Transmission service

Took our 2021 Tacoma, 3.5 l, to the dealership today to get an automatic transmission drain and filter replacement. I did not want a complete flush, just drain the pan, replace the filter and clean the pan magnets off. The engine has almost 50k on the odometer. The technician said that Toyotas do not have filters in the transmission, and they only do a complete flush. I did not want to argue, so I let it go as he checked the truck in. After he had checked the mileage, and VIN, I tried talking to him again. I said I am sure it has a filter, is it just Toyotas maintenance practice to just flush and they do not do the simple drain and replace filter, or is he saying there is no filter in my transmission. He again said, it does not have one, and no Toyota has one. He had been a master tech for over 30 years. So I did a quick google search for the Toyota part number for the filter, and it came up with the p/n and a picture. He stuck to his guns that my truck does not have a filter. What has been your experience with your dealership and getting the transmission serviced. We just bought the truck, so I did the front and rear axel, transfer case, plugs, PVC valve and the brake fluid. I just don't like doing transmission work in my garage. The auto parts store will not take used fluid, and it is always a mess no matter how hard I try to not spill any. I went ahead and had it flushed, we had to wait 3 weeks for an appointment, and I wanted to get it done before we go out of town in a couple weeks. Thanks Phil

 

For some reason Toyota dealers only want to do transmission flushes instead of just doing a drain and fill.

I took my wife's Camry in to the dealer one time wanting a drain and fill and they guy said just wait and they can do the flush at 100k miles (the car was at like 93k when I brought it in). I haven't heard many good things about transmission flushes to be honest that is why I opted for the drain and fill.

I believe if you take it to a local shop who specializes in Toyotas they will do the drain and fill versus the flush. My truck is at 47K miles so I will need to figure out where to go for the transmission service here pretty soon. It won't be the dealer that is for sure.

 

I have seen here it is just a screen not actual filter.

 

Negative.

The 3rd gen Tacoma does indeed have an actual filter.

My 5th gen 4Runner, however, is just a screen.

 

Flush was the way to go with 50k..I wouldn't have done plugs though.

 

Thanks for all the replies, I did the plugs just to get an idea of how well it was running. If I am going to go through all the trouble of pulling them out, I didn't want to put the old ones back in. I enjoy working on cars, so I always overdue my maint. They did not need to be replaced by the way. thanks all

 

Independent mechanic might be a better shot. I haven't done it yet myself, but i'm 99% sure 3rd gen its a filter and would also do a drain, filer and fill over a flush personally.


I've always followed a process of replacing every filter and fluid when I've bought a used car regardless of past service records. Gives me a baseline for moving forward.

 

I feel the same way. I bought this off Carvana. Kinda scary buying a vehicle sight unseen. But this worked out pretty good.

 

I found this: 35330-04010

It was listed under ‘maintenance’ rather than ‘transmission’ parts.

Some sites call it a filter and some call it a strainer.

I haven’t worked on my transmission yet, so no idea if this is correct.

 

I did mine around 80k. Think it was around 50 for the filter and another 60ish for a new pan gasket. I also cleaned off the magnets. Perhaps it’s not a filter like on the PDK in our macan but it’s still a filter. And why I don’t trust dealerships and did it myself.

 

I can't get over the simplicity of maintaining the macan, like yeah they engineered it to need stuff like the trans done every 90 days or 200 miles but its been super easy to work on and find answer to anything.

 

Isn't dropping the pan just getting about three quarts out.....not even half the fluid and just diluting old with new?

 

You get closer to 4. I’ve done the drain and fill a few times and figured if there is a filter in the pan it’s not much more effort to change it.

 

Ironically, if an automatic transmission's "filter" is clogging up and must be changed, there's likely a big problem with the automatic transmission.