1st Transmission fluid change at 123k ?

I haven't worked on cars for many years, mainly big trucks, but when I worked a lube bay at a Ford dealership, on a transmission fluid change I always dropped the pan, and then took the plug out of the torque converter to drain that also. Replaced the filter, gasket and put fluid back in.
Everyone that drops fluid in pan and puts about 4 qt back in, what about all the dirty fluid in the torque converter? I have 92k on my 2012 and have only done oil & filter engine changes. The 2012 system doesn't even have a dip stick, so its a closed system.

 

Just left the dealership. I spoke with the service writer who suggested doing the flush with BG fluid instead of WS.. and if I go BG then I have to change it in 30k intervals. I asked to speak to an actual technician, and explained to him my concerns. He stated that at 123k he thought id be ok with the flush. He said that if I had 200k or more than he would suggest leaving it alone or a series of drain and fills spread out. I told both the writer and technician that I havent heard of BG fluid and WS is what has lasted me till 123k without any problem and if I did decide to do the flush I would like to stick with WS. They said that would be fine.

im still undecided.. I dont mind spending the money for the flush, i just dont want to destroy my transmission. I also spoke with My uncle who was the service manager at our local Lexus dealership for over a decade(left in 2012) and he said the old rule of thumb is if you havent done a flush before 100k then Dont do it, id be asking for problems.. but he also said things could have changed since he left and he was under the impression that they all had sealed trannys that dont need servicing, and that during his time he refused to touch high mileage vehicles that hadnt had prior trans services.




oh, also after looking back through my maintenance guide, it never says to replace the trans fluid. At 60k and 120K it says inspect trans fluid and then it says under "special conditions" ie: riding dusty roads, car top carrier, heavy towing then replace trans fluid. which again I dont off road, car top carry or tow.. Damn, Toyota is all over the place with this trans service.

 

Well, after you heard from TW, Toyota service writer, Toyota tec. and your uncle, what is your plan?

 

As the previous post stated "im still undecided".. but now am leaning more towards the "dont touch it" camp.

 

It sounds like for a piece of mind you should do a pan drain with Toyota fluid. That’s about 3 qts.

And if you want do another a week later or whenever.

 

A little search goes a long way...

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/diy-full-flush-for-automatic-transmission.68462/

There you go. A complete how to on how to do a complete drain and fill of the full 13 quarts in your system without any of the potential hazards of a powered flush machine. It’s easy, safe, and effective. Slightly more work than a diff fluid change.

I did mine at 80k with WS fluid, I’ll probably do it with maxlife atf at 160k.

 

Just had to throw that "little search goes a long way " in there...

Thats NOT what this thread is about at all. I'm not asking how to? I 'm asking should I?

Thanks for the link but ive already found it and the drain and fill DIY.

 

And if you decide on a drain and fill instead of a flush, here's the link. I recently did 4 DAFs over the course of several days using WS.

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

Gasket info and an easy way to get it into check mode

 

Thanks man.. I appreciate the link and gasket info!

 

Wait wait! I'm editing my post. I think I gave you the info for the rear diff!

 

Yikes! Sorry about that. Post edited.

The drain and check gaskets are the same

Part#

$10 35178-30010

35178-30010

@bevans

 

Thanks buddy!

 

Also....the fill plug uses an o-ring. No reason to replace that one.....assuming it's not damaged

 

I think you need some more input.................be safe and do the drain and fill every 6 months for the next 2 years till your happy!

 

I have 300,000km no problem with the trans. Did the first fluid replacement with amsoil sig series following TW instructions. Old fluid was dark but still red, no metal shavings, new amsoil in at temp check and she shifts like a beauty. I get better fuel economy after changing my fluids

 

I've put about 1200 miles on it since a full fluid change and no problems. I did the change myself with the pump up sprayer method. I drive quite a bit on dirt so dusty conditions. No towing. If you decide to go to the dealer be sure to ask how many quarts they change so at least you get what you ask for. I have heard some complain about thinking they were getting a full change and found out only a few quarts were replaced. Good luck.

 

Drive it.

You're gonna need to rebuild or replace the transmission at about 350,000-450,000 miles whether you change it or not. The money you spend on changing ATF every 30K will almost pay for the new transmission by that point.

 

WS is no longer considered a lifetime fluid. It’s a Toyota maintenance item at 100k or 60k.

Yes, you should change it.

 

Thank you!

Just traded in my 2015 with 225k mikes, all on original tranny fluid. The truck shifted like butter from the first day I owned it until the last. Any time I spoke to a Toyota service advisor and/or a tech they told me NOT to change the fluid if the truck was usually driven under normal driving conditions. That’s good enough for me...

 

So after reading all the posts I still have no clue while most do not want to follow the factory 100K trans flush. It does help and as a sealed trans that is the maintenance interval - just like spark plugs. So if anyone has any real data not just opinions feel free to post them - not opinions but test data. My 2009 had a software reprogram for the "bump from behind" feeling at a stop but no real issues on mine ever.