Transmission Service

[G-Cam]

Hey guys,

Been doing some research and have spoken to several dealerships in my area and am frustrated. 3 different dealers, 3 different recommendations;

#1 - Complete drain and fill at 60k and 120k then do a flush at the 3rd interval (180k)
#2 - Always drain and fill every 60k, flush not recommended (supposedly can damage torque converter??)
#3 - Flush every 60k

(I also tried searching online but found no real definite answer, might just be me).

I brought my Runner in to dealer #3 at 56k in August, when I bought it, to have a full once over at the dealer completed. No mention of the transmission service even approaching was mentioned... I work on the road (some dirt roads, mostly highway) constantly and am now at 82k. I don't know what I should do as far as a service at this point, clearly there is zero consistency with the dealerships (I'm sure there will be here as well but I think that is to be expected). What should be done to best serve my transmission?

A - Simple drain and fill
B - Drop pan and fill
C - Full system flush

Any potential issues that could be caused by any of the above mentioned scenarios?

Side note, I generally use Amsoil products.

Thanks so much in advance for your input guys.

 

[troopa4life]

If it were me and no transmission service was done, I would do a full flush then drain and refill every 30k after. Toyota states the fluid is lifetime and it may last for however long you intend to keep it but doing a drain and refill every 30k is pretty cheap if you do it yourself and may prolong the lift of the transmission.

 

[Jetboy]

I would not do anything until about 200k miles. At that point I would consider doing a full fluid swap via the radiator cooler method. There is likely no benefit mechanically to doing any type of flush and it will not prolong the life of your transmission.

 

[Cadesun]

I did a flush and refill on my 4th gen at around 130,000 miles when the tranny started acting a little "off". The fluid was jet black and transmission behaved better after the change... for a while. So I guess I am no help, other than saying "lifetime" is not necessarily always accurate.

 

[18 trd off road]

i change my fluid every 30000 miles

 

[troopa4life]

i change my fluid every 30000 miles

My man!

 

[G-Cam]

If it were me and no transmission service was done, I would do a full flush then drain and refill every 30k after. Toyota states the fluid is lifetime and it may last for however long you intend to keep it but doing a drain and refill every 30k is pretty cheap if you do it yourself and may prolong the lift of the transmission.

A full flush as described by Jetboy or have the dealership do it?

And the drain and refill meaning replacing a few quarts every 30k correct?

 

[G-Cam]

I did a flush and refill on my 4th gen at around 130,000 miles when the tranny started acting a little "off". The fluid was jet black and transmission behaved better after the change... for a while. So I guess I am no help, other than saying "lifetime" is not necessarily always accurate.

Thanks! I am trying to avoid the black fluid!

 

[kernel.panik]

I had the dealer do a full flush of the transmission, transfer case and both difs at 50k as I bought it at 38k. So far so good at 85K. Plan on doing it again at 100k.

 

[troopa4life]

A full flush as described by Jetboy or have the dealership do it?

And the drain and refill meaning replacing a few quarts every 30k correct?

Are you comfortable doing it yourself? If so then yes, use Jetboy’s method. If not, have the dealership do it then do a drain and refill every 30k. Just for your reference, take a look at the link it posted below. The FJ shares the same transmission (A750). You’d be surprised at the color of the fluid at just 65k.

Trans Fluid Life span? - Toyota FJ Cruiser Forum

 

[Koddo]

I had the dealership do a flush at 100k, and the transmission seems to be happier. Shifts are more responsive and figured 100k is a long time for transmission fluid. No adverse effect whatsoever.

I plan on doing it again at 150k.

Per the tech at the dealership I believe the steps were - transmission fluid is drained, fluid is injected and flushed through the transmission (2x times the amount the transmission can hold roughly), and then refilled.

 

[Orc]

65k is a lot of miles for transmission fluid. 30k used to be pretty standard but most manufacturers lie about it.

Before BMW introduced the inclusion of maintenance the oil changes were 3k. Suddenly the engines could go much longer without an oil change? Yeah when it's on there dime! 10k oil changes probably killed my 2012 camry engine. Luckily Toyota paid for a new short block. The mornings when it was -15 degrees and the oil had 9k on it I really dreaded starting it up.

