142k ATF NEVER changed - flush or just drain & fill ('02 A340e - Dexron II/III)

Yep, I never changed the tranny fluid. No slipping and all is fine so far. The guy who does most of my work suggested a full flush (ASE Master certified, Toyota certified, etc). So I ordered a kit off Amazon and was about to pick up the fluid when I figured I would check with the local stealership.

Big Surprise - Service Advisor tells me, NO - don't flush instead drain and fill. He said that none of their techs would do a full flush since it had never been serviced before and most likely all would be fine but there was a small chance of doing damage to my transmission.

I have to admit, this is the first time I actually thought the dealership was being honest. I know I recall reading something about that here on the forum but just couldn't track down the exact thread(s). So, here is my question to all of you and thanks for the input:

 

ive ruined a few trannys from being young and doing a flush after 50k miles or so,

id say just exchange fluid

 

Hey, check this video out. Covers it all
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o690DovjDAc.

I had 130k on my auto trans. I did the drain only whats in the pan/ fill with new. and then did it again after like 15k miles. No problems. I read a lot into it and most people say don't do the full flush on the ill maintained
stuff.
Good luck!

 

good video thanks for posting it up. I just checked my fluid and its actually fairly pink still. Maybe I did do a drain and fill at some point. Possible to still be pink at 140k+? With that color would you be more inclined to do a full flush? Thx again really appreciate the input!

 

Your fluid is not bad considering your mileage.

Not sure if the Tacoma ATs have a drain bolt, my personal preference for an AT is an annual drain/fill. Keeps the fluid nice and pink.

 

Drain and refill, no flush

 

The valve body in the transmission doesn't like all the crud released when doing a flush. Just drain and refill.

 

Whoops, just had my transmission serviced at the local Toyota dealership.

Drain and fills from here on out!

 

That might be all the dealer does...

 

this has been a debate for awhile but most say drain/fill and avoid the flush. The AT fluid is designed to last a long time under "normal driving conditions", you know, driving downhill all the time haha.

the manual also states to "check" the fluid and replace "if necessary." I say yours looks fine but keep an eye on it and when it starts heading more to the brown then do the drain. If you tow, travel short distances, or sit in bumper to bumper then you may need to do it sooner as these will wear on the fluid more than flat highway travel.

if you look at the AT dipstick it actually says the fluid should last the lifetime of the transmission under normal conditions. but Yota peeps are never normal