How to Drain/Refill Automatic Transmission

The Car Care Nut has a great video on this subject.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJr30r6RRgw

Summary:

When should you change the transmission fluid? ( :41 seconds)

• Automatic Transmission Fluid - World Standard (ATF WS). Identified by no dipstick or black dipstick handle. Every 60,000 miles or 6 years

• ATF Type T-IV. Identified by the red dipstick handle. Every 30,000 miles or 3 years.

What fluid should you use? (min 2:01)

• If you want the transmission to last, use the original Toyota fluid.

What if you are already over the recommended mileage? (min 3:29)

• Don't replace fluid if it is over 100,000 miles and hasn't been changed previously.

Why should you not replace your very overdue transmission fluid? (min 5:07)

• Risker to replace fluid which can cause more issues. At a certain point, it is better to leave it alone. There is a delicate balance between too much debris (can clog valve body/solenoids over a period of time) and no debris (can lead to slipping when clutches wear down).

Transmission fluid flush vs transmission fluid drain and fill ( min7:56)

• Fluid flush is okay as long as using the original fluid. *Risk of removing too much debris in older transmission leading to problems.

• Drain and fill is what he recommends. Removes some debris but leaves some behind. Even adding a small volume of new transmission fluid can add enough additives/cleaners/detergent to be beneficial.

Should you keep changing the fluid until it is bright red and clean? (min 10:13)

• NO. It is a mistake.

What to do and not to do when you have very high mileage original fluid? (min 11:03)

• >100,000 miles and has never been changed-> Analyze the risk. Higher risk of developing issues if you change fluid then if you leave it alone.

What about the transmission filter? (min 13:50)

• Replacing the transmission filter is a waste of money if you have been changing transmission fluid at recommended intervals.

Final thoughts and recommendations (min 15:12)

• It is a lot cheaper doing drain and fill at recommended intervals than transmission replacement.
  
  
• Changing transmission fluid too often is harmful. If you do change it early, don't do it sooner than 30,000 miles for ATF WS or 15,000 miles for ATF Type T-IV.
  
  
• Don't change transmission fluid if the original fluid hasn't been changed and the vehicle is >100,000 miles.
  
  
• Sealed-for-life transmission is a marketing ploy. The only guarantee for sealed-for-life transmission is failure. Nothing is forever!
  

 

Saw a contradictory video from this guy before. Anyway I have 91k on my 2018 Tacoma and fluid has never been replaced. Anyone think it would be fine to replace or leave it alone?

 

Replace it. I fully replaced my original Toyota fluid with Valvoline @ 90,000. Trans operated perfectly then, operates perfectly now, and I expect it to operate perfectly for the long foreseeable future. I'll drain and fill every 30,000 or so, for the life of the vehicle.

 

Same, did a full replacement on my 2012 at 90k miles, no noticeable change in performance.

 

Anyone using a Scan Gauge II to see trans temps instead of doing the temp check mode? I just want to confirm I have the right codes for trans temps. Also does our trucks have pan gaskets? I’m going to drop the pan and clean it, went to the dealer to get new crush washers and they said there’s no gasket on the trans pan. Is it just FIPG or silicone or something?

 

You can use a ScanGauge, note that specified check temp was changed in 08 to 97-115F per TSB 0129-08

The OP hasn't been updated to note this.

 

My 2015 4.0 AT has a pan gasket. I got the WIX AT filter and it came w/ a new gasket at rockauto.com.

 

Referred back to this thread again while doing the transmission on the GX. Great resource!

 

A friend I sent here read this thread and did his own transmission service and it turned out great. Good info here.

 

Interesting. I’ll have to do some more research then.

 

I like RockAuto and have gotten the transmission filter there with zero issues. Last time I got it from NAPA:

https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/ATP17061

I think it was cheaper by a couple of bucks and NAPA was down the street. I’ve had zero issues with this one as well.

 

Forget that hand pump...get a 1 gallon pump sprayer..

 

Safe to assume all 2nd gens share the same gasket? Also maybe a silly question, do you put any gasket like sealant on it as well or just line the gasket up and torque to spec?

 

As long as your pan wasn't torqued down improperly or dented there should be no need to apply any RTV on it. Here's my gasket install, I recommend threading the bolts through the gasket a couple threads so the gasket stays aligned and makes it simple to install the pan that way.
FWIW, the WIX filter # 58136 is the same part # for your 2006 too!

 

Good idea! Thanks for the response, that’s exactly what I was looking for!

 

Sry to bump such an old and long thread but I have a question regarding doing a drain and refill for the transmission. I understand the process that is supposed to be done with temp check and all that. But technically is it okay to just refill exactly the amount that was drained out? I feel like as long as it is cold when drained it should be ok to do that? Or am I stupid. It seems to me that if the transmission is doing fine beforehand, refilling the exact amount you take out and leaving it at that should work no?

 

Even though the transmission is working fine before hand, the transmission could still be overfilled or under filled. I use a blue tooth OBD reader and the Fusion app, you could always use the Fusion app as well. This way I can see the temperature of the transmission, avoid the temperature check mode procedure and do the fluid level test, I believe the proper temperature range is 97 to 115°F.

 

Providing it's not underfilled to begin with you can do that but it's best to check it properly.

You can also use a ScanGauge or any other scan tool that can report transmission temp, note that specified check temp was changed in 08 to 97-115F per TSB 0129-08

The OP hasn't been updated to note this.