Transmission Fluid

Good morning,

New to the forums so hopefully this is the right place to post this question…

I just bought a 2008 Tacoma Pre-Runner with 175k miles and the transmission fluid has never been changed. The owner states the miles are almost all highway miles as he used the truck for a long commute to work for about 5 years.

My question is, I’ve always heard that it’s sometimes bad to flush a transmission in a older vehicle that has old fluid because the cleaning agents in the new fluid can sometimes cause issues with old seals and other build up. Anybody have some insight on this?

I obviously WANT to flush the transmission but I also don’t want to cause more bad than good.

Thanks for any insight you can provide.

- Zac

 

OP, welcome. You asked a TW existential question. Along with should I get a BBK, use high(er) octane gas, undercoating, bitcoin, wet or dry ribs, yada, yada, yada. You will get a variety of expert internet responses, adding to the confusion.

My opinion and advice for new old truck owners, change all the fluids. Transmission (drain and fill, assuming an automatic, I use Valvoline MaxLife), Diff F&R, transfer case, power steering and brake fluid. All if and when applicable.

 

I agree with rnish, change all fluids.
If in doubt, use OEM from a dealership. I've found out I can get a better price on my fluids through them.
But any good quality fluid will work and as stated above, there are as many opinions about which one is best as there are fluids.
get the specifics of what is required from your owners manuel and just check to see your new fluid meets those requirements and you are good-to-go.

 

Thanks for the input! I’ve never really had to worry about this scenario because I’ve always been super diligent with maintenance on my vehicles.

I will probably go ahead change the fluid and hope for the best!

 

Drain and fill. Not quite the same as a 'flush'.

 

Also agree with Bill, drain and fill in the automatic only replaces about 1/4th of the fluid.
If you want to change more fluid, do the process 3-4 times, driving it around some between drain and fills to mix up the new stuff with the old and drain and fill again.

 

Granted it been a good while but years ago we warned people with high millage not to change fluid, generally if they did they were towed in a week later.

 

Just took my 07w/205k to the dealer for fluid flush. They will not do a flush on anything over 200k.

 

I just had mine done on my 06 Tacoma with 180,000 miles. Tranny fluid had never been changed. So far so good!

 

Apparently I missed it by 6k.

 

If you are worried about it.
Drop the pan, clean the magnets, change filter, and refill with fluid.
A flush done correctly will probably not hurt anything.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/diy-full-flush-for-automatic-transmission.68462/

If it were mine, I’d do a flush.

If I owned a shop, I would NOT do a flush on a customers car.
The chances are LOW that you will have a problem.
But as a business owner, you always minimize risk.

 

I will be dropping the pan and will evaluate the fluid condition and debris to determine future changes. If all looks good then I will probably disconnect hose from cooler and do an exchange. I'm actually glad to do since I will see the actual fluid condition. And good news is I am now at 10 posts. Another 6 months and those Bilstein take offs in the for sale forum are Mine!

Thanks that link is the one I plan to follow.

 

You don’t need a set number of post to buy. That is only for selling.
Just send the seller a DM. If you need help on doing this let me know.

 

You forgot the blinker fluid, the muffler bearing, and the old air in the tires.

 

Please do help. I tried to reply to the for sale ad and I got a warning that I need 50 posts to reply any attempt to go around the rule would result in my banishment! Thanks TnShooter.

 

I used you as an example.
You’ll need to go to the for sale ad and click on the sellers name.
Then click “start conversion”

Again, I used you as the example.

 

Most helpful TnShooter! I sent the seller a message per your help. Thanks