Transmission Drain and Fill

Hey guys my 2017 Trd Pro is reaching 20,000 miles and I'm thinking about doing a transmission pan drain and fill. I was also thinking about dropping the pan, cleaning the magnets, and replacing the filter. Since this is the first one and will likely be more wear on the gears.

I am very very particular about my truck. I have done all my own maintenance. I plan on keeping the truck for ever so I'm thinking if a do a drain and fill once a year that'll keep fresh fluid in the transmission on a regular basis.

Anyone else do this? Thoughts?

 

If memory serves, I don't think Toyota recommends replacing the transmission fluid until 60k, at least for my truck which is FFV.

 

Yeaaaaaaahhhhhh... I don't want to wait till I have to do a full flush or drain and fill. Id rather do 4qts a year by draining the pan. I typically exceed the service manual. Unless its really not necessary/dirty.

 

Unless you are towing heavy loads quite frequently - that is pretty extreme overkill. Isn't going to hurt anything other than your wallet, though. From experience with my Toyotas, I haven't had any issue sticking to the recommended service intervals for the transmission.

 

I've been meaning to do the same process, too. I could never find any decent guides on how to do it on the Tundra since I've never done it. If you do this, could you please document it? There's also an aftermarket deeper transmission pan with fins for cooling that's available if you wanted to think about swapping that in while you have the pan down.

 

I just did this job and would recommend that you use the OEM filter/gasket. I used aftermarket and it wasn't shifting correctly. Also put a little anti-seize on the bolts. Had 2 break off in the transmission on me. Had to drill them out and tap the threads. I was a nervous wreck while drilling. I bought the truck used and not sure if the fluid was ever changed. Has 115k on it now.

 

Most the Toyota dealers around here say that it never needs replacement. Unless you are having problems. Only dealer who would give me a quote was the Lexus dealer. $256.00. I am at 105K and I feel the need to do it. Keep us posted. Peace. D

 

Sounds completely unnecessary at 20k miles. You're likely to do more harm than good, theres always a chance something doesn't go right.

 

Don't let these guys hate on you for over maintaining your truck. Go for it!
As a tech only advice I would give is leave the pan and filter alone just do the fluid. Filter should just be a screen anyways and messing with pan you can create leaks.

 

Something to keep in mind, newer Toyotas use WS fluid and the trans is very finicky about level. There’s is normally a somewhat extensive process to check it while it’s at a specific temp to ensure it has the correct qty, if it doesn’t, it will tell you, or you have shifting problems. It’s not like the old chevys where you got into semi warm checked the dipstick and sent it.

Other than this being completely unnecessary, at minimum read the TIS manual if you decide to go through with it.

 

My 07 owners manual says 90K. I'm getting close to 88K so about time for me.

 

Thanks for all the replies. I'm thinking maybe ill just drain the pan and then put that exact amount back in. I did a flush in my FJ and it was a sealed transmission and everything was great. But that was at 130k. Since I bought the truck new, I'd rather keep it fresh if I can.

But I always will use Toyota WS in it. I don't trust non factory fluid in a Transmission. Unless I could do a 100% swap to Amsoil.

 

The dealer said that they normally only do the "drain 4qts and refill" unless fluid looks iffy. Apparently we have a decent tranny..

 

Sounds about right and $50 a year in transmission fluid to do that isn't bad.

 

Yes, it is an Aisin transmission. If you buy a Ram 2500 CTD and want the heavy duty transmission you'll have to pay extra and then you get a transmission made by Aisin.

By the way, it looks like it is almost a PIA to just check the fluid level (see attached). When the time comes to change fluid on my truck I'll just pay the dealer.

 

Imagine me trying to find the tranny dipstick when I first got my Tunny...Sheesh..

 

I have my 08 and only has been done once I work at the dealer and my buddy said at 100k my fluid still looked good and what he recommended was to do a flush with no additives just with tranny fluid pushing everything thru

 

I did a flush in my garage (no chemicals just exchanged all the fluid) at around 60k. I bought my truck used and off road it quite a bit so wanted to change it sooner than later. The fluid still looked and smelled fine.
Not hating here but 20k miles is very early to be worrying about trans fluid. Kind of like changing your engine oil at 2500 miles. It definitely won’t hurt but just really isn’t necessary.
But hey if it gives piece of mind, go for it.

