1. Welcome to Tundras.com!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tundra discussion topics
    • Transfer over your build thread from a different forum to this one
    • Communicate privately with other Tundra owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

Transmission Fluid Change

Discussion in '1st Gen Tundras (2000-2006)' started by Chicken Little, Jan 11, 2022.

  1. Jan 12, 2022 at 5:27 PM
    #31
    Double DC

    Double DC New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 30, 2021
    Member:
    #71244
    Messages:
    83
    Gender:
    Male
    PNW
    Vehicle:
    2005 DC & 2021 DC
    Definitely confusing. I've asked the dealer multiple times over the years about changing transmission fluid in my 2005 Tundra, which now has 282k miles. Unless I towed frequently, which I don't, the dealer has told me that they only recommend changing transmission fluid if the fluid looks like it needs to be changed. And supposedly my transmission fluid has looked fine every time. I appreciate that this dealer does not try to push every possible service item, but don't want to put the transmission at risk. Glad to have the info in this thread.
     
  2. Jan 13, 2022 at 2:00 AM
    #32
    Mr_Ed

    Mr_Ed New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 25, 2021
    Member:
    #68526
    Messages:
    155
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Ed
    Vehicle:
    2018 Limited 5.7
    None
    That's my biggest gripe about these so-called "sealed" transmissions -- you can't look at the fluid without draining it. I bought my truck with 120,000 miles on the clock. The oil, brake fluid, coolant, power steering fluid, yada, yada all looked clean and new like it'd been well cared for. Transmission fluid? Well, the only way I'll ever know what that looks like will be drain it out.
     
    txagg and shifty` like this.
  3. Jan 13, 2022 at 4:17 AM
    #33
    tvpierce

    tvpierce Formerly New Member

    Joined:
    May 6, 2019
    Member:
    #30129
    Messages:
    1,261
    Maine
    Vehicle:
    2000 Tundra AC SR5 4WD, 4.7 Automatic
    Take your existing sprayer, add one quart of ATF, then mark the level with a Sharpie. Add a second quart, mark that... and so on. Now you have a graduated fluid pump.
    For the waste oil do the same thing only with an empty milk jug and water. Using a measuring cup, add 4 cups of water and mark the level with a Sharpie -- that's 1 quart. Continue with 2, 3, & 4 quart marks. Dump out the water, now you have a graduated container to catch the waste oil. When it's full, dump the contents in your normal waste oil container.
     
    Darkness and shifty`[QUOTED] like this.
  4. Jan 13, 2022 at 4:31 AM
    #34
    Mr_Ed

    Mr_Ed New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 25, 2021
    Member:
    #68526
    Messages:
    155
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Ed
    Vehicle:
    2018 Limited 5.7
    None
    You make do with what you have, don't you? :)

    I buy my oil by the gallon or 5-quart jug, and those are marked by the quart. And the quart bottles are marked in ounces. I keep a few empties around to use for fluid measurements as needed. I wonder sometimes how accurate they really are.
     
    tvpierce[QUOTED] likes this.
  5. Jan 13, 2022 at 6:06 AM
    #35
    shifty`

    shifty` Is the Gila Copter a love machine?

    Joined:
    Jun 20, 2020
    Member:
    #48239
    Messages:
    19,116
    ATL
    Vehicle:
    '06 AC Limited V8/4WD
    (see signature for truck info)
    The [add QT + sharpie] method is what's used in the video, and my preferred method. I have two marked-up old 5qt jugs I keep on hand, plus an oil quart container cut in half, bottom half for quarter/half quart fills, mouth side for ad-hoc funnel.

    Thing is, the only sprayer have is a SOLO brand backpack sprayer for the yard (475-B). I don't even want to think about how difficult it will be to clean out after. The only other pump I have is a cheap handheld for petty, imprecise stuff like ranger-method MC refill. Only slightly more functional than turkey baster.

