100k mile tramsmission service

I flushed my transmission the same way as described in this thread and it was very simple I think I went through 3 gallons of full synthetic atf for it. I also dropped the pan and threw in a new filter all is very easy. The hardest part for me was filling the transmission back up because the full plug is in a terrible spot but I also didn't have a pump or spray bottle of any kind to use. I also had a tranny cooler on my truck which made the flush super easy

 

It is heat that kills the fluid, not miles. My dad worked in sales and drove his personal vehicles 40,000 miles a year on average. He put 200,000+ miles on everything he ever owned and never once paid for a transmission service or repair. And this was in the 1960's through the 1980's. I'd say that most transmissions today are good for at least 200,000 without ever changing the fluid, even if the owners manual says to. My manual says don't change unless used under extreme conditions. I have mine checked once a year and after 11 years and 190,000 miles my fluid is just fine. I figure I'm good for another 200,000.

If you can keep the ATF pretty close to, or under 200* the rest of the truck will fall apart before the transmission fluid fails. The hotter it gets, and the more time you operate at high temps means the fluid is compromised. If you're in the 210-220* range very often then changing every 30K-50K is probably a good idea. If you ever reach 250* the ATF is toast and should be replaced ASAP even if you just replaced it 2 weeks ago.

If you're over about 150K I wouldn't touch the fluid. If you've done any damage replacing the fluid at this point won't fix it. The transmission is doomed to fail. But keeping the old fluid in there may well buy you another 20K-50K before it goes. Changing the fluid at this point will very well speed up the process. This is why many shops don't want your money. It isn't worth the hassle and bad mouthing customers will give them when they claim it worked fine when they brought in the truck and the transmission failed a week later.

 

in order to get the most possible life out of the automatic in my 2015 I have done everything suggested here.

1)added an additional ATF cooler with a 180F thermostat... Keep atf under 180 but not over cool. hotest temp I ever saw was 174F (but I have never towed so far)

2)Have an inline magnefine filter (changed every 30K).. I am not worried about the atf wearing out as long as its kept cool but want to get rid of the accumulated debris from normal wear.. having seen the superfine ferrous particles it removes I am glad its picking them up rather than all the solenoid operated valves .

 

Lots of opinions on this.
The dealer will do a full flush for you no questions as its a fluid that wears/deteriorates and replacing sure helped mine at 100k and it shifts firmer and the torque converter lockup is better in 5th. Its the sealed world unit that Toyota uses. If you tow anything do it. I have the factory tow package. Believe what you want.

 

This is what I did at 87,000. I was initially going to just do the flush, but after conferring with @gearcruncher he recommended first dropping the pan, looking at the screen filter and cleaning and inspecting the magnets. I flushed about 16 quarts of MaxLife to ensure I got all the WS out, might be over kill, but it’s only $17 a gallon. I have about 3k miles on since the pan drop and flush and I’m very happy with the results.

 

I did this in my 4runner at 194000 miles. It was showing the rumble strip problem, Additionally I added a shudder fix tube. It is working perfect since that.