NEVER do THIS to your Automatic Transmission Car
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- Опубликовано: 27 май 2024
- A Toyota Master Diagnostic Technician shares 7 Things you should never do to an automatic transmission.
Folks save your expensive transmission. Never do this to your automatic transmission!
In this video I will go over 7 things you should. never do to an automatic transmission.
First Protect the parking pawl! The parking pawl is a small metal part inside the transmission that locks it when you're in park. Slamming your car into park before coming to a complete stop or letting the weight of the car rest on it is a sure way of risking damage to the parking pawl.
Second the transmission fluid! There's no such thing as a lifetime transmission fluid. If manufacturers were so dead set on the fluid really being lifetime they would warranty it for life.
For Toyota\Lexus car\suv transmission fluid replacement instructions:
• How to change your Toy...
For Toyota\Lexus trucks sealed transmission fluid replacement instructions:
• Toyota Trucks Sealed T...
Third Warm up your transmission before take off. Wait WHAT? Most people warm up their engine but in reality modern engines don't need much warming up. It's your transmission that needs a little bit of warm up to get going well.
Fourth Don't use your transmission as a brake! Downshifting intentionally to slow down the car puts extra load on the transmission. Most people do this to save their brakes which cost a fraction of what the transmission costs.
Fifth In snow driving if you get stuck, Don't just rev up the engine and let the wheels spin. This puts a tremendous load on your transmission.
Sixth Protect your Shifter! Accidents happen where we spill things over the shifter, But don't just leave it be. Clean the shifter and dry it up inside to prevent further issues.
Last but not least Don't put your car in neutral in short stops like traffic lights.
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#thecarcarenut #carcare #automatictransmission
0:00 Intro
0:33 No. 1 Parking Pawl?
2:06 No. 2 Transmission Maintenance?
3:14 No. 3 Warm up?
5:41 No. 4 Don't Brake!
7:37 No. 5 Snowy Chicago?
9:22 No. 6 The Shifter?
11:46 No. 7 Neutral? 
Авто/Мото
You missed an important one. Shifting from reverse to drive or drive to reverse while the vehicle is still moving.
Oof, seen my friends do that and it irks me and they have newer cars🤦♀️
V
That’s my dad every time 😭😭
The new cars with dials and electric shifting take forever.. scares me in emergency situations for drive to reverse or the other way.
@@skyloveup 😂🤣. Those newer cars will soon be older cars - compared to yours.
I always drive lightly during the first few minutes -- no hard acceleration. I thought I was doing it for the engine, but I guess I was doing it for the transmission all along.
Oil needs to warm up. Engine and transmission use oil.
Big tip for winter driving:
ALWAYS carry either a bag of kitty liter or sand in the back of your trunk. This has gotten me out of a bind several times when my cars got stuck in the snow. Once you realize you're stuck, open up that bag of liter or sand and dump a good amount it in front AND behind your wheels. If it's FWD, do it to the front wheels....If it's RWD, do it to the rears. 9 times outta 10, that will get you unstuck without any hassle and you and your car will drive on being happy :)
Or drive a manual transmission, so you can just rock your way out.
Cat litter works wonders
Be sure to get non-clumping litter. Clumping litter gets slick as snot when it's wet.
@@hughbrackett343 this is true
I carry a couple of leftover carpet scraps. Works wonders.
At 62 years of age, I just got my first automatic transmission car.
I learned on a stick shift (1972 Datsun 240Z) and every one of the numerous (12 that I can remember) cars of my own were manual transmission.
There is some learning curve with the automatic, and this channel is going to save my butt and my bank account.
PS
I don't like auto shift, I feel like I am a less focused driver with less control of the car. One of my life regrets is listening to those who said "You're too old to drive a stick." BS. Never too old to clutch!
I drive automatic and I agree, I got my driver licensee with manual and I prefer manual but one thing I like about my automatic car is that I have manual mode + shift pedals and I can still switch between fully automatic or manual mode where I control the car's gears.
I dont know if your car has this but it at least gives you an option to switch between what you prefer if you have it.
LEMME DRIVE YOUR DATSUN RIGHT NOW! 😤
I'm 76, and I got my first automatic 8 years ago. First car was a '62 MGA, and every car and truck after was a stick, until the current ride, a 2016 Frontier with the 5 speed auto. I had to replace my 2001 Frontier (4 cylinder manual 5 speed) after it was totaled by a falling tree, and it was almost impossible to find a Frontier with stick shift, so I took a chance and went with the automatic. I love my truck, but I'd love it even more if it had a 6 speed manual.
If you are over 70, more than likely, you did learn on a manual....
I second this. You're never to old.. I unfortunately had 2 strokes open heart surgery and fractured my wrist having surgery. So ill never be able to drive manual again. Enjoy it while you can.
Shifting to drive from reverse without coming to a complete stop is another one. I always appreciate your tech advice. Thank you for your efforts!
Any advice on how to fix it
Did this one day and stalled in the middle of the road. Fastest lesson I've ever learned.
Blew out a trans in a Saturn Sl2 like that, I was 17-18 years old and thought the “slam” was cool. One day I went to pick up my boy and while going downhill in his neighborhood the trans cracked and bled out all over the driveway we were able to coast into. Cracked the bell housing so bad I could almost fit my hand in it
But that shift process goes through the Neutral gear first before landing into Drive. ??? Shouldn't the Neutral neutralize the whatever before landing into Drive?
@@ytsux9259the momentum of 4000 lbs going backwards then being forced the other direction is what causes stuff to break
Great tips only a few tweaks.
1. You don’t have to go from drive to neutral. Just brake as normal, apply the parking brake then shift into park. You pass by neutral on your way to park anyway.
2. Yes I completely agree with changing your fluid at normal intervals! However don’t be afraid to change your fluid after 100k if you’re unsure of the service history. Analyze your fluid and transmission performance first. If it’s just a bit dark and old it’s normal. If you have bits floating or are having shifting issues, new fluid can make things worse.
3. Glad someone mentions this! I recommend warming up your engine for the appropriate time given the climate then driving easy until the transmission is fully warmed up.
