So today i got ran off the logging road by a truck, which is fine they have the right of way but because of the snow/ice i got sucked into the ditch on the side of the road. Now i was pretty effed at this point, luckily it was road/ditch/rockwall so my 4runner was literally on a 45 degree angle resting against the rock wall. i was in 4hi before going into the ditch so i tried rocking back and forth and after a couple minutes i did manage to move about 10 ft forward but got stuck again at the same angle. Now at this point i look down and realize i got a high transmission fluid temperature thingy on my screen.

So anyway i just let it idle for 5 mins and it went away pretty quickly but i definitely was gunning it with that temp notification on but it couldn't of been for more than 5-10 seconds intervals (gas pedal pressed)

Now i was thinking maybe because my truck was so tilted to one side the fluid was not distributed properly throughout the tranny system and it overheated as quickly as it did.

2015 sr5 4runner
142k kilometers odo
Atf changed @ 100k. Full gradual flush, did not drop pan tho.

Should i crack the check level on the tranny just a bit to see the color of the oil or should i just replace it all including filter as a pre caution.

When we changed the atf @ 100k it was black as **** so i seem to have an issue with the temp.

I hope i didnt do too much damage but it is a toyota im sure it can take it. I wonder @ what temp does that sensor engage if anyone knows.

So should i just change all the fluids i guess is my question or should i monitor the temps and see how hot its getting first possibly the oil is still fine?

Im a bit low on funds right now so cant afford to bring it to the shop and its winter so its too muddy and wet on the property to do myself dont have a garage or overhang.

The atf light comes on at 305*f, at this temp the fluid is cooked. Definitely change the fluid. drain and fill before driving it. Full fluid exchange would be better. These tranny are pretty good one time over heating should not damage it in the long run.

Damn, just my luck.

Im just gonna get it done tmrw at the dealer im too paranoid right now about it being cooked after doing some more reading im sure they can get me in at some point during the day.


Thanks for info

I had this happen to my Trooper once where the transmission fluid over heated. I thought all I had to do was let it cool down and I was good. Because I didn’t change it right away (about a month later) I ended up having to rebuild the transmission. I was young and didn’t know better. Anyway, I would flush it if you can. I would even go as far as changing it again after 500 miles. There are a lot of nooks and crannies in the transmission and this way you can make sure you got rid of all the contaminates.

I learned the hard way that oil is the life of your car. Always change them when it’s recommended or sooner if you ever work your vehicle hard such as towing.

For example, in the 4 Runner manual it says change your oil every 10,000 miles with synthetic. But if you read it closely it says if you are towing, climbing a lot of hills or putting your vehicle through other strenuous activities you should change your oil sooner. This is why the dealer or oil shop will say 5 or 6,000 miles instead of 10,000. It simply takes the guess work out of your driving habit and always ensures you have good oil. Same goes for the transmission. In the long run your car will last much much longer.

This is a pretty normal outcome if you're trying to climb steep grades in a high gear with low traction. You will heat up your transmission pretty quickly. As long as you didn't do it for an extended period of time your transmission fluid is fine.

Temp warning light activates at 302-305F.

extended runs in 4hi up hill at low speed will generate a lot of heat.

Personally I'd change the fluid out.

just do a full gradual flush again. Use Valvoline Maxlife is money is an issue. Your last change was 100 and now youre 42k miles on OEM ATF WS, im assuming.

Maxlife has been good to both my Toyotas and many of us can vouch for it.

So i brought it too the tranny shop in town, told them the light thing and the temp and that i needed a full flush and service.

They dropped the pan, cleaned the screen and ended up only having to put 5 litres of fresh fluid it apparently didn't look that bad at all.

375$ bill.

Was worth it for peace of mind.

The tranny guy did say he felt the the transmission hesitates after the shift and if ive ever noticed that, and on the drive home and backing around i did notice a kind of pause after the shift. Im sure its just how the car drives im not worried.

Anyways ty for info everyone

I would also recommend a trans fluid exchange.

Transmission Fluid Change procedure

Best of luck!

ok well this is not good now, althought hopefully its just the nss.

so complete history

bought vehicle @ 55,000 kms
drain + fill 3 litres trans fluid @ toyota dealership @ 75,000kms
drain and refill all 12 or so litres trans fluid by friend mechanic @ 100,000kms (fluid very black was noted)
gradual flush, used pump from tranny to circulate but did not drop pan.

so yesterday 143,000 kms this happens with the snow and i get the high temperate light on dash

so today mechanic @ tranny shop drops pan, cleans screen, drain + fill 5 litres of fluid.

NOW im driving home from mechanic, and it feels like its holding gears a bit longer than before but otherwise seems fine, until just before i round my corner to my place and it revs up almost like it "slipped" or lost the gear or something.

now i had my steel toe rigging boots on so i figured it might of just been the wieght of the boots too quickly on the gas pedal, so i park at home and have some dinner

right afterwards i grab my shoes and head out for a drive. now im a bit paranoid but the sound coming below not sure if it was the engine or tranny but it sounded strained idk how better to explain. And again it seems like the gears are holding a bit longer or almost straining to change but overall it seemed fine it seemed in turns of actually shifting gears.

so i turn home when im satisfied its all good and all of a sudden it slips or loses the gear and the CEL light comes on / trac off.

Now after doing research, its probably my NSS.

but is there a possibility my whole tranny is starting to go ?

i tow often in summer and some in winter, lots of incline in 4WD in snow, rock etc..

i def need a trans cooler but i hope its not too late fack

My parents only had one transmission go out and that was after they brought it in for periodic maintenance and they dropped the pan. That was 30 years ago and since then we only do a flush.
Hopefully everything turns out to be ok for you.

Case Study Toyota Tacoma Transmission Problems | Toyota Tacoma A750 Transmission Service Repair

This is worth a read. Not because it's your symptoms. But because it's often not a failed transmission. Could be a solenoid or other issue. The a750f is really sensitive to full level as well. I'd start there and go through the full check and make sure it's full, but not over filled. Then try and see if that helps.

Also what fluid do you use?

ya that was a good read thanks for that.

i brought it to a local transmission shop so im assuming they know what they're doing although im sure they're used to working on more heavy machinery.

i've only ever had the fluid that toyota sells in the vehicle.

i really doubt the whole system itself is going its gotta be something else.

anyways i drove the vehicle right back to the shop so hopefully they CEL light is still on tomorrow when they start it up and they can check the code.

I hope everything works out for you. Let us know how it turns out.

Many vehicles have a separate maintenance schedule for heavy duty work.

Be sure the correct fluid was used at the correct quantity.