Transmission service at 5k.

I know the feeling. I did a 1k oil change I’ll do the next at 5k and then fall into the Toyota schedule. It’s an old school train of thought to do the early oil changes, but I figure there’s a minuscule risk in not doing them. There’s no risk in doing them. And, it was warm and I wanted to get under there and check it out.

amen! But honestly. I’m a wrencher I like tinkering. I bought a Tacoma....which needs little to none of that. I do enjoy working on cars and trucks, though. I don’t look for excuses but I won’t shy away from it.

I call shenanigans on never needing to replace the fluid. I think the issue is people would wait until 150, 200k or buy a used one that was never done. At that point it’s detrimental to do an ATF service. But on schedule at 50k especially if you’re in the salty roads or dusty back roads a lot, should be done. This recent trend of “sealed” transmissions that “never need to be flushed” skeeves me out.

 

No modern car maker requires early transmission fluid changes, especially at something crazy like 5k, even before the complimentary maintenance program offered by many of them in recent years. It has nothing to do with cost to the manufacturer, although that is certainly a side perk.

The fluid is specifically designed to operate a certain length of time, number of heat cycles, and provide good protection of the transmission during that time. There is no evidence to suggest changing the fluid before the fluid has expired will increase transmission life in any meaningful way. Not even reputable third party mechanics who make money on fluid changes recommend them that early.

Furthermore, Aisin transmissions are practically bulletproof... lots of examples of 300k+ mile Tacomas, even with owners who have never changed the fluid.

But at the end of the day, I get it... some people just like doing maintenance on their truck, regardless of the facts, and the money spent on unnecessary fluid changes doesn't bother them. If you're one of these people, go for it.

 

Haaaaaaa. I think this might be true. A true hobby for some. Good for you folks..... not me

 

Aisin says as much, as well.
There's Aisin literature that recommends 2yr/12,000 mile...
The brain trust here concluded it was marketing hype; that no consumer ever sees. Maybe...

 

I kinda thought the same at first but now I feel that a manufacturer wouldn’t remove a source of service income unless “lifetime” was reliably so.

My family has 2 older RAV4s, had three until a year ago. None of them AFAIK ever had a trans service. The one that was traded in with 200K on it ran like new, my daughter just felt she wanted a new vehicle. The other two both have 150K + on them and still going strong. But one, once in a blue moon, will start out without a first gear. A check of the car and my driveway shows a very slight trans leak. Very slight drip. It seems to be very sensitive to having the correct amount of fluid because when I top it off with only an ounce or two every two months, it then behaves properly.

 

5k? Seems like a huge waste of money. But you do you

 

So many guys thinking they can out engineer the engineer, pretty ridiculous. I’ve owned 4 Toyota’s all with more than 300k , no break in period bullshit, just followed the owners manual , all running perfectly when I got the next one.

 

I totally agree. My '96 4x4 which I've had since new has 414,000 trouble-free miles on it and I've done little more than change oil every 5,000 miles always using Pennzoil and Fram filters.
I expect the same out of my '18 TRD Sport. These trucks are very durable requiring little maintenance.

 

Actually you don’t. 2500 miles a year doesn’t qualify as driving it. It’s more of a couch at that point.

 

Not 100% on the trac light but if it's that clean and the right price jump on it. They are hard to find nice and the ones that are usually go for 20k and up I love mine. I actually prefer the 4.0 over the 3.5 just my preference though. Mines a 2010 with VVTI on both intake and exhaust.

 

At least in the salty north when I pulled my atf at 50k in the past it’s not been...good. But those were also jeeps and trucks. My wife’s cvt Camry at 60k ish was not bad at all. But still happy I did it. I know plenty of cars can handle the 150 200k without an atf change. Trucks tow, haul, get more salt and dirt thrown up there, etc. and 200k isn’t my goal. 400, 500k is, so I will definitely upkeep atf fluid and all fluids.

lifetime is good at 150k because that’s when most people trade it in and come back for a new car from Toyota and gives them another sale.

 

I used to overmaintain until the time I replaced a timing belt early on a Mitsubishi and the Hack made a mistake that caused my engine to blow up 10 miles later. If I left it alone it would've been fine for another 5 years. To be fair I do change the Synthetic oil on my 350z twice a year and that car gets driven only 1500 miles a year. I may start only doing it once a year since it now sits in a heated garage all winter and the oil is rated for 12 months. I can't blame you for wanting to pamper your vehicles, many of us love our Machines. I'm curious if you found any metal shavings.

 

Just curious..
For the purveyors of 'lifetime' atf fluid; is it your intention to skip all fluid replacement not listed under 'normal conditions maintenance'?
No brake, steering, differential, etc?

 

1. I agree with what you are saying, makes perfect sense. Frankly, I wish they’d say it needs a flush at 50 or 75 thousand miles, I’d have it done.
   
   My FJ was in for some other service, it had 50K on it so I asked about a transmission fluid change/flush whatever and they said, no, not needed. At 60K it was at an oil change place, they noticed a bit of trans fluid just starting to leak from the trans seal. I had the dealer do it, and I saw the trans fluid they took out, and it seemed like new to me.

 

I’ve never had the brake or power steering fluid changed. I do do the differential changes.

 

I did. Nothing bad but enough to have a silver ish tint to the fluid at the bottom of pan. That's the only reason I changed it.

 

OP, curious if you had any transmission shudders prior to to the fluid change, and if so, did the change help? I ask because my 18 pro has a bit of a shudder that the dealership is trying to blame on the stock fox suspension. To me it 100% feels like its transmission related.

 

So is replacing the new stock tires, wheels, exhaust, intake, headlights, taillights, shocks, coils, leaf springs, upper control arms, etc that thousands of members do here. Not a single negative word, just a giant circle jerk.

 

I haven't had any issues as far as shifting with the transmission. It does shift a little bit on some of the hills but nothing that's alarming. I do know that being just a little low on fluid can certainly cause an automatic to act funny.

I know its not the same vehicle but,I bought my FJ used and wasn't sure of last trans service. Once I changed it and put new fluid in it was like a new transmission. You could be low on fluid. The majority of people don't know how to properly check a Toyotas transmission level.

The majority think you just add fluid until it comes out of a check plug and that's not correct. If you don't have it at the right temperature you'll either be over full or under filled. Just out of curiosity I asked the Toyota dealership how do they check the fluid level. One of their techs told me they just add it until the fluid comes out of a hole.

I was just amazed. Makes me scared as all get-out to let them even work on my stuff. I don't think they could handle changing wiper blades. At least Toyota dealership that's down the house from me. Maybe others are better.

 

No disrespect intended...you don't REALLY believe "never needs replacing"...do you?

Ed