Change tranny fluid? Let’s hear your thoughts!

Hey y’all! Just upgraded from my 2003 Tacoma to a 2nd gen 2006 Tacoma 4wd

this Tacoma has 170k miles and I don’t know what type of maintenance has been done to it regarding the transmission. It drives great but I was wondering if I should change the transmission fluid for preventative maintenance?

I’ve just heard horror stories before of people changing transmission fluid and having it fail on them after...however I think this is when people already had transmission issues and tried to fix it too late...

Is there any danger in changing my transmission fluid on a truck that has 170k miles and drives and feels great?! Just don’t wanna mess a good thing up.

lmk your thoughts and thanks!!

 

Change it. Drop the pan change the screen/filter , clean the pan and magnets then put her back together then preform the proper refill procedure. If you don't know the trucks maintenance history then do it all, plugs,filters, coolant,diif,transfer case......

 

this 1000%

 

A drain and fill is simple enough.

 

Maxlife

 

I would do this.

Drain and fill is cheap and easy. If you get all sorts of crap draining out, consider the complete flush later.

 

There was just a Maxlife deal on Woot for $25 for 6 quart bottles. I like the quarts better than the gallon jugs. Sold out now, but I got a 6 quart case-that is two years of transmission drain and fills for me.

 

Been running this for years in my daughter's Yaris and brother in law's Sienna. Eventually it will be in my Taco's tranny. Already in the power steering

 

All these 100%

 

I just had mine fluid drained and refilled (not flushed) done at 120k for the first time and it feels a lot better shifting. I thought it was good before the drain and fill well it was even better after I had it done . Wouldn’t hesitate to do it again

 

Not to barge in but kind of in the same boat. 150k and I did a flush/fill at 75k, but didn't drop the pan at that time. If I drop the tranny pan to clean it, should I get a new gasket or will the hold one hold up fine if reinstalled? I don't want to fill it and find out the gasket now leaks.

 

When I had mine done I had a new one put in , I think it was like $18 maybe for the gasket why not just put one in ?

 

Noto, I would get a new gasket and a new screen/filter. You could clean it but for what it costs just replace it. Good luck and report back.

 

@Notoneiota do it once , do it right

 

That's kind of what I was thinking. The price doesn't bother me I just didn't read anything about people replacing it when dropping the pan. I bring my truck in tomorrow for the frame treatment. I'll grab a new gasket when I'm there. From what I understand, there is just a screen to clean and not an actual replaceable filter, right?

 

It’s cheaper to order it probably first and pick it up. That’s what I did . The mechanic I took my truck to just cleaned my screen while he had the pan down , I’m not sure if it’s replaceable or not .

 

I'll see what the parts counter says. If they have it on hand and it is under $20, I'll buy it. If I have to order it, I will. I have a week off in October and I should just hit 150k then. I'll be doing all fluids, filters, plugs, etc. Even have some barely used 3rd gen shocks and struts to put on. Going to be a spa day for the truck.

 

The filter/screen is replaceable. It unbolts from the bottom of the tranny, once you drop the pan you will see it, its easy and straight forward. Once you see all the crud in the bottom of the pan and on the magnetics you will be glad you did it. A little advice, when u drop the pan take pics of where the magnetics go. You will remove them to clean them. Use a lint free rag, you don't want any foreign contamints in there. Take your time bolting the pan back up, its easy to over torgue then you can deform the pan.

 

Thanks. I've done it before on other trucks. Just not this one...yet. I know what tranny fluid tastes like when it drips in your mouth.

 

Is there a good write up on here for changing the tranny fluid? I've always been scared of it. 270k KM's should I do it?