Automatic Tranny fluid change
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Koz
New member
The whole purpose of this forum is to learn and share. I find it amazing that some people that are looking for advice would get offensive when factual information is given to them from someone who is trying to help them.
Toyota designed and engineered this trans to be maintenance free for the life of the vehicle. Do you believe they would put this out there if they thought there was a chance it could cause a failure. If this was a new design I could see the skepticism, but this design has been proven to be what Toyota has designed it to be! Toyota has also designed and engineered their new engines to be able to run 10K miles oil change intervals. Just like the 100K mile spark plugs. There is no harm in replacing fluids or parts sooner than when it’s needed but the FACT is you are wasting your time and money.
Koz
Toyota designed and engineered this trans to be maintenance free for the life of the vehicle. Do you believe they would put this out there if they thought there was a chance it could cause a failure. If this was a new design I could see the skepticism, but this design has been proven to be what Toyota has designed it to be! Toyota has also designed and engineered their new engines to be able to run 10K miles oil change intervals. Just like the 100K mile spark plugs. There is no harm in replacing fluids or parts sooner than when it’s needed but the FACT is you are wasting your time and money.
Koz
JB.
New member
Some forum sections (like Maintenance) should be divided into 4runner generations, or at least divided into synthetic and non-synthetic generations. You can't really blame old school thought for being skeptical of lifetime fluid. It took me some time to wrap my mind around the possibility that fluid chemistry is at the point where lifetime can be achieved in a sealed system. We all know it will be someday. Perhaps that day is now. When it arrives it will only be evident in the hindsight of millions of miles of proof. It's possible we are there.
The jury is still out but they are seriously considering exonerating the defendant making the claims of lifetime. It's hard to ignore all the high mileage 4runners with synthetic trans fluid that is either original or wasn't changed until well after 100k miles. It's also hard to ignore the conspicuous absence of failure reports.
Each is on his own in making the call, but I disagree that the downside is only wasted time and money. Messing with factory fill always introduces the possibility of contamination or error.
Personally, I'm nearing 100k miles and will sometime, relatively soon, start doing some drains and fills, but I'm in no hurry.
The jury is still out but they are seriously considering exonerating the defendant making the claims of lifetime. It's hard to ignore all the high mileage 4runners with synthetic trans fluid that is either original or wasn't changed until well after 100k miles. It's also hard to ignore the conspicuous absence of failure reports.
Each is on his own in making the call, but I disagree that the downside is only wasted time and money. Messing with factory fill always introduces the possibility of contamination or error.
Personally, I'm nearing 100k miles and will sometime, relatively soon, start doing some drains and fills, but I'm in no hurry.
I'd like to thank everyone for their info and opinions on changing out the ATF in my 2008 T4R. If there's a question as to why I'm changing out the ATF fluid, check the Toyota maintenance schedule at 60k miles here:
http://photos.xigroupauto.com/AutoSites/CopelandToyota20//usermedia/MediaLibrary/MG_084runner.pdf
As I mentioned in my original post in the thread, I use my 4Runner to tow our 23' 4000 pound Airstream, so I change out fluids pretty often.
http://photos.xigroupauto.com/AutoSites/CopelandToyota20//usermedia/MediaLibrary/MG_084runner.pdf
As I mentioned in my original post in the thread, I use my 4Runner to tow our 23' 4000 pound Airstream, so I change out fluids pretty often.
Koz
New member
Yes, if you tow, it is recommended to change the ATF at 60K miles. I also tow and I will be using the Amsoil fluid (ATF). I also change (changed when new) the diffs with this;
AMSOIL - Severe Gear® Synthetic Extreme Pressure (EP) Gear Lube 75W-90 (SVG)
Koz
AMSOILDealer
New member
Definitely a good thing to change out fluids on a regular basis as noted by the manufacturer. If anyone is interested in purchasing AMSOIL send me a PM or visit my website.
oblivionis
New member
Is there a DIY here somewhere to do a drain/fill procedure on the 4Gen?
I just worry that with the sealed trans and no dip stick to check the levels if I do have a mechanic change the fluid there isn't a reasonable way to see if the fluid level is correct.
I would have to trust that either the machine or drain and fill replacement is at the proper level. I'm not THAT trusting
I would have to trust that either the machine or drain and fill replacement is at the proper level. I'm not THAT trusting
Ducman
New member
ATF Fluid
Doing a drain and fill on your transmission is not hard at all, do a search plenty of threads on it. I did it, no problem.