4. Engine braking is a normal part of transmission usage. Just don’t do it aggressively as it will be harder on the mounts and axles and clutches (much like launching or aggressive driving)
5. Totally agree don’t spin tires excessively in snow it will strain the differential . Also don’t rock in between gears trying to get out of snow or ice. It send a shock through the drivetrain and is hard on all the components.
6. I completely agree, don’t be slobs people!
7. I completely disagree. Shifting into neutral is perfectly fine and will not hurt the transmission. Yes engaging and disengagement causes minimal wear. However the transmission shifts gears when you leave the light anyway and shifts back down to first when approaching a light so the wear you’d get from shifting into neutral is minimal wear but heat is the real enemy of your transmission. As he was saying, the torque converter is a source of friction. If you’re sitting with your foot on the brake in drive, you are constantly shearing the fluid in the torque converter and generating heat. Shifting into neutral allows fluid to circulate and prevents your transmission from trying to move an immovable object. You can use park but, it’s simpler the just pop into neutral then pull back down into drive. Keeping your transmission cool is key to prolonged life!
8. BONUS! Before changing between reverse into drive you need to make sure you stop moving! It sounds obvious but I see it happen all the time in parking lots especially. This is essentially trying to spin the transmission backwards in a given gear which is extremely detrimental.
Before anyone starts criticizing my advice, please note that I’m an actual mechanic who’s worked for Mazda and Mercedes’, has an OAD in automotive technology, and I have obtained an ASE in Automatic Transmissions. Just as an FYI
I forgot to mention another few tips!
9. Check your fluid level!!! Low fluid level won’t only cause erratic shifting but it will cause more heat to build in the transmission and cause premature failure! Please don’t overfill either as if can cause the fluid to churn inside the transmission creating air bubbles in the hydraulic systems. This will cause accelerated wear and sluggish shifting as the bubbles compress and cause low pressure.
10. Use the correct OE fluid! This is especially true with modern transmissions (CVTs especially). There’s many great aftermarket products out there but none will perform as well as the specific fluid that your transmission was designed to use. Hondas are especially sensitive to this, even the older ones. Of course if you’re low and in a pinch something is better than nothing but I really recommend sticking with the correct fluid.
Fantastic tips
Mine doesn't shift gears at all, it's a CVT
@@zacharypeery4082 I recommend constant vigilance then. CVTs don’t have a great track record with reliability, keep it cool and keep up with the fluid
@@gokartbuyer it's total BS that there is no dipstick for the trans fluid, almost like they did it on purpose so you have to bring it in for service. I had new trans fluid put in at 45,000, I need to do it again as I just passed 90k miles on my '16 Chevy Spark 1.4L work putter. I know the engine is good I personally do all the oil and filter changes and I just flushed my radiator and put in fresh coolant maybe 7k miles ago. It's aggravating that the trans fluid is a whole complicated process, literally no RUclips videos on how to service this generation model.
Intuition has led me to use the neutral>>parking brake>>park sequence for a long time, glad to hear I'm not just being eccentric 😄 thanks for the tips!
or just stop the car, keep pressing brakes, engage parking break and switch transmission to parking
@@s.i.m.c.a I love my new Toyota that puts the parking brake on automatically when you shift it to park. as someone coming from a manual transmission, it's really nice to not have to worry about the extra steps
@@phobos258 noticed that in the new rav4 I rented recently. you have to give it two seconds or so to engage before letting off the brake, but its a sweet feature for sure! that vehicle has a ton of really cool features
Dad taught me the parking pawl technique when I was 16(1966). When I first met my wife her father didn't teach her that. She's let it rock back on the pawl and then set the parking brake. Epic Fail. I had to undo that procedure. I'm in San Diego and have to admit in this climate I do start the car right up but do putt through the neighborhood until I get on the highway.
Thanks Car Care Nut. You are brilliant.
Right but how would I do the correct technique with an electronic parking brake?
I understand how to properly do it with a manual e brake. I shift into into park but before I left off the brake I engage the e break.
The electronic one I just press up on a button after I'm already in park and the weight of the vehicle is already on the pawl.
@DavidTMSN in my sister's honda HR-V, I can turn the electronic ebrake before shifting to park
I figured it out. I put it into park but before I let off the brake I engage the e brake and it takes the weight rather than the pawl. Just so used to manual ones.@@TheRIZKYRAMA
Thanks 😊you taught me something I think you are a nice guy god speed
Thank you! You ARE a nice guy. I try to understand what you teach. I've seen you before and you seem to know what you're talking about. Keep on keepin on!
Many thanks for calling out the bs on "lifetime fluid" in a transmission!!!! It is getting harder and harder to do a simple drain and fill on an automatic transmission as all manufacturers seem to have adopted the practice.
Much appreciated!
Subaru do the 'lifetime' thing for their manuals as well.
When I had a Chrysler minivan, I changed the transmission fluid every year. The transmission lasted forever.
Can you do videos on lexus hybrids
Did a drain and fill on a Chrysler 200, it destroyed the trans
I just bought a 2007 es 350 Lexus. 142,000 miles. Idk when it’s been changed and it flares once in a while. Should I drain and fill?
You are helping Million & Million Peoples Thank you so much Mr. Car Care Nut. May our Lord Jesus always blessing you and your Family. Texas
This guy is incredible. What a treasure trove of a channel.
Thank you for this. Never knew what the component was actually called. My dad taught me this as a kid. He said “settle out the vehicle”. To this day I put it in neutral, apply hand brake, settle vehicle, then place in park. Has served me well thus far. Thanks for the clarification. Love your content BTW. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK 😊
What do you mean when you say settle the vehicle? I’m a very new driver as in just got my license and got and used car as my first car and just been researching around how to take care of your vehicle and I came across this video. When I park my car, I usually do it in this order: while my foot still on the break pedal, move the shift to break and then pull hand break, lift my foot from break pedal then turn ignition off. Is this the correct way?
@@mschelle721 when you getting ready to park, come to a complete stop press the break shit in the neutral, then pull the handbrake release the footbrake, then reapply the footbrake and place the shifter in park. This is settling out the vehicle.
Great! Thank you so much!
