When are you changing the trans fluid

There are so many websites and they all quote different numbers. Im at 30k miles and i see this. Then i see people doing their first at 90k. So confusing.


The transmission fluid change interval for the 5th Gen 4Runner depends on how often you drive and where you live. The recommended service interval is every 30,000 miles (48,280 km) when driven under normal conditions in moderate climates

 

I think your thinking of the differential interval.

I could swear the factory recommended maintenance for the trans was 60K if you meet the harsh driving conditions.

I meet the harsh requirements for diffs, so I do the front diff, rear diff, and transfer case every 15K, and since I have to take the skids off I just spend the $45 do drain and fill the trans at that point as well.

 

60K miles shich is soon for me. I’m doing a full flush, not a drain and fill.

 

30,000 mile automatic transmission fluid change interval? Where did you read that? I took a look and changing the automatic transmission fluid isn't even mentioned anywhere.

https://www.southdadetoyota.com/toyota-4runner-maintenance-schedule/

 

I just googled it. I put in 5th gen transmission fluid change.

 

What trans fluid are you using? MaxLife?

 

100k

 

Had mine changed at 30,000, it looked a little brownish.

 

The maintainance schedule is included with every toyota vehicle. No mystery about what toyota recommends. They also define severe usage, and schedules fir that. A lot of people drive under severe usage and don’t realize it.

Whether or not people agree with toyota recommendations is a different question lol.

If you’re changing the transmission oil, toyota recommends only using Toyota WS fluid. It’s not expensive.

 

30k interval.

 

I do 'em at 50,000. Hard off roading involved.

 

30k and 60k drain and fill. 90k flush. I check it every 5k when I do my oil changes. Yes, even though there isnt a leak, I still pop the check plug after it gets to temp....

 

OEM WS fluid

 

Transmission drain and refill every second oil change with Toyota WS fluid, takes about 3 quarts or about 1/3 of whats in the trans. Running transmission in S4 stops tranny from hunting for a higher gear when on varying speed freeways, medium speed city hills and streets, in mountains and for towing and minimizes transmission wear. D setting with overdrive 5th is for level highway cruising where transmission stays in top gear for miles and hours at a time.

 

What do you know a cool chart was made just couple days ago.

https://www.4runners.com/threads/5t...que-specs-and-part-numbers.31033/#post-440963

 

I'll plan to do mine sometime between 50-60k, whenever it turns out to be convenient during that time. I will do a drain and fill with the OEM WS fluid.

 

100k

Full drain and fill at toyota dealership, no drain and refill bullshit.

 

^^^agree 100% with @Jynarik

Also, doing the full flush yourself is not that difficult if you don't have the $ to pay a dealership to perform and have the time and space. Car Care Nut and others have great videos on DIY.

 

I glanced at Car Care Nuts page I see none that is a full flush. Just drain and fill unless I missed it.

 

I did what this guy did: Looks like the pictures are no longer available which was a huge plus.
DIY: Full Automatic Transmission Flush | Toyota Nation Forum

Also, watched this video to confirm jumping OBD and procedure for checking level:
Toyota Trucks Sealed Transmission Fluid Replacement WITHOUT a scan tool - Bing video

After pumping out and adding new fluid (12 quarts total) my transmission shifts pefect.

 

WTF does that even mean?

 

So far I've done just a drain and fill. At 100k I'll drop the pan, clean it, replace the screen and fill

 

I’m doing mine at 70k. Dropping the pan, cleaning it and changing the filter.

 

Engine oil, gear oil etc. is never flushed. All are drained and filled. What might be the upside for a full flush on the tranny, regardless of mileage.

I've read many posts on several car forums over the years that a flush "killed my transmission".

 

I’ve heard and read plenty of info about flushes killing high mileage transmissions that have never had any previous fluid changes. I wouldnt risk a flush if it’s got a ton of miles and it’s also the first time the fluids been changed.

But, if the fluid has been changed regularly, a flush should be fine.

 

Did a full flush and installed new filter at 121k miles. Never been done before. Fluid was very dark and cloudy in color. Filter was fine, did not need to be changed but I had a new one on hand so wth. New fluid clear and bright red. 135k now and shifts smooth as butter. Truck may have gone another 300k on original fluid, not sure, but the owner now feels much better.

 

There’s always things that just never die in certain fields, and the whole transmission “flush” will always be a debate.

In my unsolicited opinion, no, transmissions do not get flushed. This isn’t 1970 anymore. Shops use a fluid exchange device.
The only logic behind “flushes” breaking transmissions come from transmissions on their way out being held together by remnants of shaved metal.

As far as the drain and fill method - I’ll just ask this question: would you drain half of your engine oil and fill it with new oil?

 

The issue with full flush is that you take away some of the clutch material that is in the fluid that actually helps the transmission. With partial drain and refill you don´t "shock" the transmission with all new fluid. Statistically there are far less issues with drain and refill than with full flush. I personally have had very positive experiences with several vehicles I´ve owned and done the partial drain and refill. I usually do them between 30k to 50k (maximum), no issues so far. They are very easy to do.

 

Apples to oranges.

Look at how often you change the filter on those two fluids. Engine oil filter is every 5-10k miles depending on driving conditions, but the transmission fluid filter is just a metal screen that has no change interval. There’s a reason for that.

Engine oil brakes down and gets contaminated quickly. Cold starts are going wash fuel past the ring into the oil. The engine is always going have some amount of blow by where spent gases are pushed down into the the crankcase where it’s surface filtered by the oil while vented via the PCV system. Engine internals are an extremely dirty environment.

Non of that is the case with the transmission. There is no combustion happening, it’s just a sealed unit using a fluid for its hydraulic function. Replacing some of the fluid, which is very long life, from time to time will have no detrimental effect.

You’re comparing a transmission drain and fill to changing half your oil, but in reality it’s more along the lines of filling your fuel tank. Gasoline has a shelf life, it goes bad over time, but how many times have you drained your fuel tank and flushed the lines? I would guess zero. You gradually put in new gas that mixes with what’s left of the old stuff. The result is cycling through fluid before it’s actually old enough to go bad.

 

Any off the shelf fluid that's WS compatible. I personally like Amsoil.