Should I change my transmission fluid

I've got 258,000 miles on my 4th gen 4runner. I'm starting to get hard shifts in 1st and second sometimes 3rd. Also it bumps when I start after I let off the break quick or stop as well. Not all the time though. I try to baby it but it's hard sometimes I want to let the v8 run sometimes. Anyways I'm hoping that a transmission fluid change and filter will help. What do you think? Let me know oh its been about 200,000 since my last flush I don't think I'll do that though

 

Here's a bunch of vids. My opinion, without a flush for 200,000 miles, your tranny is shot. But what do I know, I'm not a mechanic.

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=should+i+change+my+transmission+fluid+after+200k+miles

 

I’d try a drain and fill but I definitely wouldn’t flush it.

 

Do a drain and fill and then 100 miles later, do another drain and fill.

 

As I understand it, this process, done over time, will allow you to remove a quantity of old fluid and replace it with new, but incrementally. Some guys measure what they remove (couple quarts maybe?), and put that exact amount of fresh in. So over time your fluid gets much cleaner. Haven’t done it but it makes sense to me.

Adding that I don’t think a drain removes all the fluid, just a few quarts. A flush replaces it all at once. Correct?

 

Do it, I'm guessing since it's been 200,000 miles since you've done anything, it's very possible it's low on fluid, so doing a drain and fill and especially checking the fluid level correctly can only be a good thing!!!

 

I'll do a drain and replace the filter. No flush I want some of the old clutch material to stay in it. I want to take care of it not shock it to a sudden death thanks for the input. It seems to be doing hard shifts from 1 to 3rd more often now I just did a 200 mile trip and another 200 back so I'll schedule something for Tuesday. Its fine after 3rd gear

 

My Tacoma's fluid was absolutely black when I did the fluid at 90k miles. I did the drain, refill, pump out 2 1/2 qts, refill, repeat. Went through 12 qts. Went from black to dark cherry red. Then added a Purolator P1320 inline trans filters. Much easier to change than the pan filter, and is good for 30k miles. I'm working on the 3rd filter now, and the fluid is the proper shade of red. Going to do the same thing to my 4Runner.

 

I'm scared to change it though but doing nothing is worse. It's been 200,000 with out service

 

Out of curiosity, have you checked the level? It might just be low.

That said, a drain and refill is probably a good idea, as mentioned above.

 

No sadly I don't even own a socket set. I'm very ashamed to admit this. I'm just starting out on my own again so I need to invest in tools.

 

Bought my truck with 120K miles. Tranny had never been serviced according to records. I did the same as @Sailormilan2
using a 50:50 mix of Toyota ATF WS fluid with Valvoline Maxlife due to the fact I purchased 6 quarts of WS at dealership with plans to do a drain and fill 2-3 times instead of a flush. After reading and watching many diy, decided to go ahead with a flush using cooler lines. Needed to buy 6 additional quarts on a Saturday afternoon and dealership was closed so I picked up 6 quarts of Maxlife (1/2 price of WS fluid) and added the 50:50 mix two quarts at a time. Procedure was not too difficult after watching Car Care Nut how to video. Original fluid was pretty dark and had a fair amount of fine metal particles in it. Changed filter while in there. Was a little concerned about removing all the clutch material with a flush but the truck shifts great and after 12k miles all is good.

 

I did a fluid change with a filter. It didn't help. It seems to be acting slightly worse.third gear shudders the whole car and I get it to change gears and it goes away. The mechanic said he didn't see any metal. And I personally saw the fluid come out and it was redish black so not too bad. I guess I will have to buy a new tranmission. I am thinking of a heavy duty one so it will last a looong time.

 

Need to lube the driveshaft. The clunking after hard braking and after take off is the driveshaft clunk.

 

Probably a failing solenoid then. You can get replacement solenoids but I have not had to do that on mine yet. I doubt you need to replace the transmission.

RockAuto has all the shift solenoids. - https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog...40,transmission-automatic,shift+solenoid,8476

As for a "heavy duty" transmission, there isn't one for the 4runner. The A750F that you have is it. It's a good transmission when properly maintained. Mine has 330k miles on it and works fine.

 

It's an aftermarket one that I found online a750f. My tranmission shakes in 3rd bad and does hard shifts. I think the fluid change aggravated it. I wanted a cheap fix but oh well I think it's dying

 

So agian, I'll state that there is a possibility that it's just a failing solenoid. Talking to my Toyota master mechanic budy, he told me the a750f is also know for valve body corrocion. I would say take the truck to a competent transmission shop and have them diagnose the issue. You might be able to have either a solenoid only replaced or the whole valve body done and not have to buy another transmission.

 

Should I take it to ammco or toyota?

 

Toyota will probably just want to replace the transmission. Aamco might be the better choice, unless you can find an independent transmission shop locally. General repair shops can't always troubleshoot transmissions well IMO.

 

Thanks I'll check out a local shop!

 

I changed it at 196,000 miles, and added lubeguatd additive. It's been working awesome, just reached 217,000 miles.