Transmission Break in

Guys, took the truck to get a transmission drain and fill and replace the filter after the first 1000 miles for break in. Dealer quoted between $700 and $1100.

The service lady was acting like I just asked her to pour bolts down the spark plug holes. I think she was inflating the price just because they didn't want to do it; she was trying to talk me down the entire time.

Question, am I overthinking this? Does everyone just ignore the break in period of engines and transmissions?

 

I changed my engine oil at approx. 500, 2500, and 5000 miles before going into a 5k interval, but I did not change the transmission fluid, transfer case, or differential. Maybe I should have?

The oil analysis results were pretty interesting for the first 5 or so oil changes, which was when the numbers started to stabilize.

 

The filter replacement is what drove the price up.
A drain and fill is good enough. Then again at 35k.
Do the filter at 60k.

That's if you like to be proactive.
If you don't, skip the 35k fluid and do it with the filter at 60k.

 

I've seen lots of over the top maintenance ideas on this site, but this is a first for me. Maybe people did break in oil changes for a manual transmission last century, but I've never even heard of tearing open an auto trans this early.

The transmission will likely survive the useful life of the truck without any service, provided you just drive it like a normal car. If towing heavy or doing intense off road and really heating up the fluids for a long period of time, then a fluid change every 60k is considered a benefit over running the old fluid forever.

At 1000 miles, I personally think there is a much higher chance that your local shop ape is insufficiently trained, and might cause more damage than you could possibly save by digging in at this time.

What are you hoping to prevent by changing both the fluid and filter so early?

 

If you ask a barber if you need a hair cut the answer is always yes. This is how you stay in business.

If you ask for a transmission service with pan drop and filter change, I'll quote it and do it. But if you ask if its necessary, I'll tell you to put the money into something like tires that will actually benefit the truck.

No tacoma auto has failed because it had factory fluid in it during warranty period. There is no break in period.

 

Not worried about failure. Just longevity. Transmission break in isn't something new...

The metal will get picked up by the magnets but the clutch material is in the filter.

Riddle me this. All transmission shops that do a rebuild recommend a new filter and fluid change after about 1000 miles (or sometimes 500). I know for a fact, after testing my engine oil (and seeing others test their oil) that Cu, Si and wear metals are very high in a new engine. There is no "breaking it in" at the factory. Why isn't the Trans the same?

Sorry guys, I know what everyone thinks but I don't agree.

 

Call a transmission shop and ask how many auto Tacoma transmissions they’ve rebuilt. Your over thinking it man, drop the fluid out of the pan at 20-30k miles if your feel the need to and enjoy your truck.