DIY: Full Flush for Automatic Transmission

That'll get like 90% of the old out. That's the way Honda recommends that you do it... A full flush is a more thorough method in my opinion, plus if you do it all at once you only have to check the fluid level once. Rotational drains are fine though, certainly better than doing nothing.

 

I did my flush over the weekend, and I was about 2 quarts low from the factory. Pretty much why I was having sluggish acceleration and rough shifting since day 1. Truck runs and shifts so smooth now

 

I have a slight rough shift when cold from 1st to 2nd. I have a clumsey shift from 4th to 5th, seemingly, at random. I am going with the Valvoline Max Life (not trying to start a debate war) based on what I've read on here. Hoping I see more consistent shifts. I'm literally sitting here in the driveway debating about doing a flush right now.

 

I wish I would of done mine sooner. So just do it already

 

Lol. I'm gonna do it.

 

I want to do mine too, but the 20 degree weather really crushes my enthusiasm to work on vehicles.

 

I did a drain of the pan, that's about 5 quarts in my 05 4 cylinder. So that would be 5 out of 16, that's about 1/3 clean fluid. When you do it again some of the new fluid will drain out so it'll only be maybe 45% clean. Then when you do it again a third time it'll be maybe 60% clean fluid, 40% still dirty. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MsdPAadc9fY

 

I've also noticed that on Schaeffer's #204SAT All-Trans Supreme® automatic transmission fluid which says it can work on both Type-IV and WS. Wonder what the quantitative differences between the two are. It would be nice to have one ATF I can use for both power steering and automatic transmissions.

 

For whatever it's worth, I'm using Valvoline Maxlife Dex/Merc in my 07 and my brothers 10 Tacoma power steering with no issues.

 

It looks like to me that the Schaeffers is actually a better replacement(closer in specs to type IV) based upon viscosity and Brookfield viscosity than Maxlife is. (If you're needing an ATF for T-IV I would go with schaeffer's, for WS I would choose the Maxlife.) It's a Dexron replacement as well so it should work great in your power steering system as well. The lower the Brookfield viscosity, the easier it flows.

WS has a viscosity at 100°C of 5.4, I forgot to pull up the WS specs.

 

Me too. I was under then truck and had it all nearly ready to do, then I realized that I didn't have the right socket for the fill plug. I was almost relieved. haha. The overhead temperature gauge, which I'm so glad I fixed now, said 26 degrees. I think I'll wait for at least 45 degrees now.

 

Get a 6 point 24mm.

 

What are you thinking of, 26 degrees? Wait for spring when it's a lot warmer!

 

Dang, that is quite a discrepancy. Did you check the ATF level at the right temp? If you check the level before it reaches the specified temp, it will show as being low, causing you to overfill.

 

Yep checked it twice to make sure I wasn't crazy

 

I have a 2011 Tacoma with 110kmi. Can I do this approach. It seems pretty straight forward and I know that I would have to hand pump the new fluid into the transmission as the transmission pump pumps out the old stuff.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mj5RrjpjDkU

 

Honestly, did you even read the first post of this thread? It details how to do exactly that on 2nd gen tacomas.

 

Saw this video and it's really horrifying to see how the auto manufacturer has made this so complicated for the DIY. You need to make sure it's on a level service and you're checking it at about 113 degrees. If the fluid is too hot or cold, it'll be too much or too little fluid. In which you'll ruin the transmission. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNcecuGzTDg

 

I did. it was very information (props to Mountain Lion). I also know there's usually more than one way to do things and obtain the same result. I'm asking the people on this forum if the video I posted will also work. If it doesn't work then explain what I am missing...

 

That video is exactly the same method as mountainlion describes, a lot of people will take out the grill on the 2nd gen tacomas and hook their lines to the cooler inlet/outlet to collect old fluid and pump more fluid in(assuming you have the towing package). As always, don't forget to check the fluid level by putting your truck into temp check mode. I recommend that you run out and then pump back in two quarts at a time, running the truck for about 7 seconds should result in about 1 quart being pumped out.