How to Drain/Refill Automatic Transmission

Shit 60k miles? I need to do this. Thanks for the write up

 

I have an '05 tacoma prerunner 2 wheel drive with 5 speed auto trans and i can 100% confirm that this process DOES in fact work to check the trans temp. I not even 10 mins. Ago finished the service on my auto transmission and though the temp light DOES NOT come on when the key is turned on if u follow this guys step by step instructions on how to get into temp check mode u will see that the light does illuminate although it takes 6-7 shifts instead of the 5-6 shifts described... your welcome =)

 

My 2005 4x4 had 115,000 before I did this and the fluid looked pretty good. Wasn't (too) dark and didn't smell. I would guess I could have gone to 150,000 and be fine.

 

sub. I’m at about 51k and will be doing my 60k my self.

 

I need to do this...

 

The scangauge 2's latest firmware has a feature to add custom gauges, which includes transmission temp for the Tacoma. Wait till the readout is 115 and add or remove fluid as needed. Worked perfect for me.

 

Great write up, thanks for sharing.

 

I have been putting off changing my trans fluid but I going to do it this weekend because my trans is shifting funny.

When the instructions say slow to a "trickle" coming out of the overflow, does it mean droplets or a small steady flow of fluid coming out of the overflow?

 

I got my Scanguage updated so now it can read tranny temps. I'm going to use it this weekend to monitor the temperature when I fill it so I don't have to mess with wires and shifting the gears.

 

Scangage makes it easy.

In regards to a trickle, it's between drops and a steady flow like pouring milk from a jug.

Compare it to when changing your oil, the final steady fluid flow after the major amount of fluid is removed.

PK

 

Hi PMK; I've got a 2011 V6 auto trans 4wd. I pit the Xguage command in for th trans temp. Can you give me a range of #s that you get for the temp. Alot seems to depend on the outside air temp when driving. I get between 100 and 140 (not towing). Truck has the tow package. thanks mark s

 

Thanks. I put it off for too long and it's time to do it

 

Alright! I finally did it!

I have a 2010 double cab long bed trd sport and I only had 2 qts drain out.

I re filled 2 1/2 qts and did the temp check and no fluid came out so I added another qt or so and then had plenty come out. All in all, should be around the OP's amount of 3 qts in the AT.


Thanks for the write up, very helpful.

 

I changed mine this weekend. Only 2.5 quarts came out when draining it. When I removed the pan, there was another 1.5 quarts in it. Yes I was on level ground. I cleaned the magnets and filled with 4.5 quarts and about 1/4 quart came out until it became a trickle at 115F.

It seems to shift smoother and less clunkly now.

 

I need to do this service, and want to do it myself....had a dealer "flush" it a year ago and turns out they totally lied and did a drain and fill.

Was quoted $150 to do a drain and fill from another dealer. With that price I can justify buying a scanguage 2 and monitor the trans temp that way to get it to the right level. Does this seem like a good route to take?

OR is it possible to put it on level ground and drain the pan, measure exactly how much came out, and put that amount back in????

I have ZERO leaks in the system and it was serviced by a dealer last so the tranny fluid should be up to spec.

Damn this transmission! I have done everything else maintenance to this truck myself and am really paranoid about overfilling/underfilling. I hate not having a dipstick!!!

 

Doing it "right" is the only way to ensure that you have the proper fluid level.
You can "cheat", but then you are operating under the assumption that you currently have the correct level.

 

Subbed for future reference. Thank you OP for the amazing write up and great detail!

 

Hey everybody, new to this site, but it truly rocks. Instead of always taking from these types of sites, I thought I'd finally give back. In this case it relates directly to this topic. I've got a 2008 Tacoma, er, quad cab, crew cab, I dunno, it has four doors anyway. I'm about to put a hitch on her and as we all know an aftermarket transmission oil cooler is a great idea, even if you never end up towing anything anyway which in my case I probably won't. I figure its better to have and not need than need and not have.

Here's my point. When installing one of these goodies, make life easy on yourself and REMOVE THE FRONT GRILL before proceeding. Its just two screws on the top, a couple of plastic retainers on each side, also on top, and the grill lifts straight up and out. Its that simple. You don't have to mess with the headlights, the horn, body trim, nothing. The A.C compressor radiator and all else is then exposed and you can do whatever installation you want at your leisure. In my case I also took off two more screws and loosened the cooling fan cowling which is necessary for installation.

The point is, don't spend half the afternoon scraping your hands and forearms to shreds in installing one of these. I discovered this only AFTER engraving Toyota into the lower half of my appendages (and going blind with a flashlight and a mirror) the hard way. Its just not worth it.

I'll of course use this thread to put in additional transmission fluid and top her off, as the new cooler requires more fluid for the overall system. First car I've ever heard of (well witnessed) that did NOT have a tranny dipstick. Unreal, but hey, that's price of progress, I guess.

Hope this helps the next guy/gal from busted knuckles and scraped forearems for no logical reason.

Thanks guys!

---SFB

 

Hey guys.... I'm ready to do the drain and fill, but I cannot get that darn "at Temp" light to come on as suggested in the write-up.....!! I've tried 10 times or so... I've got the right pins jumped on the OBD connector.... Is there something I'm missing?

I just watched the Youtube video and he was shifting a little faster than I had down... I'll try that next.... what else could I be doing wrong?

Thanx....

 

OK, I shifted fast like the video and it works.....

My problem now is where is the24mm fill plug on my 4x4? It's not like the 2x4 in the picture.....My truck has the transfer case right behind the tranny. There are a couple of what look like 24mm plugs on the transfer case, but that don't help.... I cannot see any fill plug on mine....

Anyone done this on their 4x4?