Automatic transmission fluid change

So ive been hunting for a shudder when I accelerate at low rpms. Did the bearing for drive shaft and no difference. All u joints are good. Next is the transmission? I know its a sealed transmkssion but im goimg to drain the fluid and refill. It has 250,000 miles so I think its due. How much does it hold? What kind should I use?

 

Lots and lots of threads on here with pictures and everything. They are very helpful so find one and roll with it.

 

Did you look at the Owner's Manual????

It likely has the type and quantity of fluid.


A low speed shudder is typically a U-joint, but you checked those. Have you looked at the CV joints on the front wheels?

 

Try this ..

That's a lot of mileage without a fluid change? Do you know how it was treated before you owned it?
Considering Toyota says to replace the fluid every 60K under ideal driving conditions, a pan drop is where I would start.
I would start by dropping the transmission pan to see what's laying in the bottom , clean the filter and magnets as mentioned above, then add new fluid .
At that mileage not knowing if its ever been serviced, 3 quarts of fresh fluid that's very high in detergents as well as new re-agents should be enough to rinse the transmission internals as well as freshen everything up .
If everything goes well , do another pan drop in 6 months to catch the junk that the new fluid deposits in the pan .
It will cost you 2 pan gaskets and 1 new filter or backflush the old one. Your goal here is to replenish the re-agents in the old fluid that I am sure are very depleted and degraded by now

Good Luck....take some pictures and post them for all of us to see!

Go Team TW!

 

Yep ive checked all the u joints and cv axels. I got the truck at 190k and I got it to 250k now. I dont knlw how it was treated befor me and I also dont have the manual. When taking off slow and it starts to shudder if I increase rpms it goes away. Like all under 40mph. Do you think i should do a complete flush and pull the pan and add any special additives or just drain and re fill?

 

I wouldn't personally not do a flush, just the drain and refill first. This way you have some controls. When I did my recently I discovered (confirmed by others) the transmissions in these trucks are sometimes low from the factory (1/2 liter/quart). With the drain and fill you can control and know exactly what comes out must go back in to the transmission.
There are lots of videos to help in the process. You will need to drop the pan to clean and inspect after the first drop and refill.
If after this process you still have the problems you can start to add the special additives....you might just need new fluid and the correct amount. I wouldn't put additives in just to put them in....

 

I think she does the best job of changing our transmission fluids.

 

I vote she needs to wear a bikini while changing the fluid

 

so you think for the first change to see if this works.
Just take out drain plug drain it all out and refill it? I really appreciate the help guys

 

Practice putting it in check mode. People seem to have problems doing this.

 

Maybe do one flush?

 

One flush would be better than none. But like other have said, you should drop the pan, clean magnets and filter and new gasket. Replace fluid. That would be best.

 

Ok and does my 2007 taco 4.0 take any special kind of tranny fluid?

 

I don’t know about your year, I just looked in my manual for mine. Then google it.