To Be or Not To Be? 1st Trasmission fluid change @150K

[FLMike]

Hi all,
I have '05 SR5 with A750 and 150k mi

I am going to tow a boat for 700mi this weekend and was going to do transmission flush before the trip, so I called the dealership ~$400 and local transmission shop who refused to do it because I did not know if it ever been changed, and explaining that it will be better chance to harm the transmission by changing the fluid than wait for it to go bad.
I called the previous owner and he confirmed that he never done that.

All of my mechanically inclined friends agreeing on is that to change the fluid before the trip- bad idea. I see that. But some saying not to changing at all... that I've missed my window

What is your thoughts? do you know people here whos transmission went bad after the flush?

 

[fdbyrne]

A full-on flush would probably be a bad idea. A fluid exchange through the cooling lines should be fine. I have 128k on mine and just did mine last week. No negative issues and it seems to be shifting smoother, not that it was shifting badly to begin with.

 

[Jeremy556]

You should change the transmission fluid, not necessarily before your trip. Either look into how to do it yourself, or call to some other Toyota dealers. It shouldn't cost more than $250 or so, will be about $100 to buy WS ATF if you DIY.

 

[FLMike]

You should change the transmission fluid, not necessarily before your trip. Either look into how to do it yourself, or call to some other Toyota dealers. It shouldn't cost more than $250 or so, will be about $100 to buy WS ATF if you DIY.

Thank you for reply guys. I was going to do it myself and by flush I meant fluid change through cooler hoses vs weekly fluid change

Here is what I bought:
Gasket+filter ~$30
toyota WS ATF 10.99x14 from advance
crush washers 1.99x2

Manager in Advance said that people usualy leave some fluid in and that is bad for transmission to replace all fluid.

To Change or not is $3000 question.

 

[Martinjmpr]

Thank you for reply guys. I was going to do it myself and by flush I meant fluid change through cooler hoses vs weekly fluid change

Here is what I bought:
Gasket+filter ~$30
toyota WS ATF 10.99x14 from advance
crush washers 1.99x2

Manager in Advance said that people usualy leave some fluid in and that is bad for transmission to replace all fluid.

To Change or not is $3000 question.

Everything I've read says that if the tranny wasn't flushed before 100k, don't do it as there is a greater likelihood that flushing will push debris back into the transmission and cause damage.

 

[ben550]

by changing the fluid using the return line disconnect method you should not have any problems. I did it on two vehicles with no complications. It is not pressurizing the system forcing debris out... it is only using the usual flow to remove fluid and the pan to add fluid...

 

[Jeremy556]

Do it. Don't bother dropping the pan and messing with the filter, it is a mesh screen type and isn't clogged.

What ATF did you get? Last I checked only Toyota and Redline made WS spec fluid.

 

[scw1991]

Not sure about Toyota, but my ex wife's Honda Accord had 120k on it before I changed the transmission fluid. The only reason I changed it was because it was starting to get a little brown in color. I've heard the power flushing is what can do more harm than good for a vehicle with this mileage as it can dislodge contaminants that could plug up the valve body and damage o-rings/seals.

So I drained it, refilled it and drove 10 miles. I did this 3-4 times until the fluid was back to red in color with that sweet smell. Yes, it wastes more transmission fluid performing a flush in this method but it works.

 

[ben550]

I was going to do mine the other day but the fill plug on the transmission won't budge and is beginning to round off... Decided to go buy a replacement plug and a 23mm 6 point socket to try and work it off... the 24mm seemed to have too much play before grabbing the bolt...

Seems like its always something small that gets in the way of progress.

 

[Brian3676]

If you wanna be really safe just do 2 drain and fills.

 

[dchild]

What ATF did you get? Last I checked only Toyota and Redline made WS spec fluid.

I used Valvoline MaxLife ATF, it says WS compatible and I'd read about others using it successfully in this transmission. At ~$17/gal from walmart, I was able to install a transmission cooler with the money I saved vs OEM fluid.

