what is clutch fluid?

The dealer keeps telling me I need work beyond the stuff that is in the maintenance schedule,I think?today they are telling me I need extra service including checkint the clutch fluid .what is that?

 

He is talking about the clutch Master Cylinder and slave cylinder for the hydraulic actuated clutch. It uses the same fluid as the brakes. Your brakes and hydraulic clutch probably shares the same supply reservoir.

With a 2013 I highly doubt you need any maintenance yet unless you are having an issue.

The dealer be wanting your money!

 

otoh, checking the clutch fluid is exactly like checking the brake fluid, you look in the reservoir and verify its at the proper level. this should be a courtesy check not a extra charge.

 

In the world of dealer profit, a distant relative of blinker fluid.

 

Something the 2106's are low on from the factory

 

That's visionary!

 

oops

 

I remember my 2009 having a separate reservoir for clutch and brake. Did that change over the years?

 

My 2008 shared the same reservoir with the brakes but my 2015 has separate ones, I think it may be cause of the Atrac System.

 

I would have to find some pics of my 2009. It was an OR 4x4 so it had the A-trac and I'm pretty sure the reservoirs were not shared.

 

It's brake fluid

 

I think it's a good idea to flush the brake/clutch fluids every 2-3 years along with coolant.

 

My 08 OR had a traditional style booster and master cylinder, my 2015 OR has some sort of hydro electric unit.

 

I know one of the models have a shared clutch and brake supply reservoir. I think it is the Off Road, but don't quote me on that...

 

Single reservoir on 2009 V6 PreRunner 6sp.

 

It may or may not be part of your brake fluid reservoir. If it isn't, you should service it everything few years along with your brake fluid. Most brake fluids are known as being hygroscopic. They collect moisture in the air. You and anyone that drives a vehicle tend to use the brakes.....a lot. People with manuals use the clutch....a lot as well. There is heat being created. Heat and cold create moisture. Moisture is also trapped in the brake/clutch lines. That's why they recommend flushes. Can you do it at home? Absolutely. It's pretty much a glorified brake bleeder session. Hope this bit of info helps.

 

Separate reservoirs on my 2013. Brake reservoir is large. Clutch reservoir is tiny.

+1.

+1.

Negative. My (2013) TRD OR has separate reservoirs.

 

(goes out to the driveway at night, pops the hood, and studies it with a flashlight)

dayum, my 2008 4x4 OR 6 sp. has shared reservoir.

big brake reservoir, there's a 1cm or so hose that goes from the reservoir through the firewall to the clutch master cylinder behind the pedal, and a skinny clutch line comes back through the firewall down to the clutch slave.... so you should bleed the clutch when you bleed the brakes, I guess ?

dunno, there used to be a time I did all that stuff myself, now I just take it to a good wrench, and he does as needed. I do still kinda like to know how it all works, and toyota is new to me, my last umpteen cars have been early 90s mercedes & volvos, and 80s VWs before that.

 

My 2008 is the same, shared reservoir, huge vacuum booster, ABS controller way over on the passenger fender. My truck does not have TRAC or VSC and I think that's the reason. Trucks with VSC have a separate clutch master reservoir because the booster/brake master is the electronic gizmo.

I'm collecting parts for my suspension swap, part of which is longer stainless flexible brake hoses. I'm debating having a local shop swap them and bleed the brake and clutch because I'm not sure what's going to happen with my power bleeder. When I pressurize the reservoir are the two fluids going to mix. Not that bleeding both at the same time is a bad idea, just not sure what's going to happen and what the levels will be after. I don't want to end up with a mess.

 

It must be model specific if they share the same reservoir or not. My '13 SR5 shares the clutch and brake.