    I really should breakdown and get one of the larger Motive PowerFill 2Gal pumps shown in the video, and a PowerBleeder. I'm literally out of space in the house and shop, currently re-org'ing and purging on my side to make room for things like this to be on shelves. The stuff I'm selling off to make space should pay for these + the WS fluid.
     
  6. Jan 13, 2022 at 6:42 AM
    #36
    Double DC

    Double DC New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 30, 2021
    Member:
    #71244
    Messages:
    83
    Gender:
    Male
    PNW
    Vehicle:
    2005 DC & 2021 DC
    I haven't asked the dealer how they supposedly checked my transmission oil but they made it sound as though they were able to obtain a small amount to check the color. Perhaps there's a way to do this at the transmission oil cooler? Or perhaps they didn't check the oil based on my comment that I don't tow anything of significant weight - assumed it was ok and told me it was fine?
     
  7. Jan 13, 2022 at 6:47 AM
    #37
    Chicken Little

    Chicken Little [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 11, 2022
    Member:
    #72974
    Messages:
    12
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2006 Tundra SR5 V6
    One cannot view the transmission fluid and determine if it needs changing. Toyota says the fluid will look good, not burnt, no smell, yet the additives could be weak. Notice I said could be. That is the reason Toyota determined the sealed fluid should be changed.

    I see no evidence that weak additives makes a difference, since some transmissions run hundreds of thousands of miles without a change, but I have heard of a few hard failures, suspected to be related to the fluid.

    Also, a former Toyota dealership mechanic told me that the machine they use to drain and replace fluid must be cleaned each time, or contaminants from previous vehicle will get into your transmission. They will not let you into shop area because of shop liability.

    I agree with the guys on this forum.. I normally change my own fluids. I know I changed it. I do not trust others with my vehicles.

    The sealed engines are going to be a nightmare. No way to monitor and add the oil up to the dipstick full mark. The alarm may come when the oil is already low.

    I live in a farming area where the older Toyota trucks have over 400,000 miles. I do know a man who was driving down the interstate, suddenly lost power. Towed it to a local transmission shop. It did not have a drop of transmission fluid in it. The fluid had oozed out of the bell housing over time,. The slip yoke seal was bad. He never saw it on the carport floor because it blowed down the driveshaft on the road, over 150,000 miles.

    Shouldn't he have got some kind of yellow light on the dashboard? Plese, please, tell me these sealed transmissions have a warning light when low of fluid.
     
  8. Jan 13, 2022 at 7:01 AM
    #38
    WXman

    WXman New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 19, 2021
    Member:
    #71986
    Messages:
    196
    Gender:
    Male
    Kentucky
    Vehicle:
    2016 Tundra SR5 Crew Max 4x4 5.7L
    This is what I plan to do since my dealership also refuses to change my fluid. I will get the trans to the proper range (90-110F) and then shift through all the gear ranges and then pull the fluid level plug to verify that the fluid level is correct. Once the fluid level is correct, then I will let the truck cool off for hours, drain the pan, and put exactly the amount that I get out back in.

    I have a Scan Guage II set up on my dash. They're inexpensive and VERY nice to have for multiple reasons. One of the things it can show is trans temperature at the pan and at the torque converter after you set up the X guage codes.
     
    Darkness[QUOTED] likes this.
  9. Jan 13, 2022 at 7:09 AM
    #39
    Jack McCarthy

    Jack McCarthy Truck repair enthusiast; Rust Aficionado

    Joined:
    Nov 2, 2020
    Member:
    #54409
    Messages:
    7,729
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Bill
    North of Boston
    Vehicle:
    02 Tundra AC SR5 V8 4x4
    That would be nice, but no it does not.
     
