2018 Tacoma transmission filter change

I recently went to my local Toyota dealer and asked for a transmission filter change and top off. I asked them to take pan off wipe out pan clean magnets replace mesh filter put pan back on and top off fluid which should b 3 1/2 to 4 quarts. Dealership said there is no filter but just mesh and it’s not replaceable and not a filter and did a cleaning and flush without taking pan off. My truck only has 33,000 miles on it. I have done this on my Ranger every 30,000 miles which has 183,000 on it now and shifts like it did when I bought it new with 54 miles on it and want my Tacoma to last a very long time. First r they rite is it not replaceable cause eBay sells the filter? And second am I crazy for changing so early and only wanting filter and refill???

 

I've also heard it was a metal screen and not an actual filter, but never confirmed first hand. If I was you I'd just do a drain n fill. Then filter n magnets later down the road maybe.

 

So the dealership ignored your service request and most likely charged you more for a flush, what did your copy of the work order show? The copy you received when you dropped the truck off, NOT the receipt upon picking up your truck?

And yes the Tacoma does not use an old school replaceable filter, it uses a screen or what manufacturers refer to as a "strainer", to keep any "gunk" from being sucked up. While not meant to be replaced as a regular consumable service item it certainly can be replaced if desired.

 

I didn’t c copy of when I dropped it off. They only charged me the $180 plus tax because we had a argument about it having a filter or not when I dropped it off. The parts store does call it a filter but i know it’s only mesh inside but I will b changing the mesh filter and fluid that was in pan every 30,000 just for my piece of mind and knowing it definitely can’t hurt anything. So what r the down sides to having a cleaning and a flush??? I’m thinking they can’t get all that cleaner out and lowering the viscosity of the fluid.

 

There are ~11 quarts of transmission fluid in the truck. Getting all the “cleaner” out is problematic. Not knowing the chemical composition of the cleaner; I’d shy away from chemical cleaners.

Me I do a periodic drain and fill.

 

On a low mile truck no real downside to a flush other than it is a high profit item so the dealers push it and your wallet becomes lighter.

On a high mile truck there are possible problems with the most common being the flush loosens up some of the crud that continues to loosen up long after you've left the dealership.

This is why high mileage vehicles that have never had their transmission serviced are best left alone. The fresh a-t fluid can cause problems with shifting and slippage that weren't happening before the service.

Sounds like you have a good plan going forward, drain & fill with a new mesh/strainer.

 

I looked at work order from when I checked in it did say customer requested drain and fill with mesh filter replacement but they didn’t do it they ran cleaner and flushed transmission

 

I just did a complete flush on my 2018. These do have a filter although at 33k miles I don’t think it would be necessary for the filter to be changed, I did do mine because I’m a little over 100k miles. Here’s the link to the transmission oil filter for future reference. Also, it is worth noting that mine was a fiber filter and not a screen. I called a few places and was told two different things, “it doesn’t have a filter” and “it has a screen filter”. This is what I had, pictures posted. Also, this is her first transmission fluid change and she’s ran perfectly fine for 109k miles. A far stretch for sure, but also my 2006 had her first transmission oil change at 160k miles. Never had an issue with either one.

Part Number: 3533004010

https://parts.toyota.com/p/Toyota__Tacoma/Transmission-Filter/66803429/3533004010.html

 

New filter

 

You may find this vid helpful.

https://youtu.be/TevK-u3vkx4

 

To completely change out fluid, you need fluid exchange machine to replaced 11-13qts.

 

Do you remember the Torque Spec's for the 3 Filter Bolts? I am thinking they would be the same as the 10 Pan Bolts (65 in/lbs (or 7.34 N-m))?

 

They can't be very much. You'd probably be fine to hand tighten and then a little more.

 

I am thinking the same. When removing them (and the pan bolts) the effort was very little, just a snap sound that they were tight.