Should I?

Just bought a 2013. I don't know if trans fluid had ever been changed. Do I dare change it? It shifts good, but heard it could make slipping problems if it's been to long.

 

Doesn't hurt, if you wanna keep it a while

 

Drain and fill, see how it reacts and go from there.

 

I've had my 13 for a couple years. It shifts fine. I'm on the fence about changing the trans fluid. I REALLY want to change it, but I also REALLY need the transmission to keep working.

 

Change it ASAP.

FWIW those are old wives tales from when fluid wasn't what it is today. The stuff would varnish over years of service, leave deposits on sealing surfaces which there are hundreds in a modern auto trans. Then when fresh fluid was added, the high detergent nature of the fluid could dissolve the buildup on those same sealing surface creating an internal pressure leak. With drop in pressure to clutch drums / brake bands, the trans begins to slip and fry the clutch material. That same oil would be yellow and smell like turpentine if drained before the trans had burned up. The tale is real, but those days are long gone and there should be no fear of fluid changes.

 

How many miles? I have a 2013 and I had mine changed at 70.000 but I also tow as well.
It is ALWAYS better to have clean fluid rather than dirty fluid.

 

+1.

 

Again. Drain and fill. Note that this is not a complete flush-and-fill. Don't do that. Drain and fill which is about 4 quarts of fluid. You can do it again in 30,000 miles. And then again in 30,000 miles. Drain and fill.

 

I'm at 102k (dd). What fluid is recommended since it will be an unknown mixture?

 

Toyota WS if you want to go by the book.

I use Maxlife ATF on all my Toyota's and have been fine.

 

Mine had it's first change at 174k, the chap that did it (who only does transmissions) recommended I go back in 30k. A reason he gave as being that it might be overkill but it'd be a sight cheaper and easier than a rebuild on this model...Long story short, time ran away from, got to 245K, it chucked a code nearly two weeks ago, I thought a fluid change might solve it but no she's worn out and I've just had to give him the OK to rebuild her. He was surprised that I had put nearly 1/4 million miles on this model transmission, A760E, without any previous grief. Ordinarily I wouldn't have a remanufacture on a box with that many miles but it comes out about the same money as one from a junkyard with high miles and little guarantee of lasting. I could be looking at as much as a $3K bill...

TLDR: Change oil and filter now and then do it every 30k as a previous poster mentioned.

 

Ok am just was wanted to know if anyone has had any problems. Have heard the tales. Thank you

 

I've been using Amsoil in another A760... 3 years, 30k miles, no issues.

There is a lot misinformation carried over from fluids used in the 1960, 70, 80's and by the 90's things were improving significantly.

The EPA stepped on the manufactures to make their vehicles make less waste and walla WS fluid comes to market for the Asian Warner fleet of transmissions. The new lifetime fluid also removed the dipstick so the fluid didn't get dumped at the first sign of color change when it can in many situations live for 100 to 150k.... Because our strainer is just that, I have to edge my bet towards 30k fluid changes starting no later than 100k, and keep with it.

JM2C

 

I did a drain and fill at 220K. The only thing I noticed was that for the first few days the shifts were really distinct, you could really feel it shift up and down. After about 2-3 days it was back to shifting like it was supposed to and no issues since then. Runs like a top now.

 

How many miles are on it? If it is high mileage (200k) I'd probably leave it.

 

Why?

 

I've had bad luck doing it. I've ruined a Ford C6 transmission and a TH350 in my blazer. Both were 150k+. I just cringe at putting detergent hydraulic oil in a high mileage auto transmission now.

 

My post above addresses this very topic!

The oils from the past suck! And ya that did happen back in the day. Those transmissions (material design and composition internal sealing material) are from the 1970's... It's a new era and oil is 100x better.

The risk today is near zero. That wasn't true in 1985!

 

If the old oil was relatively clean, I'd probably be more likely to try it. Like dislodged plaque in an artery, I'd be afraid to dislodge any (if any) build-up.