Transmission Fluid

Hi all ! I need some help . I’m confused . Ok I got a 2005 Taco with 198000 miles . It has a 4.0 and auto . It’s also a 4x4 .Had frame replaced in 2015 at 95000 miles . While in dealer I told them to replace anything needing replaced. They did a transmission fluid change. I went back at 175,000 for leaf spring warranty and they changed fluid again . Now as I’ve learned from reading here and talking to technicians ( I work for O’Reilly’s) I’m hearing I was never supposed to go into the trans . I’m upset the Toyota dealer didn’t bother to mention this as they should’ve known . Now I’m wondering if I’m gonna have to continue to replace it or if I should leave it alone . I’m stumped. I’m having no problems either . Thanks

 

I currently do annual drain & fill(s). I started this after 45k miles. There are many TW threads concerning transmission fluid. Some verge on religious. Pick a philosophy and go with it. I belong to the Valvoline MaxLife sect.

 

just because it doesnt have a dip stick doesnt mean you dont have to change it.

Spec is every 60k miles oil change intervals on the auto trans. You could get away with 100k if the truck sees mostly easy unloaded driving on the highway. If I were you I would get 12 quarts of Toyota WS, and a filter, drop the pan, clean the magnets, replace the filter and do the proper procedure to replace all 10-11ish quarts of fluid.

 

I don’t know where you read that on this site, but it’s wrong.
So are the technicians you’ve talked to.
The next time you see them, you might politely inform them that the fluid is serviceable.

I’d call the dealership and thank them.
They did you a favor, they helped your transmission last longer.

 

You have wrong information?
60/100K change fluid

 

Your manual will say to do an ATF change every 60K for special operating conditions - off-roading, towing, commercial-use, etc… Toyota doesn't identify how often of those activities you engage in. I do every 60-70K on my Taco and 70-90K on my family’s other vehicles. Agree to drop the pan every other flush, or 60K to wipe the magnets clean and replace/clean the ATF filter.

 

You're fine: Don't listen to the techs: You are supposed to go into the transmission: i.e.: fluid changes... the dealer did the right thing. Follow the "severe service recommendation" and do it every 60-75,000 miles and it will outlast you. (and any future owners too ) It's an Aisin transmission: I put 300,000+ miles on three Volvo's I owned with Aisin transmissions in them (AW70). 75,000 mile fluid changes: No slipping, no leaking: no nothing. I did put an aux cooler on all of them because I towed a small tent camper. (same cooler swapped to new Volvo) The fluid never even looked dark. Look at it this way: my last fluid change at the dealer cost me: $249. A new transmission is probably going to slam and sink you to the tune of $5,000 p&l. $249 x 5 = $1,245. I currently have 125k on my truck:

Cheap insurance

 

I agree with this sentiment.

I last dropped my pan to replace the filter and gasket, and do a full fluid change (~13 qts) at 83k. I plan to do it again at around 150k.

 

If anyone tells you that the fluid lasts you a life time then they (1) don't know what they are doing or (2) they are scamming you.

I'm currently doing a drain and fill every oil change until the fluid looks bright red. You can use the Toyota WS or the Valvoline Max Life. I prefer Valvoline Max Life because you can also use it in your power steering system.

 

flushed mine one time at 50k miles and wont do it again. im at 124k miles now and no issues

 

Flushed mine and filter at 89K, just north of 214k now,

guess I will do it again this summer...........

Dang thing runs like a top, paint is peeling and gone, but don't care too much about it.

 

I flush mine at 30k miles doing the return line disconnect replacing 14 quarts. I flushed my buddies at 60k miles in his 2018 4runner. Flushing is fine. Dont do a flush if you havent changed the fluid prior to 100k miles though.

 

Stop talking to clown “technicians”

 

Changed at 180K kms, now at 190K. Besides smoother shifting, picked up a couple MPG.

 

Just because it is referred to as a “sealed” transmission doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be serviced. The more it’s changed the better

 

"Sealed" but there is a drain plug, fill plug and check plug. "Lifetime" but that shit is brown before 60k. Yeah the trans will take some time to die without maintenance because it's a good transmission but that doesn't mean no maintenance is the best strategy. I change the fluid and also brush my teeth.

 

Long time watcher, first time posting! I have a 2021 tacoma. I want to do a transmission fluid change, but my obd2 port doesn't have a pin in port 13 to do the jumper. What now? Is this something new or a factory screw up? Besides buying a data scanner what other options do I have?

 

This is crazy. Trans fluid isn’t magic it gets nasty too.
I dropped pan , and flushed 8 new quarts and added a new transmission cooler today 3rd flush in 77,000.
I just hope I didn’t put to big of a cooler on , took a long time to get to 110 deg to check fluid.

 

My man

 

Def change that fluid.. cha fed mine around 60-70 black as night