Mitsubishi still recommends 30k for transmission fluid on our Outlander

 

[G-Cam]

Are you comfortable doing it yourself? If so then yes, use Jetboy’s method. If not, have the dealership do it then do a drain and refill every 30k. Just for your reference, take a look at the link it posted below. The FJ shares the same transmission (A750). You’d be surprised at the color of the fluid at just 65k.

Trans Fluid Life span? - Toyota FJ Cruiser Forum

That's what I was worried about! I'm terrified to see what mine looks like but would like to know before I bring it to the dealer to flush. Any easy way I could see what mine looks like?

Also, any thoughts on Amsoil? Maybe do the flush with Toyota fluid and start adding Amsoil when I start the drain and fills?

Thank you so much for your insight!

 

[Antman]

I’m over 150k and I tow A LOT.

Still on the original 2011 fluid and guess what? I don’t ever plan on changing it. I’ll keep you guys posted lol.

Runs absolutely perfectly BTW.

 

[troopa4life]

That's what I was worried about! I'm terrified to see what mine looks like but would like to know before I bring it to the dealer to flush. Any easy way I could see what mine looks like?

Also, any thoughts on Amsoil? Maybe do the flush with Toyota fluid and start adding Amsoil when I start the drain and fills?

Thank you so much for your insight!

You could put your truck in trans temp mode and once it gets to the appropriate temp open the check valve. Someone on here posted how to do it, just make sure your truck is on level ground and hasn’t been started. Don’t keep the check valve open for too long, just enough to get a couple of oz’s. You will atleast know what the condition is. I have been sticking with WS fluid for my drain and refills and have 52k miles on my truck so far. Do your research about the compatibility of Amsoil ATF before putting it in. Good luck and keep us updated on the condition of your fluid.

 

[pDubs]

Transmission fluid every 30k miles? Are you guys confusing diff fluid here?

I thought the trans fluid was a every ~100k recommendation on these trucks...

 

[JDubSpace]

The DIY maintenance sticky in this forum suggests 60k for the tranny and 30k for the diffs.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Big_Cuss]

Yeah, no offense but "black fluid" isn't necessarily bad. In fact it's likely lots of friction plate material in suspension, which as it joins the fluid, actually aids the friction of the fluid so it grips well.

Many folks have reported changing fluid and actually having their transmissions starting to slip thereafter, because their friction plates are lowish, and without the extra grip from the powdery material in the fluid, they can't make enough friction.

 

[G-Cam]

Yeah, no offense but "black fluid" isn't necessarily bad. In fact it's likely lots of friction plate material in suspension, which as it joins the fluid, actually aids the friction of the fluid so it grips well.

Many folks have reported changing fluid and actually having their transmissions starting to slip thereafter, because their friction plates are lowish, and without the extra grip from the powdery material in the fluid, they can't make enough friction.

What would you suggest my course of action be?

 

[Olddudesrule]

Yeah, no offense but "black fluid" isn't necessarily bad. In fact it's likely lots of friction plate material in suspension, which as it joins the fluid, actually aids the friction of the fluid so it grips well.

Many folks have reported changing fluid and actually having their transmissions starting to slip thereafter, because their friction plates are lowish, and without the extra grip from the powdery material in the fluid, they can't make enough friction.

In our transmissions, what "friction plates" are you referring to? I'm not an auto trans expert by any means, but have done a good bit of preventative maintenance work on my own. Transmission fluid (hydraulic fluid) is utilized by the auto trans under pressure via the valve body and usually shift solenoids. Don't think we have friction plates inside our transmissions, which would wear and cause friction causing particulates inside the fluid. Someone correct me if I'm off base here...

More to the point of the OP's question, regardless of the make or manufacturer, there is always differences of opinion regarding auto trans maintenance "requirements"......Use Toyota's recommendations as just that, a recommendation. If you are hard on your vehicle, do the maintenance earlier. Most often it's a "feel good thing" to do it early, and if that makes you feel better about spending money you shouldn't have to, all the power to you. I will do mine at around 60K-80K, because I tow a bit and am generally hard on the trans off road.