Transmission flush vs. transmission fluid drain and refill...

Bad_Influence

Bad_Influence

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Has anyone here done a transmission flush yet? I know some vehicles can be sensitive to a flush vs. just draining and filling it. My main concern would be damage to the solenoids and/or other things that can't handle the pressure.

On most of the vehicles i have had in the past, a simple flush for about $110 would do the trick. On my wife's car (2006 mazda 6) it is recommended to drain and refill for the life of the transmission.

Thanks for any help provided!!
 
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I had mine done at the dealer at 60k miles, Servicing the transmission is something that I just do not like to do myself anymore. I have done it to many vehicles that I have owned over the last 40 years since I started driving. But it is a messy job and I just do not want to do it anymore.

Also the Toyota transmission procedure is a little different than I have done before so to the "experts" at the dealer it went. They performed a transmission fluid exchange using the Toyota WS fluid. Cost me $242.00.

I have no idea if they just drained and refilled or flushed it, and I really don't care. I have an extended warranty until 125k miles and I have the paperwork to show that it was serviced at the recommended 60k interval.
 
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yea, i'm about to change mine out soon. i'm not to keen on flushes but figure it wouldn't be a bad idea with me being under 60k
 
Flush is the way to go. Drain and refill will only replace a small fraction of the fluid, as most of it is in the torque converter.
 
Depends how you use the term.

Toyota states NOT to use a machine to flush our "sealed" Transmissions that use WS ATF. But, using a "Fluid Exchanger" that hooks inline to the transmission cooler lines and uses the transmission's own fluid pressure to swap out fluid works without hurting anything (this is based on how these machines work and what a lot of people have done and had no issues with.) You still need to double check the fluid level via the annoying method Toyota has because it has no dipstick. This is also similar to the method [MENTION=102206]IAmTodd[/MENTION] mentioned, minus a machine to do most of the work for you, but the principle is the same.

Now then, when I use the term "Drain and Fill" or "Flush" I tend to be a bit all over the place, as I am used to draining and filling transmissions multiple times to "flush" them with fresh fluid. This is what I do on customer's vehicles and what I did on my '04 when I serviced my transmission last year. I ran about 12 quarts of fluid through the system by draining and filling the transmission oil pan until the fluid looked new (you get about 3-4qts from the pan), then I performed the fluid level check/adjustment procedure and was on my way.

Some people consider "Drain and Fill" just doing it once, to me that always seemed wrong; so I tend to use "Drain and Fill" and "Flush" to indicate the same thing in my way of thinking since either way I am going to make sure the fluid looks as close to new as possible.

As for the service interval... 100k under normal driving is not a bad idea. Without going into my usual tirade on why "lifetime ATF" is a complete joke (and not just by Toyota), I would refer to your Owner's Manual under "Severe Driving" if you're towing/using the vehicle more heavily than normal driving; otherwise 100k is a good average to go by.
 
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Who has used valvoline maxlife ATF in thier 5th Gen? Any issues? I am leaning toward Maxlife as opposed to WS.
 
ben550 said:
Who has used valvoline maxlife ATF in thier 5th Gen? Any issues? I am leaning toward Maxlife as opposed to WS.
Click to expand...

right here! Maxlife for 40k in my Camry and 10k in the 4runner. Shifting is smoother, quicker. Cured the shift lunge going from 1st to 2nd in my 4runner and 5th to 4th gear downshift in my Camry that used to slip before dropping a gear.

Next up, PENNZOIL PLATINUM LV MULTI-VEHICLE ATF in the Camry soon. Just for the fun of it.
 
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I have heard that if you have less mileage on your vehicle (like say for example less than 40k) then a full fluid exchange can be done.

But, if you have driven it over 75k (example) then it is better to do drain and refill. Something about, suspended particles from the clutch plates that help in friction with the plates.If you drain all the old fluid then clutch slipping starts.

I am at 48k and wondering what to do. I talked to the Toyota dealer and he said the same thing as well. If you change it relatively early then a full exchange is recommended. But, if you let it go long then a drain and refill would be better.

This guy did something even accurate. He measured the drained fluid by weight and not volume, eliminating the temperature from the equation.He did a full fill though.

4runner Transmission Home Flush - YouTube
 
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krravi said:
I have heard that if you have less mileage on your vehicle (like say for example less than 40k) then a full fluid exchange can be done.

But, if you have driven it over 75k (example) then it is better to do drain and refill. Something about, suspended particles from the clutch plates that help in friction with the plates.If you drain all the old fluid then clutch slipping starts.

I am at 48k and wondering what to do. I talked to the Toyota dealer and he said the same thing as well. If you change it relatively early then a full exchange is recommended. But, if you let it go long then a drain and refill would be better.
Click to expand...

I exchanged fluid beyond 75k with no issues. See also Clutch/friction material suspended in old transmission fluid
 
ben550 said:
Who has used valvoline maxlife ATF in thier 5th Gen? Any issues? I am leaning toward Maxlife as opposed to WS.
Click to expand...
285K miles on Valvoline Maxlife Synthetic. 2 full fluid changes disconnecting the cooler line to pump out 3 quarts at a time until clear, typically 12 quarts total. Refilled using $10 Home Depot 1 gallon garden sprayer. Bring the trans to temp by running at idle for 20 minutes before doing all this. Top off till the fill level drain dribbles out and you're good. Don't over think it. Relatively easy job to do. I have a post in another thread showing this.
 
krravi said:
I have heard that if you have less mileage on your vehicle (like say for example less than 40k) then a full fluid exchange can be done.

But, if you have driven it over 75k (example) then it is better to do drain and refill. Something about, suspended particles from the clutch plates that help in friction with the plates.If you drain all the old fluid then clutch slipping starts.

I am at 48k and wondering what to do. I talked to the Toyota dealer and he said the same thing as well. If you change it relatively early then a full exchange is recommended. But, if you let it go long then a drain and refill would be better.

This guy did something even accurate. He measured the drained fluid by weight and not volume, eliminating the temperature from the equation.He did a full fill though.

4runner Transmission Home Flush - YouTube
Click to expand...

What you have heard is wrong.

The risk is when they use a power flush machine which can dislodge wear material that can plug valves or solenoids in the transmission. But that only occurs if some knucklehead plugs in a power flush machine without cleaning the pan and changing the filter. This is why you don't let some moron with a machine do anything with your transmission.
 
I've owned my 2003 V8 4Runner for a year now, and I looked back at the service records the previous owner gave me. The last recorded transmission service was at 43000. The car currently has 215000. I've had issues with the rpms jumping to 3000 when I brake, and what seems to be shifting getting stuck when accelerating. The rpms get stuck at 2000 and don't seem to shift up. When braking, the rpms jump to 3000, and I have to tap the brake or gas to get it to downshift. Should I do a drain and fill? Or multiple drains and fills. I've heard that once it has symptoms (I'm assuming my symptoms are transmission-related, but I'm taking it to the shop this week), you shouldn't change the fluid. Any advice is appreciated
 
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