Had my transmission flushed today. 16 quarts $250. This was in Michigan. Thought it was a fair price. Additionally they only charged $183 to change the fluids in the front and rear diffs as well as transfer case. Timing belt and serpentine belt w/out water pump was only $300. Can't remember what they charged to flush the radiator. But this along with oil and tune up was only $1k drive train should be good for at least 60k miles now. I now have a base line since when I bought the truck last week the dealer did not have maintenance records.
Changing WS transmission fluid in 2005 T4R
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united4989
New member
4 gen 4runner V-6 trans oil
2007 Toyota 4Runner Limited 4x4, V-6: the owners manual tells me it only takes 3.0 quarts for the 4 Gen V-6 trans.
The owners manual reads;
Automatic Transmission;
Fluid capacity (Drain and Refill)
Up to 3.0
Fluid type: Toyota Genuine ATF WS(World Standard)
Change automatic trans fluid ONLY as necessary, Only if your vehicle is driven under severe, special operating condition.:keyboard:
2007 Toyota 4Runner Limited 4x4, V-6: the owners manual tells me it only takes 3.0 quarts for the 4 Gen V-6 trans.
The owners manual reads;
Automatic Transmission;
Fluid capacity (Drain and Refill)
Up to 3.0
Fluid type: Toyota Genuine ATF WS(World Standard)
Change automatic trans fluid ONLY as necessary, Only if your vehicle is driven under severe, special operating condition.:keyboard:
Top Shelf Synthetics
New member
3 qts is when you drop/drain the pan and change out the fluid in the pan only. There is still fluid up in the transmission and torque converter that doesn't get changed out when you drop/drain the pan.
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T4R2014
Elite Member
No harm in changing it more often than their "lifetime" interval. They just want you to drive it on the original fluid until it goes boom so that you can buy a new Toyota at the dealer so they make more money.
So my buddy (who previously worked at a Lexus dealership) had the fluid changed fully but this was back in 2010/2011. I have now (with 117,000 miles) been advised by Toyota dealerships to not do the full flush but just do the drain/fill. Due to that, I am sticking with WS fluid and going to start doing this 3 quarts at a time but not this winter. I'll start next year.
You guys crack me up...if you drain 3qts and refill that is roughly 20% of the fluid...the next time you drain the fluid you are going to drain an 80/20 mix of old and new so your really only removing 2.4qts of old stuff and each time that return is going to be diminished by the % of new fluid you will be replacing...I think if you are smart enough to be worried about your ATFluid you are smart enough to do the full change..it is not hard
Drain it, drop the pan, replace the filter, put a few quarts in and then pump out the remainder with the engine running...put more in, go for a drive, crawl under and drop the plug
Especially with a V8 w/tranny cooler; just run a tube down from the cooler through the skid plate into a pitcher. Id rather do a full trans fluid exchange than change the engine oil to be honest.
Both the service managers who (while they would love my money) told me that with older transmissions, they see more problems after a full flush. One said that it was only an issue if the fluid had never been changed and said they recommend the regular drain for vehicles with over 100K. That is not the case with mine (which was done at around 78,000, now that I see the receipt) so I have the option of a full change. I'll figure it out in the spring. It is going to be too cold to be lying on concrete, and ski season is here. I'll check the YouTube how-to videos and posts here, beforehand.
07V8
Member
There is too much incorrect information being spread about this procedure.
The dealer procedure is a fluid swap. They pump in exactly what comes out as the truck runs. There is no high powered high volume "flush" that loosens built up crud because that doesn't exist either. The transmission is a precision machine and does not accumulate much of anything.
I will be doing the fluid exchange for the second time at 155k soon. We have done it in our Land Cruiser (same transmission) with 185k on it with ZERO issues.
New fluid is better than old fluid, especially since the procedure is minimally invasive as is.
The dealer procedure is a fluid swap. They pump in exactly what comes out as the truck runs. There is no high powered high volume "flush" that loosens built up crud because that doesn't exist either. The transmission is a precision machine and does not accumulate much of anything.
I will be doing the fluid exchange for the second time at 155k soon. We have done it in our Land Cruiser (same transmission) with 185k on it with ZERO issues.
New fluid is better than old fluid, especially since the procedure is minimally invasive as is.
I'll go and talk to a couple of service managers at two of the dealerships. I got the impression that they had done the full fluid swap and seen problems with a few soon after, and seems to prefer the 3 quart drain. One guy seemed very well informed/experienced so I took him at his word. He explained the whole procedure including the small temperature range the fluid needs to be at but I'd like to find out what problems they have seen.
Yep, flush your fluids folks.
I recently bought a '05 with 169k and did a flush myself (got 12 qts off ebay) and the truck has been running smooth since, no issues so far.
I did a fluid exchange through the transmission lines at the radiator at 130k miles. I don't think that it had ever been done before. Mine is a 2004 that uses the type IV fluid instead of the WS. It shifts smoothly and there were no problems. I replaced my metal transmission lines that run under the radiator at the same time. Mine were rusty enough that it was only a matter of time before they rusted through and started leaking fluid.
Ok, so I have read so much info about this and been told so many different things by different shops that my head is spinning.
I have had my 4runner for a little over a year now. Its a 2004 with 139,000 miles v6 4x4.... Im not sure if it has had the transmission fluid changed before.
I do some things myself but this isn't one that I want to do.
Should I have the pan dropped and the filter replaced? During the fluid exchange is there any kind of detergents put in for cleaning?