@@AR47X420 For tip #1, can you tell me what the reverse is after you've shifted into neutral and put the handbrake on and then park. Then the return journey, what is it like when leaving? Do you first disengage the manual transmission and shift into reverse or direct to start the car, or do you first shift into reverse or drift and only then release the handbrake?
I learned a lot from this video. I'm the guy who puts the transmission in neutral at long red lights, thinking that was a good thing to do.. I also never thought about warming up the tranny either. Thank you for some great info!
I am same as well. Always put my car in neutral to save the transmission but I guess not a good thing to so in longterm
I used to do same but now am going to drop
Putting your transmission into neutral does nothing this guy is talking about older cars not newer ones and it was called pressurizing the system and they don't have that anymore..
You are a lifesaver my brother! I cannot afford a new car payment now and these kind of valuable tips to prolong our ride is much appreciated deep from my heart.
I followed auto blogs for more than a decade..this is by far the most insightful. Like the methodical and scientific approach and reasoning...Love watching your videos...just too good
I’m so glad I’ve found your channel. I’ve gone through so many cars since I was a teenager and with each one I learn more and more. Now I’ve taken to watching RUclips videos like yours to get even more tips to properly care for and maintain my vehicle. All of your advice and videos are so easy to understand for a non-me mechanic like myself. Thank you a bunch!
To avoid stress on parking pawl while it's in neutral let car roll back onto handbrake then shift into park. When you shift back into drive there should be no clunk. Very good review. Driving sensitively has real benefit especially when towing heavy loads. I regularly tow 3000kg so selecting optimal torque driving slower and letting the truck climb will reduce heat and loads on transmission and torque converter by selecting manual gear which reduces slip and heat generation.
yea, I release the brake pedal first after pulling the parking break (handbrake). That allows all load on the brake. Then put transmission into park.
@@hkiajtaqks5253 Do you press the brake again when you are putting the transmission on park?
@@Eaon69 No, if the parking brakes are already on, you don't need the brakes again. The idea is that your car shouldn't roll and put load onto your parking gear. Parking brakes should already hold the car in place.
I stop the car by putting my foot on the brake. I hold my foot on the brake while putting the transmission into park. I keep my foot on the brake while pulling on the handbrake. I switch off the engine, then take my foot off the brake. No rocket science there, and no load on the parking pawl either....
Thanks
AMD you’re a good guy to not only post outstanding videos but you also must spend hours answering all the questions that you then get. Keep up the good job sir!!
Repent to Jesus Christ
“I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.”
Psalms 40:1-2 NIV
Ju
Every time I watch your channel I learn or confirm something. One thing I do is to get into the car and start the engine straight away. Then I check the dash for lights, check my mirrors, put on my seat belt, etc. That gives the engine a little time to circulate the oil, etc. I feel it helps.
You are a clear and fine communicator. Thank you for the tips, but more importantly - for the explanations as to the WHY which helps retention of information.
Very informative video. I was taught to drive a manual transmission by a dearly departed lady. She made it clear that the parking brake is for every parking scenario. So even though my current car is an automatic I still adhere to her wisdom. Thanks for the validation.
Joe,
Tho she is dearly departed, her advice is not heavenly ...
What are you talking about. The parking brake is the hand or foot brake that is lifted or depressed.
The parking GEAR of the transmission should never be used to “park” your car.
Op is saying use the parking brake at all times, sometimes referred to as the emergency brake. The parking brake should always be used. Ladies wisdom was spot on., or heavenly as you claimed her wisdom was not.
Idk why you would care to call it heavenly or not.
100% Wish all people knew these tips! Everyone knows about changing engine oil and coolant but forget or dont know about the transmission fluid. Pet peeve of mine is when people put the car in reverse to back up and then shift it into drive while the wheels are still spinning- I always brake and wait until the wheels have stopped spinning before changing to drive.
Are you saying in cold weather to stay put initially and rev your engine a tad , a minute or so? ,before driving off
my coolent is right at the low level. is that bad
some only knows how to ride their car. and that's it. as what this channel always say "life is good" after buying their car. they don't even bother to change their tail light fluid.. 🤣
@@randomrazr if it’s at low when the car is hot, you should definitely add fluid. If it’s at low when the car is cold, you should still add fluid but it’s not as urgent.
@@solo8827 hey, stop confusing people fucker. I understand stupid people and more females don't care about their car, just push the gas pedal and in panic, they forgot where is the brake pedal, but don't add stupid things cause there are a lot of stupid people who will be confused.
I change the fluid in my '16 Camry every 30,000 miles. There is a noticeable improvement in the shift performance every time it is serviced. I cant imagine even waiting until 60k. I always use genuine Toyota WS fluid as well.
As a woman ive had a wonderful mechanic since I was 17 he taught me a lot before he had passed away I can actually say as a woman I can do a lot of things that I am proud of myself for and that my son will be getting his permit in March and he's already driving very well a Camaro as that LOL but his grandfather is in his 70s and has worked on cars his whole life and he has also taught me a lot but with that being said I love watching these videos and learning from new mechanics new things all the time
I abused my parking pawl the other day. Needing to level out the vehicle I backed half way up some ramps to check the transmission dip stick at level. I hung the abnormal weight of the vehicle on that ramp on my parking pawl. The feeling and sound when I took it out of park was not something I ever want to put my truck threw again. Looking back I could have done so much to prevent this and am just grateful everything seems ok. If some day the parking pawl gives up on this truck I will know why. Thank you for all your content and the way that you deliver it. You have a way with us Toyota fans. God bless you and your family.
Don't worry it can take that one time incident. It's bad when someone does it everyday out of habit
Gears to go, brakes to slow. This little reminder was giving to me by a Class 1 police driver in the UK. Supposedly the most highly trained police drivers in the world.
What does that mean ? It has no value as a saying
@@cayman9873 It means what it says, use your gears to drive and use your brakes to reduce speed. When at desired speed select appropriate gear if a manual, automatic, it will think for it’s self. Simple.
Just became a car owner, this video is extremely helpful. Had a stick car 10 years ago, so automatic is completely new for me.
This information is incredibly helpful to many, I'm sure.
Until this year, I had exclusively driven manual vehicles for 24 years. It never occurred to me to question it until now. Thanks, mate!
