For those of you who don’t think you need to change the transmission fluid

[Samm25]

I had 88,500 miles on my 2008 4Runner when I did a drain and fill for the transmission fluid. I never thought I had to mess with it since Toyota claims it’s a “lifetime” fluid. However, after just 88k miles, you’ll see the color difference in the picture.

Now, I think it’s personal preference if you want to change it or not, but I like having clean fluid in my truck. My dad has an ‘05 4Runner with 150k miles and has never touched the transmission fluid. His truck runs like brand new.

 

[djpope09]

I think someone mentioned in one of the trans fluid threads that the color of the fluid shouldn't be used as a metric for whether the fluid needs to be changed. Basically dark fluid doesn't mean it's bad and needs to be replaced. It definitely isn't lifetime fluid though and replacing it regularly is fine as far as I know.

 

[WhiteBoomer04]

240,000 miles on my 04, Lots of torturess offroading, same fluid in the trans when I bought it new.

Changing the fluid for the first time, in May. Sure hope I don't create any problems because its been working fine for all these years! Definitely only doing drain and fill. Not flushing. I believe that's where all the problems seem to occur.

 

[Samm25]

240,000 miles on my 04, Lots of torturess offroading, same fluid in the trans when I bought it new.



Changing the fluid for the first time, in May. Sure hope I don't create any problems because its been working fine for all these years! Definitely only doing drain and fill. Not flushing. I believe that's where all the problems seem to occur.

Yep! Totally agree with you. Even called a non-Toyota transmission shop that told me if I were to do anything with transmission fluid on a high mileage vehicle (my other 4Runner had 193k) they only recommended a drain and fill NOT a flush, because that’s where the problems occur

 

[NNV4Runner]

Yeah, I worked for a Toyota Stealership. they required us to and sold Transmission "FLUSHES"

Guess what? Toyota says "DO NOT FLUSH" Drain and fill is okay, but do NOT Flush the Fluid.

 

[Runner977]

I just changed my trans fluid out a couple of days ago.. 120k miles on my 05

 

[Fern]

Over 20 years ago, I had a guy that worked for Chiltons or Haynes. I can't remember which, tell me to save the old transmission fluid after you change it out. In case that the transmission started slipping, to put the old stuff back in. His reasoning was that you basically removed all the friction material while draining the fluid. Granted, at this point you are probably at the end of the transmission's lifespan. Food for thought.

 

[81runner]

240,000 miles on my 04, Lots of torturess offroading, same fluid in the trans when I bought it new.

Changing the fluid for the first time, in May. Sure hope I don't create any problems because its been working fine for all these years! Definitely only doing drain and fill. Not flushing. I believe that's where all the problems seem to occur.

Give me a shout if you need a hand there. I just did mine bit too long ago, I have all the hoses and bottles already.