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Thoughts on transmission flushes?

Discussion in '3rd Gen. Tacomas (2016-2023)' started by Codys9469, Feb 23, 2020.

  1. Feb 23, 2020 at 5:12 PM
    #1
    Codys9469

    Codys9469 [OP] Member

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    Just curious who on here believes in transmission flushes vs. Not touching it?
    I have heard of doing both from people just wondering what everyone on here thinks...
     
  2. Feb 23, 2020 at 5:21 PM
    #2
    Amanelot

    Amanelot Member

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    I do a drain and fill every 10k. Just for piece of mind
     
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  3. Feb 23, 2020 at 5:30 PM
    #3
    Marek71

    Marek71 Well-Known Member

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    I would flush it at regular maintenance intervals unless you're ready at over a hundred thousand miles and never did anything then I would leave it alone or just drain the oil and replace whatever came out.
     
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  4. Feb 23, 2020 at 5:33 PM
    #4
    BillsSR5

    BillsSR5 Looking out for #1

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  5. Feb 23, 2020 at 5:39 PM
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    Speedfreak

    Speedfreak Member in poor standing

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    The only time a flush is needed is after an internal failure. Flushing the lines and cooler will prevent contamination and premature failure of the new transmission.

    Draining and replacing the fluid will be fine.
     
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  6. Feb 23, 2020 at 6:09 PM
    #6
    eurowner

    eurowner Duke Sky

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    Always drain and install a new filter.

    Flushing automatic transmissions have a habit of causing premature transmission failure.
     
  7. Feb 23, 2020 at 6:27 PM
    #7
    Sharpish

    Sharpish Well-Known Member

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    @gearcruncher

    A lot of old wives tales around this topic. Instead of “flush” call it a “fluid exchange.”

    The transmission pump runs as usual. Fluid being returned from the transmission cooler to the pan is diverted into a pail and replaced with fresh fluid.

    From the transmission’s perspective it’s invisible. Business as usual, but clean fluid at the end of the day.
     
  8. Feb 23, 2020 at 6:28 PM
    #8
    DANGERMONEY

    DANGERMONEY Well-Known Member

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    +1^
     
  9. Feb 23, 2020 at 6:55 PM
    #9
    Tacman19

    Tacman19 Well-Known Member

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    Over a 100,000 I don't touch them. "The crap in the fluid is holding the thing together" Fluid Exchange is the propaganda Firestone taught us in Chicago, and I agree with the principal. Flush is something a toilet does...lol.
    Zim

    PS. Honestly I would follow the Manufactures guidelines. If it says piss in the fill tube, do it. My favorite line is;
    "There is a guy in Japan, or Detroit, who sits in a nice leather chair, and makes $238,000 a year. He's a smart MF. I don't know too many automotive engineers that hang out on forums, and tell folks to pull the positive cable off to check the alternator"
    Z
     
  10. Feb 23, 2020 at 7:00 PM
    #10
    OnHartung'sRoad

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    :duh: He must have oil futures stock, there’s no need to replace transmission oil that often.
     
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  11. Feb 23, 2020 at 7:03 PM
    #11
    Tacman19

    Tacman19 Well-Known Member

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    Lol, hey it may be a good thing. I've done this crap a long time, and have avoided automatic transmissions for a reason. The reason is if you open one, you're screwed..lol
    Zim
     
  12. Feb 23, 2020 at 7:07 PM
    #12
    3JOH22A

    3JOH22A トヨタ純正男娼

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    "Lifetime fluid" = the fluid reaches end of life at some point after your powertrain warranty expires. :devil: Therefore if you flush at the 5 yr / 60k intervals, the fluid will always be at a serviceable condition.

    Flushing is easily done with a $35 Amazon transfer pump. Just disconnect the transmission hoses at the radiator and connect to the pump as per the video. Fluid flows in the same direction as it normally does in the vehicle:



    Level check procedure will obviously be different with the AC60.
     
  13. Feb 23, 2020 at 7:10 PM
    #13
    OnHartung'sRoad

    OnHartung'sRoad -So glad I didn't take the other...

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    I’ve probably done it longer than you, and had auto transmissions the whole time, except the ‘85 Toyota PU. All the other automatic Toyota transmissions I’ve owned lasted more than 250,000 miles on those trucks before I sold them, and they still worked great. Even the auto transmissions in my Chevy and Ford did well over the whole life of those two trucks with a little more than the recommended transmission fluid changes, it’s just not necessary to do that more often than what the manufacturer says.
     
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  14. Feb 23, 2020 at 7:21 PM
    #14
    Tacman19

    Tacman19 Well-Known Member

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    Agreed. I traded a Subaru for the Toyota. They make really good stuff. Love the quote on you sig too. Thanks
    Zim
     
  15. Feb 23, 2020 at 7:39 PM
    #15
    OnHartung'sRoad

    OnHartung'sRoad -So glad I didn't take the other...

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    We had a 4wd turbo GL10 (for my wife’s car)- fastest little family station wagon I ever drove! :)
     
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  16. Feb 23, 2020 at 8:09 PM
    #16
    helix66

    helix66 Well-Known Member

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    I'm always worried when I hear "oh it never has to be changed", "sealed unit" which is what I was told when I bought the truck. I didn't see any interval mentioned in the owners manual but I would think that 60-75 would be a good time to change the fluid.
     
  17. Feb 23, 2020 at 8:34 PM
    #17
    Sharpish

    Sharpish Well-Known Member

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    I do a full fluid EXCHANGE every 100 000 km because it’s a nice round number and it’s Only $200 at my dealer.
     
  18. Feb 23, 2020 at 8:49 PM
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    Amanelot

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  19. Feb 23, 2020 at 9:03 PM
    #19
    GOLIVER0131

    GOLIVER0131 TrdMo

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    Last edited: Feb 24, 2020
  20. Feb 23, 2020 at 9:16 PM
    #20
    OnHartung'sRoad

    OnHartung'sRoad -So glad I didn't take the other...

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    We RV too- a 20ft Jayco.:cheers:
     
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