I would prefer to just do the fluid exchange without anything else put in the transmission. Also the shop I am thinking of taking it to, uses Valvoline max life. Should I only use the toyota fluid? My truck does have a dip stick. I checked the fluid the other day and it looks like it needs to be changed but it didn't smell burnt.... it just wasn't bright red. I appreciate any advice or help on this. Sorry if this subject has been beat into the ground.... I guess the fact that it has is whats so confusing....there is to much info to decipher the truth.
Thanks, Jason
I have had my 4runner for a little over a year now. Its a 2004 with 139,000 miles v6 4x4.... Im not sure if it has had the transmission fluid changed before.
I do some things myself but this isn't one that I want to do.
Should I have the pan dropped and the filter replaced? During the fluid exchange is there any kind of detergents put in for cleaning?
I would prefer to just do the fluid exchange without anything else put in the transmission. Also the shop I am thinking of taking it to, uses Valvoline max life. Should I only use the toyota fluid? My truck does have a dip stick. I checked the fluid the other day and it looks like it needs to be changed but it didn't smell burnt.... it just wasn't bright red. I appreciate any advice or help on this. Sorry if this subject has been beat into the ground.... I guess the fact that it has is whats so confusing....there is to much info to decipher the truth.
Thanks, Jason
bob3dsf
New member
Don't put any detergents in it. Don't have it power flushed or back flushed. Some have used the Valvoline maxlife and they have been fine. you have a dipstick, doing a drain and fill will be pretty easy. you can drop the pan if you want, you'll get a little more out than a straight drain but you don't have to unless you want to see whats on the magnets (metal flecks). You'll almost certainly have some goop on the magnets (microscopic metal particles and oil mixed to a slurry consistency). That's normal, but larger flecks are something to pay attention to. You shouldn't need to change the filter in there. Some do but it's overkill. It's a screen filter. If you're concerned about filtration you could probably add an in-line filter in the trans cooler return line. There is no service interval for the filter inside the tranny. It's not meant to be a serviceable part (but not impossible to change like some cars). You'll need a new gasket if you drop the pan. Not hard, just take care not to mar the gasket surfaces and don't over-tighten the pan bolts. you don't want to shear one of those. Several have had success flushing out with the trans cooler return line. I plan to use that method for my next service. this is a very DIY job, just can be time consuming I guess....
I have a "sealed" tranny. I drained/filled mine 3-4 times, I think I changed out about 8 qts (I'll have to count the left over fluid bottles in my case, about 75% I'd guess). The fluid was looking really good when I decided to stop. I didn't want to mistakenly drain more than I had on hand to replace (I was on my own). Biggest pain is the filling with the sealed units, the fill hole is up near the top of the trans so it's difficult to reach, and you have to use a jumper wire in the OBDII port to engage the temp check mode so I could get the correct fill level. Yours is a little easier in that respect. I think the quote you get will hurt your feelings and make your wallet ache. Do what is comfortable for you, but if you can change your oil and change your spark plugs, you can do this.
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Thanks for your reply.
Yes I feel I could do a simple drain and fill.
Would it help to do it on a sloped surface to get more fluid out?
Since I wouldn't be replacing all the fluid what type of fluid should I use for this method? Go to the dealer for fluid? I'm assuming I wouldn't want to put a random fluid in there to mix brands... I've heard this can cause sludge with motor oil.
Thanks again
Yes I feel I could do a simple drain and fill.
Would it help to do it on a sloped surface to get more fluid out?
Since I wouldn't be replacing all the fluid what type of fluid should I use for this method? Go to the dealer for fluid? I'm assuming I wouldn't want to put a random fluid in there to mix brands... I've heard this can cause sludge with motor oil.
Thanks again
Bluesky 07
Senior Member
I'm conflicted about this.
I bought my '07 Sport last year with 96K and it now has about 112K. It has the sealed transmission and a check of the online records did not turn up any evidence the fluid has been changed.
On the one hand, it makes no sense to me that any fluid, regardless of formula or composition, can possibly remain effective for the life of a vehicle, especially one that will run as long as a 4Runner.
On the other, Toyota has a sterling reputation for quality and longevity and if they say WS is good for life, maybe they know what they're talking about. (Of course, it's also easy to say it when they don't have to repair any that don't work out that way.)
The deciding factor for me was combining Toyota's advice with "if it ain't broke, don't fix it." Changing the fluid would make me feel better but I can't help imagining what I'll be thinking if I get the fluid changed then have a problem. So I'm waiting for now, though that may change down the line.
I bought my '07 Sport last year with 96K and it now has about 112K. It has the sealed transmission and a check of the online records did not turn up any evidence the fluid has been changed.
On the one hand, it makes no sense to me that any fluid, regardless of formula or composition, can possibly remain effective for the life of a vehicle, especially one that will run as long as a 4Runner.
On the other, Toyota has a sterling reputation for quality and longevity and if they say WS is good for life, maybe they know what they're talking about. (Of course, it's also easy to say it when they don't have to repair any that don't work out that way.)
The deciding factor for me was combining Toyota's advice with "if it ain't broke, don't fix it." Changing the fluid would make me feel better but I can't help imagining what I'll be thinking if I get the fluid changed then have a problem. So I'm waiting for now, though that may change down the line.
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I've performed a full transmission flush on a few vehicles (02 Toyota Tacoma and 96 Lexus LS400) with bad results. Both these vehicles had about 120k miles. The transmission ended up dying after about 5-10k miles.
65k sounds pretty low and shouldn't be a problem. I would be careful with a high mileage vehicle and perform a drain and fill if the fluid has never been changed past 100k.
65k sounds pretty low and shouldn't be a problem. I would be careful with a high mileage vehicle and perform a drain and fill if the fluid has never been changed past 100k.
