DYI Transmission Filter and Fluid Change (2015 Tacoma)

I followed Mountain Lion's guide on DIY Full Flush for Automatic Transmission.
Whenever I doubted myself or needed more guidance, I simply followed these tutorials to help a bit more:

• Faye's guide to Sealed Toyota Transmission Service
• Flako 4u's Transmission fluid and filter replacement
• Tunnel Vision's Transmission Flush

Wish I had more experience back then, but gotta start somewhere. I couldn't find absolutely everything, like the replacement washer or the as many quarts of ATS fluid, so focused mostly on the Transmission fluid change and the Transmission Filter, instead of the full 100% flush.
Next Time I need to change the Trans fluid, I'll make sure to do the Full Flush 100%, now that I have all the tools required as well as more experience with DYI maintenance.

I ended up using this Valvoline MaxLife Multi-Vehicle ATF fluid for Automatic Trans, rated for "Full Synthetic Dexron VI" as well (which is what Toyota recommends, so I've heard):


I checked the old Trans fluid coming out, and with it being dark with a brown luster and smelling like something burnt, it was definitely time:


Here are the overall tools I used. I don't remember the specifics, but again, I followed Mountain Lion's guide on his DIY Guide:


Here is the old trans filter that I took out and replaced. I found my new replacement in some Autozone - after telling the site the Year, Make and Model of my Tacoma, they were able to recommend me a Trans filter that was pretty much identical to my old one. I still have the packaging box if anyone needs it (DM me or reply here for more info if needed at all):


And here is the comparison of the old trans fluid I took out next to the new fluid from the Valvoline ATF bottle I got:

 

Congrats on doing some DIY maintenance. It can sometimes be intimidating if you haven't done it before, but I'm sure your Taco thanks you for doing it. I did want to call out one thing though, and I am not intending this to criticize you so please don't take it like that. I just want to make clear what the correct specification is from the Toyota user manual so that if someone finds this thread in the future they don't put in the wrong stuff.

Just wanted to point out that Toyota 100% does not say to use DEX-VI. You should always consult the user manual for which fluids your specific truck calls for. In this case, if you have a 5-speed automatic transmission, the correct spec is Toyota WS fluid. User manuals can be downloaded directly from the Toyota site linked below. Since I also have a 2015 model with the 5-speed auto, I know this spec is on page 529.

https://www.toyota.com/owners/warranty-owners-manuals/

Have some people used DEX-VI with success? Probably. Should you be worried about using the MaxLife "multi-vehicle" ATF? Not at all, lots of people are happy with it and that's your choice. I'm not here to debate one oil spec versus another (unwritten law of TacomaWorld says you can only post oil threads on a Friday). Cheers.

 

Copy, and thanks for the accurate info.
Next Time I'll preorder the correct fluid (it was what I could find at AutoZone).
That time I was in a rush because my Taco was already in the 80K mi. range and didn't want to delay servicing my Trans any longer.

 

@wi_taco I believe he got the right Valvoline ATF. It appears Valvoline has changed the label. I don't recall there ever being more than one red bottle Maxlife. The spec sheet on their website shows WS compatibility.
https://www.valvolineglobal.com/en/maxlife-multi-vehicle-atf/

But I will point out that most transmission mechanics point out to avoid mixing different ATF fluids. In this case they would recommend a flush with the Maxlife or stick with WS for a drain/refill. Since the new fluid is in, I would do another drain/refill sooner than later. That start getting the old stuff out.

 

Yeah I should clarify my clarification lol. Valvoline MaxLife Full Synthetic Multi-Vehicle ATF is listed on the label as being "WS compatible" so that fluid is fine. My main point is that I don't want to see other people using other fluids that are for DEX-VI because that is the wrong spec and should not be used as a reference.

Beyond that I am not getting into debates about how good or bad MaxLife is versus OEM Toyota WS or anything else. No oil discussion. It's not Friday.

 

Welcome to TW. Very good. I've run the Valvoline Max Life in my truck and it is great. Enjoy.

 

When I bought my truck years ago, I did a pan drop, strainer swap, installed a bigger trans cooler and flushed the entire system with MaxLife. My transmission is running great, recently, I did a pan drop, strainer replacement and filled it back up with MaxLife and I threw in a bottle of the following, just for preventative measures:

Lubegard 63010 Platinum Automatic Transmission Fluid Protectant, 10 oz.

$15 Lubegard 63010 Platinum Automatic Transmission Fluid Protectant, 10 oz.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002MB57UI

Lubeguard is recommended by the resident transmission expert gearcruncher: https://www.tacomaworld.com/members/gearcruncher.90305/

 

@wi_taco Its Friday now so lets have that discussionabout which oil is better and why.

 

Baby oil is best. Rub it all over my body. Oh wait you meant for the Tacoma?

 

No. No. No. coconut oil is way better than baby oil..... Now back to the Tacoma, what's transmission fluid and your supposed to change it?

BTW sorry for hijacking the thread to make a joke.