 

This might help you if you decide to go for it. I think the information applies to 2007-C you may want to double check that the transmissions are the same.

 

That's a great idea. thanks for the tip!

 

Let me see if I got this right:
First I drain fluid from 2 plugs on bottom of pan measuring fluid I take out.
Second I put that same amount back into trans with clean WS fluid. I should not change filter.
Start truck and run tranny thru the gears.
Does that sound like the procedure used for drain and fill?
I have a 2007 Tundra 5.7 with 205K and runs great but I'm starting notice a little slippage in tranny from time to time.
I have never tackled this job in those 205K miles so I'm a bit green. My dealer just wants to flush and after all this I'm reading, I don't think I want to go there.
I also saw a you tube video where the guy put almost a quart of Lucas transmission stuff in while refilling.
All advice is welcome.

 

I'm at 103K, bought the truck at 99K. Have no idea if the previous owner or the dealership it was sold at did the 90K service...but it runs/shifts so perfectly I am not touching it.

It being a Toyota and me being a "don't fix it if it aint broke" kind of guy probably wont' do it til 150k or 200k

But thats just me. I have a Cavalier with 188K on it right now and I've never messed with the M/T fluid and it still shifts like butter. Sometimes changing the fluid out (on high mileage vehicles) does more harmthan good.

Now my 2005 Scion tC...good grief I changed the fluid before 100K because it felt like I was shifting through crunchy peanut butter...don't know how Toyota got that wrong...

 

I'm a technician of 24 years I change my oil every 5k mobil1 and all other fluids every 30k. Change your fluids why would anyone think they would last forever? Changing them never causes a problem only way that happens is either the problem was already there or it was caused by not being done right. But as for tundra2007 question that's a good way to do it assuming your transmission doesn't have any leaks. And don't use additives just high quality fluid I would get valvoline maxlife full syn trans fluid. Meets all ws requirements without spending a fortune

 

Guys, it’s actually pretty simple to exchange all of the fluid. There is a write up on one of the other Tundra sites. It’s also very similar to the Tacoma and 4Runner. You can search those forums for tips and tricks.

I did it on my 2011 Tundra without any issues.

 

Jmevis
It’s your truck- do what makes u COMFORTABLE !!
I think I would follow the drain 4/ refill suggestions posted
Good luck with ur decision/ service

I just completed my own 1st oil change at 3200 miles on my 18 because I wanted to get factory oil/ any break-in mess out of motor and Mobile 1 in as soon as reasonably possible! I’m by no means a mechanic but have always done my own preventative maintenance - and like u I plan on keeping my Tundra forever!!
It’s my first new vehicle I’ve ever owned and I plan on taking as good as care of it as possible.

I work HARD for the little money I have - no deep pockets here
And need my truck to last!!

Good luck

 

Just did transmission service on 2012 LX 570 (similar if not identical 6spd AB60F transmission as our tundras, although not sure about later models). I agree with all the guys saying the OP is wasting his time and money doing it at 20k that's pretty ridiculous and prob taking some unnecessary risks upsetting the apple cart.

The job is super easy. Toyota gives you a drain, fill, and full plug. You dont need techstream because the dashboard will tell you when the transmission is at the right temperature when you put it into service mode. You cant just add in exactly what you take out.

The biggest PSA about this job is that toyota uses 12 M6 bolts, that are steel, into a aluminum casing like complete idiots. Thus, all 12 of the M6 bolts holding the pan onto the transmission snapped (even with heat and blaster). I talk a lot of shit on Mercedes for using aluminum stretch bolts in these situations, but toyota takes the cake here. The M6 bolts are only torqued to something like 7 ft lbs as well.

we also serviced the x-fer case, and diffs, which are quick and easy. This LX in particular had never had a transmission service done in 80,000 miles, and it is used for race car towing about 75% of the time.

Additionally, you can also disconnect the line exiting the transmission cooler and let the transmission pump out more old fluid before topping it off again as you do this service.

 

This thread has been resurrected from the dead! I never did the Transmission service. But I am quickly coming up on 50K miles. And I'll probably do a drain and fill then. And continue to do it every 20-30K.

 

Dont do the service yet. Read your manual. Toyota knows more about this.

 

@619Tundra Manual states that its a lifetime transmission with no service needed.