Dealer Refused Transmission Flush

Got 5000 miles with my 2010 with the V6 and 5-speed auto. Accidentally bumped the shifter into neutral on the highway (~ 60 mph), so I shifted it back into D while the truck is still running. The truck jerked severely going into D but then drove normally.

Decided I wanted to do a transmission flush to get rid of any metal shavings that may have came off as a result of the maneuver and general break-in period. The dealer mechanic refused to do a full flush, instead he drained and refilled the fluid. The mechanic cited problems with trapped air when doing a power flush with this particular transmission. Is there any truth to what he is saying? Anyone else had gotten similar comments from the dealer?

 

Most typical trans fluid changes are simply a drain and refill with a filter change. It's impossible to get all of the fluid out anyway, this is why you can't fill the transmission with it's capacity...you refill it with the same amount you removed.

Not sure if his excuse is correct, but I'd tend to think you'll be find with a "standard" change like the one he did. Furthermore, your accidental shifting as speed likely didn't cause any issues that would result in metal shavings in the fluid, the gears are always meshed in modern transmissions.

 

I think your fears are completely bogus. The mechanic is trying to save you money and not experienced in it, but his argument makes sense. Its a complicated hydraulic system and air messes that up.

What metal do you think you stirred up?
Do the new taco transmissions lack filters?
You should be able to go in and out of neutral all day. Maybe you don't understand what's in an automatic transmission. When you shift into neutral, the clutches aren't forced together to spin the with the planetary gears and drive shaft and The clunk is just bringing the engine and transmission to speed with the wheels, which at 60 in an automatic isn't a big jump if you were at idle much less if you still had some rpms. Automatic transmissions do not shift gears they shift clutch.


I, unless I went to change the fluid and found a lot of debris in my pan, or had burned fluid and a new tranny I wanted to be extra protective with (so would want extra fluid out of torque converter) would never bother with a transmission flush. Its more or less a gimmick. Like the crank case power clean things. Just not needed.

 

And also for future reference...if you accidently shift into N while going pretty fast just let off the gas when you go back into D....you wont feel the jerk as bad...

 

Not sure if that makes you fel any better but that jerk when you put into D while rolling was tranny going into first -- well first. Not sure why Toytoa did that but thats how they probgramm those trrannies so I would completely not worry ..

 

Thanks guys!

 

Another note to why he may have resisted - our dealership got some heat from corporate Toyota for performing transmission flushes, citing "cost of ownership" crap.

Personally, I believe that a trans. flush at the second service interval is crucial - simple "drain and fill"s do not remove enough fluid, or replace enough fluid, to free the transmission of contaminates or fluid that is worn past a safe viscosity level. It replaces 3.5 to 4 quarts. A flush pumps 12 quarts and a cleaning agent through your transmission, and replaces the exact amount of fluid it removes if done properly.

My personal opinion only. I don't really have any facts to back it up, other than witnessing the fluid come out of a flushed transmission AFTER a drain and fill still being very dark. I lost sleep that night.

 

I don't think that was the reason in my case. I went to the service desk, asked for the flush, got quoted for the flush and signed the work order. Two hours later I went to pay for it, the service advisor and mechanic told me they only did a drain and fill. The bill ended up being about $70 lower than the quote, due to less fluid purchased.

My case is a bit different. With 5000 mi the fluid is basically new. I was more interesting in removing any solid contaminants, shavings, etc. The filter in many auto transmissions are very coarse to prevent clogging. Not sure how easy it is to even access the filter on this truck.

 

hey look at it this way.. your Powertrain warranty is 5yrs or 60k whichever comes first.. so you've got 55K more left to find out if the Mechanic was right ..

 

Hmm, good point. I'm just blowing smoke then, and going off on a tangent. Them not performing the flush is a little strange then, I am not sure why they wouldn't go ahead and do what you asked them to.

Yeah, I understand. I was just expressing my feelings on a transmission flush. Marching on my own little crusade. I promise to not derail your thread anymore.

I'll look up the location of the filter in a repair manual tomorrow, but if memory serves me right, it's a lifetime-of-the-truck metal screen filter, and not designed to be serviceable. In that case, I'm expecting it to be buried somewhere stupid in the transmission. Toyota has a history of that (i.e. the starter on the 4.7L V8 in the Tundra is under the intake manifold).

 

I know this is old thread but found the above post interesting...the same exact thing happened to me today. After talking it over with the service manager a week ago he advised the full flush (said it would require 10 qts.) At the sevice desk this morning the guy wrote me up for the flush and said the price would be $225. While the mechanic was putting the truck up on the hoist I ask him and he said he could only do a drain and fill (5 qts.) Picked up the truck and the total was lowered to $150. It seems everyone I talk to at the dealership has a different answer. What the heck is going on? Anyone know why they recommend the flush then won't do it?

 

I was teaching my little 13 yo brother to change my oil. stepped away to smoke and walked in just in time to catch him taking off the trans plug. put my finger in it and lost about 1 quart. drove down the street to stealership and they told me they do not recommend flushes. so the drained and filled. i said ok, becuase if anything was fucked up, they would have to fix it.