Trans fluid change

Hi All, New Tacoma owner and have the transmission "shudder" issue that I have read a lot about. I have a 2009 TRD 2x4 with 156k on it. I've decided to do the pan drain and fill method and replace the gasket and filter as well. I'm an avid amsoil guy and wanted to see what you guys thought about the Amsoil WS fluid. Or should I bite the bullet and buy the Toyota fluid? Thanks for any and all advice!

 

The Toyota WS is nothing special. I actually like the Valvoline MaxLife synthetic ATF. I’m sure the AMS Oil is perfectly fine as well.

 

I've heard about this shudder and all I think is if you have a shudder you may have a bigger issue than just the fluid being old. I changed the transmission fluid in my truck not too long ago. I don't remember what brand I bought but I made sure the label said "for Toyota" on it. Seems to be running great!

 

I just got through a shudder problem of my own a few days ago.
My solution (based on info I learned on Tacoma World and from member Gear Cruncher specifically) was as follows:
1) Drop pan and inspect/clean filter and check for any debris.
2) Do multiple DAF's - I did 4 DAF's using Toyota fluid along with 15 oz. Lubeguard Premium and (2) two oz. tubes of Lubeguard shudder fix on the last DAF.
3) I disconnected the negative battery terminal between each DAF to reset the transmission's memory (GearCruncher suggestion).
4) Did fluid level check using technique found on Tacoma World.
5) First test drive - I noticed the shudder but it was less frequent and less violent.
6) second test drive - shudder was gone.
Hopefully you will have the same result with whatever method/fluid you choose

 

Never put in anything else.

use Toyota fluid.

 

This is great info but I need to ask what is DAF's? I'm assuming it's multiple fluid changes? I spoke to the dealer and they of course recommend a full flush for $249 but I've heard horror stories after a flush if it hasn't been done regularly but doing multiple changes can add up quick, I'm hoping mine is an easy fix like that too. We actually bought it for our daughters first truck. Just got it so I can't have any issues yet! I appreciate the answers and hope to get to it soon as it won't be driven much because she dosn't get her license until April.

 

DAF is short for Drain And Fill - as opposed to a complete Flush.
1 DAF swaps out around 3 quarts of fluid, since tranny holds much more than 3 quarts, the more DAF's you do the more clean fluid you get into the transmission. I may have gone overboard by doing 4 DAF's but i wanted as much clean fluid in the trans and didn't want to risk doing a full-on flush.

Also, the way I avoided the shudder before I got a chance to do the fluid change is that I simply drove the truck in 4th gear and then slipped into D once the car was up to speed and cruising

 

By driving in 4 in the exact same manner as you would if you were driving in D, the possibility of the transmission trying to toggle back and forth between 4th and 5th (which causes the shudder) is removed. If your truck still shudders/vibrates while driving in gear 4 the same as it does while driving in D then you likely have a different problem causing the vibration.

 

@gearcruncher

 

Welcome to TW

 

I had a full flush done at the dealer for around $199 .Right around 100k No problem. A few months later did a DAF with new filter and added the basic Lubeguard . Will probably do a DAF every year now since I tow a camper a few times a year .

 

I believe we have at minimum , 1000 transmission services using max life at Tacoma world without an issue and a few have also used Amsoil .
Spending the extra cash on the Lubeguard platinum is by far the way to go because it compensates for non OEM based fluid .
You can read more here
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...th-pics-for-second-gen-4-liter-trucks.289913/

 

Just found out the other day. If you have the tranny flushed at the dealer prior to 100k then every 30k after. Toyota will cover the tranny( or $2500 towards repair/replace) should as issue arise.

 

what speeds do you have shudder?

 

My shudder appeared between 25-35 mph under light to moderate acceleration. If I accelerated harder I would just blow past the shudder - I think accelerating harder doesn't give transmission time to "think" about whether to be in 4th gear or 5th (overdrive)??

 

I wonder if in some cases this "shudder" occurs when the gear selector is in D when it really needs to be in 4.

 

Really Huh

 

I’m getting a copy of this from my dealer. Once I get I’ll post it.

 

Valvoline maxlife user and I always put in some lubegard per @gearcruncher recommendation. Zero shudder issues, 185k miles

 

Thank you sir, I'll be doing this soon!