I have an 07 4runner V8 that uses Toyota WS ATF - supposedly, this is a "lifetime" fluid that doesn't need to be replaced. However, if one wanted to drain and refill, how to do it? The FSM only shows you how to check the fluid level using the fill plug and overflow plug. I don't believe you can drain the fluid using the overflow plug. Is there another drain plug somewhere? Or is the only way to service this transmission is to do some sort of flush? Thanks.

Don't worry unless you are mechanically apt and willing to follow the lengthy procedure for checking and draining the fluid. Do a search and you should find the instructions for doing so.

You probably have to pull a hose and then either use a pump or the transmission itself to purge all the fluid through that hose and then reconnect and refill......

Not sure, I'm just guessing.....

I exchanged fluid through the upper hose on the trans cooler going into the radiator. This would be the line FROM the transmission. I drained 2 litres at a time from the hose using an extension hose into a container and replaced the same using an electric pump into the fitting on the radiator. I very carefully measured the amount I took out and replaced with the exact amount of new fluid. I used about 13 liters in the process:

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Here is the drain process with 2 liters pumped:

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jeober - wow, nice. that looks to be more complicated that i am willing to do. i may just drain and refill at 30K intervals instead of doing a full flush like you did. here's a picture from the FSM. they show the fill plug and overflow plug to measure the fluid level, but it doesn't show the drain plug. i think the drain plug is the unlabelled plug on the left in the picture. can anyone confirm? i'll crawl under the car later to check.

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I did see a plug toward the rear of the trans pan that could be a drain. I remembler at least one member here accidently drained some trans fluid thinking it was the engine oil plug so maybe this is the case.

I'm hoping in 2-3 years when I next do the trans fluid change that a less costly equivalent to Toyota's WS is verified. I obtained 16 liters from the dealer for about $150 which was cheaper than normal.

Nice job Clarke!

was at the dealer yesterday for oil and differential changes. Made me aware of the sealed tranny and consequently NO need to ever replace. Are you guys doing this simply for peace of mind?

A waste of time and money. If the fluid gets damaged an idiot light will come on the dash.

Koz

Hi Clarke,

Where did you get this electric pump?

this is an in-line fuel pump that I have as a result of my work. Since trans fluid is relatively a low viscosity oil it works fine.

You might be able to gravity feed it. I noticed the 3/8" line into the input fitting on the heat exchanger tended to freely drain. Or, other people have made pressure powered pumps using a low pressure air source into a container of fluid. I'll leave up to your technical comfort level to find a solution to add back fluid to the transmission sump. You can also add back using the fill port of the transmission but I thought this would be a bit messy under the vehicle. If you go this route you might use a 1/2" id line into this with a gravity feed if you can keep the line from falling out and making a mess.

When there's something I cant figure out or dont want to tackle on my vehicles I take it to a friend who runs a great repair shop . He also owns a 06 tundra with the sealed transmission and he has changed his tranny fluidevery 30k with Mobil 1 or I believe he said the Dexron 5 which I think is the synthetic will work as long as it's synthetic. He drops the pan and refills thru the speed sensor port (I think the plug on the rear of the trans in the picture would be eisier )

PS. where's the spell check button
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On the relatively newer trannies that take either Toyota T-IV or WS-ATF, you should stay with Toyota trans fluids at least until the warranty expires. If you ever have a warranty problem with the trans and they find you didn't use Toyota's T-IV or WS, they'll deny the claim.

I believe there is now an aftermarket equivalent for T-IV, but not for the WS-ATF.

Toyota trannies are pretty tempermental as it is... this is one case where aftermarket really isn't better. Toyota doesn't gouge you on the price of the fluid, so cost shouldn't be an issue.

I agee ,it's not much more and it's available at all toyota dealers.