So about that 1GR-FE auto transmission service...

So I don't post here much, but this site has helped me save tons over the years with tips and how-to's on doing my own service. Like most, I trust the dealer about as far as I can throw them. BTW, I've got a 2006 Access Cab with the V6 and 5 speed auto tranny.

So I've done quite a bit of research here on servicing the tranny, what's recommended, etc etc. What I found out is that the auto tranny is sealed, takes Toyota World Standard fluid, and the old service interval used to be 100k, but was changed some time ago to 60k. My truck has 75k on it, and as far as I know the tranny's not ever been touched service wise.

So I called around to about 5 or 6 dealers in the Seattle area to get an idea of cost, etc. All I got was different answers: one dealer said not to ever touch it, one said it needed a service at 100k miles for about $450 or so, one said they only did a drain and fill service, etc. So I finally found one that would do the full flush with WS fluid for $170. This seemed cheap, so I doublechecked to make sure they hook it up to the machine, didn't just drop the pan, etc etc. They verified yes, full flush with machine.

So I take it in, tech takes it back. About 20 minutes later the service advisor comes out and tells me they can't do the full flush, and my my tranny doesn't take the WS fluid, and all they can do is a drain and fill.

Obviously I told them to forget it, and I'll probably just do whatever service it needs myself at this point. I was just going to let them do it, b/c $170 is only $50 or so more than the fluid would probably cost me to do it at home. Worth $50 to let them deal with the mess.

But seriously, how can the servicing of one damn part be so vague with so many dealers?

And is there any official Toyota website I can look up that will tell me what the real recommended service is and what fluid to use? I'd love to print that out, take it to the dealer, and ask them WTF.

Thanks for any help gang, appreciate it.

 

Plenty on here. And the recommended service has been dropped from 100K to 60K. What do they mean the transmission doesn't take WS?

 

I've not a clue, he just said the tech guy went to hook up the machine and said he couldn't do it, and it didn't take the WS fluid. Was news to me, but at that point I didn't want them touching it anyway, after being so sure on the phone that they could.

 

If someone could post the link to the write up that is on here somewhere it might help this member. I would but I don't know how to post a link! And when I do mine I will use premium fluid like Redline or equivalent synthetic, there has been some research that the Toyota fluid isn't synthetic even though it says it is! Once again I can't post the article!

 

Thanks, but I've got the DIY flush article bookmarked, so no worries there.

 

The fluid type should be printed on your dip stick.

 

The drain and fill is adequate in my opinion. Our trucks are filled with ws as far as i know, but i have drain and filled mine with a quality synthetic and a bottle of lubegard platinum twice already and no problems. Personally i would not have a flush machine service performed on my vehicles.

 

The full flush via cooler line is so easy, you might as well replace all 12 qts.