As the title says i am a transmission killer, every car i have owned has had a transmission go except for my last car (Mazda 3). My 79 & 82 Buick went through one each, my Dodge caravan went through 3 transmissions, my Acura went through 1 at just under 100k. My Mazda was the first to not have an issue, but i sold it just over 100K.

I don't beat my cars, tow heavy boats or anything, no neutral drops or manual down shifts.

So, what advice can you guys provide that will help me not kill my 2019 4R transmission?

How often should i change the transmission fluid?

Is slightly rolling when putting into gear harmful (I tend to do this sometimes)?

More likely the transmissions in the cars i had sucked, but i want this 4R for well over 300k.

I wouldn't be surprised if a Buick or Dodge broke.

figure out what bad driving habit(s) is killing your transmissions and stop doing it.

what gear are you starting in from a roll to be shifting? neutral? if so, why are you putting an auto in neutral and shifting back into park when rolling?

A lot of this is technology. 4runner transmissions were likely fail eventually until 2006.

New computer sensors and monitors watch the temperatures and function a lot better. The transmission in your 2019 is tried and true for 13 years without significant issues. You can get plug ins and data to monitor your transmission performance and fluid temp.

The scheduled maintenance recommends changing the transmission fluid every 60k if you're towing or carrying a lot of weight; for standard use no maintenance required

Good question. Its probably just me. But going from reverse to drive there's soo much more of a lag then my last two cars. Even park into drive lags so I find myself ever so slightly moving when I put it into gear.



Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

I agree. Like another implied not one of my cars with transmission problems was known to have very good transmissions.



Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

Heat is the biggest transmission killer. Get a scan gauge and keep an eye on the temps. When off roading when ever possible keep it in 4low and slow.

Mid 80s gm were junk, the caravans all have transmission problems. Honda/Acura had troubles with their automatics not lasting for a long time too. I wouldn't be too worried about it.

Sent from my JSN-L23 using Tapatalk

Definitely don't put the truck in drive when you are still rolling backwards from reversing, come to a stop and then put in drive. It's not that hard.

I would say just try and keep the accelerator steady, are you like jerky with the accelerator, making the trans do unpredicted downshifts, then you let off throttle? I grew up only driving manuals and not until my 4th gen 4runner did I own an auto, and I noticed that being more smooth and predictable for the trans helps with smooth shifts.

I will definitely put more effort into slowing down my reverse to drive transitions. Besides that i am pretty consistent with the accelerator. Its just the lag from reverse to drive or park to drive that's so darn slow relative to all my other cars.

Getting to know my 4R has been interesting with its odd transmission, but if its reliable ill take any oddities and work with them.

just throwing it out there but I run an OBDii wireless bluetooth reader I got off amazon for $10 and connect it wirelessly to an app I paid for called Dash Command. I can wirelessly monitor every sensor in the vehicle when on road trips or hitting trails. Helps keep an eye on the trans temp or oil pressures etc... in total I think I was into the reader and app for under $30 and it works better then anything else iv tried, plus no wires to run through the dash!

Link to Amazon?

Don't drive in 4h on 4x4 roads, switch it to 4lo.

What's the reasoning behind this? I drive in 4hi all the time when offroading.

I believe the transmission runs hotter in 4 high when 4 low is more appropriate.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk