How to Drain/Refill Automatic Transmission

Try again in the morning, 2 hrs may not be enough to be considered a "cold start"

 

As if the port were upside down? I'm not sure how I would check for that. It appears to be identical to the pictures I have seen in this thread and else where on the web.

I will try again in the morning to see if it was just still warm from driving.

Thanks for the responses. I will post my results tomorrow.

 

I brought the truck into A/T temp check again, before I ran out to run some errands. I got a steady light this time...like it was at the correct temp. The trans must have just stayed warm before...parked in warm garage with the hood down. I will check again in the morning...looks like I am on the right path.
Thanks for the help TW!

 

I bought 16 qts of ATF WS and plan to do a drain/fill x 4 over the period of a few days. I feel that by the fourth time I should have cycled at least 90%. Is it safe to assume that once it reaches temp and I can confirm I have a trickle out of the overflow port that I can just put back the same amount that comes out? I just have no idea if it’s at the proper level to begin with.

 

I don't believe that 90% number is right, but you'll end up better off than most people who never change the ATF.

If your truck came with the towing package, it's possible you're actually low already if you've never touched the ATF before. When I did my first drain+fill, I actually needed to add 12oz of fluid which I think is roughly the capacity that the ATF cooler adds.

Jumping the OBD pins and getting into temp check mode is really the only right way to do this. Just read the instructions thoroughly and take your time and you can do it.

 

Yeah, I do have the factory tow package. There was no record of any maintenance on the trans when I bought it so I just want to assure it’ll last me a long time. I bought it at 67k and currently have 105k now. Appreciate the input on the cooler, it makes sense.

 

I had to wait until morning. Even though the fluid I drained and filled was room temperature the light was steady on at start up and then began flashing. Apparently the temperature for checking is very low of the sensor is way inside somewhere that it says warm for a crazy long time

 

Checked it this morning after sitting overnight...12 hours or so. It seems to have been residual heat in the trans causing the flashing light. This morning I just got the quick flash from the trans temp light. Then after a quick drive I stopped and checked to see where it was at and I got the solid temp light. Then back at home in the garage after a 20 minute sit I checked again and got the flashing light. So all seems to be right and making sense.

Waiting on the Irwin screw extractor set before moving forward with the drain and fill. The front diff fill bolt is pretty goobered up and I need the set for that and possibly/likely the overflow bolt on the trans...bettered to be prepared then scared. Got a new hex bolt from the dealer to replace the original.

Anybody know if there is a Hex bolt replacement for the front diff fill port?

 

There is: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/front-diff-drain-plug-alternate-oem-part.604989/#post-20391465

 

Give the hex bolts a few good taps with a hammer before loosening. Helps to to jar any rust/build up around the bolt face to help break free. Also tap the hex socket to be sure it’s fully inserted.

 

A little squirty squirt of PB Blaster never hurt nobody neither.

 

yup, whenever i do this procedure or the diffs i do this 1-2 nights before as well.

 

They must have changed it in later years (or maybe the 4x4 is different? b/c I have the 2014 FSM for the Toyota Tacoma V6 w/ A750F transmission. Proper temperature is 97°F - 115°F.

Also, you don't need access to the Toyota tool. Most any scan tool that can access the TCM (there's a lot that can, but not all) can read ATF fluid temp. The one that I use to read ATF fluid temp is the Autel MD806 Pro ($230). (Just a little side note in case you already have a good scan tool, you can use it instead of fussing w/ sticking wires into the OBD port.)

If you get the aforementioned tool the ATF fluid temp is found in Scan > Asian > Toyota > Manual Selection > USA > Tacoma > Select Your Vehicles Year From The List > Select Your Vehicles Model Code From The List Found On Door Placard > Diagnosis > Control Unit > Engine and ect (yes, it's spelled ect) > Live Data > Custom List > (Select Both) A/t oil temperature 1 & 2 > Ok.

*Note: The higher of the two temperatures is the sensor located in or near the torque converter. The other is the temp of the oil in the pan. Use the temperature of the oil in the pan to get your reading.*

See attached FSM ATF Section: https://drive.google.com/file/d/18HI3ChTEMyPNU16CXU-Kv6ZbDRW0dSal/view?usp=sharing

 

They did change the specified check temperature to 97-115F in 08 for all models with the A750 transmission, several of us have been trying to get the word out about the change but it has not made it to the top of this thread because the OP is long gone and staff won't edit it in.

TSB attached below.

 

My trans has had no service until 224,9xx miles (I have owned since new). Just bought a travel trailer and figured better late than never. I swapped out ~4.5 quarts of good looking/smelling used ATF following this procedure (had to wait ~5 minutes for the temp light to stop flashing as it was relatively warm out). I had about 2 days of normal driving (not towing) before we embarked on a 2800 mile road trip (Hood River Oregon-Page Arizona and back). You could say I'm bold if not very smart...but everything worked out fine!
Like another poster above I'll be completing this task several more times over the coming months...

Thanks for the helps guys.

 

Good post, I think your smart. I have done a pan drain and replace 3 times now. Since it’s recommended to replace every 30k, I just do intervals before 30k of 3 qts. ea. time with a total of probably 9 qts. with a pan drain before I get to the 30k mark. My procedure from the first time was to get the exact level perfect with the temp check procedure. All the following Drain and fills are simple.

When I do the next pan drain. I simply use a clear gal jug. Mark the old fluid with a sharpie, dump it, fill to sharpie line with new ATF. Pour it in. Bam, I’m done. Don’t need to go into temp check mode.

 

really the only reason i do a drain and fill is to check the level, getting a little new fluid in is a plus. you can assume that if you havent seen any leaks that the level is the same as before, but i dont have that confidence

 

I don’t worry about that, I look at that drain screw on the tranny when I’m under there. You can tell if it’s leaking.

 

Ok...got her up on ramps and jacks today...all leveled out. Drained the trans...no big deal. Hit the bolts with some PB Blaster yesterday afternoon. Drain and overflow came out ok....still replaced the overflow with a new external hex drain bolt. Got her into trans /temp check and it went as expected ...a little messy, a little cussin,' and got her done.

Lubed all the zerks while she was up and changed the oil. The Kirkland brand full synthetic from Costco keeps her purring nicely and is a value compared to mobile one.

I was moving on to the front diff to extract and replace the fill bolt with the external hex from Lexus when I noticed the drain was the bolt that had gotten stripped...my poor aging brain, memory will never be the same....so that came to a screeching halt.


I would like to replace that fill bolt with an external hex too...anybody got a part #?

Put in the work and found it....Fill plug front diff Toyota P# 90341-A0002. Or...
Dorman P# P090-042CD...or...Lexus P#. 90341-18060.

 

Finally did this yesterday at 102k miles after putting it off for a year. Thank you so much for this guide. Did the whole thing in less than an hour.

TRD Sport 4x4 with tow package. Pulled the drain plug and only had 2 quarts come out. I pumped 4 fresh quarts in, got the truck in temp check mode, and let the overflow plus drain out until a small trickle remained. I had 1.5qts come out of the overflow plug. So looks like I have a half quart more in the transmission now than I did before doing this drain and fill. Will do again in 10K miles to cycle some more of the old fluid out.