Excellent tips ! My corolla is 31 years old and the transmission still works like new i change the fluid and filter every 25 to 30 thounsand miles and maintain it as the manual says and so far so good. Thank you for the great tips and maintenance recommendations for all of our toyotas
I have a 1990 corolla and it is the best little car ever built. Fluid changes will allow this car to run forever.
@@DStabs720 David yes you are correct if you keep the maintenance as recommended this car runs forever, i have had mine since new and still runs like a champ ! 💪🏻
thank you for the information I have a 1986 Celica gts and yes I change the fluid on time, not to brag, I have a standard 5 speed, I just recently about two years ago changed the clutch, throw-out bearing, and everything to do with the clutch system and the car has 270 thousand miles on it. but anyway hope your corolla keeps on running.
@@coqui1pr how many miles does your corolla have? Mine only has 94k miles
@@DStabs720 mine has 127k and it is still running great
Good information, great channel content. 437 000+ miles on my 2000 toyota sienna, 140, 000 miles in my 2010 RX350, I always put the transmission in neutral at red lights and drive-thrus. Just shows the quality in Japanese vehicles over all other manufacturers. Going for 500K miles on both cars.
I also put my car in neutral especially if having to brake hard being caught at red light
Yeah, you can definitely get away with doing this in a toyota, but it will hurt alot of "cheaper" cars, so i would just avoid it all together. Shit 437k, thats awesome. Highest mileage car i had was a 02 outback w 320k when i got rid of it. I babied that thing tho lol
Depends on the light. The Allison transmission states to not leave the transmission in Drive past 2 mins, a lot of these lights and even fast food drive throughs take more than 2 mins.
Although this video is a year old, the information is obviously still very relevant.
I am just now viewing this, and so grateful for your expertise and advice.
Thank you!
May the Lord bless and keep you as well. Always enjoy these excellent videos.
Thanks AMD! I’m guilty of always shifting to neutral when at a light. That stops today! Thanks again for taking the time to make these great videos!
He didn't mention transmission temperature, though...so depending on how you drive and the weather etc...your transmission may get to a higher than ideal temperature when idling in drive.
I learn something from every video you posted. I'm guilty of not using parking brake. I do when I stopped at a slope but I do agree with you and take it as an advice.
Thank you
My father always told me: Brake pads are cheaper than clutches and gearbox rebuilds.
He was right. I have rebuilt two old 911 gearboxes. Holy Moly!
Do NOT use your gearbox for braking. Even if it's manual.
You CAN heel and toe to match revs as you downshift, but it must be the brakes which slow the car.
Most people find it far too difficult to Rev-match synchros (at one point I had a dead clutch but was able to shift without grinding because of being so tuned to my Datsun 240Z) and then most all of the average folks on the road never get to experience that 'racer's nirvana' feeling, like being in another dimension where you feel that floaty buzz of being one singular entity connected through your car with the road itself. Ahh I miss that car. Had put 3 x 2bbl Mikuni Side-drafts on the i6 intake and a few other "minor" modifications. Damn thing used to spit fire! Once roasted a 68 428CJ/Shelby KR... I mean, we were running downhill on a curvy mountain during a light rain though 😁 I suppose that'd make a big difference
Got a 2017 Tacoma v 6 and the brakes have been crappy from since it was brand new. Pedal fades with light pressure. Dealer says they are all like that...question is Why? We love your no nonsense approach in your very informative videos. Thank you for sharing your talent and experience.
Great advice putting the car in neutral first then applying the emergency parking brake, I’ve been doing this for many years. I Only use my emergency parking brake if I park on a severe hill/slope. Good points on downshifting
“You can’t keep on doing the same thing and expect a different result”. LOL. Defines insanity pretty well !
Always use the lowest gear and go easy on the throttle
I’ve been putting my Lexus in Neutral at every red light. Great tip on not doing this
I'm guilty of putting the gear in neutral at the lights too. I also put the gear in Park and then pull the handbrakes, i need to reprogram my brain 😁
Putting the trans in neutral at a light doesn't hurt the trans at all... It does take all the pressures off the suspension parts which have rubber bushings as well as the brakes... Also, if hit from behind the car won't be in gear for you to mash it and cause even more problems...
Though you should still be checking your mirrors and perhaps be able to avoid them... Always stop where you can still see the back tires of the leading vehicle on the ground to give you room to get around...
Remember to engage trans at an idle before mashing the fuel as the light turns green...
P.S. ALWAYS engage parking brakes when you park irregardless of level roads...
The person behind or in front of you in a lot, can tap your unattended vehicle hard enough to do damage to the parking pawl...
@@boobtubeakatv1296 Yep, nothing wrong with neutral at a longer stop. Keeping a car in drive with the brake on for a long time is hard on the clutch.
It's hard on Everything... generates unnecessary heat, ruins fluid, servos, clutches, belts, hoses-
@@gireturns same here, feel its extra stress on the clutch and brakes to have it on D
Thank you for making the variety of contents dealing with daily car driving awareness. We all need a reminder. Nicely explained and easily understood. I have enjoyed your presentation. Keep on making more.
Greetings from Australia
I very much appreciate your videos! Have owned several Toyotas over the years and currently have a 2021 Corolla. I sold my son our beloved 2004 Sequoia when he got married almost eight years ago and it’s still going strong with over 200,000 miles on it. Your video on changing the oil every 5000 miles, rather than the recommended 10,000 was particularly helpful. Hoping to drive my Corolla to at least 250k! Thanks again for all you do! God bless your efforts!
You sold your son a wedding gift? Are you jewish?
Back in the 70s I was told to leave the transmission in neutral when parked in a rough neighbourhood because the transmission could be damaged when people shunted your car. Can you even do that now? Great video. We also used to reverse, no brakes, slam the tranmission into drive to stop and shoot forward. We knew it was abuse but it was a fun thing!
4:44 can confirm, when cold my 2003 Camry would not shift up from 3rd gear until I had driven a bit longer. Thought something was wrong with it for the longest time but ultimately found this turned out to be normal.
