly since at least 6-8qts will be wasted during the flushing process. Just my $0.02

 

Why would a shop use transmission cleaner during a flush knowing all to well (assuming they know) that it can damange the transmission?

 

They will need some extra, since they will need a couple of Qt's to clean out the machine from the regular ATF to your synthetic. I alway used 15qts with my 95 Landcruiser. Buy 15 and if they don't use it all take the extra's back for a refund.

 

I took mine to a transmission shop to flush and fill with Amsoil. They told me to bring in 22 quarts. After they were done, I had 2 extra quarts. It ran so smooth after...expensive, but well worth it.

 

Wow that's a lot. I did my LC twice with Mobil 1 and both times it took 15, but the more the better the flush/exchange. The owners manual on my new 4runner indicates that if I don't tow I never need to change the fluid. I figure even though I will never tow I will change it a 45K miles which leaves me 15K more miles of drivetrain warranty for any problems to appear and I will be trading it on a new ride by the time I hit 90K. I got a kick out of the fact that the new 5sp auto don't even have a dip stick?? I also like the 100K mile antifreeze like the big rig's so I won't have to mess with that during my 90K mile ownership. Basically all I will have to do is change oil and filter every 3-5K miles and change filters, air, etc. and replace brake pads and brake fluid. These new vehicles are really getting low maintenance. I like that, because it limits my 4runners exposure to the Toyota dealership while keeping it under warranty coverage.