Preventative Maintenance

So I went to a shop I trust today. They did a street max muffler, I just wanted a little sound.

But anyways, we started talking about transmission drain and fill. And differentials drain and fill. He started talking about using the BG machine and doing a full transmission flush. It comes with a $2000 warranty if anything happens to the transmission after this flush is done.

He did have a good selling point. A transmission drain and fill doesn’t get all the fluid out. As the torque converter holds a lot of fluid.

what’s everyone’s view on doing a transmission flush at 50k?

 

Do it every 60k and call it good. I did my first flush at 90k and will do every 60k going forward.

 

In order to keep the $2000 warranty, they recommend every 30k. For me that’s 3-3.5 years.

 

What’s the cost? Are you keeping the truck till it’s dead?

 

For the transmission flush and both differentials $576. I know it’s expensive, but I plan to run this truck til the wheels fall off

 

So far I have changed the air filter and cabin filter with K&N drop in. Oil changes every 6000 or 6 months with Mobil 1 synthetic. I plan to change the spark plugs this spring.

Probably do a brake fluid flush and radiator drain and fill this summer.

 

BG offers warranties.
I have used BG products and machines.
For transmissions I drain and fill, including my own. That's what I'd do.
If it's contaminated, a flush can dislodge contaminants and send them into other areas.
If it's not neglected, then it's not contaminated and nothing drain and fills on time can't deal with. It's better than the average treatment, which is nothing.

Labor on DIY drain and fill is free.

 

IMO it’s worth it. 60k is right at 4yrs for me. So to invest that every 3-4yrs smart.

 

but you don’t need to get all of the fluid out. The drain intervals are set based upon the need for refresh. If a complete drain and replace was required, it would have been specified by the maker. Now granted we have seen a few manufacturers play games herewith lifetime fluid crap, but most still give recommendations for drain and fill intervals. None to my knowledge recommend flushing, likely for the reasons above that it is too high of a detergent load and can dislodge build up as well as the fact that it is not necessary. 100’s of small passages in a trans valve body. Unless you distrust them, best to stick with manufacturers guidelines. Toyota has a great reputation for longevity, so stick with their guidance. You wouldn’t see people posting here with 300k on their taco if toyota was getting it wrong. No harm draining and filling early, but flushing is not recommended and there very likely is a reason for this. If they thought that was required,it would be in the maintenance guidance. They are not bashful about telling you what is required.

as some very smart people have told me over the years, more is not always better.

 

DO NOT, I repeat DO NOT hook your transmission up to a flush machine.

Do it properly via pushing a few quarts at a time through the system to replace fluids.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/diy-full-flush-for-automatic-transmission.68462/

Best thing to do would be to drain pan, drop pan, clean magnets / replace filter, fill pan then do the next 8-9 quarts via the above method to swap fluids.

 

I’ve flushed 3 previous Toyota autos on machine(60k intervals) all running fine at 400k miles when I got the next one.

 

Sorry but a sample of one has NO statistical relevance. Lots of people have their trans start failing after a flush. Why do you think they promote the warranty. Because we all know someone whose trans capped out after a flush. The dealers and jiffy lube types that don’t know anything are the ones pushing flushes. Go to your local trans shop and ask how many of their repairs came shortly after a flush. The likelihood of post flush issues has a lot to do with how old you let the fluid get. Routine flushes are likely low risk. Run 150k on original fluid,then flush is just asking for trouble.

 

Right. But I am at 50k. Not 150k.

 

when a mfg states to service an auto trans every 40k by drain and fill. That is cheapest.
Next step up most enthusiasts do with success is a pan drop. Clean the magnets, get more fluid out, renew gaskets, and replace filter.

a flush is probably unnecessary and waste of extra money over the above.

I like BG. Some of their machines are good. Like brake flush machines. It’s needed. They have good products.

but other things like coolant flush machine and AT flush machine were probably invented to make money.
Just like a car salesman yelling at you to buy a sedan while you’re walking in to buy a filter. He’s not doing that because he knows you need a sedan in your life. He’s doing that because he wants to sell you one and make money.

Jiffy Lube is in the business of draining the wrong pan, whatever business that is.

Dealers partner with BG to sell fluid replacement. Their brake flush machine works. No problem.

you know what you do if you buy a BG coolant flush? You drain and fill because their flush machine doesn’t work. Preferably pan drop with filter. You add their additive to the coolant because it’s good. And you throw away their “cleaner” because it causes leaks.

the warranty is useful for owners of unreliable vehicles such as certain German. So that when the water pump fails in a year, which it will regardless, they’re now helping cover replacement even though they had nothing to do with the component failure.

if previous owner failed to do a service, then do more of them to compensate. Or just get on the schedule.

 

Multiple drain and fills are a lot safer than a BG machine.

 

I'm a "drain and fill" fan. And am no expert. Just know how good these transmissions are. Just make certain they have the correct amount.

 

I use BG products minus their transmission additives and radiator "cleaner" and i love their 44k and EPR/MOA during oil changes.

If you are going to a shop and they are going to do the transmission drain and fill and both diff services $576 isnt bad for retail. Can you do it yourself? Sure. But then no coverage from BG and also how much time/experience do you have and how much is your time worth to you?

 

I’v been doing an annual transmission drain and fill for the last 4 years. Truck had 45k miles (when I started) and I have run the transmission up to 220 F. I figure I now have 80-85% new fluid. Skipping a few years and will start again.

 

That’s overkill but whatever makes you comfortable is all that matters. Some of us never touch the transmission fluid for the life of the truck. I’m at 188k on original fluid, runs like it did the day I bought it.

 

Well there you have it. I'm glad this debate has finally been settled.

OP...do what makes you feel good at the end of the day. No transmission has ever failed because the fluids were too fresh and clean.