Should I change my Transmission fluid.

I Purchased an 08 Tundra with 55,000 miles on it a year ago. It’s in excellent condition, really kept nice. Even though the truck is in great condition, there is no way to really tell how it was driven before so I want to change my transmission fluid even though it’s recommended at 100000 miles. I went to my local Toyota dealership where they refused to change my fluid. They said that Toyota recommends never doing it now, ever. Clearly 100000 was too long of an interval for trans flushing and they were ruining transmissions. I would like to do it every 30000 like normal. Does anyone have experience changing their tranny fluid before 100000 miles and then having issues. Any advice would be great.

 

I had mine done around 75k.

I don't understand why a dealer would refuse to make money by telling you NO.

 

They had a lot of cases of the transmissions failing after that. Like I said, the 100000 mile interval is way to long.

 

Any issues with the shifting of your tundra after the transmission flush?

 

I drained the pan and refilled with new fluid. Did it around 92k miles. No issues so far with over 10k miles I put on it since then.

 

Just do a drain and fill. Replaces about 4 quarts, you can see condition of fluid as well.
Just measure how much drained, replace with same amount.

 

I bought my 2010 with 16x,xxx and changed the fluid and filter. At 17x,xxx the transmission failed. If I had it to do over, I would not change it.

 

If my first attempt at a change was also at 160k miles I wouldn't have even bothered at that point. IMO far too late. I feel this service is actually one that's better done sooner than later, simply because of the track records of failures from high mileage services.

 

The replacement came from an 80k 2013. I got a 2 year warranty from LKQ and plan on changing the new fluid that was put in at 30k intervals. I'm over 15k from that now.

 

I did a complete fluid swap on mine and I have not had any issues. I think the fears of changing trans fluid are over stated. I've changed my Tundra, 4Runner, and Tacoma with no issues at all.

 

Agreed. I changed mine somewhere in the 60K mark. No issues whatsoever. Plenty of online sources to step you through the process.

 

Bought my 08 with 124,000 miles and did a drain and fill, looked a little dark obviously but not as dark as I expected. No problems before and no problems now. I plan to do a drain and fill at each 5,000 mile oil change until the color is to my liking.

 

It's not the fear of changing it, it's the fact that people simply wait to long. I had no hesitations doing mine at 75k.

 

I did my Tundra at 114k and 4Runner at 142K. I would assume that people who have issues probably had pre-existing problems.

 

Instead of flushing I've read of doing 3 or 4 pan drain and fills all at once. Just let the truck run for 30 seconds between each drain and fill to allow the new trans fluid to be picked up and recirculate.

 

Its easy enough to just pop the cooler line off and drain into an empty jug. Refill what you drained out. Repeat until you've cycled out all of your old fluid. Top off and set the fluid level.

 

I would make the argument that it failed because it wasn't regularly serviced. I'm guessing it had never been done? 160K is way too long.

I'm still doing drain+fills on my 18 year old transmission with no concerns. Truck shifts like a new one.

 

That was my feeling also. Now I have an 80k transmission that has been fine for over 10k so I feel I can do it every 30k or so and be fine.

 

I am at 93K on my 09 which was purchased new. I have done multiple drain and fills. 2 around the 45-55K marks and one at the 90K mark. It shifts like brand new. I will probably continue that routine, do my next one next year around 100K mark. When I started looking into it around 30K no dealerships wanted to do anything other than a drain and fill. If you are under 100K they tell you you don't need to touch it yet. When a lot of people get to 100K they probably tell them it's too late or say it looks good and nothing needs to be done. Lots of dealers hide behind the long maintenance interval to avoid doing anything that could lead to a quick failure and a fight with the customer. They're scared to mess with these trannies for some reason.

I question the point of the marketing gimmick of 100K transmission maintenance interval on a half ton. Most owners of this kind of vehicle don't believe it/trust it and are in the habit of doing it earlier anyway. Just makes it harder to get the dealers to do the work we want them to do. Maybe "point a to point b" type people are more prone to pull the trigger on a Camry or an Odyssey with 100K fluid change intervals for cheaper maintenance but I don't think that's really a thing for pickup buyers.

 

I'm at 400K still running on original fluid. Still running like the day I drove it off the lot.

 

That's insane!!!

 

I did full fluid exchanges at 75k and 150k. Runnin’ good at 160k(looks like its overkill though...400k on original stuff is wild!).

 

Did a ''drain & fill'' twice today and can't believe how dark it was. Truck has 55,400 miles on it. Bought truck brand new, never really been off roading but I do tow a 2,000lb trailer. I should have done this at 30k Wish I had taken more pics but here it is..

There was no red/pink tint too it at all.

 

Transmission change intervals depend on the transmission and the type of ATF used. Most cars and light duty 1500 pickups have no drain interval and the ATF is changed only when repairs are made. With my diesel pickup and it Allison transmission the change interval is every 50,000 miles if using TES 389 ATF and every 150,000 miles if using a TES 295 ATF. Toyota recommends changing the AFT at 60,000 miles only if the truck is used heavily loaded or for towing or with a cargo carrier on the roof.

 

@970KOM

Shine a flashlight into the container. It may not be as dark as you think. Press it against the outside Shining in.

 

According to the service records for my truck, the ATF was changed at around 125k miles 5 years ago. Truck has 216,500 miles now and I asked my mechanic friend if I needed to plan on changing it and she told me not to as it may introduce an issue if I do. Since I don't tow or haul anything heavy I'm not going to worry about it. Truck shifts very smoothly.

 

Need to either change it often or never. Much better option is often.

https://drivecave.com/changing-transmission-fluid-damage/

It is the same complexity as changing your oil with added trouble of needing to level your truck use a hand pump to to get the fluid into the trans. Truck also needs to be cold so cant drive it to the shop and have them do it while you wait. Need to do it yourself or drop it off at the shop the night before.