Beating a dead horse (transmission fluid)

Hate to be that guy to bring the same subject up, but...

One dealer wants $259 for a flush and says that’s what they recommend <100k miles

The next dealer wants $160 for a drain and fill and that’s what they recommend.

So, if I call the third Toyota dealer, what ye think thy say?

(13 tundra at 75k miles)

 

And third one says flush for $289 lol

 

I’d go with the drain and fill dealer for $160.

 

is a drain and fill not getting the torque converter where a flush and fill is? Are they both changing the filter?

 

Filter not needed if flush is done ....i would recommend flush with no chemicals drain and fill will level .75 percent of old fluid in

 

No filter change. The drain and fill only gets about 4qts vs the whole 12qts in a flush.

Thanks for the input. I hear a lot of controversy on the flushes, never knew if there were any validity.

 

If you’re going through the hassle of flushing the trans, why wouldn’t you replace your filter? Do you not replace the engine oil filter when you do an oil change?

Also, if you are going to pay $160 for about 4qts of fluid, why not pay an extra $100 for 7-8 additional quarts for a full flush? Simple math here tells me the $259 service is a better deal.

 

I was under the impression that there is no actual filter, just a screen. And I also I have always heard horror stories about flush’s being done. If it’s a flush using the transmissions own pump, it should be OK because it’s more of a fluid exchange, if they are forcing fluids through it I would steer clear.

 

Wait up!!!!

YouTube has links how to do your own flush or drain......

Go and get intimate with your ride, Ebay purchase the OEM fluids, call a bud over

BAM!!!!!

 

Oh, I agree. WS fluid is designed to last hundreds of thousands of miles. There absolutely no need to maintain the trucks above and beyond what is recommended by the service manual, but OP seemed set on doing it.

 

This is true also. And I’m sure can be done without a tech stream. But with these no dipstick transmissions it makes me wary. I think I would be OK with a drain and refill of the pan adding exactly what I took out. On my old cars I would just disconnect one of the transmission lines preferably the return and let it pump into a bucket While the truck was running. Also adding fluid at the same time. Then just check it with the dipstick. These sealed transmissions are intimidating.

 

That’s just one way to intimidate anyone from doing their own.

I changed mine within weeks after purchase, there is YouTube vids, others on the board has done theirs without problems. All over the forum

My tech stream —-full until the fluid drains over. Start up and run truck for 10 minutes to temperature. Pull plug and drain off the heated excess. When stop dropping then plug up. Bingo.

And this was after I did the flush, not drain which requires a bit more juice.

I did his on my 08 tundra last year and also on mother’s 13” Avalon. No concerns.

 

No thanks. Tundra transmissions are a pain in the ass. And 12qts of transmission fluid would cost about the same as getting the flush done.

 

https://youtu.be/fLVZSoKbyZ0

Watch this

 

The recommended transmission service is at 90k...

If you change your oil, why wouldn’t you change your other fluids?

 

Two month back I took advantage of Nissan oil change and points check. Haven’t taken my vehicle to a stealership for any oil change in over 20 years.
Last week I was cussing like a $1 broke ass pirate hat just GOT robbed.

Had to use a pipe wrench to remove the oil filter., and the drain plug screemed to loosen WTFFFFFF!!!! I ripped into the service advisor.

 

The 3rd tech will tell ya it doesn't need changing at all. I have had 3 different techs tell me that. Of course I will be doing a flush here shortly. A drain and fill would suffice as well.

 

I also have to wonder if there’s any way to prove they actually do a flush

 

Negative ghost rider.

 

60k

 

Touché. Missed that when I was looking it up.

 

Had this done at the Toyota dealership yesterday. They used MOC04114 for fluid - MOC products. Never heard of this. Any idea if it’s just rebranded Toyota fluid?

 

Three Toyota dealers here say it never needs replacement unless there are problems? The Lexus dealer was the only one to quote me an estimate. Peace. D

 

The dealers and "techs" saying the trans fluid never needs changing are complete morons. What is even worse is that people believe this garbage. Exchange your fluid at 100k at a minimum.

 

I drain and fill annually. Mostly because I tow. This routine should keep things good.

 

Toyota dealer did same to me. I had to use a 2' cheater bar on oil filter cap. Also broke the first oil filter wrench I put on it. Yes it was a cheap one but I did not expect something that should be torqued around 20 ftlbs would be hard to get off. On my Tacomas I measured what came out and added a little more back. I then hit the outlet line with an IR thermometer to get a temp reading. This worked like a champ. Other than having to pump the fluid in I don't mind changing the fluid on a Toyota. Now it could be as easy as my daughter's Escape was with a drain plug and a fill tube.

 

About as likely as your service manager not getting comped to buy the stuff.

https://mocproducts.com/category/innovative-products/1-performance/tran-system/

They cater to dealers with a line of virtually every maintenance product; low cost materials = more dealer service profits. If you ever have a transmission failure, and seek warranty relief, you better hope Toyota believes in MOC as much as your dealer. Note that there is a list of specs met, and Toyota WS is one of many listed (although there is an asterisk by it and others without explanation, and you know what an asterisk can mean. ).

 

FWIW: Automatic transmission flushes by a dealer service shop are a BAD IDEA.

The dealer's flushing equipment is left with a volume of fluid from the previous transmission flush. If the previous fluid flush was not Toyota WS fluid, and it's highly likely not since Toyotas do use other fluid types, then your new fluid is contaminated with that fluid type, PLUS whatever additives the owner added to that fluid, not to mention the dirt and debris that may have been left over from (or accumulated in the machine since) the previous flush. Automatic transmission valves are precision ground components. Somebody else's dirt will go long way toward quickly wearing out your transmission. Forget getting any help from the in-pan filter/strainer; Toyota doesn't call it a strainer for no reason.

Post 14 recommending a full change per the video is the best advice you'll get, but you have to love your truck enough to DIY. Otherwise, draining the pan only and refilling to level more frequently is the best strategy.