Transmission fluid change

Hey guys, I did 1 fluid change on transmission and she now shifts a little harder than before.It’s always kinda shifted a little hard from like 2nd and third and sometimes going down a hill but it’s a bit more now.I know it’s not gonna fail or anything but would you guys change fluid again and again or just keep rocking it?The fluid that came out was barely dark as she’s a
Pavement princess with 90K. Thanks for any advise!

 

Just a SWAG, but I'd make sure you're not low on fluid. Personally, I'd have never touched it.

 

You performed the proper process for checking the fluid level?

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/how-to-drain-refill-automatic-transmission.63851/

 

Yes, It’s not low.I did correct procedure.I did use valvoline max life fluid because many guys on here
use it and not the Toyota fluid.I have no idea if that has anything to do with it but yes,I wish I had just
left it along but too late now lol.

 

Yes, verify your process for checking the level. Did you drop the pan and change the filter? Did you keep track of what you drained, put in a tad more then set the level per the recommended procedure?

 

Yes,I followed a tread on here following procedure putting it in check temp mode and all but no I did not
drop pan and change filter.Old fluid looked pretty clean and I wish I had not fooled with it.

 

I’ve done procedure twice now. Shifting unchanged. I agree with adding a little more then repeating procedure.

Faye has a good video on the procedure.
https://youtu.be/ej_6BZpK3gg?si=wOkGiFc434MODfbI

 

Yes, buy the way thanks to the guy that posted that! It was a great procedure.

 

When I did a drain and refill I was advised to drop the pan and backwash the screen filter, clean out the magnets and pan. Don’t quote me in this but I believe there was something like if you drain it without cleaning or changing the filter it can clog the filter because all the shavings flow through it at once and then sit there.
I believe it was on tacomaworld I was told that. Just an idea.

 

Hard shifts are not necessarily a bad thing (assuming the trans is OK).

Hard shifts actually create less heat/friction and would technically be better for transmission life.

 

I've done two complete 12 qt fluid replacements using Valvoline MaxLife. One at 90k and another at 160k. I too never dropped the pan. The transmission has always worked fine. No issues. It does have a firm, positive shift but I always thought of that as a positive. No mushy shifts. It's been many years but I don't remember it being very much different with the stock fluid. Maybe a little less firm?

Also, I'm thinking I had a recall done years ago where they replaced or modified the gas pedal and also did a computer flash. I think the flash made the transmission shift a little better.