  10. Jan 13, 2022 at 10:43 AM
    #40
    dbittle

    dbittle Middle Age Member

    Joined:
    Aug 10, 2020
    Member:
    #50632
    Messages:
    227
    Gender:
    Male
    Huntsville AL
    Vehicle:
    2006 V8 RCLB 2WD
    The transmission has an overflow plug that sets the correct level when the transmission is in the right temperature range. After you fill, bring it up to temperature as you plan to do, then unscrew the plug. The excess fluid will drain out and you will know that you are correctly filled. So put in half a quart more than you drain out, just so there will be enough to drain off down to the right level. That's for the 2005-2006 V8. I don't know how the V6 is set up.
     
  11. Jan 13, 2022 at 12:08 PM
    #41
    Mr_Ed

    Mr_Ed New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 25, 2021
    Member:
    #68526
    Messages:
    155
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Ed
    Vehicle:
    2018 Limited 5.7
    None
    I suppose they could pull a small sample from the level hole. I never thought to try that.
     
  12. Jan 14, 2022 at 5:39 AM
    #42
    tvpierce

    tvpierce Formerly New Member

    Joined:
    May 6, 2019
    Member:
    #30129
    Messages:
    1,261
    Maine
    Vehicle:
    2000 Tundra AC SR5 4WD, 4.7 Automatic
    I’ve had a Motive brake bleeder for 15+ years and really like it. The gauge is critical to know what the pressure is.
    But if I needed a fluid pump, I’d just get a $10 sprayer from Home Depot or Harbor Freight. My 2000 has a dipstick tube, so I fill from the top. By we just bought a 2018 Subaru Outback for my wife that needs to be filled from below. So when I service the tranny this spring, I'll post back with what I did and how it worked.
     
    shifty`[QUOTED] and Mr_Ed like this.
  13. Jan 14, 2022 at 7:57 AM
    #43
    Mr_Ed

    Mr_Ed New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 25, 2021
    Member:
    #68526
    Messages:
    155
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Ed
    Vehicle:
    2018 Limited 5.7
    None
    I know a man who does exactly that to get oil in his RV. The oil fill is in a stupid place that's really hard to get to, so he bought a sprayer and just took the nozzle off leaving a hose. He puts the oil in it and starts pumping. He says it works like a champ.
     
  14. Jan 14, 2022 at 8:35 AM
    #44
    06yotamike

    06yotamike New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 10, 2021
    Member:
    #67851
    Messages:
    41
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Mike
    NC
    Vehicle:
    2006 Tundra DC XSP 4x4 4.7 Bluesteel Metallic
    Looking to do these drain and fills everyone speaks of here in the next few months. Bought the truck with 163,000, no idea if its ever been done and now its at 210,800 :anonymous:
    Although I will say the color was still decently red looking from the cooler line to the radiator when I did the timing belt job 4 months ago.
     
    FirstGenVol and dbittle like this.
  15. May 30, 2022 at 10:15 AM
    #45
    Voss

    Voss Dust in the wind

    Joined:
    Feb 28, 2019
    Member:
    #26833
    Messages:
    1,247
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Valod
    Vehicle:
    2003 AC TRD 4x4
    Would you recommend changing the transmission oil filter as well? Or is this a lifetime part?

    Thanks
     
  16. May 30, 2022 at 10:39 AM
    #46
    EmergencyMaximum

    EmergencyMaximum New Member

    Joined:
    May 28, 2022
    Member:
    #78904
    Messages:
    1,250
    My transmission began to shudder and 'rumble strip' at 98k miles.
     
  17. May 30, 2022 at 12:02 PM
    #47
    FirstGenVol

    FirstGenVol Brake Czar

    Joined:
    Dec 13, 2018
    Member:
    #22934
    Messages:
    12,913
    East TN
    Vehicle:
    2002 AC
    No I would leave the transmission filter alone. It's really just a mesh screen, not a filter. I only replaced mine because I mangled my transmission pan so I had easy access to the filter. It's a extremely tedious job and there really isn't any need to remove the pan and replace the "filter". Mine looked perfectly fine when I replaced it.
     
    tvpierce, YardBird and Voss[QUOTED] like this.

Products Discussed in

To Top