DIY: Full Flush for Automatic Transmission

just wanted to say thanks for the great write up. I did the flush on my 2005 4Runner V6 using 12 quarts of Toyota WS fluid and the shaking from my transmission is completely gone. I don't think the was fluid was ever changed in 173k miles.

 

^^Welcome to TW.... glad everything worked out.

 

After reading this entire thread and talking with two dealers I am more confused. I have a 2006 V6 4.0 TRD Sport 100k miles. One dealer says the tranny is a "world standard" and doesn't need to be flushed. The other dealer says yes it does and they charge $177. Can anyone give me a solid answer if it needs to be flushed? I like the ideas on the thread and the pump seems like it makes it easy to do!!

The other question was around Scangauge II and programming it to get the Tranny temp. Any instructions on how to do that? I think that is a good check before I commit to anything.

Appreciate the advice.

 

Do you tow, offroad, or have a burning obsession to flush your Trans? Then yes flush it, use a WS compatible or Toyota WS Trans fluid.
Toyota's scheduled maintenance gives a basic outline of Transmission fluid inspection interval, based on daily driving and towing. It's your truck do as you wish, not as dealers tell you. As you have found out they contradict themselves.

There's a thread somewhere around for the scan gauge or ultra gauge Trans temps. Search and ye shall receive (I'm on my phone). I used a similar method with the Torque app.

 

I do tow....not a whole lot off road but towing a 17' trailer can sure do a # on the tranny. I plugged in these codes and went back to the gauge screen, selected TFT and started seeing some numbers. Started at 88 and went up to 120. I assume this is degrees but where??? From the pan or the tranny converter????


GAUGE
TXD 07E021D9
RXF 032180000000
RXD 2810
MTH 00070064FE70
NAME TFT
Notes Degrees F
Transmission Temperature

 

"it's a Bingo", I'd change it. Sorry I'm not much help with the scan tool codes. I've got two readings and the usually don't differ much, only when driving/hauling.

 

+1 for the chemical sprayer method. Only spilled a few drops using this method. Cycled in 3 new gallons of Valvoline ATF max life. Old fluid looked bad. 54,840 miles, 5.5 years old.

 

Add another one for the sprayer method. I made a mess but that was my fault for not making sure the hose was in the waste bucket securely. Looks like mine was just shy of a quart low. I used the Valvoline Maxlife. The transmission shifts better. Don't know if that is a function of Maxlife being better than WS or the WS having 120,000 miles on it and the transmission liking fresh fluid (probably the fresh fluid). At any rate, great write up and great contributions by other members.

 

Why bother with the scanguage?... 6" of #16 wire between the 2 contacts and you've got it man... Don't cost nothing..

 

^^^^^

 

I'm in the same boat as Silverbear on this one. I recently bought an 06 V6 TRD Sport with 101k miles (now approaching 104k) and I've been struggling to come to a decision. I have one dealership that wants to do the flush for $320 and another that spouts the whole "sealed transmission" and "lifetime fluid" shtick. After reading this whole thread, the conclusion I'm at right now is to do the simple drain and fill for now to see what the fluid is like. The jury is still out on the complete flush. Anyone have any input? I'm brand new to this forum and to Tacomas in general. I just want to do the right thing so this truck will happily march along until the end of days.

 

Do the flush. It's not a hard DIY and you can save at least $250 based on teh quote you were given. Use the Maxlife fluid and get it at Walmart (around $60.00 if you buy three of the one gallon jugs and a spare quart just to make sure you flushed it all out.

 

Personally I am not big into the "need" for a flush. The tranny fluid is not exposed to the nasty by-products of combustion, so the important aspects are viscosity and additive package. A pan drain and replace can add viscosity and additives.

Now, with 100k, I would be double thinking this though. End of the day though I would probably just do 2-3 pan drains at 10k intervals and call it good.

 

Rotation drain. Has served me well for many years.

 

OK I am in on changing the ATF... Thinking of the Sprayer method. However I'm concerned about the pressure/amount of fluid.
A couple of questions though...
Should I drain the pan first? OR Just hook up the sprayer to the return and start pumping away?

 

I did the sprayer method. What I did was disconnect both lines from the cooler. attach hoses to the hard lines, put those into a bucket I started the truck and noted which hose pumped out. I let the truck pump three and a half liters, until it started to go dry. Then shut the truck off, I cracked open the fill port, just to relieve any pressure then I used to sprayer to pump in approximately same amount that was pumped out. Then I started the truck and repeated the process two more times. When finished I tightened the fill screw.

I then performed the transmission fluid check procedure, it turns out I had an extra liter in there, but it worked! No harm done!

My transmission shifts better as a result of the new fluid, I know exactly what is in there and exactly how much. I'm very happy for it!

 

Okay a buddy of mine spoke with 3 mechanincs and all three said that since my truck has such hig mileage (105k) i should do a drain and fill and not a full flush. they said that since ive never flushed the fluid before that the fluid in there now has certain properties that are holding the transmission together and if i flushed it then my transmission will have a bigger chance of slipping. so im thinking of doing a drain and fill but i see posts on here of people with 120k doing a full flush and saying it shifts smoother. any thoughts?

 

That seems to be a long standing myth... the consensus, from what i can gather, is that if a properly done transmission flush kills the transmission it was going to die soon anyways. If your truck was mine i'd go ahead and flush it. Ultimately though it is your truck and you have to make that call, if you decide that you aren't comfortable with a full flush you can do a single drain and fill, or multiple drain and fills... or you can leave it alone until it dies or until you trade it or whatever, its your vehicle, do what you want with it. That's my $0.02, take it for what its worth.

 

I don't think that holds true on todays cars. I didn't do a complete flush on mine until 140k miles a year ago and so far so good it's been running like a champ. Just don't make any mistakes when you do the flush your procedure has to be flawless.

 

Between this thread and ForTech's mentioned earlier, It's a great guide to transmission maintenance. Despite Toyotas attempt to make it a dealer only service. Gotta love it.