# 2025 Rav 4 Transmission Filter location/replacement **URL:** \ **Category:** General Discussion\ **Created:** [August 30, 2025, 5:06am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2025-rav-4-transmission-filter-location-replacement/203972 "2025-08-30T05:06:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![davesmopar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/davesmopar/32/41750_2.png) [@davesmopar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davesmopar)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2025, 6:24pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2025-rav-4-transmission-filter-location-replacement/203972/21 "2025-09-02T18:24:09Z")
> [@texases](#): > > Seems to me the filter’s a bandaid, the thing to do is change the fluid. I mainly did it on new rebuilds/remans, so all new fluid, yes I always flush the cooler, even when building one at home… But I have done it on transmissions after doing a service, the transmission filters have (ones we used anyway) a magnet in them… BTW: the transmission cooler flush works great on metal brake lines (lines only) too, just make sure to brake clean the flush stuff out good… lol 12:09 pm ---
**Author:** ![jtsanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@jtsanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtsanders)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2025, 6:24pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2025-rav-4-transmission-filter-location-replacement/203972/22 "2025-09-02T18:24:13Z")
There may still be particles flowing through the system. Not all debris is released into the fluid and recirculated immediately. Changing the fluid is certainly a smart thing to do, and adding a filter to remove particles before they get to the trans cooler and trans sump will keep the fluid clean. If there’s enough debris to clog the filter, a $20 replacement part is a cheap fix. ---
**Author:** ![oilman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/91b2a8/32.png) [@oilman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/oilman)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2025, 4:37pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2025-rav-4-transmission-filter-location-replacement/203972/23 "2025-09-08T16:37:38Z")
yeah, 8 speed. I knew that. anyway, saw the 2016 video on the kia optima trans filter. it’s in the back of the black box of the trans. Said you need to remove a bolt and the only way to do that is take the trans off the engine which I won’t do. As for the rav 4, I’ll see the trans or find out what number it is and find the washers for the drain and fill plugs. They have a filter but the mechanic said it might not be easily accessible. Thanks for your reply. Sounds like just fluid changes. Wondering if it has a magnetic drain plug like the optima but the earlier 5th gens have a plastic straw so it’s probably like my 2015 pan drain plug setup. ---
**Author:** ![oilman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/91b2a8/32.png) [@oilman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/oilman)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2025, 4:39pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2025-rav-4-transmission-filter-location-replacement/203972/24 "2025-09-08T16:39:48Z")
it’s 35 at toyota (similar at rock auto I think) but can I access it is the question. I get the car this week and I’ll take the bottom shield off and look at the drain plug, the fill plug and see if that black box is easily accessible. Mechanic said it’s on the side of the trans so not sure if easy access is had. I searched for 5th gen Rav 4’s filter changes and only one or so fluid changes popped up on youtube. Guess I need to keep searching. ---
**Author:** ![oilman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/91b2a8/32.png) [@oilman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/oilman)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2025, 4:40pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2025-rav-4-transmission-filter-location-replacement/203972/25 "2025-09-08T16:40:34Z")
yeah, this rav has a transmission cooler line like my wife’s optima. the 2015 rav doesn’t. ---
**Author:** ![oilman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/91b2a8/32.png) [@oilman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/oilman)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2025, 4:42pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2025-rav-4-transmission-filter-location-replacement/203972/26 "2025-09-08T16:42:43Z")
thanks. yeah, seems like changing the filter days are over. Thats fine if it doesn’t get plugged and I just do fluid changes. Later. Thanks all for the help. ---
**Author:** ![oilman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/91b2a8/32.png) [@oilman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/oilman)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2025, 4:50pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2025-rav-4-transmission-filter-location-replacement/203972/27 "2025-09-08T16:50:53Z")
I’m going to email/contact my toyota supplier in VA with the vin and parts I want and let them tell me!!! thanks ---
**Author:** ![oilman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/91b2a8/32.png) [@oilman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/oilman)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2025, 7:01pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2025-rav-4-transmission-filter-location-replacement/203972/28 "2025-09-08T19:01:34Z")
just looked at a 2019 rav 4 trans drain/refill and now watching a 2018 camry. Both cars have the same trans and the WS fill plug like my 2015 Rav 4 so I have a new plug in house and washers for that plug (assuming same size). The drain plug is 10mm whereas the 2015 is a 6mm so I bet the washer is different but one schematic on toyota shows the plug, washer and plastic tube with numbers so I might be good to go!!! Thanks all. I have 5 to 10K to change the 1st trans fluid and it seems that the filter isn’t accessible per some poster here. I might be close to ending this search quest. The 2018 said there isn’t a filter in the camry to service since there isn’t a pan. yea!!! ---
**Author:** ![auto-owner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/50afbb/32.png) [@auto-owner](https://community.cartalk.com/u/auto-owner)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2025, 5:37am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2025-rav-4-transmission-filter-location-replacement/203972/29 "2025-09-09T05:37:45Z")
In my half century of DIY car maintenance, I never touched a transmission filter, nor felt any need to. ---
