ATF fluid: Flush or Drain n Fill ?

Hey guys,

I have a 2002 3.4 automatic 4x4 extended cab. I bought it from a dealer in good running order back in 2013 with about 114k miles on it. I have put about 40k on it since then, and am looking to do some transmission maintenance. I have no maintenance records for the transmission, but I have a hunch that it has been maintained. The original owner traded it in to an infinity dealership, which is where I bought it from. It was in pretty great shape. I know this dealer serviced the rear brakes, and also did the timing belt and water pump for me as part of the deal.

Here is a photo of the ATF fluid off the dip stick:



The truck has about 156k miles on it now. How does this fluid look (It looks fairly clean, still red, and doesn't smell burnt to me)? Should I just drain and fill it a few times? Should I get a flush? Should I drop the pan and clean the filter too?

Let me know your opinion. I'm leaning towards drain n fill.

Thanks!


Also, any other fluids I should change at this time? Transfer case? Differential?

 

Drain and refill won't replace all the fluid. But that is my approach, do it along with every oil change and you'll keep fairly fresh fluid...

You can remove the transmission cooler lines where they enter the 'radiator'. plunge the 'intake' line into a container of new fluid and point the 'outtake' line into an empty container. Refer to owners manual / repair guide for total quantity. I've never done this, but read about doing it.

Dropping the pan is no big deal, messy... Filter is simply a metal screen and magnets in the pan collect any metallic shavings. My 98 3RZ had no drain pan gasket. Used Toyota FIPG sealant when closing it back up - don't forget to put the magnets back in.

If you aren't sure of the history, do them all...

Remember when doing the diffs to make sure you open the fill plug, before you drain. Nothing sucks like having an empty diff and no way to fill it. Same with the transfer case...

 

I don't think this will work, but I've never done a 1st Gen V6 transmission. The "input" line from the transmission is pushing fluid; not drawing. Leave "input" line connected. You would want to remove the "output" line off the radiator(where it connects to the metal line that feeds back into the transmission) and point that down into a catch pan. Start engine - drain and qt - stop engine - refill a qt - until you've cycled the qty. your transmission holds.

Then again - the guy that posted this video claims what I just outlined is actually mixing old and new fluid.

Do whatever works for you.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WngXE_7vg-Q

 

Thanks for the additional input Lester.

Here's another thread with recent activity about this same trans fluid topic
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/transmission-change-fluids-must-be-toyota-brand.457322/

 

Jeez that video is nuts. I'm paying to have it done before I go through all that.

 

honestly you won't have to do all that. just do a drain, pan drop and filter change. it'll replace about 45% of the total fluid and you will be good for a while. do another change in about 30-40k and you should be fine. If you change it at every oil change you're throwing money out the window.

I replied on that other thread of what i did and mine was almost 60k. I do a lot more slow traffic driving so I'll need to drain/fill at a shorter interval than last time. so far mine is looking good and working good.

 

I am a big fan of rotation drains. After draining pan, elevate the front as high as it will go and you'll get another qt. or so.

 

I drained 7 qts, system holds ~15 qts (3.4 V6) according to what I've read.

just pulling the plug will get you 4, taking the pan off will get you another 2-3 depending on how the truck is sitting

 

I stand corrected - thought I was in the 2nd Gen forum, but what I said about elevating the front remains. Do that and you'll get less of a splash when you pull the filter. I adjusted post #7.