Could someone tell me if the transmission fluid drain and refill procedure is the same (especially in regards to getting it into temp check mode) on our 5th gen 4runners as it is on the 4th gen and the 2nd gen Tacomas.
I found a thread over on TacomaWorld that was talking about the procedure on an 05 Tacoma (2nd gen) which I was able to find out was the same for the 4th gen 4runner. I would assume the whole procedure is exactly the same for the 5th gen, but I would like to make sure as I am getting ready to do a drain and refill on my transmission.

I have searched but haven't had any luck, so any help would be greatly appreciated.

Good timing on your post, I was just starting to search for information on this.
I hope you get some good info., I am trying to avoid a trip to the dealership for this.

I would like to know this too!

I have a 4th gen and I did a complete flush with 14 quarts in my 4th gen disconnecting the return line from the transmission. Removing 2.5 quarts at a time and filling 2.5 quarts back in. Than putting the transmission in temperature check mode to properly check the fluid.

Anyone flush their fluid yet in the 5th gen? Anyone know the procedure to put the 5th gen into this transmission temperature check mode?

The FSM has a "with techstream procedure" and a "without techstream" procedure, where the odometer display shows whether the trans temperature is too high, too low, or just right.

That sounds like its more involved than what it should be, looks like I may be forced to go to the dealer.

Seems more involved but its not.

Look at the Tacoma, 4runner, and FJ drain and fill DIY threads, they are all the same. Many of them out there. Doing a drain and fill is relatively easy. Just make sure you put the same amount of fluid back in. You do not really need to put the trans into temp check mode to check the fluid if you are precise and do not have any spills.

Once you do a complete flush it is still easy but just more steps. This is the time I would put the trans in temperature check mode to properly check the fluid level.

The hardest time I had was putting the vehicle in transmission temperature check mode. I had the wrong procedure and once I got the correct procedure I was able to enable the temperature check mode.

Not forced. You're free to go if you don't feel confident enough to do it, or you're free to go to the dealer if you don't feel like doing it. Big difference.

Thanks for clearing that up for me, so your stating I have options. My day just got better.

How often do you guys service your transmissions?

I used to do it every 25k miles on the older vehicles (GM and Mopars) and went to 50k miles when they came out with the longer life synthetic trans fluids a decade or so ago.

I just turned over 36k miles on this 4Runner and was planning on waiting until 50k to do it.

The procedure sounds a bit more complex than my previous vehicles and I do not have any of the "meters" or "techstream" equipment talked about in the procedure. Not sure if I am up to doing it myself and buying all the special "meters" or just taking it to a shop somewhere and paying to have it done.

I did not notice how often the filter and fluid is to be changed in the owners manual.

It's not the 80s any more. 100k miles for normal service, 50k for severe. There isn't even a filter any more, since the process of servicing transmissions with filters had the habit of introducing more contaminants than it removed.

Thanks for the response, as you can tell, I am new to Toyota.

I intend to keep this 4Runner 5 or 6 years if it will hold up, that will come to 300k miles, so I want to keep it serviced properly.

If you tow ,I believe the maintenance schedule recommends changing at 60k miles . If not here is the tsb covering at least my truck that I'm following for now as I don't tow anything....... https://docs.google.com/document/d/1...it?usp=sharing

Timely thread.

I was just in to the dealership today and wanted to service my 30k mike truck. I had felt that with several thousands of towing vehicles all over this country that it was time to change the tranny fluid.

SA advised me that normal service is 100,000 miles. It ended up being cost prohibitive at $299 just for the fluid.

Interesting, according to that TSB the 100k miles service is inspection only, the fluid does not require changing for the life of the vehicle. If I understand what it said.

I tow a camper on a regular basis and feel that changing the fluid at 50,000 miles is a good idea. I plan on keeping the truck until 120,000 miles, maybe I should just skip this and hope everything holds together.

I am not joking, if this sounds plausible let me know.