Does anyone have actual experience with tranny fluid change?

c'mon TW, shouldn't have to get to post #37 till someone mentions this thread. i think it's a sticky in the maintenance section.

100s of us have done the fluid shop with overwhelming positive results. i'm about to do a second swap. got 3 gallons of Valvoline MaxLife from Walmart on the bench.

 

On my truck I have issues with the tranny finding the first gear when I stop too quick and also already happened 4 times that the transmission won't shift into 4 or 5 gear and reving up. With the last problem I always was able to get it back running with switching the car off for maybe 10sec to reset the TCU.

Now I am wondering that I might not have enough ATF in the transmission and in general could maybe solve the issues or at least the last one with some fresh ATF!?
What is everyone's thoughts on this? Could it maybe help or at least not make things worse?

The truck has around 140k miles on it and the previous owner took good care of it..so I believe that he did probably at least one ATF change in the past

 

It could be low. Knowing that your transmission fluid is at the proper level is the first step.
Mine was 3/4 qt low from the factory, same as others reported. Some theorized if you had a trans cooler your probably low. I didn’t buy into that until I checked mine. You need to learn how to put it in check mode by jumping the 2 pins. There is a sticky on it.

 

I am just curious. If there is a fluid level check hole on the tranny why do we have to go though all the other bullshit with jumping pins and checking temps?

 

Because fluids expands when they heat up (typically) so if you don’t check at the correct temperature you will have too much or too little fluid.

 

I guess this would be to easy and more people would do themselves.

Side question: do I have to do the jumper method when I have a scan gauge which would probably also read out the trans temp?

 

I found so much conflicting info on the correct temp to check, so to get it right I just used the pin jumping method.

 

@Labbi85 No. I have UltraGauge which reads both internal temp sensors. I have compared the readings to those of my IR temp gun; the differences have been less than a degree; thus, no need to mess with sticking wires in the OBDII to begin with if you have an IR gun.

I've done three ATF flushes on our Lexus and two on the Taco using the IR gun. Both still driving and shifting well.

 

Just started the full flush and at initial drain only 1.75quarts came out...I guess that isn't enough right?

 

Change it. Even if for no other reason than dirty fluid clogs up the valve body. Seriously, change it regularly. Should have been all along.

 

if that's what you drained out of the pan cold, than I would replace with the same amount, when you do the pin jump at temp. overflow check you will find out if the trans was under filled to begin with if no ATF comes out the overflow. I think usually at least 3 qts, should come out the pan initially

 

I want to do the flush with removing the cooler hose, can I now just refill 3quarts do the flush and at the end following the fill up procedure?

 

from what I gathered reading that Flush DIY, the OP first drained the pan cold and measured exactly what was removed put new ATF back in same amount, then started the flush procedure, I would do that not to deviate from that procedure, if you were low at the get go it will show at the end when you temp check pin jump, there may be no overflow dribble then add 1 quart and retry till you get that dribble IMO

 

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

 

But do I not run into the issue that the pump might run dry when I refill 1.75q but remove 2q from the cooler?

Yeah I printed the diy out and have it next to me

 

no way the whole transmission has at least 10-11 quarts in the torque convertor, so by taking 2-3 quarts in your jug wont empty it not even close, just put back in the same amount you took out, your doing great

 

https://youtu.be/TF1EQc4A0Hk

 

also FYI the torque value for the drain plug should be no more than 15 foot/pds. I think they say 21 ft/pds(WRONG!). is too much and will strip it out, both drain 14mm and overfill plug 5mm hex are no more than 15 ft/pds

 

I've mentioned this before....but so many maintenance geeks around here will use expensive oils, regularly change diffs using synthetic lubes, regularly flush brake and cooling systems, use only Tier 1 premium fuels, etc., etc.

"Only the best for my rig!"

But when it comes to the transmission....."meh, fuck it. It's a lifetime fluid".

 

this chick says do it https://youtu.be/ej_6BZpK3gg