08 V8 - 160k miles - Change Trans fluid?

[Jubsz]

I recently purchased an 08 V8 model with 160k miles and have it in for inspection + baselining of fluids/maintenance.

I have records of it having a 90k service at a Toyota dealership, including front diff fluid, transfercase, and rear diff fluids. I called and asked if the Trans was included but they did not have records of that. I understand it's somewhat considered a "lifetime" fluid. I'm not sure I subscribe to that idea.

I talked to my shop and asked about changing it. Their recommendation is for vehicles over 150k miles, if it hasn't been done, leave it. I'd really like to have it swapped out for peace of mind. I know this can end up being a religious like debate but I find it hard to believe that leaving it is the better of the two options. They said they'd do it if I want them to.

They serviced my 3rd gen and it has been great. It's at 236k miles and the transmission is totally solid. I believe they use some type of a fluid exchange machine that connects to the cooler lines and puts in only as much as came out, but without additional pressure applied.

Any thoughts or reasons not to change it? I also may tow in the future.

 

[ktom3001]

I recently purchased an 08 V8 model with 160k miles and have it in for inspection + baselining of fluids/maintenance.

I have records of it having a 90k service at a Toyota dealership, including front diff fluid, transfercase, and rear diff fluids. I called and asked if the Trans was included but they did not have records of that. I understand it's somewhat considered a "lifetime" fluid. I'm not sure I subscribe to that idea.

I talked to my shop and asked about changing it. Their recommendation is for vehicles over 150k miles, if it hasn't been done, leave it. I'd really like to have it swapped out for peace of mind. I know this can end up being a religious like debate but I find it hard to believe that leaving it is the better of the two options. They said they'd do it if I want them to.

They serviced my 3rd gen and it has been great. It's at 236k miles and the transmission is totally solid. I believe they use some type of a fluid exchange machine that connects to the cooler lines and puts in only as much as came out, but without additional pressure applied.

Any thoughts or reasons not to change it? I also may tow in the future.

I would do drain and fills every 10K for 30-40K. Just add back in what came out (cold) or you can do the temp check level. Do not use a fluid exchanger.

 

[Jubsz]

I've been watching videos and I could definitely do it on my own. It's just tough that I don't really have a place to do it. I'd be changing all the fluid anyways.

I don't understand the hatred of fluid exchangers. I haven't heard a really solid case against them honestly. If it's one that applies undue pressure on the transmission or uses additional "flushing" chemicals, I see why that can be bad. Otherwise, I don't get the hatred of it.

 

[Bluesky 07]

I recently purchased an 08 V8 model with 160k miles and have it in for inspection + baselining of fluids/maintenance.

I have records of it having a 90k service at a Toyota dealership, including front diff fluid, transfercase, and rear diff fluids. I called and asked if the Trans was included but they did not have records of that. I understand it's somewhat considered a "lifetime" fluid. I'm not sure I subscribe to that idea.

I talked to my shop and asked about changing it. Their recommendation is for vehicles over 150k miles, if it hasn't been done, leave it. I'd really like to have it swapped out for peace of mind. I know this can end up being a religious like debate but I find it hard to believe that leaving it is the better of the two options. They said they'd do it if I want them to.

They serviced my 3rd gen and it has been great. It's at 236k miles and the transmission is totally solid. I believe they use some type of a fluid exchange machine that connects to the cooler lines and puts in only as much as came out, but without additional pressure applied.

Any thoughts or reasons not to change it? I also may tow in the future.

I say this kindly - this has been debated forever on this forum and there are many opinions you will find through searching.

If you want mine, your gut feeling is correct, there's no such thing as "lifetime" fluid unless you use the manufacturer's definition of "lifetime," which is while the powertrain warranty is in effect, not the 200K+ real-world lifespans these trucks have. I did a full fluid exchange at a dealer at 115K then another on my own using the cooler line method at 220K. No issues, but of course YMMV. See the pinned thread at the top of the 4th Gen section with links to maintenance writeups to find a how-to on the cooler line method. If a shop does it, an exchange is the way to go, not a pressurized flush.

And for the love of God, just please don't ignite the WS vs. Maxlife debate again. LOL

 

[bob3dsf]

There's no reason not to change the ATF. The cooler line method works well, if not a little messy... potentially. I've done it 3 times (maybe it's been 4) on my 4runner, and did it once on my wife's Highlander. I don't know any details, really, but the horrors come from doing back flushes I think, or questionable procedures by iffy technicians. I'm not trying to throw shade on any techs, I'm a home garage "mechanic" so I'm certainly an "iffy technician" using questionable procedures I get off the internet LOL, however, there have been many folks here in T4R world who have had repeated success with this method. And, we know what will eventually happen if you leave the fluid in there indefinitely....

 

[Jubsz]

I'm a shadetree mechanic as well but I think the difference is just in the level of care. I don't have to grind under vehicles for 40+ hours a week to the point that it becomes monotonous. I don't have to jump between 4 entirely different vehicles in a day. This type of stuff is not exactly hard, it just requires a level of care.

Agreed that the issue is the process and not the change of fluids. I called around to the Toyota dealers the vehicle was previously serviced at to check if a trans fluid change had ever been done. They gave me the "lifetime fluid" line. The person I talked to was not mechanically inclined so I didn't argue or open up that conversation. I just said ok and hung up. Really hate that Toyota's infinite wisdom had them do this. I'm sure I'll be fine though.

 

[Flashback]

I'll give my 2 cents since I just went through this. I followed a post on <a href="https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/how-to-drop-clean-and-reinstall-the-2nd-gen-transmission-pan-and-filter.726329/">TacomaWorld</a> to change the trans fluid using the pan drop method on my V6, and there's a <a href="https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/how-to-drop-clean-and-reinstall-the-2nd-gen-transmission-pan-and-filter.726329/page-4#post-26095258">post later in that thread</a> that brings up a good reason to do a pan drop before doing a full flush. Basically you want to clean out the crud that's stuck on the pan and on the magnets first.

A quote from the post:

When you introduce new transmission fluid with super detergents into a dirty pan, the detergents in the new fluid can lift that junk off the pan and magnets. When the junk lifts, it goes through the hydraulic circuits acting like sand paper on your "all aluminum transmission". Those particles on the magnets are steel and the particles dont play well with your "all aluminum valve body".

I did the pan drop myself and it was not difficult at all. There was a little crud in the pan and on the magnets but it really wasn't too bad so maybe a full flush would've been fine. After 213k miles the fluid looked more like oil it was so dark but I haven't had any problems since changing it.

 

[ThatRed4thGen]

I got inconsistent advice on how to do it, so I ponied up the cash to just have the dealer do it. I had it done at 150k miles for peace of mind. Didn't drive any different before or after the change.