When are you changing the trans fluid

While I respect what you’re saying, at the end of the day you’re still mixing old and new fluid that really doesn’t benefit anything.

 

I'm on schedule for an every two years drain and fill. I did that and the filter at 57k once I got mine, then again in late 2021 (just fluid). I'm due this year, along with all other fluids and filters, accessory belt, spark plugs, plus the not-so-easy zerks on the driveshaft. I plan on putting her up on four jackstands and doing everything all at once. If I'm feeling frisky I'll bleed the brakes also. With the RCI skids, it's a process to remove and put those back on, so I want them off for a couple days while I handle things.

 

2 dealers told me the fluid was lifetime and did not require changing. The first dealer wouldn't even give me a price on changing it, they insisted it was not necessary.

The 2nd dealer was willing to do it, they offered a flush, but I just had a drain & fill done since I was at 100k miles. I believe the cost was around $200, IIRC.

 

Toyota had said this before and had to amend the recommendation. In the end, fluids break down and lifetime for them just means until the component fails but you shouldn't keep you vehicle more than 5 years anyway.

 

I asked if "lifetime" meant until the frame rotted out. The service advisor was not amused haha.

I keep vehicles way longer than 5 years.

 

Don't believe everything you read. I did a full flush on my Tacoma zero issues. Fluid had been changed a few times prior

 

You’re not feeding the executive board more money.

 

So 100% used fluid is the same as 50% old and 50% new?

Asking for a friend.

 

If you want to keep contaminants and metal shavings circulating, you do you.

 

Never said that but you said it has NO benefit.

So guys that drain and fill every 30kish there is 0 benefit? I agree a full flush is the way to do it but not every 30k. Getting rid of whatever is in the pan and replacing with new is better than nothing.

 

I personally don’t believe there is a benefit, but that’s just my opinion.

I’m not sure who or where the idea originated from, but when the vehicle can be hooked up to a machine and have a full fluid exchange, then no, I don’t see the benefit.

 

The best source of such information is always owner's manual. There is everything listed in it.

 

Totally agree on using S4 for highway when the trans tends to hunt and for long hills. Keeps the trans out of the weird torque converter flex lockup tuning and the hunting. End result with the tq converter locked is much cooler trans fluid. Monitored mine during a cross country trip using the Torque app and a bluetooth OBD dongle. Observationally it kept the trans 40-50F cooler. In D cruising at 70-80 mph it would sit about 220F, in S4 it would sit about 170-180F.

 

In my searchable pdf of the 2019 owner's manual there are 43 hits for the word transmission. While it does note the transmission capacity as 11.3 quarts there are no references to transmission fluid maintenance intervals.

 

Never forget when a dealer says "lifetime" they are referring to the warranty period as lifetime.

 

What is the drain and refill capacity without a filter change and pan removal

 

There is no filter change, I'm at 31,000 I haven't done mine yet but I've read around 3 quarts drain out of the 11.3 quart capacity.

 

I have a 2023, it came with a book called "Warranty & Maintenance Guide." On page 45 for the 60,000 mile maintenance it lists replacing the transmission fluid for "Driving while towing, using a car-top carrier, or heavy vehicle loading."

 

I did mine at 100k and plan on doing a few quart change out every 30k miles now.

 

The amount is correct above. BUT, there is indeed a filter within the trans housing.....you have to do a pan drop to do it. Not hard.

 

I did a full transmission flush to my 2006 T about 196,000 miles, It actually solved a shudde issue it had. I'm at 217,800 now. Planning on doing next at 225,000.

 

Relevant video.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jJr30r6RRgw

 

Great info. This guy seems to have the perfect combination of authority on the subject, and communication skills.

So basically, he’s saying fluid changes are mostly about refreshing the additives to keep the valve body clean and healthy. But if you change too often, you reduce the clutch material/particulates that are suspended in the fluid. Those particulates help the clutches engage as the clutch linings wear over time. Without enough of the suspended clutch material in the fluid, the clutches begin to slip. Basically, extending the life of the transmission is a game of balancing the needs of the valve body, and the needs of the clutches. Timing is what it’s all about. Not too early, not too late, and not too much. Very interesting!

What he’s saying means that flushes/complete fluid exchanges are counter productive because they remove the suspended particulates. He doesnt do flushes at his shop.

I did my first pan drain/refill at 30k miles. In this video he says that’s the shortest interval you should do with WS fluid. I was thinking of doing it earlier, but now I feel better about holding off till I get to 60 to 70k for my next drain and refill.

 

I watched this video earlier and have to say that this guy is really straightforward and informative.

 

Doing drain and fills at ~60k intervals form my 4R, Tacoma and GX.

 

The trans return line/sprayer method is so easy and fast, I can't see why it's not more popular. You get nearly 100% out and you're not dicking around with dropping the pan. There's no filter, it's just a mesh screen to pick up large crap, so I don't see the benefit in dropping the pan for that reason either.

Plus the cost is nothing more than what you pay for the fluid plus about $6 for a sprayer. I know it's not for everyone, but if you're enough of a DIY'er to drop the pan several times, why not do it all in one shot with the sprayer method? 2 cents.

 

I did the pan drop at 100k, complete overkill. Still looked new. I'd recommend drain and fill at 30k intervals with a pan drop at 200k

https://www.4runners.com/threads/transmission-pan-drop-filter-replacement.32643/

 

I have done both flushes and drain/fills on several Toyota/Lexus. Depending on the car and how easy I like drain/fill. Easy way to freshen the additives as often as I want. G1 taco with 200k still looks bright red.

 

This is the problem. Toyota doesn't recommend changing it. It's ludicrous.

Not on transmission fluid intervals.