Shudder in 4th gear

2013 SR5 180k miles. Bought at 110k and haven’t done anything to tranny. Started noticing a shudder in 3rd/4th gear when driving slower speeds on city streets, don’t notice if I accelerate faster. Anyone else has this? Also looking for advice on…
- where can I add some stop shudder? No tranny dipstick.
- should I get a drain and fill? Dealership I called said no?

Thanks for any help.

 

Do you know if it’s ever had a fluid change?

If not, that’s probably why it’s shuddering. Depending on how bad it’s shuddering, it might be signs it’s on it’s last legs.

I’d avoid additives if the problem is truly that the oil is a decade old. Actually, I’d avoid them all together, unless your car is a hoopty that you never fill above a 1/4 tank of gas.

You probably should drain and refill the trans fluid that’s in the pan. If it helps, then do it again after 10k miles or so to get more fresh fluid in the mix. Use only toyota WS fluid.

DON’T let anyone sell you a transmission flush. That will increase the risk of complete failure on a transmission that’s never been serviced.

 

When I had my tranny fluid changed around 100k, the first Toyota dealer I called didn't want to do it, said it wasn't necessary. Called another dealer, they said they could do a flush if I wanted. I specifically asked for just a drain and fill, and that's what they did. So if your dealer refuses to do it, just check around at other dealers, or find an independent shop that specializes in Toyota's.

It may or may not be your issue, but it definitely wouldn't hurt to get fresh fluid in there at that mileage.

 

Did this help to stop the shudder? I’m having this same issue. Shutters at precisely 30 & then 40 mph unless I’m in “S” mode. It stops shuttering if I switch it to “S”mode.

I purchased new in 2015. Always regular w/oil changes, balances & rotations. I had the flush at the recommended 100k.

Went to the dealership for diagnostic & was told that I needed a new transmission - $6k. They didn’t even look at it.

 

Any updates?

 

I got to the root cause of this transmission shudder-like suddenly driving on dirt washboard instead of pavement. It is not noticable driving in S4. Which changes the Flex Lock parameters. You can cancel shudder by quick shift into neutral.
Lots of reports and Toyota bulletins going back many years on this topic.
Inside the tranny valve body there is a control solenoid/valve for the unique Toyota Flex Lock control for your torque converter. When it starts failing to fully release it acts like a momentary brake inside the torque converter lock up clutch. Hence the jerkey shudder. My tranny fluid was an opague dark beige color which no doubt was the lock up clutch friction plate pads being ground up. My dealer service writer (a 4runner owner) helped me persue a fix under my Platinum Service Agreement as I had missed the 60 month power train warranty date.
Short version of long repair story is Torque Converter and Tranny were replaced by Toyota.
I believe a rebuild/replace of the tranny valve body and a new torque converter (to get all new friction lock up plates) could also have worked as repair. Dealers, however, only replace complete parts hence the new tranny.