Tranny fluid

I got a v8 2004 4Runner. The guy I bought it from was meticulous and took great care of it. I bought it with 136k on it, now has 189k. Is it too late to drain and fill transmission fluid since it’s high in miles and could pose risks putting new fluid in? Anyone’s personal experience with this would help, not just opinions.

 

No, it's not too late. I change the fluid and internal strainer on my 03 V8 4runner after I bought it and it had around 300k miles the first time.

I've been using Valvoline Maxlife synthetic ATF, comes in red bottles. Haven't had issues with the transmission.

I do advise to drain the fluid, drop the trans pan and replace the internal strainer. Also use a fresh gasket for the trans pan. Yes, the trans pan uses a gasket from Toyota. Don't use RTV on the gasket, put it on dry. I've dropped my pan twice and replaced the gasket each time and haven't had any leaks. Don't over tighten those pan bolts.

 

Sweet thanks for the input. It’s gonna cost me but im gonna go to Toyota and use the fluid Toyota calls for and have someone with experience do it for me. Max life is a good alternative though and works just as well as I’ve read.

 

Nothing wrong with going that route. Toyota WS ATF is good stuff.

Note that if the service adviser tries to tell you there isn't a "filter" in the trans, he is correct. Make sue you specify the "strainer" is what you want replaced with the transmission service. I would advise against a flush and just have them do a drain and fill of the trans fluid, along with changing the internal strainer.

Along with labor of course, you should be charged for the trans fluid, however much they need to refill, for the strainer and there is an o-ring that should be replaced with that and finally for the trans pan gasket.

OEM part numbers:
Strainer - 3533060050
o-ring - 9030131014
pan gasket - 3516860010

 

How much in total for all of that? I think for just the drain and fill is $200

 

I honestly have no idea what a Toyota dealership would charge for that. I've been doing all my own work so I only pay the cost of parts.

 

As @xtremewlr already said, not too late. Just had a full flush done on 2004 v8 4Runner with 242k from a transmission specific shop (also recommended by @xtremewlr ), shifts great no issues and I’m at 244k now.

oh and I think I paid $299 or $399 for this service, can’t remember. I do know it wasn’t cheap. I would’ve tried to do it myself if I had time, but I don’t.

 

how many quarts on trans fluid for 5th gen 2019

 

It's the same for a 4th gen. You will need 5 quarts if you drop the pan for the fluid change. I usually get a gallon plus a couple extra quarts just in case and that way I have some left over in case I need to top off. In the 4th gen at least, the power steering also uses the same fluid so I can use it for that as well. Not sure if they changed the power steering fluid requirements for the 5th gen.

 

I've done 2 complete fluid exchanges without ever dropping the pan. Used Toyota WS, no issues at 250K miles. I'm not debating @xtremewlr's advice - in fact, it's great advice - just sharing my own experience. Re: @gkomo's post, a fluid exchange is good (no pressure process), a flush (pressurized process) is typically not, especially in high mileage vehicles. Just wanted to mention that since the terms are often used interchangeably. As for Maxlife, I am neither pro nor con and religiously follow a "your truck, your call" philosophy, but I choose not to use it and urge anyone considering it to view this video segment where a professor who studies ATF gives his view, then make up your mind. (Had no idea anyone would ever make a multi-part video history of Toyota ATF. )