Transmission Service: Drain & Fill or Machine Flush?

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budda919

New member
Hey folks,

Just bought an 06 with 100k and decided I better do a transmission service just in case. Called two local dealers: One charges $325 for a machine flush, and the other charges $225 for a drain and fill. On the drain and fill, they claim to drain, then fill, then drive, then do it again a few times.

Any thoughts on whether the drain and fill is a valid practice or whether it's worth it to spend the extra for a machine flush?

thanks

06 SR5 V8 4x4
 
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there are mixed feelings about the flush, however if your intent is to replace all the fluid, it is the only way. the flush forces the fluid out of the torque converter. the drain and fill just dilutes the old fluid in the converter. problem here is, alot of your fluid is in the converter.

just have the flush done, look up a coupon online for a dealers service dept close to you and then go have it done.
 
If they really do the drain and fill several times, after getting it going; then it should work fine.

That method is what many of us at home mechanics will do, since about 70% of your actual fluid is sitting in the torque converter and you need the engine/tranny working to cycle the old out.

After about 3 drain and fills, you figure you have around 60-80% new fluid. It def is not as effective as the more expensive fluid exchange, which will get you to as close 100% new fluid as possible.


That said. Doing several drain and fills is a time tested method. If the extra 100 bucks is something you would rather not spend then you can rest assured that the several cycles of drain and fills is an ok compromise.

Make sense?
 
Personally I'd rather have multiple drain and fills done. I think the flush stirs up sediment that you don't want stirred up into the transmission.
 
A nationally-known BMW transmission guru in my home town does flushes at work on BMWs, but won't do it on his own cars. His method is to drain, then turn the transmission with the starter to pump out the torque converter into the pan and out. Ignition would be disabled to prevent the engine from starting. I haven't needed a change since talking to him, but I plan on trying it.
 
Thanks guys. Interesting thoughts on the flush. Makes me feel a little bit better about going the cheaper route. The cheaper dealer is also willing to do some programing changes (keyless entry) for free, so I'm going to give them a shot.
 
Im planning on doing all the fluids on my T4R, but I was curious if anyone had any threads/write-ups for not only flushing everything but also what fluids to use. I want to go synthetic. Thanks
 
So you are aware..... if you go the drain and fill route, you will be charged $225 by the dealer EVERY time you do it.

You may want to discuss the full "exchange", not flush, with them. Should be $400-500 but it is a long process that will change all the fluid in the entire system...... not just 4 quarts.

It is a very precise procedure where a computer monitors temperature and stuff throughout so make sure only a qualifed tech who has done this before (or the master mechanic himself) does it.

Drain and fill seems "safer" but you could end up spending $1k or so when all is said and done.
 
I just called three local dealers and asked about the machine flush. Prices varied from $250 to $335. I am dropping off the truck tomorrow to have the flush done.

I assume the "Full Exchange" is the same as the "machine Flush"...am I right?
 
Make absolutely sure they know that you want a full exchange of ALL the fluid in the entire vehicle, not just a drain and fill.

Unfortunately, you need to speak to them like they're a 5 yr old. Use simple but clear words very slowly. Like from Young Frankenstein - "Put ....the candle..... back".

I did this once and they still performed a drain and fill. These are not smart people and their just trying to move you along.

I find it hard to believe they will do a full exchange of all the ATF fluid for $200-300.

When you ask for the full exchange, they may try like hell to talk you out of it. 3 dealerships did this to me...... and it worked...... because I only have 41k miles. I didn't do it. They feel a full exchange may do more harm than good if you are not experiencing any problems.

Very curious to hear what they tell you.
 
Yea. I wish toyota would make a rule on this. I called corporate and all I got was "do what the dealer says".. only the dealer gives different responses, depending on who you call.


If you NEVER ever EVER want us to touch the fluid, then put that in writing and have every dealer read it. Otherwise depending on who I call I get a totally different opinion. 1. Don't touch it. 2. Exchange at 100k 3. Drain and Fill is all your need. 4. We WON'T touch it AFTER 100k.

Seriously? I just got the gambit of responses and they made no logical sense. Toyota needs to give a better service recommendation than "Ehh, WTF ever man"..

It's like a stoner wrote the manual on the transmission..
 
This is exactly what I had them do ...... document it. I have a drone. They recognized it on the test drive. They documented it and the fact that it is "normal" for this vehicle. Documented it. All viewable on the Toyota owners site. They advised me to not change the ATF fluid. Documented it.

This way if something prematurely or unexpectedly fails, I'm covered.
 
I am at 114k, the tranny drives and shifts perfectly. I have asked and am told to not touch it. So, I don't touch it.

One day I will probably do a drain and fill a couple of times, but at some point I just have to have faith in the uber smart engineers who designed it.

Toyota has had very few pre-mature failures on these transmissions, so that tells me that they are not giving wrong advice. Every dealer I asked who gave me different opinions all admitted that they have seen few in the shop for failure. So whatever you do.. it does appear the design is solid.
 
ok...thanks for all the input.

Actually, I have noticed a drone that just started about 1000 miles ago, which is what got me thinking about having the "TRANSMISSION FLUID FLUSH" performed. I actually called the dealer twice before making the appointment and asking both times I want the transmission fluid flushed with a machine and to confirm the price. BOTH TIMES THEY SAID YES THAT IS WITH THE MACHINE for $250.

Before dropping the vehicle I will again state it and have them write it down infront of me. I'll let you guys know how it goes.
 
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Just picked up the 4Runner and had the Full Fluid Transmission Flush performed. The service manager that quoted me ($250) wasn't aware that we have Sealed Transmission and called me prior to starting the work that it is going to be about $50 more to cover the additional expenses. So I confirmed with him that it will under $300 FOR THE FULL FLUSH and he said Yes. The total bill was $292 (he ended up giving me an additional discount of $56 to keep the bill under $300.)

Parts alone were $175, I was surprised how much ATF the trannsmission holds! almost 16 or 18 quarts (I can't remember exactly and the receipt is upstairs).
 
scottm said:
A nationally-known BMW transmission guru in my home town does flushes at work on BMWs, but won't do it on his own cars. His method is to drain, then turn the transmission with the starter to pump out the torque converter into the pan and out. Ignition would be disabled to prevent the engine from starting. I haven't needed a change since talking to him, but I plan on trying it.
Click to expand...


I like this idea about disabling the ignition and cranking the engine to pump out more fluid from the tranny. In fact I am doing a D&F on my Acura TL this weekend, and I may do this to help get more of that crappy Honda DW-1 fluid out (contributed to a new tranny already @ 40K) I am currently using Redline D4 in it.

Any one know of any "WS" fluid that is good for our tranny? Wonder if the Redline stuff is "equivalent"??
 
I took my 4Runner to my local dealer to have a transmission fluid exchange yesterday. I brought in my own AMSOIL fluid. It took between 9-10 quarts. I had a 2.5 gal jug. Glad to have all fresh transmission fluid. I have 91K on my truck.
 
I don't think you have "All" fresh fluid rather a mixture. If my memory serves my right the transmission holds around 16 quarts (I could be wrong, though). Someone with more knowledge please chime in.
 
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