If you haven't serviced your 5-speed Auto Trans yet...

Hey I just completed the 60,000 mile service on my Tacoma (2013...DCSB...v6...SR5...4x4...5-spd Automatic).

The service manual suggests servicing some components only if driving off-road, towing, or using the truck for otherwise heavy-duty applications. Being a service manager at our Ag equipment business, I usually decide to perform all (more than necessary) services on-time & at their scheduled intervals.

Ok, here's what I'm getting to... One of the suggested services was to change the transmission fluid. I'm not 100% sold on a complete pressurized flush of the transmission. If you want to help convince me that it's a good idea, and will lengthen the usable life of the transmission, I'd really like to hear your input.

Anyway... I drained only 2.6 qt. of the WS trans fluid out of the pan. I'm tempted to say that the truck was low on transmission fluid straight from the factory. I added more than 3 qt. by the time the fluid level was correct (followed the guide here on tacomaworld!!). My truck drive/shifts SO MUCH smoother now. I'm getting much less abrupt shifts, smoother downshifts, and an overall much better driving experience. When the torque converter unlocks, the power transition is smooth and gradual. No more lurch on converter lock/unlock. No more shudder during heavy-footed driving shifting. This is great!

If you haven't serviced your 5-speed Auto Transmission yet...do it already. You'll be happy you did.

 

Pretty sure at my dealership they dont recommend a full flush of the tranny. Just a drain and refill, like you did. Acura is the same way with their autos. Hydraulic flush can cause problems.

Pretty sure my fluid is probably low too. During cold winter months my tranny tends to slip a little until warmed up. I think there is a thread on low tranny fluid from the factory.

 

Yes I am planning on doing this in the near future, I have a 2009 4x4 with less than 40k but I do not like the way it shifts, (maybe it is low on fluid) Question? (I am not going to flush the entire system) so do I just drain & then fill until it comes out the overflow? Thanks

 

My tranny fuild flush report

 

Anyway... I drained only 2.6 qt. of the WS trans fluid out of the pan.[/QUOTE]

I drained 3.0 qts. from an A750E-2WD transmission. Maybe you were .3 qts. low. Next time, after you drain the pan, elevate the front of the truck with a floor jack as high as it will go. You should drain another qt. of transmission fluid.

 

I've been wanting to do the drain and fill but I remember when I had my last Chevy truck I did a tranny flush and it ended up shifting harder and worse. I was told that it was doing that because ATF gets thick with the clutch material mixing with the ATF so it gets a lot thicker than regular ATF and helps fill in the gaps between the gears. And when I replaced the thicker fluid and put new ATF in it started shifting harder because the fluid was thinner... So I'm hesitant to do this with 95k on the odometer because I don't want the transmission to shift hard it's had one flush done since new but shifts firm due to all the weight of armor and shell and 33"s think this would be good to do or just leave the fluid?

 

I had my mechanic (personnel) flush mine at 80k (took 14qts) following the tutorial on here, I run 33's in the summer and 265's winter with TJM bumper and ARE cap, with 130k now I haven't had any problems with the shifting or anything.

 

Yeah, but...
Chevy!

 

Subb'd

 

Is there a write up for drain and fill on the 4x4 transmissions?

 

I had mine changed at 100k against my better judgement and it is does shift a bit jerkier especially on the downshift back to 1st. It was done by the dealer and was only $150 so I doubt it was a full flush.

Just my experience...

 

Pat Lob dealership in Texas said they do use the machine to flush the tranny fluid. So unless the service writer was wrong on the process which he shouldn't be since he sells the service. He also mentioned it is a world standard fluid not needed until 100K miles. I am currently at 65K.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/how-to-drain-refill-automatic-transmission.63851/

 

You said you already flushed it once. So yiu are on track with the regular maintenance.

In my tacoma maintenance manual it states to change the auto tranny at 60k miles.

 

I did mine at 30K. 12 qrts of Maxlife ATF.

 

Believe me... just because they sell the service doesn't necessarily mean they know wtf they're talking about.

 

100k is the old service interval. Toyota dropped it to 60k somewhere between 2009 & 2013. I drained 3.25 out mine when I did it

 

The Good

I just did a drain and fill last weekend at 51K miles. My truck is shifting much better now too!

The Bad

Only 2.5 qts came out and that's after jacking up the front of my truck to get more fluid out. I ended up being over a Qt low.

The Ugly

I set my torque wrench to 20lbs to tighten the drain plug and stripped that sumbitch! Camelback Toyota hooked me up with a new pan and plug so I will be doing another drain and fill this weekend and putting the new parts on. Be careful tightening the drain plug, 20lbs is apparently the "dry" spec and I probably should have set it to about 12lbs. I will snug it without a torque wrench this time and go by feel like I do on my oil drain plug.

 

I set mine to 20 but as soon as I felt it getting snug I quit tightening.

 

Torque wrench failed me as well. With the low torque requirements I just tighten with a smaller ratchet like I do with the oil pan drain bolt