3rd Gen Differential and Manual Transmission (6MT) Fluid Change

I called the dealership for a quote and they told me $332.49

The rep said this is because they have to let the transmission sit and cool for multiple hours and they have to do checks for the temperature. i explained my truck was a six speed manual and they said they still had to do that and do “checks” and that I needed “special” tools for the job. They warned me I could cause severe damage if these checks weren’t done.

Safe to say they’re just trying to rip me off but what I am curious about is the temp of the transmission. Am I going to be ok with just changing the fluid like I’m changing the regular engine oil?

it seems to be that’s all people do with the manual transmission fluid change.

 

LoL! The price isn't bad, if that includes the diffs also. If that is just the MT, keep a firm hand on your trousers and run!

But, they are absolutely clueless about the fluid swap.

 

Is the $332 for all the gear boxes or just the transmission? If all the gear boxes, that's not terrible in my experience.

There is no requirement I know of to wait to drain the transmission, I never have.

 

It is better to warm up the fluid before changing it. Warmer fluid will flow better and drain faster, and if freshly driven, contaminates won't be settled in the bottom but mixed into the fluid and drained with it. Other than that, there is no 'special' way to change the fluid. The dealer just wants to change your money into thier money. That requires the 'special' tools.

 

yeah it that rep seemed to think the manual and AT fluid change is the same.

i just asked for the Transmission fluid and emphasized that it was a straight drive. They still quoted me that much.

that makes sense, change it when it’s warm and not cold and settled.
Yeah I’ve looked up videos on how to change the fluid for the 6MT and I knew the rep was trying to rip me off.

 

That's the service writer trying to sell you everything. Find a better dealer.

Yep the manual transmission is literally as we've said in here. Crack the fill plug, and pop the drain plug, when you're done replace washers replace drain plug, fill and then replace fill plug. There is no special tool. Same with the diffs.

That being said there is a certain way to do the automatics... So maybe the clueless service writer was thinking of that. Either way, this is a manual transmission you can do it yourself if so inclined for much much cheaper than some ripoff dealer is trying to do you for. The fact that they don't know the difference tells me they might be selling you an automatic service and some clown may be pumping the wrong fluid into your transmission.

 

Yeah I’m just gonna stay away from this dealer. That’s what I was thinking too. They were confusing the AT with the MT service and that just makes me believe they’re complete idiots will probably screw up something.

i just wanted to check here to make sure I wasn’t crazy for thinking this rep was out of her mind.

 

You can do the MT and diffs at home for about $100 less than that quote.

 

What part of the country are you in? Maybe someone in here could point you to a better dealer in case you need anything else done

 

Dang, I guess this is what happens when the reps aren't the actual techs working on the vehicles.
While yes, its better in my opinion to change the oil when it's warm-ish, (drains better etc) it's not a requirement like with the Auto.
The Auto requires a special change procedure where the manual does not.

I've run into mixed results when dealing with reps where some are not mechanically inclined, and asking technical questions generally doesn't yield much value.


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In slightly other news, I changed my T-Case and Trans oil at 28,000 miles (rounding up) and it was rather dark all things considered.
Definitely worth changing and not waiting till 60,000 miles.
The first change interval for the T-Case and Trans I'm told should be 30,000 miles even though the dealer won't technically agree with that.
Like with the diffs, the first change generally is a bit more glittery/dirty as the gears wear in.
Once you get past the initial change I'm told you can go the normal interval.

Normal intervals>>
T-Case = Every 30,000 miles
Trans = Every 60,000 miles or 6 years

 

I was quoted something around 300 for transmission fluid from the dealer. Not sure if maybe they were reading the AT price sheet though. It may well be the MT price.

 

I second that, I waited till 45k, and wish i had done it much sooner, the 'cleanest' fluid of the bunch was the T-Case at a syrupy brown. Diffs and Tranny were all jet black - yikes.

also as others have said, all this is easy DIY, the Tranny is just like diffs with the MT - 'special tools' required: torque-wrench, and a way to pump oil. lol

 

Viscosity is more important than color, esp with the first change. If they were flowing well, no worries.

That is roughly the AT price sheet for a fluid exchange and condition/cleaning service.

Jet black is fine. That's just break in coating from gears. As long as the fluid was flowing well (warm) it's perfectly normal for the first change to be super dark.

 

Btw, I’m in NC in Burke County. The dealership I use is Mike Johnson of Hickory Toyota. Just so everyone around here knows.

Id say they’ve gone down hill. Granted all I ever got from them was oil changes that came with the warranty but now they won’t stop trying to push services and this last visit completely soured me on them.

 

Thanks for pointing this out. The guy was a bit young but I was f’ing clear on MT because of the TSB. And I paid full price on said TSB since 2016 is out of warranty. But she shifts smooth now and I have added confidence that I can not f up a darn MT fluid swap. I mean, I would have to be a friggin idiotic to fail at that, right? Easier than oil.

 

You maybe, but my track record lately would be raising some red flags. Hahaha!

 

I wanted to point out that it’s easier than changing your oil - and less “specialty tools” too lol

 

I was only scared because of the trouble I encountered shifting out of 5th and 6th at the hot end of a 1000 mile drive. Some helpful TW guys pointed me to a TSB that the dealer confirmed. I may go redline next time but for now I can safely say that it seems my amsoil MT fluid is working properly.

I was definitely willing to pay $300 to not have problems shifting at 45 MPH on a steep grade.

 

That’s why I keep it in 2nd in the fast lane when going to the mountains- never have to see 45! Bonus points if you can match the speed of a semi in the slow lane for 40 miles

 

Stealerships don't know squat about MTs. One post on here describes techs unable to start the Taco to get it in the garage. They tried jumping it, etc. They were too stupid to notice it's a manual and to press the clutch pedal......

My local parts guy insisted Toyota's straight 75W MT oil (which is used on some Toyotas) was the correct oil despite me showing him what's in the manual.

So yeah, do it yourself.