Where would the dipstick to check the condition of the transmission fluid be located? I used to have a Camry and it was easy to find but I can't find this in the iA yet. Does it not have one?
It has no transmission dipstick. The Scion Ia has a sealed transmission. The Scion Scheduled Maintenance Owner's Manual only shows that the transmission fluid should be inspected at 30,000 mile intervals. How that's done is a question that only the dealership should answer.
Scotty Kilmer said to only put whatever the manufacturer recommends, not just a universal fluid, because transmissions, especially automatic transmissions are sensitive and have a lot of moving parts. Engine oil you can use any brand as long as you got the correct weight, transmissions though, uh-ugh.
Btw, i'm disappointed to hear that the 2016 iA stick-shift/manual transmission i just bought has no transmission dipstick, i hope i'm wrong. I'm gonna check next time i get in it. And i'm gonna put-in fresh OEM fluid, no flush. I don't wanna loose this car like i lost my '98 Corolla.
Just get a coupon from nearest Mazda or toyota dealer if it's an automatic and have them do it shouldnt be more than 80-100 just make sure it's oem fluid the generic stuff isn't too great
2016 scion ia automatic transmission uses ATF FZ fluid (Toyota part number 00718-ATF-FZ) or Use Mazda ATF FZ fluid... Or Ravenol J1D2160-001-999 ATF (Automatic Transmission Fluid) - FZ Fluid Full Synthetic...
Toyota part numbers
90118-WB160 - Auto transmission o-ring gasket
90118-WB669 - auto transmission drain plug gasket (same as oil drain plug gasket)
35330-WB001 - auto trans filter/strainer
Thanks for the part numbers
I pulled the air box out and the dipstick is below secured by a 10MM bolt.
it has a hot cold range so it must be a traditional; fill anc check when warm.
Valvoline MaxLife Multi-Vehicle Automatic Transmission Fluid is compatible with both Mazda FZ and M-V. may go that route.
Car has 30K on it and fluid looks good, so going to wait until 40K
Thoughts on the fluid or service interval?
As Scotty Kilmer said, nothing is Lifetime. Manufacturers state that because it's good for the lifetime of the basic warranty, doesn't mean it's lifetime. And he hates it when manufacturers don't provide a dipstick because then you can't check it without having to go to your dealer, spend big bucks, so they can make more $ from you. Same with keyless ignition vs regular immobilizer key.
Similar with timing chains vs timing belts. Timing chains can still fail, only they last way longer than belts. And still gotta be inspected every ~100k miles. Although the iA is thankfully a non-interference engine so one may not have to worry too much about that anyways.
I tried to have the ATF inspected at 30k miles and our Toyota dealer admitted that there was no way short of a drain-and-fill (which I plan to do at 60k). If it's still blue, and not black, I may follow that with a complete flush around 90 k. I hope & plan to drive it 200k since I'm retired, low on money and LOVE the car!
Transmission flushes ruin your transmission, you don't wanna do that. Just do drain-&-fill every year or more often.
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