Just hit 60,000. What to do about changing trans fluid.

Up yours...my company has 6 Tacomas on the road, all but mine with over 225,000 miles on them. All with original tranny fluid and no issues. Too many “sky is falling” people baby these trucks...if you want to spend your money feel free.

 

Too early to replace.... let it ride, man

 

Ha! Here I am doing redline in both boxes, the trans case and my MT every 30k!!!

 

Unless you dogged the @+$/* out of it, leave as is. For $147, they will circulate and strain it through a filter, not change it. At dealer price, the cost of the fluid would be like $100+. They don't do work for free! Lol!

 

Properly changing it at home isn't hard, just tedious. Again, leave as is unless you've done some really extreme stuff.

 

Drain and refill, if anything. But don't flush it.

I'm at 92k miles and still original fluid. Transmission feels fine.

 

Father in law had 425K on his 09.He never changed his either. I agree, too many people change fluids way too early. But hey to each his own.

 

Just rolled over 100K miles and on original fluid. Shifts just as smooth as the day I bought it. Right around my 90K mile service, I spoke with 2 actual Toyota techs (not the oil change guys) as well as 2 local independent shops that specialize in Toyota. All agreed that changing the fluid wasn't needed. They've all serviced countless Tacomas with over 200K miles...all on original fluid.

 

No, the manual never says to change the fluid... ever.
It says to check the fluid.

Unless you do serious hauling and towing 60k is too early for a fluid swap. 100k is a better interval.

 

This isn't a joke, if you check the transmission fluid on those trucks I guarantee you that it's going to be that dark color.
While having the transmission cooler from the towing package does significantly help it will not last forever...

I mean what do you not change the oil either?

 

You can never go wrong changing old fluids. Don't pay attention to the drove 400,000 and never changed oil. Factory Toyota isn't synthetic either and you will feel marginal difference depending on condition of old fluids. The first oil changes in my opinion are the most beneficial because of all the anetial brake in material and contaminates from build process. You wouldn't build a new motor and leave the oil in it for 3-6k would you ? The worst that can happen is you will have spent a few dollars. I just did brake, power steering, front/rear diff, TC, trans and antifreeze with only 30k on my 2015. Brake pedal feels better trans and diffs feel little smoother and power steering . My power steering, front diff and brake fluids we're the worse. Front diff was very dirty and seemed thin, same with power steering.All fluids combined were just under $200 for good synthetic products.

 

Tacomas have come from the factory with low trans fluid. Going 100k a few quarts low can't be good. I'd check it at least.

 

30K and your power steering and brake fluid were dirty. RIIGHHHTTT

So you replaced power steering, brake and antifreeze at only 30K. Why, do you not value your time or money? There is preventive maintence then there is just plain waste of time maintence.

 

Logged into this for this reason. My 07 has 192k. It has an ever so slight studder from 0-5 mph. Called the dealer, they quoted $150 to do it. Ill assume is the drain and fill. I just bought this truck so I want to have the full one done for my my mind.

 

If your truck has seen mostly normal service, wait till 100k then do a drain & fill. If your truck has seen mostly severe service, do a drain & fill now.
If you feel that you must pull the pan and replace the screen filter, do it around 150k. Yes I know my truck is a 4cyl, but still, I'm just sayin you should be OK for a while longer unless you beat on it.

 

The drain and fill is a last resort if you've waited too long. Just have it power flushed... no reason not to remove all old fluid and clean her out. My fluid was still bright pink/red when I had her power flushed at like 185k-190k, shifted like butter ever since. I presume either it was luck, the trans cooler, or the previous owner had it flushed because even the tech said it was incredibly clean and bright for the mileage.

Drain and fill = Old mixed with new... eh

Power Flush = Powered machine that force cycles fluid through at temp to ensure it is fully cleaned out. 100% clean new fluid.

 

Yes I made this up, you got me. Toyota's are manufactured in a sterile environment with sterile parts that don't wear or break in and brake fluid that is immune from moisture. They also use the best fluids known to man because there bottom line $ is of no concern. My time and money are of no concern of yours and my hobby. Yes I have OCD also, OLD CRANKY and DANGEROUS .

 

who gives a eff how a completely unknown stranger on a forum spends their money?

change it dont change it..whatever. i changed mine. i also filed the reciept away that i flushed mine, in the box marked "service records". i'll hand that over to the next person,and hopefully it helps the truck sell.

 

I'll just add in that it is extremely easy to over tighten and strip the transmission drain plug. So make sure YOU DO NOT! Use the correct torque spec, maybe even a hair under.