I was told not to change my transmission fluid until about 110,000 to 115,000 miles on my 2007 Toyota Tundra. I changed it at 99,000 after you and other U-Tubers convinced me too. Everything is been ok and is now too. Thanks.
I just got a new Mazda 3 Turbo and it says in the manual and the FAQ that you never need to replace the transmission fluid.......but I was told years ago by a Mazda tech (one of the best in the country) That if you want the transmission to be trouble free, have the ATF changed every 30k miles. He said the dealerships are in the business of selling parts and new cars so when the transmission goes up and people baulk at the cost of replacement, they direct the customer to the showroom. My wife got a new CX5 turbo in 2020 and I have changed the ATF every 30k miles we are now over 60K miles with no issues. One of our friends got a CX5 a couple of months after us and never changed the transmission fluid and as a result the transmission went up on it. I like your videos, you always give good advice and as a former professional mechanic I can confirm your advice is sound.
You wouldn't have problems with a transmission at 60K miles regardless of whether you changed the fluid or not. Also, your friend didn't ruin his transmission by not changing thr fluid, your friends ruined by terrible driving habits
Highly agree with transmission fluid replacement. Especially on 2.7L auto trans taco. At 150k miles mine tended to rev and shift at 60-65mph (105kms) when bucking headwind or passing. On a 4 hour hwy trip into strong persistent headwinds, i found i was constantly downshifting to maintain speed. To the extent that i worried about transmission damage. Afterward i noticed a decrease in power transfer and a flush and fluid replacement did restore. Not something that should be overlooked IMO.
This is pure knowledge from experience and it’s greatly appreciated. Keep the vids up. You are truly helping thousands of people. Thank you
really great information, from top to bottom. this will help so many people understand more about transmissions. btw i am a 25 year ase master. my favorite tip you mentioned is how changing fluid after a certain time could do more harm than good. with that said i would like to say that my daily driver is a 1990 gmc with a 700r4, who knows how many miles, the odometer stopped working in 2009 at 250k. trans fluid has been changed once but she is still rocking on !
Wonderful video, and I did "Neutral to save" because I am coming from manual shiftstick and it's a different story. Advice though - especially for your Prado/Lexus 460 truck, from an arctic climate Hilux Turbo diesel guy. You DO need to warm the engine before putting stress on it, typical sign, RPM dropping close to idling, typically 60 seconds in the summer, 2 min in winter. Oil is liquified, oil film dispersed inside the engine, resistance drops and thus the RPMs. If you look into build of the pistons, the thermal cycle and materials used are optimized for 80C++ degrees, so give them a chance to thermally expand and adjust to a working temperature zone before putting stress on them. Again the best indicator is stable RPM close to idling, while it drops, let the engine run idle a bit.
OMG!
You may have explained how my freak accident happened!
No one believes me and says it couldn't have happened!
I reversed my 4x4 Mitsubishi Pajero into my garage but not all the way, with the front tyres in the garage door gutter strip as I had washed and hung blankets on the clothes line at the other end of the open ended double garage.
I parked up, and left the engine running just as I would say connecting up my caravan.
I wanted to pick up my dog and take her out for a walk down the estuary.
I got out and went to the pool type fence at the back of the garage and called my dog.
She was getting a bit old so had to go into the yard to get her.
We got back to the garage, I opened the heavy rear door with the spare on it, got out her harness, went over to where she was waiting and put it on her.
I then went to the rear of the vehicle and tapped inside the rear door near the hinge side for her to come over and jump in.
I kept a large car fridge on the LHS, I also had in the extended tow hitch used for carrying bicycles when towing the caravan.
I clearly remember my dog looked at me then at the front of the vehicle and back again before the vehicle started moving, it seemed like it had gone into reverse gear.
There was and had been all this time no-one in the vehicle.
Instead of quickly climbing in the back of the vehicle I tried to get out from behind it, as I thought it would be more difficult to get to the front of the vehicle to stop it.
Unfortunately getting past the tow hitch while the vehicle was going backwards slowed me.
The opened rear door caught on the fence behind it and momentum of such a heavy vehicle wrenched the fence & gate over as I was trying to make my escape. Stumbling backwards we were now out on the lawn.
The rear door flung into my back as I got to near the LHD taillights, knocking me to the ground, where I attempted to roll away but
my vehicle proceeded to reverse over me.
I remember arching my head to avoid the rear LHS tire crushing my skull!
It went over crushing me until about my waist/hips.
I'm sure it then went forward and came back leaving me with my head up against the left hand tyre and trapping my right arm from around my bicep/elbow as the vehicle came to a stop.
I was pinned this way unable to move knowing I had heard all the cracking and crunching over my torso I potentially could have spinal damage...all I could do is scream for help as was home alone and knew if I let the pain and shock overwhelm me and pass out no-one would find me.
I was rescued and was extremely lucky to only have stable T5-T8 vertebra fractures, haematoma on my ride side, upper right lobe pneumothorax, and multiple floating rib fractures from 3-10 on my RHS both from the sternum through to my spine.
Was my parking brake engaged upon parking up...I can't remember...but I know I usually do...and especially now!
(Mine you I do prefer manual transmissions now)
Note: This happened in Australia 🇦🇺with a right hand drive vehicle.
Thanks for addressing "the lifetime transmission fluid" marketing malarkey. I was waiting for your take on this 👍🏽
Thank you for your meaningful advice, especially transmission fluid changing that we always overlook. Five stars.
You're probably one of the best car mech techs on the whole of RUclips. Thanks for all your smart advice mate :) keep up the good work.
When i watch these video's i feel like i have completed 4 years of college. You have good wisdom and top notch logic. Keep these video's going. Thanks.
The "sealed" transmission means Toyota removed the beloved ATF dipstick to cause its DIY customers a royal pain in the rear end ;(. Thanks for posting another very useful video - I always love watching it. "Life is goood", keep it up :).
I just changed my Toyota sealed transmission fluid 2 days ago. Shifts are much better and car glides
I would agree it is more of a pain but have done it both ways I feel like the sealed transmsion fill is more accurate than I dip stick
@@s0lsh1n
Yes, making sure the car is level with the driver front wheel off is the trick. I also use a bidirectional computer to read the ATF temperature. I start the drain off at 105 degrees and most times it is at 110 or 111 when I am done. My vehicle says 104-113 drain off. I also overfill with 3 qts to get a better mix.
