Should I Change My Transmission Fluid?

[Berty_K]

Bought my 4Runner used at about 110k and currently at about 160k. Its a 2008 v6 4x4 with the "sealed/lifetime" tranny.

Toyota service records from previous owner show no transmission fluid change. I haven't touched the transmission either. The transmission shifts with no issue.

I've been going a good bit of preventative maint on my car these past few months, and the thought of changing my transmission fluid came up. However, I'm hesitant after watching the two youtube videos below. I'd say both are reputable.

Scotty Kilmer on Changing Transmission Fluid: Don't change at all if car is old. Transmission on borrowed time. Thicker transmission fluid helps transmission function

Chris Fix on Changing Transmission Fluid: Suggests changing lifetime fluid, but not flushing. Flushing can gum up the valve body. Flushing has no downsides.

Should I change my transmission fluid? And if so flush or fill/drain?

 

[2016 4Runner SR5]

Million dollar question is, what is the condition of the current fluid? If not terrible, I would do a pan and filter service. Forced flush is never a good idea IMO Get ready for the shit storm of a million different opinions on this topic though lol.

 

[Berty_K]

Million dollar question is, what is the condition of the current fluid? If not terrible, I would do a pan and filter service. Forced flush is never a good idea IMO Get ready for the shit storm of a million different opinions on this topic though lol.

Lol. I changed the radiator on Friday and the transmission fluid was dark. No dipstick.

I don't do any serious towing, and neither did the previous owner.

 

[woodman60]

I did two consecutive drain and fills on mine with 190K. Others will tell you to do a full flush until it runs pink through the cooler lines.

If you drain and fill, closely match the volume out to the volume you put back and you can forego the overflow process. Also, be careful as the drain plug is very easy to cross thread on the pan.

Didn't notice any change in performance, but gives a little peace of mind.

Just my experience...your mileage may vary

 

[2016 4Runner SR5]

Pan and filter service is all I would personally do.

 

[Berty_K]

Pan and filter service is all I would personally do.

As in drop the pan, clean the crap, put in new filter, then reattach pan?

 

[2016 4Runner SR5]

Yes. Measure the fluid lost when removing the pan and add the same quantity back in with fresh fluid.

 

[Berty_K]

I did two consecutive drain and fills on mine with 190K. Others will tell you to do a full flush until it runs pink through the cooler lines.

If you drain and fill, closely match the volume out to the volume you put back and you can forego the overflow process. Also, be careful as the drain plug is very easy to cross thread on the pan.

Didn't notice any change in performance, but gives a little peace of mind.

Just my experience...your mileage may vary

Yeah, I'm leery of doing any flushing. Why didnt you go with the overflow as suggested in the FSM?

 

[Seymore Butts]

Do the complete fluid exchange by using the in & out cooler lines at the radiator. That's not a pressurized flush, just an exchange while the fluid is normally circulating.

Your transmission was designed to use a specific fluid, and the stuff in your high-mileage transmission is completely out of spec at this point.

You'll probably notice smoother shifting, better mileage, and your transmission will last longer with proper fluid and not that old, dirty stuff that's in there now.

 

[Bluesky 07]

Did you see Scotty Kilmer’s episode on “lifetime” transmission fluid? Change it by full exchange (not forced flush) as others have recommended. My local dealer did a full exchange for $179 or so. Thought that was fair since the fluid alone was $100+.

 

[Whiskey & Wrenches]

160 K on the odometer is not that much for these vehicles. I would definitely change the transmission fluid. Without changing it, at some point down the road you are guaranteeing you will be replacing the transmission and that will be an expensive job.

 

[rwh963]

my '07 v6 has 202k miles w/original transmission fluid. spoke to two dealers about it. one does not have the setup for a full replacement, so recommend drain and fill. the other does have the ability, recommended full replacement (not a force flush, neither recommended that).

both said they do not recommend dropping the pan. the filter is a metal mesh screen. they only drop the pan if there is a leak.

so, find a shop that will do a full replacement, do not drop the pan (unless leaking).

cost depends on location. here, north of boston, retail runs about $250 before discounts. unlike oil changes, this only will get done about every 100k, so i don't mind having the dealer involved (the fluid alone is about $100). just use toyota ws. this is what the manufacture recommends.

 

[Morphyne]

I have an 05 V8 with 140k miles and an 07 V6 with 216kmiles. I've changed both of the files dropped the pans and done three full fluid exchanges. I change every 50k miles starting at 150k on the 07 and 100k on the 05.

