I specifically asked for a transmission service based on the 60,000 mile recommendation in the maintenance schedule. The dealer said they do a flush and I asked specifically for OEM WS Toyota fluid. They confirmed that is what they use. When I got my receipt I asked the parts guy what the codes were, he said aftermarket? He knows me and he knows I always buy Toyota oil and parts. I told him I did ask for WS and asked for the manager. Now the manager comes clean and says they use a system by BG to flush the transmission completely. He shows me a flyer, now after the fact that it's been done, but didn't show it to me before. It states it needs to be done every 30,000 mi now but he insists it's better than OEM. I am not happy I want OEM fluid and I told him that. He doesn't know how it can be done. Does anyone know if they can just do another transfer through the machine using WS? I'll never go back there again what a mistake..
Well I had the dealer do the 60k transmission svc..
- Thread starter Txc500
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I have to agree. The service manager was very condescending and rude stating in his opinion I wasted my money because these have "lifetime fluid". I don't know why a service manager I had a Toyota dealership would say you're throwing your money away when you're following the recommendation in the maintenance guide. The machine certainly is capable of being purged and installing the proper fluid. He's acting like it's an impossibility but it's not. He also said the transmission has no serviceable filter in it. Not that I need that now but I do know because I've done it before that the 4runner does have a serviceable transmission filter. I don't know how a service manager doesn't know that.
Lexington
Member
Yeah I wouldn’t go back to this guy either. The fact he tried to lie to you is good reason enough. Anyone at car dealer tells you that the transmission fluid is life time and doesn’t need to be changed is full of BS. Lifetime fluid means long enough to get pass the warranty and not the lifetime of the vehicle.
As for the transmission filter I’ve done research on this and there isn’t a clear consensus on how often it should be changed. Toyota says its lifetime and others say every 60k. The filter is just a mesh screen that catches larger metal shavings. It’s not fine like an oil filter. Also it’s pretty big. You can probably do it every 120k. But if this is your first transmission change it might be worth doing just to see what’s in it.
Oh, I would also report this shady dealer to Toyota. Toyota has a good reputation and if this dealer tarnishes that reputation the dealer can get fine or penalties.
As for the transmission filter I’ve done research on this and there isn’t a clear consensus on how often it should be changed. Toyota says its lifetime and others say every 60k. The filter is just a mesh screen that catches larger metal shavings. It’s not fine like an oil filter. Also it’s pretty big. You can probably do it every 120k. But if this is your first transmission change it might be worth doing just to see what’s in it.
Oh, I would also report this shady dealer to Toyota. Toyota has a good reputation and if this dealer tarnishes that reputation the dealer can get fine or penalties.
As for the filter the reason it was brought up is because one of his service writers quoted the transmission service to me is a complete fluid change and filter change. When I asked about the filter he told me there was no serviceable filter but I did know better because I've done it before. I had a previous Lexus SUV that we drove to around $325K and then the transmission quit but about 50,000 miles prior to that I changed the filter and it was completely clogged. It ran great until something went bang and I lost all gears.
What really bothered me was the arrogance of the service manager not to do a little bit of research and educate himself. I've learned so much here on the site and others that in this case put me in a better position to understand than he had and he's been there for years.
What really bothered me was the arrogance of the service manager not to do a little bit of research and educate himself. I've learned so much here on the site and others that in this case put me in a better position to understand than he had and he's been there for years.
My 2015 4Runner does not have a serviceable filter, only a metal screen. I only replaced it once (also cleaned pan and magnets) and now just do drain and fill. My Lexus ES 350 however does have a filter and I changed it at 60k. FWIW BG products are excellent and dealerships everywhere use them. I would just do a drain and fill with WS a few times, or a complete fluid replacement if you are still concerned. I run amsoil synthetic in mine and have for years. I definitely understand wanting to stay with WS though.
It definitely sucks that they did not listen to what you wanted. Also, service managers are corporate. They sing the "lifetime fluid" song like politicians.
It definitely sucks that they did not listen to what you wanted. Also, service managers are corporate. They sing the "lifetime fluid" song like politicians.
Thanks, I'm not familiar with BG and that just caught me off guard. The service mgr actually told me I was "throwing my money away" by servicing it at all because of "lifetime fluid." I have had many high-mile Toyota cars and trucks and I think keeping the fluids maintained is key to longevity. The only thing I didn't like right away about BG was the 30k flush requirement, and the very wordy BG Lifetime Service Plan sheet seems kind of gimmicky. I wasn't even given that as part of the service, only after I noticed the parts used on the receipt. My plan is to do a replace WS now, and do drain and fills going forward. I may look at alternatives later but wasn't ready for that now. I've always heard great things about Amsoil.
CutthroatSlam
Senior Member
Why take it to a dealer and why the insistence on Toyota WS transmission fluid? The manual says WS or equivalent. Valvoline MaxLife Synthetic works just as well.
Good question. Why the dealer? The independent shop I went to closed. I'm looking for a replacement. I do have a relationship with the sales and parts folks at the dealership and they are awesome. As for Valvoline, I just didn't consider anything other than the OEM, always worked fine for my cars. As for BG, don't like the 30k service interval although I'm being it's just a marketing thing.
Argyle Edison
Member
I have mine flushed at the dealer every 100K.
I just about at 300K now.
I just about at 300K now.
Nice! Keep going! My Lexus RX300 went to 325k. We made the mistake of neglecting the transmission after about 180k. At about 280k the car wouldn't move. The filter was packed solid. I did a few drain and fills and changed the filter and got another year out of it. At the end something in the transmission went BANG!
CutthroatSlam
Senior Member
We got 360K out of the transmission in our 2014 4Runner. I replaced it with a salvage transmission that had 43K miles on it and the vehicle is now at 420K and due for a transmission fluid change. The salvage transmission has performed flawlessly.