Do a drain and refill. I have 5th Gen 4Runner and it takes 3-4qts. Never do a full drain
It cost me $125 and do it every 30K mi
Thank you for these videos.
I did my trans fluid exchange today. Other than the standpipe bolt being rather difficult to break free this process was really easy. Planning to replace it in the next day or two and do one more fluid exchange.
I just bought my first Toyota in about 30 years, a 2019 4Runner SR5 with 50,000 miles on it. I am VERY thankful that I found your channel!! Unless the truck’s previous owner abused this truck, I am hoping to have it last 300,000 miles by my paying attention to what you tell me. Thank you SO MUCH for taking all your precious time to explain to us Toyota owners how to best care for our vehicles!!!❤️
Congrats on joining the Toyota family. Yes, you'll get MANY enjoyable miles out of that 4runner with the regular maintenance. ❤
@@willg.5168 I hope so.
@@susano7587 you definitely will young lady and that's a promise ❤️👍🏽
Awesome reminders.. my dad was strict about the neutral, set break then Park the transmission. I think it was once part of the driver's practical test ( 1970s)
Great tips! I especially like the tip about putting the parking brake on in neutral and then putting the transmission in park. I want my new Camry to last as long as possible.
Thanks for another great video advice. It is important for all car users/owners to observe these "small" tips that seem to be negligible but have a huge effect on actual vehicular maintenance and running costs; unfortunately in real life that's not quite the case, as many still ignore these tips.
Is it okay to put your trans in drive and put your foot on the brake and let it warm up at idle?
Thanks Very much Sir. My Chevy 2012 Transmission gear was sticking when driving and changing gears. I stop my Mechanic who said is transmission problems and I should go to a transmission shop.Well I did.After the transmission Guy test drive my SUV he said the transmission is gone and nothing can be done. I ask him would a transmission flush help. He said No don't wast money and time .I left there shop and I went to Valvoline and I got a tramssion flush ever since my SUV is running smoothly.
The Transmission flush make a difference in my SUV . It Took away the fear of loosing my Transmission and spending money for a car that I don't have right away to spend.
Thanks very much. Please keep up the good work and God bless you.
7:50 "If you don't get stuck, you're doing really good." Love that 4R photo!
Great Amd. I'm the one who puts my transmission in neutral while on a red light until now. Thank you for the explanation.
I was told that in neutral, the pump is not circulating fluid, so its not being cooled, and it may be damaged. I don't know if that applies to Toyotas.
Me too. If I know the light is one of those long ones, I shift to "n" and give my right foot a little break. I make sure I'm not rolling though.
Sir whats is the purpose of that N on the automatic gears shift whats the use educate..
Why the manufacturer put N on the gears shift just to shorten the life of the transmission..?
@@nattayamagallanes6857 From Google: "The main purpose of neutral on an automatic is for towing or pushing the car. Obviously you can't push it with the transmission in park, and if you tow it with the transmission in gear or in park and the drive wheels are in contact with the ground, you'll ruin your transmission or your tires or both."
Thanks for all your videos and car wisdom. Those that work on cars (and other shops) appreciate all that you teach us. And those car minded persons that don't works with tools but like to learn new and different automobile knowledge are a part of your subscribers that watch weekly. Thanks for all your work and efforts.
Why would trans shops appreciate this? The more transmission problems people have the more business they get, it puts food on the table.
THANK YOU SO MUCH , I NEVER USED TO USE PARKING BRAKES REGULARLY. FROM THIS DAY I WILL DO IT.
Nice one, some extremely valuable information here for this long-time driver first-time automatic owner. Who also lives at the top of a steep hill. Cheers!!
I learn a lot in these 15 min. about automatic transmission , so now I have to tell it to my wife!! that's harder than many people think!!!! belive me or not!!!! take care folks!! grt. from the Netherlands.
I change the fluid in my Tacoma trans every 10,000 miles and almost 200,000 miles on the truck still trouble free! You should add a footnote that putting your transmission in neutral when the weather is very hot weather with the air conditioning on would be beneficial in keeping the transmission cool under those circumstances.
Wow! I had a so called “sealed” situation with a VW beetle. I noticed the slipping at 60k. I argued with them about it saying that the slipping should not be happening so why can’t they just change the fluid. Anyway I ended up driving it for 13 years and the just traded it in. The dealer was so frustrating to haggle with. My car now is also a beetle and it’s a 2013, it’s highly maintained and runs beautifully. Thanks, I’ll be checking out your channel for more ❤❤❤
When I queried this process from fellow drivers -Neutral then Parking brake and then place into Parking gear they just laughed! Thanks for confirming this process
I gear down to stops because I drive semis for a living, and it's a hard habit to break. I've never seen it cause any problems. Launching from stop lights (the way every American drives in traffic) will do more damage than a moderate increase in clutch use
He's speaking about automatics
All round excellent advise as always. "This is the way" to longevity. In cold climates like mine after startup I always allow the idle speed to settle down before going into drive to avoid excessively hard engagement due to fast idle speeds. The colder it is the longer it takes and the longer I wait as a general rule of thumb.
This used to be "common knowledge." With ever increasing Federal mpg mandates, automakers advise static against warm up and tell customers to "take it easy" until the engine reaches operating temperature. What they neglect to mention is that coolant, as measured by the engine temperature gauge, warms up much more quickly than engine oil, which is the more critical fluid for engine protection.
i do this too , for both the sake of the engine but also the tranny . who cares about a few cents worth of gas ?
@@frankmiller95 : use 0w oil if you think oil is not flowing fast enough
shit didnt know this on my once new toyota 4 years ago. so in winter, i shouldnt start the car then 5 seconds later move it? how long should u wait when vehcile starts up
@@randomrazr : i usually wait until the high speed idle slows a little , like 30 seconds or 2 minutes depending on the outside temperature .
