How to Drain/Refill Automatic Transmission

Nice write up!!!

 

Thanks. I have another wireless OBD reader from years ago. I'll check it out and see if it will work. Thanks again.

 

Man I wish you could manually program the Edge Insight CTS. I have one and am going to have to install a temp probe in-line and run it to the CTS (same with oil pressure). The CTS is SO cool, I really like it, but right now they are more geared towards domestics. I have been emailing them to try and get them to start covering some more foreign vehicles, I think they could really take the market if they just had better coverage.
Ken

 

I did the tranny partial drain and replacement on my 07 Sport, but have a big off road trip coming up and worried too much about this. Gave up and took it to the fairly new dealer in St George, UT who quoted $189 plus parts. They did a complete machine flush and charged me for 10 qts of WS. I also had them hit all the u-joints for a total price of....$193.46. What a treat to not get hammered with every fluid ounce and washer.

I talked to them about the differential drains and fluids. They reco the synthetic fluid without any additive for my LSD. Front diff also. But...they want $270 for the rear drain and fill. Seems really steep. Any suggestions for which synthetic lube and its cost? Any favorites out there? Help and suggestions most appreciated.

 

Thanks for the write up. I did this today and it worked well!

 

I used Mobil 1 . Its about 10$ I have heard good things about redline but it runs $20 quart.

Rear diff change is super easy. Just need a 24mm socket. Same for transfer case. Front diff you need a 10mm hex and those bolts are tight. The mobil 1 has a spout that works on the rear and tcase. for the front just attach a piece of hose to the bottle.

Good pics stickied in the 2nd gen thread I think.

 

My truck only has 11,500 miles so I just wanted to check the fluid level without changing out the fluid, and this write up was a big help. Getting to A/T temp mode worked like it should and I skipped the drain step and added about 1/2 quart to get the level right.

When I first checked the fluid level nothing came out, so I added about 1/2 quart and then I made the mistake of turning off the engine when I checked it the next time and it drained about 1 quart before I realized my mistake, and then I had to do some math. So remember to check it with the engine running. I used a 5 qt. measuring bucket from the paint department at Lowe's. I was reluctant to monkey around with the auto transmission at all but this is really easy and I'll definitely do the mountain lion DIY transmission flush later.

 

Will most mechanics understand how to do this CORRECTLY?

I dont' want to take it to a shop and have them do it incorrectly.

I'm at 87,000 miles and i'd rather have a shop do it.

 

Take it to the dealer.
They have:
1 - The proper procedure in writing.
2 - The proper Toyota type WS fluid.

Jiffy Lube ended up paying for a dealer ATF flush and complete refill because they talked my wife into the trans service on her 2000 Echo.
She told me about it, I checked and the invoice indicated Dex-III, which was not correct... and they did not have T-IV.
Now, everyone has T-IV, but WS is still pretty rare for independent shops.

 

Oh... I had a feeling everyone didn't like STEALERSHIPS here on the forums.. but I guess they do serve a purpose, just overpriced.

 

Not really.

Given what they do, their prices are generally fair.

I did my water pump a couple of weeks ago. Including buying coolant, belt and hoses, I spent about $300 and 4 hours doing the work.
Lost a bit of skin off of my knuckles and a Saturday afternoon.
Dealer would have been $500 and an extra 2 hours when it was in for a recall.
Wife's Rav4 needs a water pump... I'll be paying the dealer to do it.

But the main thing is that the dealer techs (as opposed to the shaved monkeys doing oil changes) know your Toyota better than any other mechanic at any independent shop. That is ALL they work on, and while the Tacoma may be a different animal than a Corolla, there are some engineering and assembly processes that are common through the Toyota line.

 

Awh, how do you feel about those shops that only work on Toyota / Lexus lines? Like those independent shops that have this niche..

 

There are some very good independent shops out there.
There are some very bad independent shops out there.
There are some absolutely criminal shops out there.

The problem is finding out who is who.
For Allison transmissions, if I still had my Duramax, there is one independent shop in Fullerton that would get my business and ONLY that one shop.
But I don't know if I would trust him with my Toyota.

 

sage words my friend..

 

Thanks for this write up. It was super easy and worked perfect on my 06 Offroad. If you can change your own oil/gear oil and can plug in a simple wire, you can do this job.

 

big thanks to Fortech in making this excellent thread. made it easy!

recently i have been experiencing a shuddering sensation coming from the transmission when accelerating from a complete stop. this is a common symptom from a automatic transmission with low fluid levels. and with the fact that i'm at 90k+ miles without any prior transmission services with heavy duty off road use and regular towing, it's time to perform a drain/refill service.

5qts. of Toyota WS trans fluid because i removed the transmission pan..


removed the drain plug, my fluid is very dark with a slight burnt smell



this much drained out, approx. 2 1/4 qts. low


removed the transmission pan


had this much fluid still inside the transmission pan


bottom of the pan was a little thick with fluid residue but not gunky


3 dirty transmission pan magnets compared to the freshly cleaned magnet


clean pan ready for install


over flow drain tube


over flow drain plug


whats on the inside of the transmission pan


transmission fill plug marked WS



filled transmission with 5qts using a machine


used the Andriod Torque App to monitor the correct fluid temperature


draining excess fluid after reaching the correct temperature;

steady fluid flow


almost at a trickle which indicates proper transmission fluid level, approx. 1/2qt drained out


the whole service took about an hour to complete with a good part of the time that was waiting for the transmission fluid to reach the proper temperature. right away on the first test drive the shudder sensation was gone and the shifting felt significantly better. also idle is a lot smoother while stopped at a traffic light.

 

^Excellent post, MonkeyProof! Three quick questions, as I'll be doing an entire flush in 800 miles at the 60,000 mile mark:

1. Did you use a new gasket on the xmsn fluid pan, or reuse the old one?

2. What is the pattern & torque value for the pan bolts when reinstalling the pan?

3. Did you drop and clean the "filter" (mesh screen) that's bolted to the bottom of the xmsn?

Thanks for the time to post all the pics and list so many details!

 

What I have is the 09 2.7 access cab, A340E, 2x4 with about 90k on the clock. I am planning to do the 3x3 drain and refill to refresh the trans oil. No issues here and the fluid never smells burned. It just seems like good maintenance.

What I don't have is the trans temp indicator on the dash anywhere. There isn't one when I do a bulb check, there isn't a location for it on the dash. I also don't have the overfill plug on my trans like the a340's are supposed to have. I don't think there is a fill hole in the side either. I think this is because the same unit is used in most of their cars, so its less of a "truck" transmission IMHO. It also uses the Type-IV fluid.

Are you guys filing through the dipstick tube? Is there any problem just using good measurements to put in the same amount of fluid? There is nothing in the manual about changing or checking the trans or even a "transmission" entry in the index.
Does the fluid on this one get checked while running in park or off in park? Is there a specific interval I have to check it in? Almost need a different thread for this configuration.

 

I have extra crush washers that I ordered for oil changes. Will these same ones work for the 14mm tranny drain plug?

 

Thanks for the write up. Did this today and it went mostly smooth, besides my pump breaking halfway through filling my 1st quart. AT temp mode took about 12min at 60degrees F.