Should I have the Toyota Dealer do a Full Flush of my Transmission?

I spoke with my Totoya Dealer in Oakland CA and they quoted me around 320$ for a full flush and fluid replacement using a machine for the automatic transmission on my 2014 Tacoma with 60k miles.

I heard mixed reviews on full flushes but given this is a long standing Toyota Dealership they must know how to flush toyota trannies without damaging them.

What are your thoughts?

 

You "should" be fine at 60k to do a flush.

Personally I would find a local trans shop and have them do a trans service. Drop the pan, clean the filter and magnets and then refill. I got mine done for about 180 bucks.

 

I did the fluid exchange at 100 000km. Shifted even smoother than before. It’s 150 000 now and not a lick of trouble from the tranny.

 

Toyota recommends tranny flush at 100K and every 50K thereafter for normal usage. Meaning if you're towing you'll want to do it more often.

I've been corrected on this! See below.

 

It's more than likely a BG fluid exchange machine and they'll be using a BG transmission fluid. That's what my Toyota dealer uses and I had them do the exchange service on my old 2nd gen (the 2009). It was higher miles never been serviced at 140K, but I didn't have any immediate problems nor did it solve anything. That trans was on its way out before all that. Same dealer did two transmission fluid exchanges on my 2014 (one recently) and it shifts really well.

 

I typically stick to just filter, and replacing lost fluid from that

 

I only go to a Independant shop and get them to do a drain a refill. I don't go to the dealer anything.

 

Same. 3 local dealers told me to do the same.

 

I had the dealer flush mine for about the same price. As an added bonus, they replaced the clock spring under a recall which caused my SRS light to turn OFF. I then drained a quart at home and added an ATF additive that is highly recommended on here. I forgot the name . My truck Al had about 170k and the old fluid was the original stuff. I now have 196k and no problems since then.

 

Was the additive called “LubeGuard”?

 

Yes, Lube Guard

 

Save your money and drive it. When the transmission dies somewhere north of 400,000 miles then get it rebuilt. You'll spend more paying to get it serviced every 50,000 miles than it will cost you to have it rebuilt. And it won't last any longer.

 

That’s s not in my maintenance schedule. That’s s the radiator flush schedule. Toyota recommends a flush every 60K under special operating conditions. Many of us do it as regular maintenance. Or, do the drain/refill process every 30-40K. And replace the ATF filter near 120K.

 

Not a chance. 60k miles full 12 quart fluid change @ 10$/qt for proper toyota WS fluid = 120$ every 60k. 400k/60k * 120 = 800$. If you get a full proper transmission rebuild for 800 bucks you have either provided other services to your transmission guy or are getting shafted on a proper rebuild.

FYI, toyotas spec is 60k mile oil change interval and sooner if its used under "severe conditions", this spec was reduced from the initial 100k mile intervals quoted in the manuals of early 2nd gen trucks.

Needless to say OP, do it right, you can do it yourself pretty easy if you can watch a youtube video and follow easy instructions. Full system holds right at 11 quarts, get 12.

 

Why not apply that logic to ALL maintenance?

 

Gah, you're right. I was pulling that from my head and not current spec.

 

Auto dealerships are always looking for people with stupid tattooed on their foreheads. Is that you?
They will sell you everything else they can get away with needed or not. I worked for them and could not stand seeing them rip people off.
You only go to a dealership when your vehicle is still under warranty. There is no difference between them and a shop down the street. Customer service is nothing but a business tool.

 

I work at a dealer and couldn’t agree with you more. Stealership is a proper discription.

 

DIY

 

Lots of opinions as always.
Most of the fluid is in the torque converter so a pan drop does a couple qts only and no paper filter a screen in there.
Dealer did mine at 115k as I tow and the trans gets well used. It's a fluid that can break down.
After my trans had slightly better shifts and I could now feel the converter lock and unlock in 5th.
One of the few things I let the dealer do besides AC stuff. Now at 185k and all shifts great.