Thank you so much for this very helpful info!!! I always worried about having to park my baby (05 Tucson) on an uphill driveway at home. I DID learn (the hard way) to always BACK IN, to make it easier to get in and out...but mostly to help avoid the door slamming on my legs! 😩 But what I didn't know is that there is a PROPER procedure for engaging the Parking brake....and thanks to you I NOW know that I was doing it WRONG for the past 15 years!!🙄 Oops.
I will remember now....Back in, stop, put it in neutral, engage parking brake, THEN put it in park and slowly release the brake.
So NOW I know. 👌
Again, thank you so much! And my Tucson thanks you!! And you have a new sub. And Happy New Year to you!😁
I've got a 2020 LTZ Holden Colorado 4x4 Auto (Australia) and i knew the sealed tranny was bs, It has to be. I took it to a transmission specialist for a service and it cost me over $500 AUD. It had to be flushed to get ALL the oil out of the torque converter, but I'm glad that I did that now.
A very informative video. I have liked and subbed, because you are never too old to learn.
Cheers from Australia.
Precision: For the Parking pawl, let the car settle itself with the Parking brake fully engaged then only put it in Park.
If you don't, the weight of the car will still be on the Pawl!
Thanks for this information
Thats that nast ass clunk you hear when parked on an incline and put it in d or r theres pressure on the prawl
I’m going to start using that bit of advice because my driveway is on a slope.. if I’m correct, he said ……
Come to a stop
Put car in Neutral
Engage parking break
Put car in park
@@incognito3743 Before putting the car in park, you should let go of the brake first and let parking brake holds the car.
Another good video. Just one thought on the parking pawl from a guy who has been rebuilding merceses and ZF transmissions for 25+ years. I can't speak specifically about Toyotas, but the system is the same on almost every auto trans. The worry is not about damaging the parking pawl "gear" or lever, or even the pin that the lever pivots on. They are all made of extremely hard steel. I have never seen any kind of failure with these parts, ever. The problem is these parts are mounted to/through the aluminum transmission housing. I have never seen such a failure, but my guess is that under high loads, the housing will fail way before the parking pawl parts themselves. And replacing a housing is a much bigger job!
Have you actually seen parking pawl issues on Toyotas?
Hi! Yes 2009-2010 corollas had a wave of them when they were new.
@@TheCarCareNut I really love your videos a lot. I have a question about transmission warmers. I have a 06 Avalon, and I wanted to know, if they make a transmission warmer for my car. If they do, should I invest in one. I have 75,000 on my car.
thanks,
Ken
Thank you. We stopped pumping more gas in our car after we watched another video of your and the red light went off. Learnt lots in this video too. God bless
Excellent feedback ! THANK YOU :)
Love my 2001 5VZ-FE TRD Tacoma. I’ve learned a ton through working on my own vehicle and it runs perfectly. I already do and don’t do what you specified here, and of course I agree. Especially with the parking brake use on anything other than a flat road. Parking brake on and then shift to neutral to let the vehicle rest on the brake, then finally shift into park.
thanks for the information, I have a 2000 Tacoma, not trd though, I rarely use the parking brake since by truck is an automatic. just nosey is your Tacoma a standard or automatic. thank you for your time.
Revving to get out of snow is a great way to snap a CV too. If that slipping wheel, that you're putting all that power into, suddenly finds traction it can send a large amount of force through your drivetrain. Same thing happens with 4x4s when they lift a tire off the ground, apply throttle, then that wheel comes down.
Thanks for the info about downshifting. I've been using the autosticks hard downshifting on my last 3 cars thinking I was saving on brake jobs. Just bought a used 4runner and want it to last, I'll go back to normal braking all the time. I've also been searching for a good explanation of this mental debate I've long had on this subject. Thanks
You’re the truth. You know what you’re talking about. People just don’t know the basics lol
Very good advice and tips from you AMD and other subscribers. 2007 Tundra 4x4 with 194k miles. Been doing the parking brake all wrong, and launching a boat on a steep ramp I need to do it right. Also, in about 231k total miles I was going to do a ATF flush. I guess not, a "drain and flush" will be good enough... but I think I should periodically check levels since I drive about 5k per year ;) and it will take me a while to get to 231k. Keep the videos coming!
Really great channel. I'm probably like every other one of your subscribers, I'm a car guy too. With that said, you really know your stuff. Even someone like me with probably a hundred different cars under my belt, ('65 Corvair Corsa being the first of 'em), I liked your "warming the transmission" on a cold day suggestion. Something I hadn't thought about before. I'm going keep that one in mind. Thanks. Sometimes little things like that can end making big differences in repair costs. New subscriber here. Glad I came across your channel.
I am a DIY. I have the second gen of Honda and Toyota. I take care of them very well. I change oil when the maintenance light is on. For trans fluid, I change every 20000 miles. I do not have any bad habits as in your video except my wife. The car she has been driving does not have any issues either. Her car is over 100000 and it is running as a champ!
Thank you. The fact that manufacturers have done away with transmission dip sticks really pisses me off. I am not alone. As you say, lifetime transmission fluid is pure bunk. At least with the dip stick feature proactive owners and mechanics could see the color, texture and smell of the fluid. All clues as to the health of the fluid and the transmission itself. It's incredible that manufacturers would do away with this valuable feature.
A lot of good information here-thank you for sharing these tips. I do own a 2007 Tundra. Greatly appreciated.
Excellent video, as always. Thanks for sharing. I have always used the sequence you outlined for parking, however can't get it through my family and friends heads the importance of this. I will forward your video
I would like to add two things:
1. Always use parking brake, when parked regardless of flat or slope. I have seen this happen where a car parked on a flat surface without parking brake got slightly bumped by another car, damaging the transmission parking mechanism.
2. Do not rest your hand on the shifter. Several people have that habit, especially those who come from driving manual transmissions. It potentially carries same risks as hanging something on the shifter.
The car nut is a genius I learned quiet a bit by watching his videos, thank you sire Great videos.
