How to Drain/Refill Automatic Transmission

Similar experience with a drain/filter/fill at the local Toyota dealer, $650.

I got the filter w/gasket from RockAuto for around $15, then Valvoline Syn ATF WS compatible. Total cost just shy of $75.

Did the work myself. Only hangup was me figuring out how to get into Temp Check Mode.

The shift sequence timing isn't completely clear. Also the confirmation A/T light didn't illuminate at the conclusion of the shift sequence. Although, it did come on to indicate temp had been reached.

 

Bingo. I did the valvoline high mileage/maxlife stuff in mine, but over 100k and never changed before so it seemed like a good idea. WS compatible is what you want to look for.

I still need to sit down and retry the temp check mode thing. I'm pretty sure I got it 98% close, barely been driving it so I'll run that again this weekend and get it nailed.

 

@Scott B. @EricT @Knute

Thanks guys. Very helpful.

Will be embarking on this two weekends from now, along with new fluid in both diffs. And a standard oil change.

 

The transmission is tricky. Diffs and t case are so easy it’s stupid. I used the squeeze bags of valvoline 75/90 from Walmart. Made it so I didn’t need a pump for any of those. Just make sure you know your capacity of your catch bucket and don’t do all of them unless the fluid will fit. I emptied mine before I got to the transmission.

 

I just topped up my transmission fluid a week ago using this guide. On my 2015 TRD Off road.

We made a mistake while changing the transfer case. Needless to say, dont start the truck with the transfer case removed.

On my 2015 it was only 4 shifts to enter the 'Temp check' mode. I missed it twice because I did not stop shifting, until 6.

3rd time was a charm, stopped shifting as soon as it flashed, and it worked perfect.

 

Good point — I have a 16 quart drain container, but need to get a catch bucket with more precise metering. I’ll probably take a break after the transmission and engine oil and run the used fluids to the local auto parts store, might even split the work into two days.

 

You don't have to worry about measuring how much comes out. Just put in 5 quarts, then set the level.

You want to make sure you put enough fluid in, so only need to set the level once.

It sucks to do all that work, then realize you didn't put enough fluid in. No, I have never experienced that...

 

This is really smart and I didn't think of it! I think I put in 4.5, got it up to what I thought was temp (I gotta redo this) and hit the fill plug and got just a touch to come back out.

 

Measuring the output made sense to me in case I only needed to put in 4 qts...but hey I’ll listen to anyone who’s already tread the road before!

 

Worst case is you waste a little fluid and get a little extra flush in return. I have a half jug left, at the rate I change it I'm gonna do exactly this and just finish it off. At 100k and I should have done this WAY sooner, extra flush certainly wont hurt.

 

I get that.

Problem is, what if the transmission does have the proper amount of fluid in it? Either low from the factory, low due to a small leak, or ???

Save a little time, waste a little fluid. (There's a song in there somewhere!)

 

Get down (on the ground and get transmission fluid on the back of your shirt by accident oh my god it doesnt smell good yikes) tonight?

 

Called the local dealership for pricing on all the goodies:
O-ring: $5
Gasket: $17
Fluid: $11/qt
Filter: a whooping $75-ish.

I can handle paying 5 bucks for an O-ring I may not need to replace. But a $75 screen that I can clean? Absolutely not replacing that.

 

You had me at “what if”

 

You can get a Wix brand screen for about $35.00. Summit Racing sells them as well. I think it includes a gasket.

What is the O-ring for? The drain plug and level plug need copper gaskets - about 1/2" IIRC.

Valvoline MaxLife ATF, WS compatible is about $7.00 quart. Sometimes you can find a 4-qt jug - it's cheaper.

 

My drain plug has a rubber O ring on it.

 

The screen has an o-ring where it connects to the tranny. Likely to be perfectly good.

Do the plug gaskets require changeout?

I probably would’ve been perfectly comfortable buying non-OEM fluid, but for me the gasket’s gotta be OEM. And since I was putting in an order I thought I’d make it easy and get everything in one place. I used my last engine oil filter and plug crush washer so needed some of those too.

 

That's right - I forgot.

It does not need to be changed every time. Certainly does not hurt to change it, but can be skipped.

 

New o-rings should come with the new screen.

I've not compared Toyota gaskets to others, but I have never had a problem/failure with Wix and FelPro gaskets.

Yes, the drain and level plugs need crush washers.

 

I put one of those lever drains on my oil. Didn't change a single washer yet. No leaks. But I'm not doing it to be cool - I'm that goddamn lazy. Next flush I'll do them all.