New Member With Transmission Fluid Change Question.....

I am receiving different information regarding when or if the transmission fluid should be changed in 2015 Toyota Tacoma V6. I purchased the truck recently with 64,646 miles. From the car fax report the transmission fluid has never been changed. Keith Pearson Toyota informed me that it NEVER has to be changed. I'm not feeling comfortable with that answer. My husband had a 2003 tacoma (purchased New) and he NEVER changed the transmission fluid. It finally died with 407,000 miles. Please give me feedback. Thank you.

 

Welcome to TW! My 2015 has 85k miles and the original transmission fluid. I’m not changing it until I hit at least 100k.

 

Almost every manufacturer at this point claims their transmission fluid is "lifetime", they aren't wrong. It will last the "life" of the transmission but that life can be extended if you service it.

I would recommend every 50k, certainly no more than 100k.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/2nd-gen-diy-maintenance-quick-reference-guide.438945/

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/how-to-drain-refill-automatic-transmission.63851/
Do note the temp in the thread is incorrect, it should be 97-115F.

 

Toyota/Lexus recommends replacing the ATF, since about 1990’s, maybe earlier, every 60K if the vehicle see’s “special operating conditions”, defined among different models as: towing, offroading, idling long periods (cabs, uber, etc…), having a cargo carrier in top, etc…. They don't further define, for example, what percentage of towing would require the ATF change - once a year, 1 mile?

Our resident transmission guru strongly recommends the 60K ATF change regardless of severe duty driving, as some manufacturers call it.

Opinions vary on whether to do a flush every 60K or a drain/refill every 30K. I did a flush in order to replace the WS ATF with Valvoline MaxLife. With the WS flushed out, I now do drain/refills with Valvoline.

 

Thanks so much for replying. I just wonder why so many professional technicians (i.e. manager at Keith Pearson Toyota vs Japanese Auto owner) all are giving me different answers. Then when I google it the answer was from 30k to 60K). My husband had a new 2003 tacoma & it just recently died with 407,000 miles and the transmission fluid was never changed. Don't know if that was luck or is that the norm not to touch the transmission fluid.