Thanks for the advice on handling automatic transmission to significant effect and more life sans breakdowns. In India, there is a rise in the number of cars sold having automatic gearboxes. So the ordinary car user is unaware of the specific care and attention that needs to be bestowed to get the best results. No car dealer has ever done a program for customers to sensitize them on the above area when most transit from manual gearboxes to automatic ones. Many have never used gear shift positions other than "D" on their cars for fear of the unknown. I have always viewed your highly informative and useful videos which helped me in learning how to handle the new cars to get best results .. in terms of higher mileage and in terms of lower component wear like brake pads. Your videos have enabled us to handle the cars with automatic GBs and thank you for the same. Dont know and still a surprise to me why car companies are silent on this vital information support to customers who take the generational shift to auto boxes. (Premnath in trivandrum, Kerala, India)
AMD, great review! Way back I use to put in neutral at a stop light and when it turns green, I put it in drive. Now I know and not to do it. The only thing I do all the time is when the ground is flat, I put it in park and that's it. No parking brake. Of course I use extra precaution by using the emergency brake as well when parked in a incline. I don't want to put stress on the transmission especially that small part being damaged when parked in a incline. Manual transmission, I put in neutral and pull the emergency brake on flat surface. On incline, I put it in gear and use the emergency brake.
When I drove a standard for years I always left it in gear and put on the parking brake. But I'm guilty as charged with leaving an automatic in park only with no parking brake (unless I was parked on a steep hill)..... my bad. Good thing my new Rav4 hybrid has automatic parking brake when I put it in park.
HenryHonda and CarCareNut
What do you mean automatic parking brake? I am considering getting a RAV4 hybrid very soon and have researched them, but I had not heard about this. How does it work - the best way?
Really useful and sane information that can save us a bunch of money and trouble. I admit to shifting into neutral at red lights if they're taking a while to change, mostly because I prefer the engine just ticking over rather than needing sufficient revs to prevent it stalling against the drag of the transmission fluid. My other take away is to push back against my dealership telling me I don't need or want a transmission fluid change at 6yrs/60k.
Using some proper diagnostic tools I measured it, and discovered the engine load (and thus fuel usage) even on a fairly small vehicle doubles when holding stationary in drive. I have done this across several different vehicles, with fairly consistent results. If like me you have to do a lot of stop-start city driving that can make quite a difference to your bank balance. Then there is the simple fact it adds unnecessary heat to the transmission fluid
Nissan dealer gave me a cost estimate of $300 to replace the transmission fluid. They told me it was a "sealed" system and I wouldn't be able to do it myself. It turned out the "sealed" system amounted to merely breaking the plastic lock on the transmission tube top, which I did it myself. It cost me a mere $80 to flush the system myself at 50K miles. I drained and filled myself at every 30 miles afterward for half the cost.
@@stevesmith7530 Suspicions of increased fuel usage is the main reason I put my classic car in neutral when waiting at the lights. In new cars I can sometimes sense the transmission disengaging somehow to reduce drag on the motor when stationary, but even then, I'd rather not have to keep pushing on the brake pedal. More relaxing (on flat ground) to put it in neutral and rest my foot. My company vehicle is a new Toyota Rav4 with a brake hold button which solves that first-world problem. ;)
@@alfaromeo6985⁴
Great advice on the correct sequence when engaging the brake and park. Doing it this way now, I'm finding it comes out of park easily rather than it needing to be forced out of disengagement, which always bothered me. My Toyota doesn't do it but my wife's 2019 Kia Sportage downshifts itself when slowing down. I notice also our city's German MAN buses also do it, so I guess they're designed to handle it.
For tip #1, can you tell me what the reverse is after you've shifted into neutral and put the handbrake on and then park. Then the return journey, what is it like when leaving? Do you first disengage the manual transmission and shift into reverse or direct to start the car, or do you first shift into reverse or drift and only then release the handbrake?
IV tried to tell this so many people . No … they don’t listen . I change auto fluid every year . Always use the park brake the engage park . I’m 60 this was taught to me when I was 10
AMD, really great info, especially regarding constantly going to neutral at stop signs! Some of the newer cars have a "brake hold" or just a hold button so you don't have to go to neutral to not have to reduce brake pedal pressure at stop lights by going to neutral manually, for those who get tired of pushing the brake constantly.
Another point, try to come to a complete stop or as close as possible, before switching direction of motion in the transmission. Especially true for CVT's, less so on other types, but still should avoid for the jerk you get otherwise.
The best way to warm up a transmission is to travel at a speed below ~45 mph in a gear that keeps the engine between 2,000 and 2,500 rpm, using a manual shift in an automatic or 3rd gear in a 5 or 6 speed stick shift or light gas pedal in a CVT. Usually 1/4 to 1/2 mile does the trick. When its below zero degrees F, you might need to go a mile or more this way, or until the temperature gage needle just moves.
Well said..... I'd only add to be very gentle on the gas in extreme cold for at least the first 1/2 mile. I'm probably the most fanatic person when it comes to making a vehicle last forever. Take care!
Thanks mate. You are a good man, you help people maintain their cars. Your videos are very helpful.
Thank you for #1. You'd be amazed how many friends i have that i have to explain what park does and the the parking break is still needed and why.
I wish all car dealership salespeople know about cars and tips for the car buyers. Not too many people know about car including myself. I have learned from RUclips a lot about car. Thank you for sharing your experience and knowledge, sir.
I'm going to stop engine braking unless I really need the extra braking force. Great points! Thanks!
Damn. I'm so guilty of downshifting with tiptronic transmissions to 3rd and 2nd alllll the time when slowing down.
Been keeping telling my kids to apply parking brake especially on non-flat road. But no one listens. Thanks for the electronic parking brakes on almost of all new cars. I personally hate the electronic parking brakes which make the rear brake pads change more time consuming, but I am sure it will certainly help those who don't have a second or two to apply a manual parking brake. :)
I always use the parking brake.
Disabled the automatic brake on my RAV4. No way would it last 10-14 years of being activated 3-10 times a day.
Thank you, I just discovered this brilliant channel.
My Lexus GS300, at over 100,000 miles has never had a transmission fluid change. I don't understand why you said changing it now would be a bad idea.
From what I've heard is that there is debris that settled in the transmission and new ATF is a detergent and will lift that debris. Also completely changing out the old ATF can be a problem because your transmission is using some metals i guess for friction so if it doesn't have it anymore it can cause slipping.
Good tips! I do downshift my Sequoia frequently when towing my RV trailer...on long hills.