Transmission Fluid Change

First I would like to greet everybody a Happy and safe New Year. Here's what I want to do for my 2006 Toy Tundra. I would like to do a drain and fill of the trans fluid on a cold engine so I don't have to deal with checking the temp of the fluid while the engine is running procedure. So I asked the dealer and they said that the truck's trans fluid doesn't need to be service until 100K miles. My take on this is I want to have a clean fluid in my truck just like the oil. So that is settled. One of the thread that I saw in the Tundra solutions was one of our fellow tundra owners wants to do a drain and refill on a cold engine and seeking advice. They said that it is fine to do that since you're on replacing a cold dirty fluid in the pan with the same amount of a clean fluid. He wants to do this every 20k miles to cycle the fluid until its clean. Also, I noticed that you can do a drain and fill 2 ways.
1) One is flat surface, cool engine, loosen the fill plug, loosen the drain plug let the fluid drain, measure then close the drain plug and refill with new fluids (hose and funnel) same amount taken out of the truck then close the fill plug.
2. Another step is put on flat surface, cold engine, loosen the fill plug, loosen the drain plug and loosen take the overflow plug. Let the fluid drain from the drain plug. Close the drain plug, insert a hose and funnel to the fill plug put in fresh trans fluid and continue doing so until you see fluid of the overflow plug. Tighten the overflow plug. Stop the refill and take of the funnel and hose out of the fill plug and tighten.

This is how I want to perform this procedure. Kindly provide me advice on the technique and let me know if this procedures are okay to be performed. Thank you much for all your time.

 

1) One is flat surface, cool engine, loosen the fill plug, loosen the drain plug let the fluid drain, measure then close the drain plug and refill with new fluids (hose and funnel) same amount taken out of the truck then close the fill plug.

2. Another step is put on flat surface, cold engine, loosen the fill plug, loosen the drain plug and loosen take the overflow plug. Let the fluid drain from the drain plug. Close the drain plug, insert a hose and funnel to the fill plug put in fresh trans fluid and continue doing so until you see fluid of the overflow plug. Tighten the overflow plug. Stop the refill and take of the funnel and hose out of the fill plug and tighten.

I like to use version #1. The issue you have is at some point you need to determine that your existing state of fluid is the correct volume. For example, just because version #1 removes 3 quarts, and you replace exactly 3 quarts, does not mean you have the proper level of fluid in your transmission. Your transmission may be over or under filled before you start the procedure.

Overflow plug? That one is new to me on this transmission. Sealed Ford transmissions use a port high on the side of the transmission to determine proper fluid level, we use the torx bolt with drain tube in the pan.

 

If you do #2 I think you will overfill it. That over flow plug is for checking the fluid level at temperature (when it's hot and expanded). If you do this cold, that means it will have too much in it when it starts coming from the overflow plug.

You can do 3-4 cold drain and fills in a row to change about 90+% of the fluid....you just start the truck, cycle the shifter and shut her down quickly between fills. Do it quickly so it doesn't heat up.

Here is a good video on servicing these transmissions:

https://youtu.be/ej_6BZpK3gg

 

Remington 351 and Speedtre,
Both of you are correct as I analyzed the procedure. Remington, you're correct at some point I need to determine the correct amount of fluid considering that fluid burnt, mileage of the truck 40k 2006 never been change, I think it is safe to use procedure 1 and for Speedtre good analysis on the over flow plug being used to determine the level of the fluid at temperature. Thank you so much for the guidance.

 

Do 2-3 frequent interval changes every oil change OR 2-3k miles and you should get her pretty fresh quickly doing that.

Your Tundra will love you for this.

 

Professional Hqnd,
You're right specially this is my retirement truck. Thank sir!