2015 Auto Tranny can't be serviced - fact or fiction?

I took my truck to the local dealer recently for 40k service. I asked to have the transmission fluid/filter checked/changed (as per recommendations on this forum) because I tow a 3,000 lb camper a good deal of the time...

I was told by the service writer that Toyota recommends NOT to perform this service - that it was too complex, and had the potential of creating problems with this transmission.

Is this true?

Thanks

 

no not true, if u use the search function u can find out how to change it yourself and lots on answers on the subject

 

Toyota only recommends changing the fluid when it needs to be changed.
That does not mean its not servicable. Those are your words.

And unless you tow and haul heavy loads all the time you do not need to do a fluid change service at 40k let alone a full blown flush with pan drop and filter change.
Only every 100k.

Do a flush every 100k at a trans shop. Avoid the dealer.

Did they give you a quote for the pan drop flush?
I was told it was $600

 

I Did pan drop, flush, new filter on mine. It actually went very smooth, no issues.

 

had mine flushed at 43k miles. I tow heavy 4600+lbs. And I monitor the temps so I have seen how how they got especially before the larger trans cooler. fingers crossed no issues sense. With an oil change it was like slightly over 300. I don't want to mess with the transmission so I left it to them to do the service.

 

Learn from older Toyota vehicles, 2003-2009 4Runners & GX470 have sealed transmission with “Toyota’s life time fluid”, my girlfriend had an 05 4RUNNER and at 180k miles the transmission failed and the fluid was black. We now get the transmission serviced around every 90-100k. I go to the Phoenix area, there a good shop there, the cost was around $200. Not sure I would worry about at 40k unless you tow a lot or you know your transmission temperatures are getting really hot, but get it done around the 90-100k mark.

 

Doug. Does your Tacoma have the factory towing package that includes the oil and transmission cooler? If not, I'd urge you to get a transmission cooler. That is the single best thing you can do to prolong the life of your transmission ESPECIALLY if you tow frequently.

 

I did my transmission full flush using the tutorial you can find on this forum in the spring. I was at 155,000 KM and believe the fluid never got changed. I am not experiencing any issues at all. In fact I believe my transmission works better with fresh fluid. I used Valvoline Maxlife ATF (Valvoline state it meets the Toyota ATF WS specification).

If you are experiencing issues with your transmission already, then flushing it may make it worst. If it works fine, I would say it would not hurt it to replace the fluid. Anyway everybody knows the Toyota ATF WS fluid is garbage.

 

I tow a 5,000lb trailer and have seen my transmission temps climb to over 230f so I did a drain/fill at 50k miles, not a full flush.

 

Yes, factory tow package with little tranny cooler

 

Very easy to do flush via your transmission cooler lines

 

Which brings up another couple questions:

I’ve also seen transmission temps up at 230 and beyond when pulling the trailer in the mountains around here.

1) what is considered to be the max safe Temp?

I’ve got a ScanGaugeII. I have both TFT Xgauges programmed. Most of the time there is a 10 to 15 degree difference between the two. I believe that one reading is the pan temp, the other - the torque converter.

2) which of the two would be the higher?

 

How do you guys know what your trans temps are? Is there a gauge somewhere that I am not seeing?

 

ScanGaugeII

 

230F is definitely too hot for sustained periods (or at all). What is your setup on the truck? What size are your tires and are you auto or manual? Stock gearing? Sounds like you might need to take a gear instead of letting it upshift potentially. If you're already doing that, it might be worthwhile to reagear and or get a larger transmission cooler with more surface area.

 

At 230f the fluid will break down within 12,000 miles per @gearcruncher. I don't know if that means 12,000 miles of driving at that temp or 1 mile at that temp cooks the fluid enough to shorten the useful life to only 12,000 miles.

I monitor the temp with an ultragauge at the torque converter, which will be higher than the temp of the fluid in the pan.

 

I would not wait a 100k to change the fluid. I would do a drain n fill every 30k. That's me though I like my stuff to last. Ask Proforce on here how his tranny was at 100k with no fluid change

 

Tire size - stock P265/70-R16, auto trans, stock gearing. Since installing the ScanGauge and being able to actually see the effect of driving style on the TFT temp - I've learned when to slow down and/or downshift when it starts going up.

My thoughts exactly. I've got the factory tow package with the tiny transmission cooler. Could definitely use a much bigger one IMO. Can someone point me to a thread showing a good installation? I remember seeing one here that also had a screw-on filter mounted behind the grill.

If I install a new cooler/filter - what's Toyota going to have to say about the warranty?

 

Are you towing in overdrive?. Recommended to only tow in fourth gear.

 

Overdrive? Only occasionally, then only on downhills. Bad idea?