1st Transmission fluid change at 123k ?

I bought my 2014 dcsb TRD OR prerunner with around 20k miles on it. In the beginning I did the oil changes and maintenance, then switched over to letting the dealership do the oil changes and brakes. I now have 123k miles but have never had the ATF changed or flushed. The dealership never mentioned it until this last weekend and said I was due for an ATF exchange for $275. I declined. I had my previous Tacoma (2007) until around 180k and never changed the ATF and never had any problems. My current 2014 runs perfect. However, I’m concerned if I really should have a change done. I e heard too many horror stories about high mileage vehicles have trans service done and then it failing.

All of my miles are hwy miles, I don’t off road, and have only towed a light trailer a couple times for very short distances.

I’m looking for opinions on this ATF service. I know I don’t want a full flush. I’m considering the drain/fill method, but am hesitant to mess with it at all. I’m changing the diff and plugs this weekend.. and just basically want opinions to see if I should even bother with a trans drain/fill.

Thanks.

 

DONT do a flush. DO a drain and fill.

Do it every 30k from now on you’ll be fine.

Just measure what comes out of your tranny pan and refill the exact amount back in with fresh fluid.

I got my 3rd gen new and I’m doing drain and fill every 20k. About 4 quarts.

 

I vaccinate. I see it as the same concept. Since 40k miles, I have drain and filled the transmission annually. Walmart Valvoline MaxLife ~$18 a gallon. YMMV.

 

What’s your logic

 

It keeps the fluid relativity clean throughout the life of your transmission.

 

Flush can dislodge sludge at that point is the logic I’m assuming he was implying. I did the same thing for my wife’s rx330 we got with high miles and no known maintenance record. I had them drain and refill tranny fluid around 120k, NOt flush

 

Thanks for the replies!

I just called the dealer to find out exactly what all is involved in the service. They say it’s a fluid exchange. That they hook it up to a machine that pulls all the old fluid out while filling it with new fluid. They clean the filter but do not replace it.

Would you guys trust this exchange service at 123k miles.. I’m planning on a pretty big road trip in September from Georgia working my way out to Colorado and back to Georgia over the course of 9 days, so I’m trying to make sure everything is perfect.

Thanks.

 

Sounds like a flush to me. That’s when they flush out the whole 13 quarts or so then replace all of it that’s where it’s risky because you MIGHT cause problems at your mileage and no history of doing Previous fluid changes. But I’m not sure.


.. a drain and fill should just consist of taking off the drain bolt, draining what comes out. Measure what came out. (Assuming your already at the correct fluid capacity) And pump back in the same amount with a pump.


It’s to easy. It’s a DIY in the garage.

If you have the dealer do it make sure it’s only a drain and fill. Be specific that you DONT want a full flush.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/hopkins-si...MIvp-Mh4WZ4wIVBavsCh17LAtXEAQYAiABEgJZtvD_BwE

 

I did this service myself at 20k miles and will continue at each 20k interval. Buy the Toyota WS fluid on Amazon, 4 qts. I use a gallon pump sprayer with a modified tip to put the new fluid back in. Then check the level by jumping the two pins. The tranny needs to be at the correct temp. to check the proper level.
It takes about 3.2 qts.

 

I did a full flush with the pump sprayer method. There is a thread on here to show you how to do it. I refilled my A/T with Valvoline Maxlife ATf and one bottle of Lubegard. I also dropped the pan, cleaned the magnets and replaced the filter and gasket. My truck Runs like a charm.

 

Drain and fill, do NOT flush.
Especially at that mileage and it’s never been touched.

Do it yourself and save some money.

 

I rolled the dice and did a full flush myself. Previous owner had put about 90k on it before I purchased and then I neglected doing it 'til 197k. I have no idea what he did. Yes, I know. Should have done it sooner.
I read all the dangers and lots of people saying it was just coincidence if you have problems afterwards.
Used WS fluid, changed the filter. Very little crud in the pan or any fine metal on the magnets. Fluid was a little darker but didn't smell burnt.
Shifts smooth and no problems....yet. I will just do the drain and fill from now on.

 

How many miles have you put on since the flush?

I keep reading mixed opinions too.. maybe I should have made it a poll, and just went with the popular vote.

I don’t understand a lot about transmissions but from my research (which could be wrong) the fluid goes bad more from temperature than from mileage..

so my thinking is that someone with 60k miles but offroads, tows, lives in hilly areas, or has mostly city miles puts more stress on and would have a trans in worse shape than my 123k mile truck that has been on street only, basically all hwy miles, flat terrain, doesn’t tow or off-road... am I correct in this thinking? And if so, would this make you choose the fluid exchange over the DIY drain and fill? I plan on keeping this truck and hopefully getting 250k-300k out of it and just want to do any maintenance I can to make sure of this.

 

If I were in your shoes I wouldn't hesitate on a full flush, pan drop, clean filter and magnets. Then going forward do a drain and fill every 30k miles.

 

A flush isn’t going to hurt anything. If you have a problem after a flush, there was probably an underlying problem to behind with

 

I've done 3 full flushes in 216k miles, still running great.

Drain and refills are very easy, you can do one each week if you want.

 

Flush is in the book at 100k so at 115k I had mine done by the dealer as most of the trans fluid is in the torque converter not the pan.
Shifted slightly smoother and noticed the torque converter locking up in 5th more firmly as it should. Opinions are many but to save a few dollars and loose a trans is very costly. The full flush runs thru the cooler too so the entire system is flushed. Your call.

 

I think I’m leaning towards letting the dealer do the fluid exchange ( I guess this is a flush, I couldn’t get them to say the word flush?)

Hopefully all goes well.. and then I can do a drain and fill as needed after that.

But am definitely open to others suggestions.

Thanks.

 

I wouldn't worry too much. However, I would recommend driving as much as possible before embarking on this long trip so it happens near home vs on the open road.

 

Honestly, don’t touch it. Let it ride....