Should I change my transmission fluid? 257k miles

I was just informed that my truck. A 2001 Tacoma v6 has never had the transmission fluid changed over the course of the 257,000 miles it has driven. I'm worried if I dont chnage it I could damage the transmission but I'm also worried if I do chnage the fluid it could start slipping. Any tips would be great

 

Theres a few threads about this, I would prob only do several drain and refills instead of droping the pan. You dont wanna flush it being theres prob alot of material in the old trans fluid that is keeping it from slipping. Id start with doing a drain and just replace the same amount of fluid also look carefully at the old stuff to see how many metal shavings are present in it. You wont get but 2 to 4 quarts out by just draining it but thats enough to see what shape the trans is in. Ive done 3 on mine and i only get about 2.2 quarts if i drain it cold.

 

There's already been some damage, that you can bet on. How much? You'll never know unless you look.

I'd clean the hell out of it. Take apart the valve body clean it and the filter good, then keep after the fluid every oil change 'til it was pink again. Maybe arrest the wear at that point.

If it goes out, it was on it's last leg anyway.

 

Quarter million mile transmission fluid change? Negative. Kiss that clutch material (or whatever's left) bye bye

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/high-mileage-transmission-drain-fill.575386/

I posted a thread about this a while ago when I did a ATF fluid change on my truck with 246k for the first time.

I would recommend you do the drain and fill method 2 times in the span of a few thousand miles in between each change. After the 2nd change, wait a few thousand more miles and then drop the pan to change the filter and clean the pan as well. After that, you should be good to go for 30k-ish miles in between fluid changes. I would not recommend a full flush by the way.

I would also recommend this transmission plug and washer kit, though I think you should be good enough with just a new plug gasket.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/GENUINE-TO...0011-35178-30010/201963277964?epid=2194278698

 

Go towards the end of that thread and see the opinion of one of the resident trans. experts.

 

I did do a drain and fill on a tacoma that was 210k, I think. Had hard shifts and it must've been overheating too. I've since added an external filter and a transmission cooler to help prolong its life.