96k would you change transmission fluid?

I had mine flushed at the Dealership at around 160K. Mine had developed the shudder at around 30-40 mph as well as when it would shift in the overdrive gear (last gear?). After the flush it shifts way better. It was pricey (around $400 at my local Toyota Dealership), but to me it was well worth it. $$$ well spent!

 

I have drained and filled mine five times in 200k. Never dropped the pan or changed filter.
It’s easy to drain and fill. Buy a new drain plug gasket and don’t over tighten it cause it’s an aluminum pan. Usually drain out 3.2 quarts
Don’t overthink this, if you want to do it then do it.
No such thing as a lifetime oil

 

“Changing the fluids - all of them” should be standard upon purchase of a used vehicle.

here is a helpful link with step by step instructions and pictures for completing the full flush of the transmission and lines.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/diy-full-flush-for-automatic-transmission.68462/

 

IDK where the lifetime fluid came from.

My BMW 128i had 30K on it when I flushed the transmission [drain/refill] - it was supposed to have a 'lifetime fluid' but it felt notchy as hell; i did not like the way it shifted. . .

Sure enough the fluid came out greyish/icky looking - def. not clean. . . that said, I wouldn't have done it unless there was an issue at that point; but by 60-90K miles - I would have done it just to see what lifetime fluid looks like after some wear/tear..
This also fixed my shifting problem.

No oil lasts forever.
I also question the motives of the manufacturer; my older BMW were built to be maintained [eg where the brake sensors plug in, the air box]; my newer one is not. It is like the manufacturers do not want you to take care of said vehicles for the long haul, so they can get you to buy more shit. . .

 

LOL - Marriage was to last a life time also and we cant all say that can we....Cheers!

 

I must be overkill. When I bought my 15 with 30K miles. I drained the pan. Measured about 3.5qrt. I removed the return line going back into the transmission. Took a gallon jug and measured 3 qrts. Filled the transmission up with 3.5 qrts. With the return hose in the gallon jug. Start the truck up and pump 3 qrts. Fill the transmission with 3 qrts. Start the truck up again till 3 qrts fills the jug. Add three qrts. Repeat till fluid is bright red. About three times.

At 60K I did a drain and fill. At 80K I got a deal on a deeper pan. So in all I’ve gone through about 18 qrts of fluid since owning the truck. 93K on her now. Will wait till 150K to drain the pan.

The first time I flushed with Maxlife ATF. The last two times Amsoil Universal ATF blue cap. Get yourself a OBD Bluetooth reader and look on the forum on how to get temp readings.

 

Wonderful meanwhile my 06 sport w/ 194k miles runs like a champ never changed.

 

I don’t want to be that guy. Glad the neglect is paying off for you.

 

I swapped at 80k the first time and will do every 60k from here on out.

 

Pan drop and complete flush with MaxLife at 86,000 miles. Now at about 92,000 and shifts great, glad I did it.

 

Every 100K replace your transmission oil.

 

My point is that in today’s hyper save the planet attitude manufactures will reduce the use of oil products at the sacrifice of longevity. Go ahead and keep to the recommended life of your engine and tranny of 100,000 miles. They are happy if you get 100,000 miles because you’ll have to buy another vehicle or or pay for repairs. For me I want to double and triple the longivity so I do more changes on all engine fluids than recommended. I feel that’s cheap insurance. I’ve never heard of anyone saying “That car has not been taken care of because the fluids were changed too often”.

 

I would change it. A few years back I had the dealer change the “lifetime” transmission fluid on my wife’s 2012 Camry at just 50,000 miles. The dealer was shocked at how dirty the fluid was. I had asked for a sample of the fluid, and it didn’t look good.

I personally am very skittish about automatic transmissions, so I would tend to go on the more maintenance is better side of things. Automatics have certainly gotten much better over the years, so I should probably let that fear go lol.

 

I bought mine at 96K, I changed it.

 

Unless you overheat the fluid towing heavy it should be good for 400,000 miles. Changing it every 100,000 won't get you any farther down the road. It'll need to be rebuilt at about the same number of miles either way. I'll save my money and use it when I have my transmission rebuilt at around 400,000. The cost of changing it every 60,000 miles will pay for 1/2 of the rebuild.

I'm at 205,000 and it still drives like new. The owner of the local transmission shop is at 400,000 on his factory fluid and his truck still drives like new. If he tells me changing the fluid is a waste of money I believe him. He's been in the transmission business for 50 years and tells me that with newer cars there is a huge difference in life expectancy. Some cars are good for 150,000 miles and nothing you do will change that. Others, like Tacoma's and some other vehicles are good for at least 400,000. Certain models and years have known issues and others don't. Tacoma's don't. He changes fluid for some regularly, but he tells me that none of those guys seem to get any more miles out of their transmissions than the ones who just drive them.

The exception is the guys who tow heavy and let the fluid overheat. Once it gets too hot it no longer works and should be replaced.

 

A friend of mine owned and operated a tranny shop for 40 years. When I got my truck with 54k on it I asked him if I should flush, because the fluid was slightly dark and had a very faint burnt smell. He said hell no! Just keep an eye on it, if it doesn't get worse leave it. I have a 4 banger with a dipstick so it's easy to check. My tranny is still just fine, at 79k.
He made a living working on trannys, and I trust his judgement.

 

The amount of conflicting and anecdotal information on this topic is insane. I feel like I know more about Covid19,
than I do about the transmission, and fluid on this truck.

 

I'd flush the transmission (and not your DIY method you mentioned, doing a proper flush).

 

Change. Any. Fluid. Trans will work smoother with new fluid.

 

I change any and all fluids at least once a year irregardless of any frequency or habitual pattern.

The heat index here in Houston reaches 110+. It is enough to fry ac compressors and cook your vehicle fluids.

Preventative maintenance. If you believe it is a waste of money, I think you should take up owning a BMW. I learned a few good lessons from that and my wallet is still thanking me after all of the taco purchases. Haven't even touched typical yearly cost for a BMW. It took a minimum of 6-7k a year to keep a German vehicle alive.