trans fluid drain and refill

[cmills]

Could someone tell me if the transmission fluid drain and refill procedure is the same (especially in regards to getting it into temp check mode) on our 5th gen 4runners as it is on the 4th gen and the 2nd gen Tacomas.
I found a thread over on TacomaWorld that was talking about the procedure on an 05 Tacoma (2nd gen) which I was able to find out was the same for the 4th gen 4runner. I would assume the whole procedure is exactly the same for the 5th gen, but I would like to make sure as I am getting ready to do a drain and refill on my transmission.

I have searched but haven't had any luck, so any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Mike G.]

Good timing on your post, I was just starting to search for information on this.
I hope you get some good info., I am trying to avoid a trip to the dealership for this.

 

[chmura]

I would like to know this too!

I have a 4th gen and I did a complete flush with 14 quarts in my 4th gen disconnecting the return line from the transmission. Removing 2.5 quarts at a time and filling 2.5 quarts back in. Than putting the transmission in temperature check mode to properly check the fluid.

Anyone flush their fluid yet in the 5th gen? Anyone know the procedure to put the 5th gen into this transmission temperature check mode?

 

[homeyclaus]

The FSM has a "with techstream procedure" and a "without techstream" procedure, where the odometer display shows whether the trans temperature is too high, too low, or just right.

Last Modified: 10-26-2009 6.2 N From: 200908
Model Year: 2010 Model: 4Runner Doc ID: RM000002BL0021X
Title: A750F AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION / TRANSAXLE: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID: ADJUSTMENT (2010 4Runner)
ADJUSTMENT



NOTICE:
This transmission requires Toyota Genuine ATF WS.
After servicing the transmission, you must follow the ATF adjustment procedure.
Maintain the vehicle in a horizontal position while adjusting the fluid level.
1. BEFORE FILLING TRANSMISSION
When you have replaced the entire transmission, transmission pan, drain plug, valve body and/or torque converter, proceed to the "Transmission Fill" procedures.
When you have replaced the transmission hose and/ or output shaft oil seal, proceed to the "Fluid Temperature Check" procedures.
2. TRANSMISSION FILL


(a) Remove the refill plug and overflow plug.

Text in Illustration
*1
Refill Plug
*2
Overflow Plug
*3
Refill Hole


(b) Fill the transmission through the refill hole until fluid begins to trickle out of the overflow tube.

Text in Illustration

*1
Overflow Tube
*a
Specified fluid level
(c) Reinstall the overflow plug.

(d) Fill the transmission with the amount of fluid listed in the table below.

Reference Capacity:
REPAIR
FILL AMOUNT
Transmission pan and drain plug removal
1.7 liters (1.8 US qts, 1.5 Imp. qts)
Transmission valve body removal
4.3 liters (4.5 US qts, 3.8 Imp. qts)
Torque converter removal
5.4 liters (5.7 US qts, 4.8 Imp. qts)
(e) Install the refill plug.

HINT:

If you cannot fill the listed amount of fluid, perform the following:

(1) Start the engine and idle it.

NOTICE:
Check that electrical systems such as the air conditioning system, audio system and lighting system are off.

(2) Move the shift lever through the entire gear range to circulate the fluid.

(3) Wait for 30 seconds with the engine idling.

(4) Stop the engine.

(5) Remove the refill plug.

(6) Fill the transmission with the remaining fluid until the amount in the table has been filled.

(7) Install the refill plug.

3. FLUID TEMPERATURE CHECK
NOTICE:
The ATF temperature can be confirmed by using the Techstream.

(a) Turn the ignition switch off.

(b) Connect the Techstream to the DLC3.

(c) Turn the ignition switch to ON.

(d) Enter the following menus: Powertrain / ECT / Data List / A/T Oil Temperature 1.

(e) Check the ATF temperature.

NOTICE:
If the ATF temperature is higher than 45°C (113°F), turn the ignition switch off and wait until the fluid temperature drops to below 40°C (104°F).

4. FLUID LEVEL CHECK
NOTICE:
It is necessary to change to temperature detection mode in order to idle the vehicle appropriately.
The ATF temperature must be between 40 and 45°C (104 and 113°F) to accurately check the fluid level.
(a) When using the Techstream:

Enter the following menus: Powertrain / ECT / Active Test / Connect the TC and TE1.

Standard condition:
Indicator lights in the combination meter blink.


(b) When not using the Techstream:

Using SST, connect terminals 13 (TC) and 4 (CG) of the DLC3.

