For anybody who hasn't changed their trans fluid

I have a 99 tacoma with 162k miles on it. My trans fluid has always looked ok, not burnt, just a darker red color. I found a shop that did a complete fluid exchange(not a flush with a machine), and a pan drop and filter change for a decent price. Changed my fluid with a universal synthetic, and wow. I can't even feel the shifts now where I could feel them before. As of right now, I highly recommend an exchange like this. If my trans craps out soon, I'll change this post, but as of right now it's running like a new trans. The shop owner doesn't believe it has ever been changed due to factory silicone on the trans pan, so it was definitely time, and the fluid color difference is definitely different. Nice and pink now, vs red.

 

I'm into trannys too

Oh, this post is about vehicle transmissions?

 

Well this thread went downhill fast lol

 

....it already died hahah that was quick

 

Did u expect anything less?

 

Cool story bro

 

Yep, I've had automatics in the past that I drove for years without so much as checking the fluido) But no issues, the A340F is a good trans but a little fussy with maintenance meaning you better do it or I promise catastrophic failure is in your future...

 

Only Sam haha

 

At least someone came here to be serious haha.

 

You never know when Doug will sneak in a meaningful, on topic, and helpful post. It's all part of the fun.

 

Thanks. I'll need to do this soon, as I have over 134,000 original miles on my tranny now. Last year I changed out the fluid but didn't replace the filter. It should be done I guess.

 

Cant change the fluid and not the filter. Those filters have metal filing in them from the old fluid and will be introduced into the new fluid

 

The shop I found did a complete exchange without a machine. I wouldn't suggest a machine. I got it done for $187, which included synthetic fluid, filter, pan gasket, and labor

 

Yeah, once in a while..haha

It's the bipolar in me haha, seriously though, I don't joke when it comes to the price tag hanging off of one of these transmissions , the cheapest price I found for a rebuild was $2500.00, the highest was $3400.00, I was in shock.... I ended up getting a used trans out of wrecking yard, even then it was $1000.00 & change...

Yes you should

Did the torque converter get flushed as well ??

 

. I don't know, I'll have to call and ask, as it just says service and flush trans on the paperwork. Didn't know you had to flush the torque converter as well. I thought it was all one flush. If you can't tell, Transmissions confuse me haha. Automatics more so then manuals. And yes I have tried to read up on them. A lot haha

 

Yeah, a full flush would require the converter to either be thoroughly evacuated or replaced...

Oh I know, transmissions or anything with that many moving parts gets confusing as hell

 

I doubt it was then, but I'll call. So it is possible to flush it without removing it? Any downside to not flushing it?

 

I'm not 100% sure on that, but the down side to not flushing it is you'll still have crap in the fluid as a fair amount accumilates inside it...