Transmission fluid options

[nicolasballia]

So i have my 1998 4runner and i dont believe its ever gotten new fluid on the transmission. i have heard that if a vehicle has a lot of miles (mine has 132xxx) and its never gotten a fluid change on the tranny that it is better to just leave it alone because the flush might ruin all the seals inside the tranny.others say that it doesn't matter and just to do the flush.

i was thinking dropping the pan about three or four times until all the fluid or at least most is changed.

What do you guys think is the best way to go about this?

 

[kball]

You can do the at home type flush using the cooler lines to drain the fluid or do several drain and fills. Either way is fine and won't hurt the trans at all.

 

[nicolasballia]

is there a writeup somewhere for the home flush? I dont think i ever heard that before.

 

[Robb235]

What trans fluid do these even take? Lol I've never even looked.

 

[kball]

For starters I should ask, you do have an auto trans right? If so follow the steps in this link. He drops the pan and does a really complete cleaning job of it but you don't have to. Skip down to step 37 and start there.

Dropping Pan And Flushing Transmission

These transmissions take Dexron III or better. I usually use Valvoline Maxlife Dex/Merc or Dexron VI. Both of these are synethic blends. The Maxlife is very inexpensive and seems to be good stuff so I usually get that.

 

[nicolasballia]

Yes, sorry. I do have an auto. Ive had it since 128k and im uncertain of tranny services

 

[Peak]

Doing a full flush is probably best...

 

[nicolasballia]

My dad keeps telling me that since the.oil is.old if i put new fluid with all the additives and cleaning properties that it could wash off the seals or the pressure would mess the seals up. To b4 honest i don't have enough knowledge on transmissions to know what's best

 

[Nunyabiz]

Drop the pan, check everything out, check the magnets etc.
If all looks OK seal it back up, add a bit of regular ATF.

Take it to a transmission shop that has a Ttech machine which will replace every drop of ATf with new ATF without doing a "flush" it simply uses the pump to push new in and old out.
Use 100% Synthetic fluid and take a qt or 2 more than needed.

I use Amsoil, though I am sure any 100% synthetic is fine.

 

[Kanger328]

I used the tranny cooler line method. I used Amsoil also, but warning...Amsoil is EXPENSIVE and can only buy online (as far as I know). If you're going to use the cooler lines method and plan to add a tranny cooler, do it at the same time.

 

[BrianSD_42]

you can't easily do a home "flush"

you can do a home "drain small percentage of total trans fluid and refill"

A flush is done by a machine that pushes out all the old fluid and pumps in the new fluid.

$165 at the Toyota dealer last time I checked. I did mine a few years ago.

I wouldn't get it done at a cheap oil change shop, take it somewhere that works on Toyotas.

 

[biodieselLuke]

my jiffy lube has a t-tech machine and sells amsoil? I usually drop the pan, replace the filter, replace the pan, add however much fluid came out, then drive it over and have "Jim" replace all my fluid. I watched him do it the first few times to make sure there werent any shop practices going on that i dont agree with...... now i just drink their coffee and wait in the ac like everyone else............... course if jims not there i come back when he is