SST: 09843-18040
Standard condition:
Indicator lights in the combination meter blink.
Text in Illustration

*1
Front view of DLC3:
(c) Start the engine and idle it.

NOTICE:
Check that electrical systems such as the air conditioning system, audio system and lighting system are off.

(d) Slowly move the shift lever from P to S, and then change the gear from 1st to 5th. Then return the shift lever to P.

HINT:

Slowly move the shift lever to circulate the fluid through each part of the transmission.



(e) Move the shift lever to D, and quickly move it back and forth between N and D (once within 1.5 seconds) for at least 6 seconds. This will activate the fluid temperature detection mode.

Standard condition:
Indicator light [D] remains illuminated for 2 seconds and then turns off.
Text in Illustration

*A
Optitron Meter
*B
Standard Meter
(f) When using the Techstream:

Return the shift lever to P and terminate the Active Test on the Techstream.

(g) When not using the Techstream:

Return the shift lever to P and disconnect SST from the DLC3.

(h) Allow the engine to idle until the fluid temperature reaches 40 to 45°C (104 to 113°F).

HINT:

The indicator [D] will come on again when the fluid temperature reaches 40°C (104°F) and will blink if it is higher than 45°C (113°F).

Indicator [D] Indication of ATF Temperature
Below 40°C (104°F)
40 to 45°C (104 to 113°F)
Higher than 45°C (113°F)
Turn off
Turn on
Blinking


(i) Remove the overflow plug and gasket with the engine idling.

(j) Wait until the overflow slows to a trickle.

Text in Illustration
*1
Overflow Tube
*a
Specified fluid level
NOTICE:
If the fluid does not overflow, perform the following:

(1) Remove the refill plug and gasket.

(2) Refill the transmission through the refill hole until fluid begins to trickle out of the overflow tube.

(3) Wait until the overflow slows to a trickle.

(k) Install a new gasket and the overflow plug.

Torque: 20 N·m (204 kgf·cm, 15ft·lbf)
(l) Install a new gasket and the refill plug.

Torque: 37 N·m (379 kgf·cm, 27ft·lbf)
5. COMPLETE
(a) Turn the ignition switch off.

(b) When using the Techstream:

Disconnect the Techstream from the DLC3.

(c) Inspect for automatic transmission fluid leak.

 

[Mike G.]

That sounds like its more involved than what it should be, looks like I may be forced to go to the dealer.

 

[chmura]

That sounds like its more involved than what it should be, looks like I may be forced to go to the dealer.

Seems more involved but its not.

Look at the Tacoma, 4runner, and FJ drain and fill DIY threads, they are all the same. Many of them out there. Doing a drain and fill is relatively easy. Just make sure you put the same amount of fluid back in. You do not really need to put the trans into temp check mode to check the fluid if you are precise and do not have any spills.

Once you do a complete flush it is still easy but just more steps. This is the time I would put the trans in temperature check mode to properly check the fluid level.

The hardest time I had was putting the vehicle in transmission temperature check mode. I had the wrong procedure and once I got the correct procedure I was able to enable the temperature check mode.

 

[homeyclaus]

That sounds like its more involved than what it should be, looks like I may be forced to go to the dealer.

Not forced. You're free to go if you don't feel confident enough to do it, or you're free to go to the dealer if you don't feel like doing it. Big difference.

 

[Mike G.]

Not forced. You're free to go if you don't feel confident enough to do it, or you're free to go to the dealer if you don't feel like doing it. Big difference.

Thanks for clearing that up for me, so your stating I have options. My day just got better.:biggrin2:

 

[vicpick58]

How often do you guys service your transmissions?

I used to do it every 25k miles on the older vehicles (GM and Mopars) and went to 50k miles when they came out with the longer life synthetic trans fluids a decade or so ago.

I just turned over 36k miles on this 4Runner and was planning on waiting until 50k to do it.

The procedure sounds a bit more complex than my previous vehicles and I do not have any of the "meters" or "techstream" equipment talked about in the procedure. Not sure if I am up to doing it myself and buying all the special "meters" or just taking it to a shop somewhere and paying to have it done.

I did not notice how often the filter and fluid is to be changed in the owners manual.

 

[homeyclaus]

It's not the 80s any more. 100k miles for normal service, 50k for severe. There isn't even a filter any more, since the process of servicing transmissions with filters had the habit of introducing more contaminants than it removed.

 

[vicpick58]

It's not the 80s any more. 100k miles for normal service, 50k for severe. There isn't even a filter any more, since the process of servicing transmissions with filters had the habit of introducing more contaminants than it removed.

Thanks for the response, as you can tell, I am new to Toyota.