**Author:** ![davesmopar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/davesmopar/32/41750_2.png) [@davesmopar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davesmopar)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2025, 12:57pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2025-rav-4-transmission-filter-location-replacement/203972/30 "2025-09-09T12:57:24Z")
You also probably never changed your automatic transmission fluid every 5-10K miles either… ---
**Author:** ![oilman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/91b2a8/32.png) [@oilman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/oilman)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2025, 6:31pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2025-rav-4-transmission-filter-location-replacement/203972/32 "2025-09-25T18:31:57Z")
I did from a Toyota parts department. The filter is inside and you need to take it apart to change it. Forget that. thanks. ---
**Author:** ![oilman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/91b2a8/32.png) [@oilman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/oilman)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2025, 6:33pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2025-rav-4-transmission-filter-location-replacement/203972/33 "2025-09-25T18:33:23Z")
yeah, so I found out from a parts guy at toyota and a master mechanic from another dealer. Just will change the fluid. ---
**Author:** ![oilman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/91b2a8/32.png) [@oilman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/oilman)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2025, 6:33pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2025-rav-4-transmission-filter-location-replacement/203972/34 "2025-09-25T18:33:46Z")
Mine is the UB80E trans. thanks ---
**Author:** ![oilman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/91b2a8/32.png) [@oilman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/oilman)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2025, 6:35pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2025-rav-4-transmission-filter-location-replacement/203972/35 "2025-09-25T18:35:39Z")
and that I have done on my rav 4 and will do so on the new one. Problem is that new one has a skirt/plastic bottom cover and it takes time. ---
**Author:** ![oilman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/91b2a8/32.png) [@oilman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/oilman)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2025, 6:42pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2025-rav-4-transmission-filter-location-replacement/203972/36 "2025-09-25T18:42:25Z")
I checked my records just now. first was at 12999 miles and between then and the 125K when I sold it 3 weeks ago, I did 29 more changes (drain/refill). so average 3860 miles per change. only 2 filter changes at 65K and 90 to 100K area. beck arnley filters. before it was sold, I was changing synthetic oil between 1500 and 2000 miles. Gives me something to do. ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2025, 6:46pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2025-rav-4-transmission-filter-location-replacement/203972/37 "2025-09-25T18:46:25Z")
> [@oilman](#): > > I did 29 more changes (drain/refill). so average 3860 miles per change. only 2 filter changes at 65K and 90 to 100K area. beck arnley filters. before it was sold, I was changing synthetic oil between 1500 and 2000 miles. ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/6/e/6edffd55bd3b20159afd4568ece1897f360afb29.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![VOLVO-V70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8e8cbc/32.png) [@VOLVO-V70](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VOLVO-V70)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2025, 7:03pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2025-rav-4-transmission-filter-location-replacement/203972/38 "2025-09-25T19:03:40Z")
> [@oilman](#): > > I was changing synthetic oil between 1500 and 2000 miles. Sorry, but that is just ridiculous and wasteful. ---
**Author:** ![davesmopar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/davesmopar/32/41750_2.png) [@davesmopar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davesmopar)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2025, 7:27pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2025-rav-4-transmission-filter-location-replacement/203972/39 "2025-09-25T19:27:52Z")
> [@VOLVO-V70](#): > > Sorry, but that is just ridiculous and wasteful. Not if you are changing your engine oil every 6 months… Now the trans is overkill every 3860 miles… ---
**Author:** ![davesmopar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/davesmopar/32/41750_2.png) [@davesmopar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davesmopar)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2025, 7:38pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2025-rav-4-transmission-filter-location-replacement/203972/40 "2025-09-25T19:38:41Z")
> [@oilman](#): > > Mine is the UB80E trans. thanks **UB80E** is Toyotas marketing name for it, Aisin Corp developed the trans for Toyota and calls it **AWF8F35** , but it is also called **EAT8** (PSA), **GA 8F 22AW** (BMW/Mini), **TG-81SC** (Volvo), **AF50-8** (Opel/Vauxhall), **AW F8 F45** (Cadillac) and **AQ 450** (Volkswagen Group). ---
**Author:** ![vipergg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/50afbb/32.png) [@vipergg](https://community.cartalk.com/u/vipergg)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2025, 10:54pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2025-rav-4-transmission-filter-location-replacement/203972/41 "2025-10-14T22:54:32Z")
This sounds like my Traverse . There is no pan or filter to replace . You drain it out . Determine exactly how much came out by measuring and put the exact same amount back in . No filter or pan to deal with . [Previous page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2025-rav-4-transmission-filter-location-replacement/203972.md?page=1) [Next page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2025-rav-4-transmission-filter-location-replacement/203972.md?page=3)