IMO a transmission cooler is cheap insurance for your tranny since it is primarily heat that kills it. If you don't already have one, they are easy to install, especially if you are already doing the fluid exchange. Also if you know anything about how the vehicle was driven it could help guide your decision, gently used transmission fluid lasts much longer than overworked fluid.

 

[jonesmw10]

I'm going to the dealer to do it... I personally just don't trust myself with this (although some dealers aren't any better lol). Dealer quoted me for $169 doing a fluid exchange (not a flush, or drain/refill)

 

[Gatafly]

Do it. Don't bother dropping the pan and messing with the filter, it is a mesh screen type and isn't clogged.

What ATF did you get? Last I checked only Toyota and Redline made WS spec fluid.

Agreed. Amsoil has a WS fluid. I did mine at 105k and its now at 157k and doing great.

I will probably do it again in the near future.

 

[Civiceg94]

I used Valvoline MaxLife ATF, it says WS compatible and I'd read about others using it successfully in this transmission. At ~$17/gal from walmart, I was able to install a transmission cooler with the money I saved vs OEM fluid.

IMO a transmission cooler is cheap insurance for your tranny since it is primarily heat that kills it. If you don't already have one, they are easy to install, especially if you are already doing the fluid exchange. Also if you know anything about how the vehicle was driven it could help guide your decision, gently used transmission fluid lasts much longer than overworked fluid.

Same here used valvoline maxlife atf. Used the cooler lines to exchange the fluid and mine has 150,000 and it came out black.

 

[FLMike]

Thank you Guys for your replies. The transmission fluid is OEM Toyota - I dont like to save money on insurance.
By flush I mean fluid exchange vs pressure flush with special machine

2 jonesmw10: $169 with the fluid? If that is the case - I would do it at the dealer. The only thing that would concern me is you cannot verify that they've done it at all.

The OEM fluid cost is ~ $150+tax

 

[bamma]

Carquest sells the OEM fluid a bit cheaper if you have one in your area.

 

[radlynx]

exactly. so do it yourself. it's not too difficult. just disconnect the top portion line on the radiator and connect a tubing to feed new oil and another tubing to an empty container for the old oil. I did it that way. you don't even have to go under the car. always measure the amount that comes out and fill it up the same amount.

Thank you Guys for your replies. The transmission fluid is OEM Toyota - I dont like to save money on insurance.
By flush I mean fluid exchange vs pressure flush with special machine

2 jonesmw10: $169 with the fluid? If that is the case - I would do it at the dealer. The only thing that would concern me is you cannot verify that they've done it at all.

The OEM fluid cost is ~ $150+tax

 

[acronin2]

Carquest sells the OEM fluid a bit cheaper if you have one in your area.

Just bought 14 qts of T-IV fluid at Carquest last Friday for ~$90. I think it was something like $6.16 +tax per quart. Beats $9 per from my local dealership.

 

[Top Shelf Synthetics]

Amsoil has a WS Synthetic Transmission fluid, AMSOIL Signature Series Fuel-Efficient Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid If anybody is interested, I can provide a quote. I'm listed in the Vendor area

I do agree that a flush could be bad for the same reasons stated above. I have an '03, going to try out my evacuator through the diptube.

 

[X6RUNNER]

Thank you Guys for your replies. The transmission fluid is OEM Toyota - I dont like to save money on insurance.
By flush I mean fluid exchange vs pressure flush with special machine

2 jonesmw10: $169 with the fluid? If that is the case - I would do it at the dealer. The only thing that would concern me is you cannot verify that they've done it at all.

The OEM fluid cost is ~ $150+tax

Mike, I hope this not too late. If you are in Orlando bring your truck to Autonation Toyota, $159 + tax. I also have a 15% discount that I'll give to you. Just ask for Jerry (Service advisor) tell him Don "Black runner" send you. Hope this help.

Don