Changing own transmission fluid

Hi all , was wondering if anyone is waiting to go to the recommended mileage for trans fluid change . I thought it would be beneficial to me to change auto trans fluid and transfer case fluid . I am just approaching 20,000 miles and at the start of winter .I am only finding that the dealerships have the trans and transfer case fluid . I like being ahead of maintenance so please realize I know im early . I need this truck to last a long time , is there a way I can do it on my own with Toyota fluids . Thank you in advance for your time and help

 

I haven't looked up steps for whether or not you need to drain and fill x amount of times like some vehicles, but when I do mine, I plan on catching the old into something I can measure so that I can put the exact same amount back in... Like a clean catchpan. Some manufacturers recommend that you drain and fill 3 times about a week apart since only 1/3 of the fluid comes out while draining.

 

thank you sir , great idea

 

Many places online sell the Toyota fluids.

There are basically 2 methods to changing atf fluid. 1) Drain the pan and refill 3 times(per service manual), or 2) pull a cooler line and cycle the old out as you cycle new in.

The latter method seems to contaminate less of the new fluid. Here's a link to a 2nd Gen how-to; process is the same.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/diy-full-flush-for-automatic-transmission.68462/

Here's a link to the full service manual. Open with Adobe and use the bookmark for table of content.
The drain/refill method starts on page 9,944. You can also use it to figure out the correct cooler lines to pull should you prefer that method. You have the AC60F transmission, btw.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/out/?url=https://onedrive.live.com/redir?resid=E4201B2041C373EC!151&authkey=!AHx1iTrEjYnqJHA&ithint=folder%2cpdf&inner=aHR0cHMlM0ElMkYlMkZvbmVkcml2ZS5saXZlLmNvbSUyRnJlZGlyJTNGcmVzLi4uNTElMjZhdXRoa2V5JTNEIQ==

Either method will require you to do a fluid level check by entering temp. check mode. It begins on page 9,938.

 

I'm going to do mine at 30k. If it was not such a process to drain and fill, I'd do it at 1200 miles (almost there now). I've had so many older cars that I tend to be a little fluid happy, changing all fluids often, with stock brew. I will also do the three time drain and fill over a two week period...with Toyota tranny fluid. While a minor inconvenience, having to have the temp at 107ish degrees is a pain...especially if you jump the obd port to have the computer talk to you about it. Measuring the fluid that comes out is fine, but you may never know if you were topped off correctly from the beginning. I know, I know, too much being said...can't life just be sunny. Sorry. Just passing on what I have read from those complaining about the Gen 3 tranny issues. Not trying to be a downer or know it all. I'm sure a detailed how to post will pop up at some point.

 

wow , awesome thanks a bunch for this info much appreciate your time . Thank you

 

yes totally understand the fluid happy , thank you for your help

 

I wouldn't feel too OCD about it.
Of the VOAs and UOAs I've seen on Toyota ATF WS, I've come to the conclusion, 15K is prudent on factory fill and every 30K thereafter.
If you're truly "fluid happy", I recommend doing the oil analysis as well.

 

ok cool so you think send the trans fluid to blackstone , guess that wouldn't hurt . so being im almost at 20,000 il change it then at 50k , 8ok , etc

 

Depends...
At 50k, you might decide to lengthen your interval based on the analysis. I wouldn't recommend going more than a 60k interval with Toyota ATF WS.
The duty your transmission sees might change as well(e.g. towing a camper every weekend), you might want to adjust intervals accordingly.

 

???? I just bought a 2019 Tacoma with AT and seen no indication of transmission fluid change at all in the maintenance requirements of the manufacturer. Same for the 2016 year model I traded in.
So ?????

 

Toyota says it's lifetime fluid....yours or the truck's, whichever comes first.

 

I like your comment, Mojlnir. At my age, "lifetime" warranty or wathever can be very relative. A toaster can easily outlive me.

On the other hand, I remain sceptical with those supposedly "lifetime fluid". To me it seems akin to "planned obsoleteness" where it will only last past warranty, and then to hell, we do not care anymore...

For my part, I am fully with the younger generation who wants to make the best use of anything we manufacture... My parents did just that, not out of principle, but because it was the only way to go then. And it still is with increasing pollution, waste disposal problems and thinning global resources.

 

Bob - you may find these threads helpful:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/3rd-gen-automatic-transmission-fluid-level-check-diy.547455/

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/how-to-drain-refill-automatic-transmission.63851/

 

Get a clear bucket with quart measurements. Disconnect the tranny cooler line and put it into the bucket. Cycle a couple quarts into the bucket (shifting through gears) and replace with new. Repeat until fluid coming through the cooler line is clean. Put a little more in than you took out on the last fill. Then go through the fluid level check procedure.

I used to go through about 12 quarts with this method on my FJ. Tacoma could have higher fluid capacity so check first and make sure you have enough on hand to get the job done.

I use Amsoil synthetic and used to change every 50,000 or so. Even when wheeling and towing often that interval seemed sufficient.

 

I haven’t had my Tacoma long enough for it to need the tranny fluid changed. But I plan to use this same procedure when the time comes.

 

Thanks for your input, BlazinBlue Taco. Now, on these new models there is no trans dipstick and dealer says it is a sealed trans.... Feck!

 

Correct. Shut engine off after 2 quarts go into bucket. Then add 2 quarts of fluid through the full plug. Start engine and cycle through gears while 2 more quarts go into the bucket. Shut engine off and add 2 quarts. On and on until clean fluid starts coming through the cooler line (usually 5-6 cycles total).

You can hang a funnel from the underside of your hood and run clear tubing from the funnel down into the fill plug. That works better than crawling under the truck to refill every 2 quarts. Just make sure the tubing doesn’t come in contact with the exhaust / catalytic converter.

 

The transmission is full each time you start the engine. And there is no load on the drive train when shifting through the gears. The 2 quart cycles also go pretty quickly.

No negative impacts in my experience. And my FJ had 220k+ trouble free miles and was still going strong when I traded her in last year.

 

Guy I know has 300,000 miles on his Taco and has never changed the fluid.