2003 Corrola fluids

Why would one service station say that they cannot change my
transmission fluid because I have over 100K miles? They said that the
dealer must do it. Another gave me a price of $160. What gives?

Also, doesn't $114 seem steep for a coolant flush and fill?

"BM5680" <pjacun@> wrote in message
news:1186436270.260749.141330@k79g2000hse. o...
> Why would one service station say that they cannot change my
> transmission fluid because I have over 100K miles? They said that the
> dealer must do it. Another gave me a price of $160. What gives?
>

Question 1. I don't know why they won't do it but find someone who will.
$160 is way too high.
> Also, doesn't $114 seem steep for a coolant flush and fill?
Question 2. Yes is is too steep. Should be less than half of that
figure AFAIK.

Where are you located?

Located in DC.

Years ago I always did this stuff myself but I don't have a driveway
or garage anymore.

On Aug 6, 6:08 pm, "mack" <macke...@dslextreme.com> wrote:
> "BM5680" <pja...@> wrote in message
>
> news:1186436270.260749.141330@k79g2000hse. o...
>
> > Why would one service station say that they cannot change my
> > transmission fluid because I have over 100K miles? They said that the
> > dealer must do it. Another gave me a price of $160. What gives?
>
> Question 1. I don't know why they won't do it but find someone who will.
> $160 is way too high.> Also, doesn't $114 seem steep for a coolant flush and fill?
>
> Question 2. Yes is is too steep. Should be less than half of that
> figure AFAIK.
>
> Where are you located?

"BM5680" <pjacun@> wrote in message
news:1186441725.355447.252420@b79g2000hse. o...
> Located in DC.
>
> Years ago I always did this stuff myself but I don't have a driveway
> or garage anymore.
>
>
>
> On Aug 6, 6:08 pm, "mack" <macke...@dslextreme.com> wrote:
>> "BM5680" <pja...@> wrote in message
>>
>> news:1186436270.260749.141330@k79g2000hse. o...
>>
>> > Why would one service station say that they cannot change my
>> > transmission fluid because I have over 100K miles? They said that the
>> > dealer must do it. Another gave me a price of $160. What gives?
>>
>> Question 1. I don't know why they won't do it but find someone who
>> will.
>> $160 is way too high.> Also, doesn't $114 seem steep for a coolant flush
>> and fill?
>>
>> Question 2. Yes is is too steep. Should be less than half of that
>> figure AFAIK.
>>
>> Where are you located?
>
Well, maybe in the District it's that much, but I'll bet if you went to a
smallish town in MD or VA it would be about half what you've been
quoted....but whaddo I know, I live in So. California. (But was back in DC
and MD...and Mt. Vernon, last month and loved it (except for the humidity).
Got thoroughly soaked in a downpour at the Washington home but loved the
views from the porch.

I've changed the fluid once and am now at 149K miles. Do you think
there is any issue with me doing the drain and refill myself??

On Aug 7, 1:11 am, "Ray O" <rokigawaATtristarassociatesDOTcom> wrote:
> "BM5680" <pja...@> wrote in message
>
> news:1186436270.260749.141330@k79g2000hse. o...
>
> > Why would one service station say that they cannot change my
> > transmission fluid because I have over 100K miles? They said that the
> > dealer must do it. Another gave me a price of $160. What gives?
>
> > Also, doesn't $114 seem steep for a coolant flush and fill?
>
> There are a couple of reasons that come to mind why the service station says
> that they cannot change your transmission fluid. They may not have the
> proper transmission fluid, which is probably type T-IV, or they always flush
> transmissions instead of just draining and re-filling. If a transmission
> has not had its fluid regularly drained and refilled or flushed, then
> flushing at high mileage can cause problems because sludge and metal
> particles can become dislodged from the bottom of the pan and lodge in the
> valve body.
>
> As for the other service station that gave you a price of $160, make sure
> they are using the correct transmission fluid. Check your owner's manual
> for the correct fluid, or check the transmission dipstick.
>
> Whether $114 is steep for a coolant flush and fill depends on prevailing
> labor rates where you are. I always recommend Toyota Long Life Coolant (or
> Super Long Life if that is what came in your car) instead of the green
> stuff.
> --
>
> Ray O
>

On Aug 7, 1:11 am, "Ray O" <rokigawaATtristarassociatesDOTcom> wrote:
> "BM5680" <pja...@> wrote in message
>
> news:1186436270.260749.141330@k79g2000hse. o...
>
> > Why would one service station say that they cannot change my
> > transmission fluid because I have over 100K miles? They said that the
> > dealer must do it. Another gave me a price of $160. What gives?
>
> > Also, doesn't $114 seem steep for a coolant flush and fill?
>
> There are a couple of reasons that come to mind why the service station says
> that they cannot change your transmission fluid. They may not have the
> proper transmission fluid, which is probably type T-IV, or they always flush
> transmissions instead of just draining and re-filling. If a transmission
> has not had its fluid regularly drained and refilled or flushed, then
> flushing at high mileage can cause problems because sludge and metal
> particles can become dislodged from the bottom of the pan and lodge in the
> valve body.
>
> As for the other service station that gave you a price of $160, make sure
> they are using the correct transmission fluid. Check your owner's manual
> for the correct fluid, or check the transmission dipstick.
>
> Whether $114 is steep for a coolant flush and fill depends on prevailing
> labor rates where you are. I always recommendToyotaLong Life Coolant (or
> Super Long Life if that is what came in your car) instead of the green
> stuff.
> --
>
> Ray O
>

I would hesitate to get a cooling system flush at that mileage .All it
does in MY experience, is loosen the crud that is helping seal the rad
and you will have a leaky rad in short order.(been there done that)

By all means replace the fluid and use Toyota long life Coolant as
recomended above.Or use any long life coolant silicon free like Texaco
or any other name brand.

You may want to replace the rad hoses at the same time as well as the
thermostat.?Check and see what condition they`re in .
mred