2005 V8 4R-Transmission fluid change:What is the real story?

[SC Joe]

I can't seem to find a definite mileage in my manual for changing it. Vehicle has 64K miles on it and dealer says not to mess with it until at least 125K miles due to the "WS" fluid.

What is the real answer? Should I really wait until 125k miles to do a trans fluid change? At this rate, the vehicle will be about 10 years old. I'm going to call Toyota and get their opinion..but thought i would ask here first.

 

[crowbird]

No Change until 100K

I have been told the same thing. The dealer and a few mechanics have told me that the transmisson is a completly sealed and will not get dirty. I still worry about the fuild and wish I could have it changed, but it cost a lot of money to do so. Guess I will wait. I have a 2005 and 74,000 miles

 

[toto]

There are discussions popping up on the Internet that indicate that it's not good to wait that long. Toyota may even clarify the situation by definitively recommending a shorter interval than 125K.

There is lots of good information here in the Maintenance area about how to change the fluid yourself. Because there is no dipstick, it's a little more interesting to make sure the fluid is at the right level, but it's completely possible and can be done without any special tools.

 

[Sleeyo]

I will do mine at 90k service.

 

[CJ3Flyr]

Lot of good stuff here. http://www.toyota-4runner.org/maint...ission-fluid-servicing-sealed-non-sealed.html

After reading that and the links you'll figure out I like the Toyota recommended interval for towing, 60k, in most cases.

You can see the Toyota recommendation here: Toyota Parts and Service

Many think that 60k is "too frequently" some think it may not be often enough for some. Maybe a 100k+ interval is just fine. I can't imagine a fluid change costing more than $250, I can't imagine a transmission rebuild costing less than $2500. FWIW, many at the FJC forums have jumped on board with changing the fluid as well. They use the same trans and those guys tend to wheel pretty hard. Same story at the T120.
:cheers:

 

[SC Joe]

Lot of good stuff here. http://www.toyota-4runner.org/maint...ission-fluid-servicing-sealed-non-sealed.html

After reading that and the links you'll figure out I like the Toyota recommended interval for towing, 60k, in most cases.

You can see the Toyota recommendation here: Toyota Parts and Service

Many think that 60k is "too frequently" some think it may not be often enough for some. Maybe a 100k+ interval is just fine. I can't imagine a fluid change costing more than $250, I can't imagine a transmission rebuild costing less than $2500. FWIW, many at the FJC forums have jumped on board with changing the fluid as well. They use the same trans and those guys tend to wheel pretty hard. Same story at the T120.
:cheers:

I'd agree. When I took it in to the dealer last week he said it's a "waste of money" to get it done at 64K miles. I may go ahead and tell them to do it. He said it would cost $279.

 

[SkylineGTRracer]

I just changed mine at 60000 miles. and the fluid was dirty and smelled bad as well. maybe its because I don't have a tranny cooler on my 4runner and also the driver pushes it hard but don't believe that life-time fluid nonsense. I know for a fact that if you replace one of these a-series transmissions outside of warranty it'll cost $7,000 with labor and other things. I'd say to change the fluid every 50,000-75,000 miles but thats my opinion. also if you do changed use the toyota max ATF. you can use royal purple (love it use in all my rides) atf but toyota will kill your warranty even though its exactly the same if not better.

 

[SC Joe]

I just changed mine at 60000 miles. and the fluid was dirty and smelled bad as well. maybe its because I don't have a tranny cooler on my 4runner and also the driver pushes it hard but don't believe that life-time fluid nonsense. I know for a fact that if you replace one of these a-series transmissions outside of warranty it'll cost $7,000 with labor and other things. I'd say to change the fluid every 50,000-75,000 miles but thats my opinion. also if you do changed use the toyota max ATF. you can use royal purple (love it use in all my rides) atf but toyota will kill your warranty even though its exactly the same if not better.

I think the 5 speed sealed units use WS fluid, don't they?

 

[SkylineGTRracer]

I think the 5 speed sealed units use WS fluid, don't they?

Yeah its the world standard that they say is a lifetime fluid you don't tow anything. and if you do I think you change it every 100,000 I don't remember the right interval for towing.