New to me 2018 - fluid change ?

Hey all,
Been a member of the 2nd gen forum. Recently bought a used 2018 3.5 DC.
The truck was a single owner, and appears to be maintained. I've found records of service at Toyota up to 40,000 miles and then nothing until 100,000 miles.
It had a 100,000 mile service at Toyota. I didn't buy it from Toyota, got it from indie dealer.
I want to drain/ fill the tranny. It's got 109,000 when I bought it. Should I or shouldn't I do this ? I don't know if anyone ever did..
Thanks in advance

 

It doesnt hurt and it ensures the level is set properly. I'd do it.

 

Good evening Aaron, I would take the time to change out all of the fluids if it was me.

Here’s a link for some 3rd Gen Tacoma maintenance tasks.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/3rd-gen-diy-maintenance-quick-reference.406712/

 

All you need is four quarts of Toyota WS transmission fluid, fluid transfer pump, jumper wire, and various sockets.

 

Thank you for the quick reply !
I've heard two schools of thought on changing the fluid after 100,000 miles.
I'm going to take the plunge and do it.
I think I'd be better off draining and filling than not doing it.

 

I've got everything but the fluid.

 

I would change all the fluids in the truck including the brake and coolant.

This way you know:
1) everything is fresh
2) everything is at the correct level
3) the correct specification fluids have been used

Most of these jobs are easy to DIY if you are handy and have a few tools.

 

good rule of thumb, especially at the 100,000 mile mark, is if there's a lack of maintenance records, assume nothing was done. so you're due for all fluids(antifreeze, brake, diff's, engine, power steering, transmission), and belts as well.

it would also give you a chance to look over wear items like brake pads and ball joints for wear.

 

It irks me every time I hear the parroted opinion that it's detrimental to touch tranny fluid after 100K.
Even more so when it's referred to as a "school of thought"
I will always blame that four eyed, carrot topped, fear mongering Scotty Kilmer and his flock of sheep for spreading that horseshit across the continent.

 

You can convince me either way on the whole transmission lube thing. I don't think that there is any harm at all in doing a drain and fill of the gear box. But I also don't think that there is anything detrimental to leaving the old fluid in there. Many here think these gear boxes are made of paper mache'.

 

Here is the drain and fill video from the Maintenance Map thread. I used the OEM Toyota WS fluid.

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

 

I believe a lot of it is actually rooted in the 1960's when automatics really became mainstream.

Vehicles of that and prior eras required a lot more routine maintenance so telling the customer the new automatic fluids were "good for the life of the car" was a big selling point.

Take this in the context however that back then nobody would dream of buying a vehicle with 100,000 miles as they were seen as having one wheel in the junkyard already.

100k with reasonable care is nothing for a modern vehicle, the "good for life" thinking is just uneducated stubbornness.

RE: Scotty K
I have never made it through one of his videos - I can't stand his delivery.

 

most dealers still won't take a vehicle on trade over 100k miles. i joke all the time that vehicles cease to exist after that mileage. whenever i'm car-window-shopping at a dealer, i usually let them appraise the vehicle i drove in with, and they've always balked at the mileage being an obscene 110k-150k, with a look to match that questions what planet i got the heap from.

 

From a dealership point of view I understand not wanting high mileage vehicles, the general demographic of the high mileage buyer isn't someone they want to deal with.

Years ago most dealers had a row in the backlot of older, cheaper cars that a working fellow could buy fully understanding they were getting as is, no warranty. These were great cars for handy guys.

Modern people seem to expect the same level of warranty on a $3500 car you get on a $35000 one. It really isn't worth the dealers time to try to help people anymore.

TLDR version - Modern consumers spoiled buying cheap cars.

 

The whole 'don't change the transmission fluid and leave it alone' only applies to transmissions where neglect and high mileage combine. 100K is not high mileage for modern synthetic transmission fluids. If you had 250-300K and the fluid was never changed and it was very dark, smelled funny - maybe then leave it alone. The idea is if a high mileage transmission clutches were wore out, the old fluid has additional friction properties (because of contaminant materials in the oil) which helps the transmission live a bit longer. You will hurt nothing at all with a drain & refill at 100K.