How To: Blinker Fluid Drain and Fill Instructions w/Pics

Background: Here on Tundras.com we love our Tundras and want to keep them in top condition. Part of that is keeping up on maintenance and following at minimum the Toyota recommended service intervals.

If we turn to the 120K mile maintenance section we can see we need to replace the blinker fluid during the 120K mile service (some recommend 60K mile):


Blinker fluid is believed to be required in both rear taillights as well as the front headlights. In this how-to we will cover the drain and fill process for the rear taillights. If blinker fluid is not replaced the taillights may fail over time, this is an example of a taillight with too low of blinker fluid:


Tools Needed:
1) Cool beverage of choice
2) 1/8" drill bit and drill (no Ryobi though)
3) Funnel
4) Blinker fluid
5) Pliers
6) Bucket to catch blinker fluid

Process:
The first step is to drain the blinker fluid. This can be accomplished by using a 1/8" drill bit on the lower portion of the taillight. Before drilling place a bucket to catch the blinker fluid for disposal (or allow to drain into the earth like recycling batteries in the ocean for the electric eels). Drill through the taillight plastic and allow the blinker fluid to fully drain.


Example video of draining process:
https://youtube.com/shorts/KvQ2yUe1Vdw?feature=share


Next we will locate the blinker fluid fill location which is found on page 458 of the manual:


Use your pliers to open the blinker fluid fill hole. Next take your funnel and place into the fill hole and fill with blinker fluid all the way to the top. Repeat process for other taillight and enjoy beverage of choice.

Choosing Blinker Fluid:
In my case I prefer Max Life Blinker fluid by Valvoline which can be found at your local auto parts store. This fluid is on the more expensive side but I plan to keep my vehicle for a long time. You can also send off your blinker fluid to https://www.blackstone-labs.com/ to determine the condition when you drained it.



Thank you for your time and I hope this helps some else out there!

Not a tundra but another how to for replacing blinker fluid:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HXUx5zVcyE0

 

FINALLY!! I have been waiting for a DIY thread on this. I could not for the life of me figure out how to change it! And there ya go - buried in the manual. I shoulda known…

I do have two quick questions, though: is there a Severe Duty BFCI? and what weight blinker fluid is best? Thanks in advance.

 

Someone is actually gonna find this from a google search. What's more scary is that same someone also drives a car amongst us.

 

If the blinker fluid hits the ground, isn’t that bad for the environment?

Also, do you still need the blinker fluid if the bulbs are LED?

 

Yes. At some point the fluid has to be changed for optimal performance. If you don't change it your blinkers will just flat out underperform.

 

Dammit now I can't keep charging folks for this. Please don't give away our secret for unsticking the canooter valve.
I seriously needed this laugh right now. Thank you!!

 

I’m told LED bulbs require a different DOT-IQ fluid - DOT.0-25, though DOT.26-50 will suffice. Also, make sure it’s synthetic or you might have an issue with hyper flashing (using conventional will simply cause a stalled bulb or it flat out might not work at all).

 

So, I ended up doing a flush and not just a drain and fill... because that's what Jiffy Lube suggested at my last oil change

Now, after reading this, I'm thinking I should have done just a drain and fill, or maybe a series of them instead...

I hope I didin't ruin my blinkers...

 

I thought there was only one weight BF, though AMSOIL supposedly makes the best. I've been researching an aftermarket cooler option to help manage the blinker temps.

 

I'd ask Jiffy Lube to reverse it and put the old stuff back in. Flushing the blinkers is a guaranteed failure.

 

Did you get a sample of used blinker fluid to get it tested by Blackstone Labs?

 

Gotta be LED blinker fluid. Works with halogen blinkers, too, but not vice versa.

 

Yes, always just drain and fill, never a flush.

Also, 3rd Gen owners note: The process for this is much more difficult and involved as the blinkers are canbus. Not doing the procedure exactly as the owners manual states will lead to all sorts of dash warnings, audible alerts and general mayhem and shenanigans.

 

You’ns know how to live! Keep up the valuable info.

 

I've heard a can-bus blinker car has been hacked and stolen after using a non-OE blinker fluid.

 

AKA, general mayhem and shenanigans.

 

Confirming you said...

 

wrong, absolutely wrong ... everyone knows that the only acceptable blinker fluid for a Toyota is Toyota WS blinker fluid!

 

Don't try and save a few pennies, use OEM Toyota Blinker Fluid.

 

completely false. just because the manual calls for it does not mean it is correct. you clearly haven't seen the other video of the guy the other guy posted about.

 

Or use Amsoil blinker fluid for longer change intervals. It meets spec.

 

brilliant post @Ponderosa_Pine

 

I hate the Amsoil blinker fluid stench, it's horrible. Good stuff, but I throw it back every time I repeat the mistake and decide to give it another chance.

 

Are you suggesting that a multi-vehicle formula is robust enough for OE halogen AND LED bulbs? What's next - they work just fine with high performance bulbs, too?

Toyota OE Blinker fluid was designed with a specific additive package. To think that one fluid can cover the gamut of blinker fluid specs is malarky. I mean, the bulbs may not spontaneous combust into ignominious flamedom, but I suspect they are more prone to hyper flashing and such.

Stick with OE. It is the way.

 

Wasn't there a recall for model year 2019 when the factory worker messed up the fluid spec? The blinkers were half dim.

 

correct on the recall. it was determined the soy scent was too strong. i believe the fix was to cross the streams.

 

Mine was seriously full - had to remove it and all the fluid just came pouring out.

 

Holy crap, I'm about 100,000 miles overdue. I'm on it.