So with that experience listed in will say this. You absolutely should change your fluid. Don't bother changing the filter. It's just a metal screen. The only reason to drop the pan is to check the magnets and clean out the sludge. Dont use a torque wrench. Using Valvoline max life is just fine. And drain and fills are just lazy.

 

[AuSeeker]

I have an 05 V8 with 140k miles and an 07 V6 with 216kmiles. I've changed both of the files dropped the pans and done three full fluid exchanges. I change every 50k miles starting at 150k on the 07 and 100k on the 05.

So with that experience listed in will say this. You absolutely should change your fluid. Don't bother changing the filter. It's just a metal screen. The only reason to drop the pan is to check the magnets and clean out the sludge. Dont use a torque wrench. Using Valvoline max life is just fine. And drain and fills are just lazy.

Why do you say to not use a torque wrench??

 

[81runner]

I bought my truck with 136k on it. No records of tranny service, so I drain and filled a total of 1 gallon over the period of a weekend. Truck drives fine, and I have since gotten into the practice of doing a drain and fill every 10k since it's easy to do and I'm already under the truck greasing the drive line

 

[Morphyne]

Why do you say to not use a torque wrench??

BC I've seen guys twist pan bolts in half trying to get torque. All you gotta do is it tight and not leak. Those are bad bolts to drill out.

 

[DougEFresh2]

Sorry, I know this is an old thread. Personally, if a vehicle has over 100,000 miles, I would do 3 drain and fills, then just do one drain and fill every 25,000 miles (should only be 2.5-3 quarts).
On a new vehicle, I would change the ATF every 50,000.

The torque converter uses fluid dynamics and a lock-up clutch (clutch pack). Dirty fluid does two main things, it causes extra heat from the extra friction because of the dirty fluid, which wears all transmission and torque converter components and it also prematurely wears the clutch pack.
The reason changing the ATF on older vehicles is not a good idea is because the clutch packs (and the rest of the transmission) are very likely working as well as they are because the dirty and gritty fluid is acting as the FRICTION that the clutch packs normally do. Removing extremely old fluid is basically removing a lot of the friction that the torque converter was using, hence you get slipping.
Also, never take your 4runner to a shop and ask them to flush your trans, lol.
PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE IS KEY!

Beginner Fluid Maintenance

 

[Berty_K]

Following up on one of my old threads: I ended up doing a full exchange about a year ago. Put on about 20k miles since and haven't had any issues.

DIY I used: ATF Exchange (using the cooling line)

 

[keithyota]

I just bought one with 128k and decided to change it. It wasn't too dark. This is the best videos I found and instructions. It's a little tricky to fill right.

I have pdf, but don't see how to attack. search for this: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID (A750E/A750F) (From
August, 2003)

I'm inclined to want to put some fresh fluid in, but what do I know. I'd do a drain and fill, do it a maybe twice and give it time and do it at after 2 oil changes or so...see how it goes.

I haven't tested mine yet to know result...I drained and filled about 3-4 times.

 

[Warwicke36]

Bought my 4Runner used at about 110k and currently at about 160k. Its a 2008 v6 4x4 with the "sealed/lifetime" tranny.

Toyota service records from previous owner show no transmission fluid change. I haven't touched the transmission either. The transmission shifts with no issue.

I've been going a good bit of preventative maint on my car these past few months, and the thought of changing my transmission fluid came up. However, I'm hesitant after watching the two youtube videos below. I'd say both are reputable.

Scotty Kilmer on Changing Transmission Fluid: Don't change at all if car is old. Transmission on borrowed time. Thicker transmission fluid helps transmission function

Chris Fix on Changing Transmission Fluid: Suggests changing lifetime fluid, but not flushing. Flushing can gum up the valve body. Flushing has no downsides.

Should I change my transmission fluid? And if so flush or fill/drain?

Change the fluid with multiple drain and fills. I did 4 on my 2004. I had 193k on it when I did it. P.O. never did it. I tow with mine and wanted new fluid in there. I also added a Hayden cooler and Scangauge to watch temps.

IMO if thick fluid is keeping the clutch packs working then it's shot anyways. Id rather find out at my shop then out somewhere. In 15 years of being a mechanic I have had 2 transmissions fail after a FLUSH (not a drain and fill) 1 was a Grand Cherokee with 223k which I suspect had issues beforehand but I didn't road test it long enough to know. The other was a Chevy truck with a plow and a sander, also with high miles.


Good luck. Use the right fluid from the dealer!