Transmission fluid change

I did mine just yesterday with just under 60k on it. I’ve done mild towing with it over the last 3 years, so figured doing it early wouldn’t hurt. I feel a considerable difference in shifting quality since the change, so I’ll probably stick with the 60k or when I start feeling abnormalities

 

I don’t believe they are the same, and the exchange will get more or all of the fluid changed.
I had the dealer do it maybe a year or more ago, I think it was $450ish.

Just looked at my notes and it was 550 done at 49k


Either exchange or flush will do more fluid than a simple pan drop, in the end a pan drop is better than not doing anything.

 

Drain and fill every 60k, pan drop, filter change at 200k. I did it at 100k and it was complete overkill.

230k trouble free miles so far

 

You are at low enough mileage a flush is probably going to be fine, but most people will caution NOT to do a full flush. Automatic transmissions actually rely on some of the clutch material that has worn off and is suspended in the fluid to not slip. Contrary to what some here are saying about a drain and fill not being good, I would say it is much better with an automatic transmission.

lots of videos out there on the topic.

 

I had all my fluids changed out on my 2018 with 30k miles on the odometer. I also did a power steering flush, radiator flush, transfer case and diffs, new serpentine belt, plugs and filters just as a piece of mind.

 

I started out this way but came to the realization that the maintenance will add up to a new truck before I ever touch 200k. I've been trying to decipher this service manual for weeks

 

Do you have an automatic transmission? I just hit 60k in the MT.. Seems easy enough to do, but the truck is running great and it feels dumb to spend money on something I might mess up for no reason. But it feels even dumber to pay twice as much for the stoner kid at the dealer to do it..

 

I did it because it was coming up in 6 years. Three plugs were sightly loose and looked okay but had them changed out as well. Been a few weeks and my mpg have improved slightly.

 

I have an automatic. I went back and forth on whether I wanted to do it or not, but since I do all of my maintenance myself I figured I’d just do it at the same time as my front/rear diff, oil change, and transfer case change. It is tedious since you have to wait for the trans to heat up to a certain temp for the level check, but you can’t really screw it up

 

Have a Taco and a RAV4 in the family. Taco is under 10K, so it will be a while.
My personal preference is no more than 40K for ATF, especially if vehicle tows or carries heavy loads (as in my family Chrysler minivan, loaded with the whole family and luggage).

RAV4 ATF was replaced by Yota dealer at 75K (as soon as RAV married into the family, with my wife). RAV is used for short trips, does not carry heavy loads.
I took it to dealer again at 112K miles (after scheduling and confirming my mileage over the phone). Thornton Road Toyota (Georgia, have not used them before for ATF service) refused to work on RAV ("high' mileage being their excuse) after I pulled into the drop-off bay. Wasted 3 hours of my time driving there and back.

My mechanic put 12 quarts of ATF fluid thru the transmission, until fresh fluid started to come out. He said old fluid was black (not burned). So it will be going on a 35K miles schedule now, which means every 6 years.
Transmission did not have any problems before, but it is smoother now.

I am taking my Taco in at 40K to have ATF serviced. If dealer refuses, my mechanic will do it.

Lifetime, or 100K is for the people who like to replace their transmissions, along with the fluid.

 

IMO, no. flush old fluid goes out as new fluid goes in. exchange you add 3 quarts 3 times but the new fluid will mix in with the old. at best i would add 3 quarts and drive it for about 10 minutes hoping the all the new fluid gets into the tranny then drain and add 3 more quarts and drive 10 minutes and then add the last 3 quarts. having said that i don't know how long it actually takes for the tranny to suck up all the new fluid, i am just guessing. you don't want the new fluid mixing with the remaining old fluid.

 

Got it so fluid exchange is best practice if you dont want to flush

 

I'm with ya on that.
I live by the creed of 'I've never seen anyone regret doing too much maintenance, but quite a few who regret not doing enough'...
I do the oil/filter changes at 5-6K miles, and having just turned 50K had the drain-n-fill on the tranny... With a scheduled coolant system flush and refill along with gear oil change on both differentials and TC case coming in a week. I want my truck to outlast me.. LOL

 

Yup... THAT.

 

Pretty sure its around 100K yes, beside if its worn out you will start hearing noise at high speeds.

 

Yes

 

What he’s describing is multiple drain and fills, which definitely contaminates the new fluid with old.

“Flush” is the wrong word. With a fluid exchange the transmissions own pump pushes out the old fluid and fresh fluid goes in to replace it. I do it every 100 000 km.

 

I’d recommend the OP and anyone else do some research (ahem, 6:50 into the link) on the suggestions you are getting. People might get upsold on a flush because it makes a shop more money, but again.. I wouldn’t do it. Drain and fill.

 

So my next question is is that something the dealership will do? Or will i sound crazy asking for a fluid exchange. Or will they be like it’s either a drain and fill or a flush

 

no