Who has changed their transmission fluid?

[nc211]

I'm curious about those of us with the sealed "lifetime" transmission fluids who've actually changed it? If you have, notice any improvements in operations, smoothness, etc... I see the sticky in the maintenance section, but I haven't seen anything regarding how many folks actually do change it, and post back the effects of doing it. I'm at 63k on my 05' v8 and thinking about doing it. I don't believe in "lifetime" fluids at all. They said BMW's never needed to be changed, until a flood of failed transmissions began to pop up. Now I think it's recommended every 35k miles.

So, who's actually changed their fluids?

Thanks all....

 

[CRDNLPLT]

I haven't done it yet (06 V6 37k) but am seriously considering it.

What I plan to do is drain out the old fluid, remove/clean the pan and add back the amount of fluid that I took out.

Do you know if there is a filter in there?

 

[eskimochaos]

I haven't done it yet (06 V6 37k) but am seriously considering it.

What I plan to do is drain out the old fluid, remove/clean the pan and add back the amount of fluid that I took out.

Do you know if there is a filter in there?

I mean it couldnt hurt but if you dont tow, I wouldnt touch it until 50k.

 

[CJ3Flyr]

I was trying to contain myself and not post as I haven

 

[kn38ms]

Lifetime fluid my arse.
I will change at 50K.
I do not tow or off road.

 

[nc211]

CJ,
any idea on price for the WS fluid? Is it worth ordering from an online vendor "if they can ship it??", or is the cost savings not really worth the time and hassle to just buying from the dealership directly? Would you happen to know the part ID number for the fluid that I could search for via the online guys?

Many thanks CJ3Flyr,
NC' :beer:

 

[CJ3Flyr]

Don't know about the /qt price. I wouldn't be surprised to hear $12. Try partznet.com or one our sponsors. The real challenge is that oil is heavy. Buying over the counter and paying tax may be cheaper than online plus shipping. The Nissan dealer I used to work with gave me 15% on over the counter parts. I had a frank conversation with the parts manager. I told I would be buying little DIY stuff and some accessories. The online guys would give me 25% off. I would rather build a relationship locally and spend my money locally. If he would give me 12-15% and not charge me for shipping I would buy with him. He went for it, the full 15%. It's worth a try...

I have always had great results with Redline and will probably use their product. It'll be up to Toyota to prove that the WS compatible Redline oil caused the issue if there ever is one.

As far as a part# goes, I don't know. It might be in the regular owners manual.

Let us know what you do!

:cheers:

 

[JTEZT]

I'd like to know how much the tool is with the screw on fitting that fits on the plog hole in the trans pan.

 

[CJ3Flyr]

I'd like to know how much the tool is with the screw on fitting that fits on the plog hole in the trans pan.

I don't remember. I had mine open when I installed my aux cooler. It was either a Torx or an allen wrench because I didn't have to go out and get anything special. Toyota does make some stuff hard but especially the LC & T4R platform have to be servicable anywhere in the world.

:cheers:

 

[reynaldo65]

I'd like to know how much the tool is with the screw on fitting that fits on the plog hole in the trans pan.

socket size is about 24MM , its is very big. IT was so easy to remove, Just refill the ATF WS and youre done.

 

[JTEZT]

The tool I meant is the one that comes with the pump that actually fits into the threaded hole that the fill plug fits.I retired as a Toyota tech after 20 years before any new 4runners needed trans fluid replacement.

 

[reynaldo65]

The tool I meant is the one that comes with the pump that actually fits into the threaded hole that the fill plug fits.I retired as a Toyota tech after 20 years before any new 4runners needed trans fluid replacement.

Sorry for the confusion, But I used regular pump tube from autozone. It is called SST Special Service Tool , I saw the picture in this forum on PDF file.

 

[reynaldo65]

Sorry for the confusion, But I used regular pump tube from autozone. It is called SST Special Service Tool , I saw the picture in this forum on PDF file.

I did not use this SST just the hand pump from autozone

 

[jstutz101]

When I changed the trans fluid on my Ford Exporer (Soon to be a 4Runner) I used one of those 1 gallon pump sprayers used for staining decks and such. The Explorer is set up the same as the 4Runner except Ford put a screw inside of the drain plug that you remove to fill. If you cut the end off the sprayer it fits right in the hole. You just pump up the sprayer and let it do the work. Before reading this post I thought Ford was the only auto maker dumb enough not to include a dip stick!!