Service the transmission on 07 Tacoma

should I take it to the dealer to get it done. Or is it something that can be done in a garage at home. Don't know how to fill trans back up with no dipstick to check the level.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/how-to-drain-refill-automatic-transmission.63851/unread

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/diy-full-flush-for-automatic-transmission.68462/

 

I did a drain and refill in my own garage. Just buy four quarts of ATF fluid from the dealer and do it yourself.

 

10 years old and never been serviced before? stick with a drain/fill of ~4 quarts every year.

i personally wouldn't do a cooler line flush

 

Lots of people here have flushed their transmissions at high mileage for the first time with no issues. It's up to you OP.

 

Dealer can flush the entire system around 300.00 however

 

Followed the steps on this DIY and was not too bad.

 

I am a firm believer in leaving these auto trannys alone if they are under 100,000 miles and not indicating any issues. But then again, I am not a tranny expert.

 

Leave them alone and let the decide which bathroom to use

 

I don't believe in urban legends.drain and fill can't hurt at any mileage.

 

i did mine for the first time @ 262k miles, full flush, pan drop, screen change.
Minimal residue in the pan, six magnets in the pan had what i would consider normal particle accumulation.
The original fluid, while dark, was still red, no burnt smell to it, no varnish on valve body.

I've serviced GM transmissions @ 30k that had more concerning material in the pan.

 

This, did it on mine @ ~170k last year, messy, but worth the peace of mind.
If little else, doing the flush allows you to visualize the wear and tear effects your driving habits have.

 

I just ran some numbers for if you decide to do a drain only and fill. Assuming you use a full 4 quarts of fluid at each drain and fill, and round off the capacity of the tranny to 12 quarts, here is how it will break down. This is assuming the vehicle is driven long enough to mix old and new fluid completely (I have no idea how long that takes).

Here is how much new vs old fluid you'll have at each fill and drain:

First drain and fill: 8 Qts old, 4 Qts new (simple, duh)
Second fill: 5.34 Qts old, 6.66 Qts new
Third fill: 3.56 Qts old, 8.46 Qts new
Fourth fill: 2.37 Qts old, 9.64 Qts new​

As you can see, at about 3 drain and fills, you are replacing a much higher ratio of new fluid vs old fluid. So, in my opinion, at 3 fill and drains as long as the original fluid wasn't completely shot (burnt) then this method of exchanging fluid may be the easiest and less risky for most people.

I'll still be doing a complete drain and fill myself, but this is an alternative with a much lower risk factor.

 

Tech at my stealership said you never need to change the transmission fluid in our trucks ! Had them do it anyway while they installed a Hayden high performance trans fluid cooler at 60000 miles . Which is when they proceeded to bend me over . Been a while now but they charged me around $300-400

 

60k is the recommended interval if you tow or use your truck in severe operating conditions.