Transmission fluid change

Hi again.. My Taco needs a tranny fluid change. I've read lots of stuff and watched several videos on Utube and found that there are pros and cons to having a shop pump it out and in through the transmission cooler lines. A particular machine should be used.
I checked with my local dealer and they want $400 to do it! Another local shop can do it for far less and says the have experience and the right equipment. I would also check to see if they are using the right Toyota fluid.

What are your thoughts on changing the transmission fluid this way?

 

Personally, I would go to a reputable trans shop in your area and have them do it the pan drop way. Drop the pan, clean the magnets and filter and add new fluid. Cost me around $200.

 

Just drained and filled mine with a quart more than it drained tor the first time yesterday at 146k miles. Pulled the check plug with it running until it wept after getting temp check mode and all is good so far today. I was very hesitant on doing this since I’ve been told it’s best to just ride with it if you don’t do it before 100k by some old timers

 

Interesting...I've seen both of those remedys on youtube. My taco is almost at 75K but it was used to tow quite a bit by previous owner, so the owner's manual says it should be done now.

 

Should be fine w a drain and fill imo. Or drop the pan. I wouldn’t use a machine.

 

I'm currently gathering materials to do my own. I've been googoogling on which method is best, and got a million differing answers of course. The majority opinion (across many sites, and coming from a wide range of expertise from zero to full engineer) seems to be that unless the manual specifies full flush, don't do full flush. Drain and fill seems to be the preferred method as a)trans fluid is a hydraulic fluid and is generally not exposed to outside contaminants, and b)full flush when done incorrectly can do harm to pressure sensitive components.

I'm going with drain and fill, personally.

 

Thanks I thought of doing several drain and fills in succession over some time.. was thinking that would be OK too.

Rock Lobster - how many quarts do you think you'll need?

 

My personal plan is to do a drain/fill, and if the bucket shows a different color than the pump, to repeat a drain/fill every 5000 miles until it looks clean.

 

I've done a D&F once a year with 3 quarts. I would not do a machine flush. In the past on other trucks/SUV's. I've done a flush by taking fluid from the cooler line(4 quarts), then a top off and repeat until I reach the total capacity.

At 75k, I think you'd be fine(safe) with a Drain & fill once per year. This is safe because you wont remove all of the suspended friction materials in the old fluid.

 

The downside to this method is you have to go through the temperature process each time versus once.

 

i went through the temp process on my 09 ...was over a half quart low the first time.once i knew it was full, i just drained it and put the same amount back in it everytime..was 3.2 quarts

 

I don't with a drain and fill. I did the first couple of times, but found I was with in an ounce each time. So now I do a D&F without the temp check.

I do use one of these.

$15 Cambro 4SFSCW135 CamSquare Square Food Storage Container (4-Quart, Polycarbonate, NSF)

https://www.amazon.com/Cambro-4SFSC...quart+plastic+container&qid=1679507701&sr=8-4

 

Most tutorials suggest to buy a 4 quart pack. That's my starting point.

 

A flush also puts the same amount of fluid back in, so if the trans was low on fluid before the flush, it will be low after the flush.

 

Temp process, no special equipment, let it drip to a constant stream. And use aws or equivalent. You’ll be saving a lot or money. I got the 10qt measuring bucket from Lowe’s for like 5 bucks. Cheers!

 

when they do the temp check the temp gauge in the dash gets to 1/4. i just run the engine and shut it off there, good enough for me to check tranny. a tablespoon over or under will not make any difference. IMO

 

Skip on leveling?
I suspect your tranny is low and not by a tablespoon. Most likely your tranny temp is at or above the temp before you even start the engine

 

I just follow the procedure as stablished by the FSM.

 

I just do a spill and fill about every time / every other time I change the oil. Temp check is fine and super easy with Carista as well if you want to be particular.

Tow a bunch, truck is loaded down and at 75k miles, I have never had to walk to my destination.

 

I checked Carista website and nothing for Tacoma. Weird.