Wow! Just wow... Transmission flush

Just finished a complete transmission flush on my 2015 dlcb at 57k. What a difference. The slight vibrations at around 40mph are gone, no hesitation on the shifts and the annoying clunk/searching when cold is gone. Fluid was still reddish, but definitely dirty... so much for that lifetime nonsense. I highly recommend that you do this service-I am now thinking that I will just make it part of the +20k service and do a drain and fill. Cheap insurance for a long lived transmission.

 

I'm at 206,000 miles on the factory fluid. No vibrations, no hesitation, no clunking or searching. Still drives like it did 13 years ago when I bought it. At best you wasted money, at the worst you may have shortened the life of your transmission.

If the transmission was giving you those problems it sounds like a defective transmission. Changing the fluid at this point may be a temporary band aid.

Unless abused most of these transmissions are good for about 400,000 miles. Changing the fluid doesn't add any miles to that. By the time you get to 400,000 miles the money you spent on a drain and flush every 20K would pay to have the transmission rebuilt. You're just spending money for nothing.

 

That’s awesome I’m doing a drain an fill on mine this weekend.

 

If you haven’t done it already, do the rear diff. You’re in for a real treat

 

It was probably low from the factory to begin with,my 2015 was and after I did a drain and fill, it shifted much better when starting out cold. There’s a bunch of post about other people’s tranny being low.

 

Assuming the OP did the diy flush outlined on here Fresh fluid isn’t gonna shorten the life of the transmission. That old wives tale pertains to shop style high pressure flushes. Just cause you’re at 200k without doing any tranny maintenance doesn’t mean yours is in better shape.

My fluid was black when I flushed mine at 100k. For $80ish In Toyota fluid (cheaper if you use another brand) and a $10 garden sprayer it seems like cheap insurance to do on a $30k truck every half decade.

 

“Yeah, well, you know, that's just like, uh, your opinion, man.”
— Jeff "The Dude" Lebowski, The Big Lebowski

I hear you. Can't say if the truck was abused before me (but the overall condition says otherwise) but it has been loved since. Maybe you don't even know how good it can be... just, you know, thinking out loud. I am expecting 300k... thus the preventative maintenance. Oh, and Toyota now states that you should do a trans service at 60k, so at least I can argue that I am following their guide lines if something goes south.

 

I was surprised that it was so dramatic with just the first drain and fill. Did four of those and then a temp check to fill. Easy! Probably low, but didn't remove pan and all fluid. Consistently drained 2 1/2 qts.

 

I'm planning on doing mine @200k (@198k now).
Doing the rear differential also.

 

lol

 

lol. I just did a drain and fill at 155k and noticed the exact same differences the OP noticed. Chill man, don't be so quick to bite. It's a forum on the internet not Gosbel.

 

Huge huge difference with just a drain and fill and some lube guard at around 300k. Smooth like spreading soft butter on toast. It's second since new.
I'll be doing it again at 350k.

 

Congrats.

Did a fluid exchange on my 2011 4Runner with 150k and noticed it fix a clunk and was noticeably smoother.

 

I do a drain and fill every 60k. I've always noticed improvements on shift smoothness and vibrations after the drain and fill. I work my 2nd gen hard, offroading and towing regularly.

I recall distinctly having transmission slip and shudder when the trans oil towards the end of its useful life at 65K miles on the 2nd drain and fill (so ODO read 125K). Drain and fill fixed this problem.

I'm going to cross over 300K before the end of the year. Still going strong. Always do the recommended service, especially with the transmission drain and fill.

 

I’m about to do a drain and fill after I install a bigger trans cooler. I’m at 107k miles on original fluid in my 2006.

 

Love the Lebowski quote. Chin up.

 

Nice work OP. I did a partial top off at 30K to make sure it was full when I bought it and a standard 4ish qt drain and Fill at 60K per factory service recommendations. I never did my filter so I feel like that's a 90K problem when I change gear oil again.

For the flush, I gather that you just drain and fill multiple times until it starts running clean?

 

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

The best trick (burred somewhere in that thread) is instead of draining and filling repeatedly just buy a $10 home depot garden sprayer and attach that to your tranny supply line from the cooler/rad, disconnect the return line, and route the return into a bucket. Start the engine, pump 5qt in while 5qt pumps out into bucket (mark the bucket). Turn off, refill sprayer, and repeat until clean fluid comes out.

 

Oh look everyone another “you did it wrong I’m right and you’re an idiot” post from another jackass on tw

 

Just a gentle reminder.....
be kind
be calm
be respectful

We all have the same interests! ...we are all Tacoma owners and enthusiasts.

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