MRS SMT Issues

Johnny_Bintang · May 25, 2024, 08:15

Can anyone recommend a mechanic in the South Wales, Bristol area who can service an SMT gear box? The car is fine as long as I don't engage 5th gear! Once I do the engine warning light comes on, the gearchange down from 5th to 4th is noisy and on one occasion, the car would not change down from 5th for five minutes while on the motorway. This resolved its self.

Gaz mr-s · May 25, 2024, 09:26

If you do get a recommendation, great. If you have done work on cars previously I recommend joining the Facebook SMT group.
I'm working on one & have had invaluable help from there.

fawtytoo · May 25, 2024, 09:55

Most mechanics shy away from semi-automatics even at Toyota. Do some research first and then tell the mechanic what you know which will help immensely.

I'd start with changing the gearbox fluid, and also the SMT fluid. The SMT fluid is approx £100 for a litre, but that will do 3 full changes. I also suggest you do all three changes too, and drive about 100 miles in between using slow roads where you need to change often to give the gearbox a good workout.
SMT Transmission Fluid: Toyota part no. 08886-02206

Paul Hibbs on YouTube has some great videos on SMT stuff.
Here's a video on where the SMT reservoir is:

Gaz mr-s · May 25, 2024, 10:13

Paul Hibbs recommends brake fluid in the SMT Hydraulics. Toyota's stuff is a waste of money.
For any garage to help you they'll need to have a laptop with Toyota's Techstream.
It can be downloaded. - f'book group.

fawtytoo · May 25, 2024, 10:17

Quote from: Gaz mr-s on May 25, 2024, 10:13For any garage to help you they'll need to have a laptop with Toyota's Techstream.

No they don't. You can change the SMT fluid without touching the ECU. That's how I did mine.

Gaz mr-s · May 25, 2024, 10:52

Quote from: fawtytoo on May 25, 2024, 10:17No they don't. You can change the SMT fluid without touching the ECU. That's how I did mine.

I wasn't referring to a fluid change.
The symptoms the O/P mentions will probably produce a fault code.

fawtytoo · May 25, 2024, 11:05

Quote from: Gaz mr-s on May 25, 2024, 10:52I wasn't referring to a fluid change.
The symptoms the O/P mentions will probably produce a fault code.

Ah, understood. Better to invest in a cheap Windows 7 laptop and do that bit yourself. Again, Paul Hibbs has a video on that.

@Johnny_Bintang TBH, you don't really need a mechanic to change the SMT fluid or check/reset/relearn the ECU. Very few tools involved and not much of a learning curve on TechStream. If I can do it, anyone can.