There is nothing magical about the Toyota 'lifetime' fluid either. I strongly recommend doing a few drain and fills.
The fluid should be changed just like your diff fluid, transfer case fluid, etc.
Doing a drain and fill on your transmission is not hard at all, do a search plenty of threads on it. I did it, no problem.
There is nothing magical about the Toyota 'lifetime' fluid either. I strongly recommend doing a few drain and fills.
The fluid should be changed just like your diff fluid, transfer case fluid, etc.
Ducman
New member
I experienced the same thing when I did my drain and fills.
More proof that there are no magical pixies inside our so-called 'sealed' transmissions.
I always get a good laugh when people post the ATF fluid never needs to be changed in our trucks.
As the miles start to rack up, transmission fluid breaks down. Period. I don't care what kind it is.
The thing that pissed me off a bit was the mechanic who worked on my truck at the dealer was sloppy. I had them do a power steering fluid flush (probably a stupid thing to do, but that's another story) and the mech got power steering fluid all over the engine compartment and some grease on the seat.
I tend to keep my truck (inside, outside and engine compartment) clean, so this kind of tweaked me. I believe sloppy work is a sign that folks don't care.
I tend to keep my truck (inside, outside and engine compartment) clean, so this kind of tweaked me. I believe sloppy work is a sign that folks don't care.
ChaosStarter
New member
I just worry that with the sealed trans and no dip stick to check the levels if I do have a mechanic change the fluid there isn't a reasonable way to see if the fluid level is correct.
I would have to trust that either the machine or drain and fill replacement is at the proper level. I'm not THAT trusting
LOL. What are you, crazy?
There's an exact procedure for checking the trans level. However, it needs to be in a precise temperature range, and the truck (perferably) should be on a lift to make it easier to access the fluid level plug. When it's in the range, it' should be a constant drip. If there's nothing, then add. If it's pouring out, let it.
If the temp is too hot, then then engine needs to be shut off to let the fluid cool for a bit.
ToolmanJohn
New member
Just did the change myself last week
With tthe assistance of my brother, I replaced all of the old fluid in the transmission by using the fluid ereturn line as the drain.
There is a sticky detailing how to do it. Because my truck has the dipstick (2003 4speed) , I had my brother start the rngine, and the fluid would pump itself out of the return line into a pan, about 4 quarts each time. I would dump the fluid into a gallon container (old windshield washer bottle) that I had already marked with marker showing quart levels. This way, I knew exactly how much to put back in each time.
After I reached the 13th quart , fresh fluid was starting to come out. So I refilled to the cold mark on the dipstick, and drove around until it was warmed up (about 1/2 hour) . Checked the fluid level, it was down about a quart, and filled.
It's been fine and does shift just slightly smoother. I will say the old fluid did NOT look all bad. It still had some red color to it and smelled just like the new stuff. No burnt smell. I don't know how long a transmission would last without the fluid change, but it must depend on how hard it's used. If the truck is a daily driver with no towing or hard wheeling, it probably would last a long time like Toyota says. BUT it's easy enough to change out and have that insurance that fluid problems won't be an issue.
With tthe assistance of my brother, I replaced all of the old fluid in the transmission by using the fluid ereturn line as the drain.
There is a sticky detailing how to do it. Because my truck has the dipstick (2003 4speed) , I had my brother start the rngine, and the fluid would pump itself out of the return line into a pan, about 4 quarts each time. I would dump the fluid into a gallon container (old windshield washer bottle) that I had already marked with marker showing quart levels. This way, I knew exactly how much to put back in each time.
After I reached the 13th quart , fresh fluid was starting to come out. So I refilled to the cold mark on the dipstick, and drove around until it was warmed up (about 1/2 hour) . Checked the fluid level, it was down about a quart, and filled.
It's been fine and does shift just slightly smoother. I will say the old fluid did NOT look all bad. It still had some red color to it and smelled just like the new stuff. No burnt smell. I don't know how long a transmission would last without the fluid change, but it must depend on how hard it's used. If the truck is a daily driver with no towing or hard wheeling, it probably would last a long time like Toyota says. BUT it's easy enough to change out and have that insurance that fluid problems won't be an issue.
But, doesn't your fluid change to black in color from all the wear? :closed_2:
But don't get me wrong. I wonder if ATF needs changing at all!
<<<<
Senior Member
Changing it makes sense but Toyota recommends it only if severe use such as towing. I've heard people having issues after messing with old transmission and would be better off if left it alone. Ill just stick with factory recommendation and let it be unchanged for normal driving.
