Changing tranny fluid and filter change

1. First tranny fluid and filter change since owned, > 225000 miles, tranny running great. But the fluid on my stick has darkened since I bought it a few months ago, oil and filter has been changed twice ( first was changed as part of r/o the engine/ visc light on and the second time was due to the maintenance light, recent engine light code caused me to insert a new catalytic converter!
2. I placed hi milage oil 5/30wt in per auto parts suggestion
3. Now I'm asking what the prefered tranny fluid and filter is needed for the upcoming fluid change?

 

There is a screen more so than a filter. If the pan isn't leaking I wouldn't drop it. Draining the pan will yield 4.5qts and I would replace with Toyota type 4. In about a month do it again and good to go.

 

'04's have a maintenance light? I haven't seen one on mine, though I haven't had it for very long (3 months).

 

Okay great , no need to drop the pan to change filter or this screen of a filter, but go ahead drain the fluid now and in thirty days to replace with " Toyota type lV ATF" This makes it good to go for how many miles before I should do again?

 

Do it again in 50,000, less if you do allot of towing.

 

Yea, no real time fram on the 2nd drain and fill, couple weeks to a month. You can use whatever fluid you like that is Type 4 compatible I just always used the Toyota fluid.

 

No, he was talking about the check engine light. There are no maintenance reminders in 1st gens.

 

So what you guys are saying is you swap the old transmission fluid with motor oil for a month, drain it, and then fill it back up with transmission fluid? What is the purpose of doing this? I haven't even looked at my transmission fluid since I bought my truck three years ago so I am looking into it soon. Thanks.

 

No!

We are talking about 2 different parts of the truck.

TOYOTA WS transmission fluid for transmission.

5w30 motor oil for engine.

 

1st gen is Type 4 tranny fluid, not WS.

 

I think type 4 was only used in 04 and all years prior were WS.

 

Mine was an 03 and the dipstick was marked Type 4. Before Type 4 standard Dexron fluids were the norm

 

I went to O'Reillys to pick up the Toyota 4 ATF and told them I needed 5 qrts cause I'm NOT dropping the pan and changing the filter or screen this time, they argued with me that I still required 13 qrtz to change the ATF, at 7$ a wet I told them that is ridiculous! REALLY? I admit this is my first foreign vehicle, but of all the cars,trucks, SUVs, I have owned I never had to use 13 qrtz of anything to change out a fluid, they told me I was thinking motor oil not ATF, AM I CRAZY or did my favorite auto store just go bonkers? That may be capacity amt, but fluid change? Someone correct me if I'm in the wrong?

 

Sounds like the counter help at the parts store is a little new.

Just make sure they know you are doing a drain and fill for transmission and not a transmission flush. A flush would need 13 quarts.

 

Thank you! I knew I hadn't lost my mind, and you're right they had to be new, but no one else there was helping me out either ! But, anyway I feel much better now and I'm taking my 5 qrts, doing what I gotta do and feeling right about it!
Thanks man!