so im not sure my ATF has ever been changed. It's not in any of the previous records and I bought the truck earlier this year with 156k on it. I've been told by my mechanic I shouldnt change it if its never been done. To me this didnt make much sense, but at the same time the guy owns 5? or 6 4runners. So he knows what he is talking about. what do you all think? Is it safe to change? Has anyone changed their fluid in a similar situation like this? Thanks.
160k ATF change
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davewaner41
New member
davewaner41
New member
montijo505
Senior Member
You can change it without doing a flush. I believe from my research the problem is the flush as the pressurized fluid can loosen crud and block things up. I used a tutorial from here that doesn't even require you to get under the truck. You use the line going from trans to rad to pump fluid out and a hose and funnel to gravity fill the fluid. I'll find it and post it here. Very easy job. I changed mine at 150k and no issues.
Edit: here it is
Easy Peasy transmission fluid exchange V6
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Edit: here it is
Easy Peasy transmission fluid exchange V6
Sent from my SM-G986U using Tapatalk
firebirdguy
Member
you absolutely can & should change it... just because your mechanic owns some toyotas doesnt mean he knows what hes talking about if hes telling you to not change it... the owners manual clearly says to change the fluid at certain intervals.
maybe he means a true flush with a powered flush machine... but doing an exchange by doing some pan drain & fills or using the trans pump to pump out ~2qts at a time & replacing it 5-6 times will not harm the trans at all. do some searching on here or youtube for info on how to do a trans fluid exchange on a 4runner or tacoma of this era with the sealed trans. or call the dealership or reputable trans shop if you dont want to do it yourself.
maybe he means a true flush with a powered flush machine... but doing an exchange by doing some pan drain & fills or using the trans pump to pump out ~2qts at a time & replacing it 5-6 times will not harm the trans at all. do some searching on here or youtube for info on how to do a trans fluid exchange on a 4runner or tacoma of this era with the sealed trans. or call the dealership or reputable trans shop if you dont want to do it yourself.
rdruss
Senior Member
Yes, this!
Berty_K
Member
I'd recommend you do it. If you plan on keeping your 4Runner for a long time, not changing your transmission fluid is postponing a problem. Many recommend not changing old fluid because the clutch plates are starting to disintegrate. The debris helps the clutch plates in the transmission stay engaged, while also continuing to degrade them. You're going to have problems eventually.
That being said, I chose to refresh my transmission fluid at 164k miles and had no issues with the transmission afterwards (bought the car used). In fact, transmission felt better after the exchange (could be placebo, who knows).
Some reference material for you
That being said, I chose to refresh my transmission fluid at 164k miles and had no issues with the transmission afterwards (bought the car used). In fact, transmission felt better after the exchange (could be placebo, who knows).
Some reference material for you
- Here's the DIY I used: ATF Exchange (using the cooling line). Really nice job by [MENTION=113703]46runner[/MENTION].
- Scroll to post #7 in my build thread. I share some additional tips that'll help you do the flush.
Seymore Butts
New member
Do a complete exchange of fluid. What's in the transmission now has very little in common with the ATF that is supposed to be there.
Thebeastlives
New member
I currently have 3 4unners n a Tundra and always changed the trans fluid along with diff n transfer case oil on all except the new 5th gen. The 4th n 3rd gen transmission have 280k n 330k miles and shift like new. Change the fluid n the filter and chances are yours will last a long time as well.
KaseyMcc
New member
I changed mine for the first time at about 186K miles (bought it at 175K)...previous owner never bothered to have it done. I did a "fluid exchange" through the cooler lines then reset the level once at the right temp range. Everything went fine, definitely helped the shifts. I did it this way again around 250K, no issues.
CookieRoe
Senior Member
He's an idiot. If he's had that many 4runners and doesn't know that the ATF should be changed, even at that mileage (with no issues), then it should be fine. However, if the tranny is at 250K (doubt any tranny would last that long) with the original fluid, then yes, listen to your mechanic and leave it alone.
I recall some members changing their ATF at high mileage and it was fine. They were under 200K, changed it, and even reported improve shifting.
This advice does NOT apply to other makes as normally they grenade themselves at high mileage without an ATF change. Ask me how I know.
Peace.
I'm the newest kid on this block. Just got my 09 Sport, and it has 79K on the clock. The only record of service is an oil change done some 3K miles ago.
As to transmission service, is it advisable to do it now, given the lack of history. There are no symptoms to suggest anything is bad; it actually runs great.
As to transmission service, is it advisable to do it now, given the lack of history. There are no symptoms to suggest anything is bad; it actually runs great.
montijo505
Senior Member
I think the recommended interval is 100k, but wouldn't hurt to do it now since you know nothing about it. Preventative maintenance!
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CookieRoe
Senior Member
Yes, when it hits 100,000, change it. I can't remember where I saw it, but then every 50,000 thereafter.
I'm in the same boat as you at almost 170K and have been doing a lot of research. I don't know when was the last time mine was changed, if ever.
I'm planning on doing the change myself. The only thing I'm stuck on at the moment is whether to use Toyota's standard atf or go with valvoline maxlife. There is a huge debate about it and both sides make good points. I just don't know yet which one I'm going to go with.
Another thing I'm debating is whether I should also drop the pan and change the filter underneath. My 4runner is lifted and getting under it is not a huge issue.
