2005 Toyota Solara 4 Cylinder. 4 speed automatic transmission.
I know when it comes to aftermarket parts especially parts from Autozone / Advance Auto Parts they’re hit or miss…Probably depends on the part in question.
I was hoping you all could provide insight on how bad it would be to use an aftermarket transmission filter in my car, specifically a Duralast TF171. The reviews on it on Autozones website are quite good. And it is about $100 cheaper than OEM buying it from my local Toyota Dealership.
I do have an OEM Toyota gasket I would use on the pan, since I found someone on facebook marketplace selling a brand new one for $5.
I would only be using an aftermarket filter, specifically Duralast.
Would anyone be able to provide insight as to how bad (if at all bad) using an aftermarket transmission filter would be? Specifically a Duralast TF171. Again I’d still use an OEM gasket. Are these older Toyota 4 speed autos picky about aftermarket filters? Could using the Duralast filter cause an issue? It would be great if anyone had experience using Duralast transmission filters, especially for the application I’m using it for. Here is a link to it below:
I wouldn’t use AZ duralast anything, but you do whatever…
I always use WIT (wittrans.com), for your U241E transmission, they have it for like $8.17 for part number 167010B…
All they do is transmissions… They might have a local shop near you… They mainly only deal with pros…
Transmission fluid is arguably the most important part of the transmission. The transmission is 2nd only to the engine in terms of cost to repair/replace.
Are you OK with “saving” $100 to risk your transmission’s longevity? On a 2005 anything, I think it’s even money.
I’ve never sweated over aftermarket filters for whatever if they’re from a known quality company (e.g. Wix). The manufacturer branded filters you buy are usually just made by some “aftermarket” company and rebranded. Buy a Purolator or Denso filter, for example, and it’s probably the same thing that’s in the “Toyota” box.
I do not ordinarily shop at AutoZone or O’Reilly, but that is mainly due to price…RockAuto usually beats the chain auto parts stores big time. Often times, an identical part will be 40% to 50% cheaper on RockAuto versus the chain auto parts stores, and that’s including shipping and sales tax.
That being said, I clicked on the link, and this looks like a high-quality aftermarket filter. And it probably is made by a company such as Denso or Wix Filters.
I have used aftermarket transmission filters on several vehicles now, and never once had any issues. An I always buy the filters which include a rubber gasket like the one which the Duralast TF171 includes.
Don’t overthink this. I would get the Duralast filter, assuming it’s the correct part for your vehicle. Just make sure to properly tighten the transmission pan bolts, i.e. don’t overtorque them, and refill with the proper amount of transmission fluid. And make sure to use the correct type of transmission fluid, and NEVER use a “universal” type.
NAPA Gold (their high-end filers) are made by Wix.
For my oil and air-filters (engine and cabin) - I either buy the NAPA gold (Wix) or drive to Oreily’s and buy Wix. Exact same filter, but with different branding.
I don’t do a tranny flush. I take it to a transmission shop and have them do it. Much easier when you have a lift.
And a machine for flushing. I used to mimic a trans flush by doing a drain and fill 3 times with a short drive between drains. Getting a real flush with the proper equipment is much easier.
I tried several aftermarket filters on my Daughters Corolla and none ever fit correctly. I always ended up cleaning and reusing the OEM filter.
The OEM filter is a stainless steel screen and only keeps the big chunks out. You just need to clean it, the pan and replace the ATF in the pan. Her Corolla went to the junk yard with over 200k on it due to an accident, not a mechanical failure.
This is the transmission oil filter for that vehicle, P/N 35330-06010.
Every Toyota/Lexus filter I have replaced had a paper element. The Toyota parts catalog still refers to this part as a “strainer”.
I’ve changed trans filters on 2 - 1994 camrys and a Rav 4. I’ve used lots from Autozone but lately beck/arnley from Rock Auto. No problems at all. The only thing, my Rav 4 had a plastic mess net and the Rock Auto was a fiber cloth type. Use Valvoline Trans Max Life as fluid or Super tech VI fluid. Castrol has a “universal” fluid for regular trans and CVTs but I mainly go valvoline.
