How to Drain/Refill Automatic Transmission

Where does everyone buy there screen filter? My dealer wanted $189+tax, thought it was pretty expensive so I didn't purchase it, oil wasn't to bad $124 for 14 qts.

 

Found mine at a local auto parts store. Included new pan gasket as well.

 

dropping the pan today. should I purchase a new duralast filter from the auto parts store?

 

Why not? They aren't very expensive.

 

Kind of how I was feeling.

 

Comes with a new rubber gasket as well. Follow the instructions -- don't put any sealant on the gasket, just maybe a little grease to hold it in place, but you can stick some bolts through and hold it (gasket holds the bolts as well, pretty sweet!). Bolts are only lightly torqued, but there's lots of them. I didn't even have a torque wrench handy that would register that low.

 

Ah so I already have a pan and gasket.. still am going to purchase the filter/screen/. I've read through these threads multiple times now. Just to be sure-- I have 4qts of ATF on hand. Last time I drained and filled I used roughly 3.5 qts. This time around, dropping the pan, shouldn't require additional fluid than the 4 qts I have. This sound right?

 

Sounds about right. I think I got close to 4 quarts from draining and dropping the pan, but not over 4.

 

here is the thread to check your level when you are done https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/diy-full-flush-for-automatic-transmission.68462/
You're doing fine, it will work out, take your time, enjoy the experience as best you can.

 

It is all done. Everything if working great so far! Thank you all for help and suggestions.

Kory

 

Need to check my ATF on my 17 OR with Tow package. Same old, dealer refused to check. It is my understanding if you have the tow package on the 3 rd gen you should pin open the thermostat before checking atf level. Could someone provide a picture where on the transmission, I need to pin the thermostat open before performing the check?

 

No offense to the poster or anyone else who’s done this but after doing a complete rebuild and refill on my 06 4x4 transmission I came to the conclusion that draining three quarts from the pan did nothing but drain the pan. Some 9 quarts remain untouched in the various valve bodies, lines, cooler and torque converter. All the three quarts in the pan being drained could possibly do is remove the sediment that may collect there but it does nothing for the rest of the system. Just my opinion though..

 

That's why there are directions to drain the rest of the system here: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/diy-full-flush-for-automatic-transmission.68462/

 

It refreshes the additives and friction modifiers in the rest of the transmission fluid. If you have fairly fresh fluid in your transmission, a yearly drain and fill is probably overkill for most people. If it's been a while since you've changed your fluid, do a full cooler line flush. What failed in your 06 transmission?

 

I did my first drain / fill over the weekend, 101,000 miles. I determined I was 1/2 qt low. I hope 1/2 qt low is not detrimental to my tranny.

Fluid came out black, what is everyone else seeing come out?

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/jimbos-rig-olaf-af.384817/page-25#post-17058881

 

I did a full flush at 138k, had done one drain and fill prior. Here is a pick of my used fluid vs new

 

wow, that fluid looks good. mine was black. I will drain refill again in a couple weeks

 

I'm going to be doing this soon and have a couple of questions. First one is how level does this need to be, or in other words if it's not perfectly level how badly will it throw things off? My drive way slopes a little, not a major hill or anything and I'll use my magnetic level to try to get it as level as possible.

Secondly, what are some potential issues if I don't have it at the correct temperature? I've read and watched a few different "DIY" instructions and some just change it cold while others just use an IR gun. I'm assuming if you did this cold the transmission would be overfilled?

Third question, I'm at 120,000 in an 09 and this will be the first I've done this. I stupidly listened to toyota dealers and never worried about it even though I have asked 3 different dealers at least once each time over the years to check it and/or change it. What are some potential early signs of transmission trouble I should be looking for?

Last question, I have an ultra gauge with the transmission temp and want to know what the average/good temp should be for normal driving (not towing). Thanks all

 

This is my experience from my 2012 2nd Gen:

1. It doesn't need to be perfectly level, but try to get it close. Do you not have a garage?

2. Issue will be not having the correct amount of fluid. I would think that getting it somewhere close to 115 would be close enough. If you have an Ultra Gauge, that should get you close. I moved between D and R and let it sit in gear with my foot on the brake to get the temp to go up. It eventually got there.

3. Unless you have been towing heavy loads all the time, you are probably fine. I'll let some true experts chime in on symptoms since I have never had a problem. I would suggest getting a new filter and dropping the pan to clean things up.

4. Depends on the temp outside. Cold months I would see around 140, hot months up to 180 at times.