I'm planning on doing the change myself. The only thing I'm stuck on at the moment is whether to use Toyota's standard atf or go with valvoline maxlife. There is a huge debate about it and both sides make good points. I just don't know yet which one I'm going to go with.
Another thing I'm debating is whether I should also drop the pan and change the filter underneath. My 4runner is lifted and getting under it is not a huge issue.
Isn't the ATF good for the lifetime of the vehicle?
I brought my 4runner 2005 to the T dealer where I bought it from new - at 120,000 miles - and they drained 5 quarts and changed the filter.
Toyota says (??) do ATF D/F (5 quarts) at 100,000 miles.
My tranny has 150,000 miles on it and shifts perfectly.
Next time I'll just have 5 quarts drained and filled. I think the ATM holds 13 quarts.
I've read where owners have gone 270,000 miles without changing ATF.
Can't hurt to change it every 50,000/100,000 miles IMO (after 100,000 miles on Odo)
I brought my 4runner 2005 to the T dealer where I bought it from new - at 120,000 miles - and they drained 5 quarts and changed the filter.
Toyota says (??) do ATF D/F (5 quarts) at 100,000 miles.
My tranny has 150,000 miles on it and shifts perfectly.
Next time I'll just have 5 quarts drained and filled. I think the ATM holds 13 quarts.
I've read where owners have gone 270,000 miles without changing ATF.
Can't hurt to change it every 50,000/100,000 miles IMO (after 100,000 miles on Odo)
doofenshmirtz
New member
Had mine changed just before 180K when I did the timing belt, serp belt, and water pump - first change ever on the trans fluid. Zero issues at about 7k miles later. I suspected a transmission shudder about 2500 miles after the ATF was changed, but it turned out to be the rear diff and rear wheel bearings tricking my poor hearing.. In the process, the trans pan was dropped for a shop to test the solenoids, etc. They stated the trans was in excellent health.
FWIW, I don't think many people get a chance to find out their transmission is in great shape after the fact - lots of wishing, hoping, and deducing. I actually got to have mine fully gone over after doing 180k and then 2500 more after the ATF exchange...
The first shop did an exchange with the BG fluid machine (without doing the power flush), and the transmission shop refilled with BG as well. I wanted OE fluid, but found out after the fact that they'd used BG. Runs great still.
FWIW, I don't think many people get a chance to find out their transmission is in great shape after the fact - lots of wishing, hoping, and deducing. I actually got to have mine fully gone over after doing 180k and then 2500 more after the ATF exchange...
The first shop did an exchange with the BG fluid machine (without doing the power flush), and the transmission shop refilled with BG as well. I wanted OE fluid, but found out after the fact that they'd used BG. Runs great still.
CookieRoe
Senior Member
I would use genuine Toyota ATF, but that is me. I'm a huge believer in changing the ATF in WHATEVER vehicle you have.
Case in Point: My parents Lexus dealer insisted they leave their transmissions alone (They have 09 ES and 10 RX). Said it had "lifetime" fluid which most of us know is a crock of crap. I respectfully told them where to go. Got the service done in Toyota across town and both cars now shift like new. Anyway, my dad bought a new 1991 LS400. Gorgeous car. In the 90s and 2000s I implored my dad to get the transmission serviced. Lexus wanted $500+ for it, my dad scoffed and it was never done. Fast forward to 2008 when the tranny was almost shot, I knew it was too late. I know that he preventive maintenance would've saved it. It hurts to this day, that car was in very good shape. I almost inherited it. URghhh
Change you goddamn ATF people
Case in Point: My parents Lexus dealer insisted they leave their transmissions alone (They have 09 ES and 10 RX). Said it had "lifetime" fluid which most of us know is a crock of crap. I respectfully told them where to go. Got the service done in Toyota across town and both cars now shift like new. Anyway, my dad bought a new 1991 LS400. Gorgeous car. In the 90s and 2000s I implored my dad to get the transmission serviced. Lexus wanted $500+ for it, my dad scoffed and it was never done. Fast forward to 2008 when the tranny was almost shot, I knew it was too late. I know that he preventive maintenance would've saved it. It hurts to this day, that car was in very good shape. I almost inherited it. URghhh
Change you goddamn ATF people
Last edited:
firebirdguy
Member
valvoline maxlife is fully rated for toyota WS use & is a full synthetic & much cheaper. tons of 4runner, tacoma & other toyota owners have used maxlife with zero negative reviews & zero problems reported. in fact some report that after a full exchange maxlife fixed or reduced shudder problems, not that new WS woudnt have done that too but there is no reason to not use maxlife aside from maybe if the vehicle was still under warranty.
i used maxlife on my exchange i did at 145k & while there were no problems before, it definitely made a noticeable improvement on the shifts. & synthetic will hold up better to abuse & heat than non synthetic WS. if you want to save some money & know you have a better fluid then go with the maxlife or another brand of WS rated fluid like amsoil etc.
as for the filter, these transmissions dont use a real fiber filter, its just a metal mesh screen & 99% of the reviews ive read said the filter was perfectly clean & did not need replaced nor did the pan need to be dropped as there was very little if any real debris in the pan... i would just do the fluid exchange & not mess with the pan/filter, especially if the pan is still dry with no leaks.
Berty_K
Member
I second this. Next time I swap fluid, I’ll be using maxlife.
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