transmission oil change

What is the frequency with which your transmission oils change and what type of oil do you think should be used?

 

manual 30 to 60k - lots of people recommend Redline MT90
automatic usually 100k or so - I don't know what oil people recommend

 

your supposed to change your trans oil?

 

That item does not exist in Factory Toyota Schedule so ... NEVER

 

Your thinking of your Ford Ranger TRD Edition, they run forever on factory Ford juice. Toyota is a different animal, they call it "routine maintenance" or something to that nature. It's probably why 80% of Fords are still on the road today, the other 20% actually made it home.

 

For my 2003 3.4l auto, I use Toyota ATF Type T-IV Automatic Transmission fluid https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009W391PQ/ref=ppx_od_dt_b_asin_title_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Once a year I do a drain and fill. That leaves quite a bit of the old stuff in there, but since I do it once a year it keeps it fairly fresh. Four quarts out, four quarts in.
You need to check to see what transmission fluid your truck came with. I think they might have changed it at one point within the 1st gen production. I think it was stamped on the transmission dipstick...... right next to the text that says you don't have to change it under normal conditions

 

I drain and refill every 30K with Toyota T-IV.

 

For auto I use Mobil 1 D/M about $6/qt. In reality you can use any Dex 3 ATF fluid. Your dip stick will also tell you what ATF is compatible.
Drain and fill at least one a year. If you haven’t changed the ATF fluid in awhile or it’s no longer a light red you can drain and fill it 3 times, driving it for one day between each fill.



I was very tempted to use Valvoline Maxlife since I could get that for $5/qt shipped to my door. But stuck to MOBIL 1 since both my local Toyota dealerships use that.

 

wow, I didn't realize ATs needed so much maintenance.

 

i like this and i don't have AT, just that you strive to use best product!

 

Every 30k - 60k for manual trans

Every 60k - 100k for auto

https://www.toyotaofmanchesternh.com/content/when-to-change-transmission-fluid-manchester-nh

 

why are people changing it yearly then? That's like, way overkill.

 

I do mine close to that but I drive a lot, also all the wheeling especially in the summer heat breaks it down faster. Since I started using Redline though I pretty much stick to the 30k intervals on the trans. Diffs I change out every 20k since I use regular non-synth in those

 

30k for a 5 speed sure, but yearly changes on an AT? Kinda nutty

 

yeah I agree unless maybe they are towing a lot or have a really heavy wheeling truck.
But..overly frequent maintenance is better than too little

 

I would run pretty much any kind of factory spec ATF. Even the store-brand cheapy stuff will be as good or better than whatever old shit is in your truck regardless of its brand

 

Can anyone post a pic or explain where the drain and fill plugs for a 6 cylinder manual trans are? Having a hard time finding them. Thanks.

 

That's the dealer's bullshit menu to get your . Same as changing your engine oil every 3k miles regardless. Just ask if you factory 36k miles warranty will be voided if you don't replace transmission or diff oil at 30k.
There are items on the service schedule prescribed by Toyota (as a manufacturer, not a Toyota Stealer), and that one should be followed. Toyota Owners should be your source, not a Stealer website. By the book manual transmission or diff oil has to be replaced every 30k if driving in "special conditions".



The only special condition that requires changing transmission or diff oil every 30k is:

Towing a Trailer or Using a Camper
or Car-Top Carrier
• Inspect brake linings/drums and brake pads/discs
• Inspect nuts and bolts on chassis and body
• Replace differential oil
• Replace transmission fluid or oil
• Replace transfer oil*
• Lubricate propeller shaft and re- torque bolt*

In my understanding under heavy load the manual transmission or diff will get very hot and that will deteriorate oil much faster. But not in "normal" use.

 

I drive a lot of highway miles, but I usually go very roughly 60k on diff/tranny oil.

 

Thanks. I don’t know if it is consider the best but I try to keep it within reason.