ATF Concerns/Questions

I know the majority on here recommend getting the ATF changed at 100k, but Im reaching 120k without a clue on how to approach this issue. My family has driven vehicles past 250k without a single transmission service. The vehicles shifted just fine and no issue was ever found. Now, my truck has some hard shift points that seem to occur randomly. I find them to be more common during warm up though. I'm not sure if I should chance not getting the service and hope the transmission holds out. Or should I get the service performed? My next question is where can I take the truck to get serviced? I understand the dealerships tend to flush the system which can mess with the shift points? I'm not too confident on performing the work myself even though I've changed the spark plugs and diff fluid before. Thank you for any input!

 

@DCSBFTMFW

 

You'll get conflicting advice. The owners manual on my 07 says NEVER change it unless you tow a lot. I'm at 175,000 and have no plans to service the AT. If it dies it'll get rebuilt or replaced, but I figure I've got at least another 100,000 miles before I have to worry about that. Like you I know way too many people with over 200,000 on them that have never changed the AT fluid. Changing the fluid regularly will only add a few thousand more miles for most people.

It is heat that kills AT fluid, not miles. When the AT fluid goes bad, and isn't replaced promptly it kills the transmission. If you tow, and allow the AT fluid to get up to or over 230-240 degrees then you need to change it. But I've concluded that if you never let the fluid get much over 200-210 degrees it'll last longer than the rest of the truck. That is my experience, I'm sure others will disagree

 

This is very helpful. I do have a seal on the driveshaft input into the transmission that leaks a little. A little bit of AT fluid will pool on the end every thousand or so miles. Should I get that replaced? It never drips in the garage floor or anything of that nature.

 

I'd say that if you want to service the trans, do a drain and fill instead of a flush.
As for the output seal, there was a TSB on that to install a different style seal. I had mine done in '11, by '13 it was leaking again. I'll probably change it again some day.

 

So in other words, it's going to leak no matter what. If you don't mind me asking, how much was the service?

 

I tow, albeit infrequently. More times in summer when the fishing is better. I was told not to even think about it until I get to 100k. If you are already having rough shifts, do it.

 

Does anyone know if dealerships will do just a drain a refill? Could I trust them to do just that and not a flush?

 

It is a wearable part, so future leaks are possible. But if it is enough to drip, go ahead and change it. As for the service, my local stealership charges $219 to do the "flush". However, as some have noted on other threads, many just do a drain and fill. I'm just gonna do mine in the driveway when I take the pan off to add a temp sensor. The seal, I will also do in the driveway.
Edit:
There is a good write up on here on doing a drain & fill with the procedure on how to check the trans fluid level. As stated above, towing is something that pushes the fluid interval to lower mileage. I tow a bit and its usually pretty heavy, so I don't mind doing drain & fill to keep fresh fluid in the tranny.

 

Okay, thank you. Do you remember how much they charged to do the output shaft seal? I don't really have the time to pull the driveshaft and all

 

They did it under the TSB that was active at the time. I was deployed, so I didn't get to see any of the paperwork for it.

 

Search the stickies above. Look at the pretty pictures and videos and DO IT YOURSELF.

 

Sup bruh.

 

Just curious, you were told by who? The receptionist at the dealership?

I'd like to note that waiting until your transmission has symptoms of failing to change the fluid isn't the best way to perform PREVENTATIVE maintenance.

 

I've done both my personal and work Tacoma at 60K intervals because I do lots of heavy off-roading and high speed city driving in hot desert conditions. $120 in fluid is WAY cheaper than $2,000 + for a new transmission.

 

I think I'm going to drain and refill the transmission on my own. Seems like the cheapest/most efficient way. I may have a buddy help with the output shaft seal as well considering I've never done a seal before. Thanks for the help guys

 

I got mine done at a Lexus dealer. They actually charged less for the fluid change than the Toyota dealer. They also use the same software.
Full disclosure...I used this particular dealership because my friend is a service advisor. He set me up with a tech who changed the fluid after his shift was over for cash.
My thought on it is, if you like your truck and want to keep it for a while change the fluid. Changing fluid is way cheaper then mechanical breakdowns.

 

Oh, and the non-discounted price was less than what Toyota charged.

 

Changed mine at 60-70k cycled 4gal through the system in about an hour, probably would have been happier with another gallon or so but better than it was. I think just doing a drain and fill is a waste of time, you figure your only changing out maybe 20% of the fluid while the other 80% is all nasty fluid

 

You're preaching to the choir, my friend. I do my own maintenance, as much as I can. I have the auto trans, which is sealed (as you probably know). No dipstick and theoretically, no way for dirt to get in it. I had the same type of transmission on my Infiniti, and like Toyota, they suggested every 100k. My point was that if he was having issues, he should change it.

It was the master mechanic at Infiniti who told me that type of transmission will be fine up to 100k (not a receptionist). I realize there is a difference between a G37 and a Tacoma, not the least of which is A) how much faster the car is, and B) that I tow with my truck. I'll start looking at the fluid around 50-60k. If it looks like it needs it, I'll change it.