I intend to keep this 4Runner 5 or 6 years if it will hold up, that will come to 300k miles, so I want to keep it serviced properly.

 

[harper7]

If you tow ,I believe the maintenance schedule recommends changing at 60k miles . If not here is the tsb covering at least my truck that I'm following for now as I don't tow anything....... https://docs.google.com/document/d/1MhiyICxaDcv4-j5vBELIqHAA92vqslvPF6cFMgiX1jw/edit?usp=sharing

 

[Ryan1975]

It's not the 80s any more. 100k miles for normal service, 50k for severe. There isn't even a filter any more, since the process of servicing transmissions with filters had the habit of introducing more contaminants than it removed.

Timely thread.

I was just in to the dealership today and wanted to service my 30k mike truck. I had felt that with several thousands of towing vehicles all over this country that it was time to change the tranny fluid.

SA advised me that normal service is 100,000 miles. It ended up being cost prohibitive at $299 just for the fluid.

 

[vicpick58]

If you tow ,I believe the maintenance schedule recommends changing at 60k miles . If not here is the tsb covering at least my truck that I'm following for now as I don't tow anything....... https://docs.google.com/document/d/1MhiyICxaDcv4-j5vBELIqHAA92vqslvPF6cFMgiX1jw/edit?usp=sharing

Interesting, according to that TSB the 100k miles service is inspection only, the fluid does not require changing for the life of the vehicle. If I understand what it said.

 

[Mike G.]

I tow a camper on a regular basis and feel that changing the fluid at 50,000 miles is a good idea. I plan on keeping the truck until 120,000 miles, maybe I should just skip this and hope everything holds together.

I am not joking, if this sounds plausible let me know.

 

[harper7]

Interesting, according to that TSB the 100k miles service is inspection only, the fluid does not require changing for the life of the vehicle. If I understand what it said.

That's what it says alright.I 'll check my ATF fluid and see what it looks like when I change my transfer case oil at 60k miles which is coming up this summer. I somewhat follow the "special operating conditions" guideline as I drive in what I consider dusty conditions alot of the year here in Texas and my vacations,especially in summer.

That Toyota WS ATF is pretty expensive running $8-12 a quart or more and you'll need at least 20 qts for a flush(holds 16 qts) from what I've read.
Here's a good thread on DIY tranny flushes and a good read with different points of view over on the FJ forum.
Here's a good thread on DIY tranny flushes and a good read with different points of view over on the FJ forum. They have the same AT as us. DIY Auto Tranmission flush? - Toyota FJ Cruiser Forum

 

[homeyclaus]

Harper, there are non-Toyota sources of WS-compatible fluids running at 2/3rds to 1/2 that. As far as "look" of the fluid, we don't need to get back into that. Send it to a lab, unless it's obviously brown and burnt-smelling. Or just change it whether it needs it or not.

Also, Valvoline MaxLife Dex/Merc claims WS compatibility per their data sheet: Valvoline.com > Products > MaxLife > Automatic Transmission Fluid MaxLife > MaxLife® DEX/MERC ATF It's considered a good synthetic ATF, and the numbers are pretty close to the Toyota WS fluid. One should also keep in mind that many of the current transmissions like A750 series in the 4Runner originally ran Toyota Type-IV ATF, and I am not convinced the friction material chemistry changed all that much, if at all, when they changed.

 

[cbreze]

I intend to keep this 4Runner 5 or 6 years if it will hold up, that will come to 300k miles, so I want to keep it serviced properly.

Wow, just sayin' ,but 300k in 5 or 6 years is about 50k per year or 4,166 miles per month or a bit over 1000 a week. That's a lot of driving. Not to mention the gas money. I'm presuming your job requires all that mileage. Good thing it's a Toyota.

 

[Derek G]

140k on my Sequioa with no issues, just had it inspection done. Just turned 100k on my T4R and same situation. My independent YOTA mechanic says not to touch the tranny at all unless you tow A LOT or experiencing a specific issue.

 

[vicpick58]

Wow, just sayin' ,but 300k in 5 or 6 years is about 50k per year or 4,166 miles per month or a bit over 1000 a week. That's a lot of driving. Not to mention the gas money. I'm presuming your job requires all that mileage. Good thing it's a Toyota.

Yes I often drive over 1000 miles in a work week, (not every week though thank God) I do between 35 and 45 thousand miles per year just for work, plus another 5 thousand or so for personal use.

My employer does reimburse for fuel and pays a small amount per mile for my travels.

And yes this is why I switched to Toyota this time.