Question about transmission fluid

I've got a 2014 Tacoma with the v6 in it and was wondering if I should change the trans fluid or not. Truck has 137,000 miles and as far as I know hasn't had it changed. Is there any risk of the trans slipping or anything messing up after changing the fluid being that it's gone this long without having it changed. Thanks

 

If your fluid isn't burn't and your not having any transmission issues your probably ok doing a pan drop and filter change but I wouldn't do a flush.

 

I would not do the power flush
One drain and fill to check the condition and make sure it's properly filled, probably not a problem

 

Do it. Most of the risk people claim are old wives tales. 137k on a Taco is just broken in and time for fluid maintenance.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/how-to-drain-refill-automatic-transmission.63851/
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/diy-full-flush-for-automatic-transmission.68462/

 

1. probably
2. no

 

Peace of mind is worth a million dollars.....do it and you can rest knowing your service is done and you have the right amount of fluid in your transmission.

Go Team TW!

 

You can do a full fluid exchange (I didn't say power flush). I drain the pan, add back the same amount that was removed, pull the transmission fluid return line and add a length of hose to it and point said hose into a bucket with graduated measurement marks on it (paint mixing bucket). Start the engine and pump out two quarts into the bucket then turn off engine (remote start works great for this). Add two quarts back to the transmission. Rinse and repeat until clean fluid comes out. Add just a little extra fluid and set the fluid level using the appropriate procedure. I use a modified pump-up garden sprayer with a hose and valve added to easily pump fluid back into the transmission. It has graduated measurement marks to make adding the right amount of fluid very easy. For fluid, I used Idemitsu Type TLS-LV which is the equivalent to WS and is synthetic. I buy it from Rock Auto (https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=13619853&cc=3310144&pt=11387&jsn=426)

Edit: It takes about 12 quarts to do a full fluid exchange

 

I bought my truck used with 206k miles. According to the maintenance history the trans was never serviced. I did several drain and fills at 226k miles. My truck has 315k miles on it now. I did another single drain and fill around 295k miles. I believe I did take a risk when I did it as 226k miles but it seems to have been fine for me. With your mileage I wouldn't hesitate. Just don't do a flush as others have said.

 

If you'll sleep better.

If your transmission is in good shape changing it won't hurt or help anything. But if your transmission is compromised and starting to go bad keeping the old fluid in there buys you some time. I wouldn't change it because you have nothing to gain. And while quite rare, it could cause the transmission to fail a little sooner.

There is no evidence that changing the fluid prolongs transmission life. The guys who change it every 30,000 miles end up replacing their transmissions at about the same mileage as the guys who just drive them till it breaks. Unless the transmission has been abused and run hot I'd expect 400,000 miles out of a Toyota transmission whether you change it or not. I'm in the camp that just drives them until/if they break and save my money for when/if it needs to be replaced. Most vehicles end up in the scrapyard for something else before the transmissions go bad anyway.

I've been driving 50 years and have never replaced the transmission fluid in any vehicle, never had a fluid related problem. I've had electrical glitches repaired in a couple of transmissions. There is currently 680,000 combined miles in my driveway, all with the factory fluid in the transmissions. I'm money ahead if one dies tomorrow.

 

That's 23 fluid changes at 30k intervals. The time and money spent on fluids (assuming you'd do it on your own) is a lot of $$$. You're money ahead.

 

I'd like to see the evidence that not changing the fluid prolongs lifespan. Possibly a study conducted by a guy named Schrodinger?

As is readily apparent, you'll find people in both camps of thought. Some make more ridiculous statements than others. Some never change it because gosh darnit that's the way their pappy did it and come hell or high water things will never change. Some people like changing oil as cheap peace of mind or insurance against the degradation of fluids from heat because yes that is a real scientific thing (and if you don't believe so, have fun over at Bob Is The Oil Guy forums and godspeed to ya).

Oil changes are maintenance. Good bet if Toyota calls it out in the scheduled maintenance intervals it's a good idea to do so. Just change the frickin oil.