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At what mileage should you do a Transmission Flush?

Discussion in 'General Tundra Discussion' started by 2015Crewmax, Jan 8, 2019.

  1. Jan 8, 2019 at 10:40 AM
    #1
    2015Crewmax

    2015Crewmax [OP] New Member

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    I have 70K now, just wondering
     
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  2. Jan 8, 2019 at 10:46 AM
    #2
    15whtrd

    15whtrd Mr. Blonde

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    From the information I’ve read they say 100,000 miles. But then I’ve heard of the dealer not wanting to do it as it may start causing it to slip. I would say now is the time to at least do a drain and refill. Then stay on top of it and do it every two years or so. Obviously depending on your usage. If you tow a lot it couldn’t hurt to do it more frequently. Someone should chime in with better info.
     
    Last edited: Jan 8, 2019
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  3. Jan 8, 2019 at 10:50 AM
    #3
    2015Crewmax

    2015Crewmax [OP] New Member

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    My local toyota dealer said i should do it every 30K but i think that is inaccurate and greedy. thats just me though
     
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  4. Jan 8, 2019 at 10:52 AM
    #4
    teedubbya

    teedubbya I like fat booty

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    I bought my truck with 73k miles and for a peace of mind had the transmission flushed shortly after.
     
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  5. Jan 8, 2019 at 10:55 AM
    #5
    15whtrd

    15whtrd Mr. Blonde

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    On my trailblazer SS I used to have the fluid exchanged every two years. I don’t think 30,000 is too inaccurate. Transmissions put in a lot of work and can get pretty hot. Those clutches are slipping as they shift gears leaving particles behind in the fluid. The fluid start to cook over time. But that’s just me.
     
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  6. Jan 8, 2019 at 10:56 AM
    #6
    Atomic City Tundra

    Atomic City Tundra Cam Tower Leak Addict

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    I wouldn't ever flush an automatic transmission. Drain and refill? Definitely. But a full flush? Leave that for toilets.
     
  7. Jan 8, 2019 at 10:59 AM
    #7
    teedubbya

    teedubbya I like fat booty

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    Why? Because you heard from someone who heard from someone who heard from someone that you shouldn’t?

    It’s an old tale.
     
  8. Jan 8, 2019 at 10:59 AM
    #8
    15whtrd

    15whtrd Mr. Blonde

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    Yeah I am wary of those flush machines myself. Either a pan drop drain and refill. Or I used to remove the return line from the cooler, after dumping the pan and refilling with fresh. I would let the transmission pump the fluid out of the torque converter and through the transmission cooler until I saw fresh fluid. Adding fluid as I went.
     
  9. Jan 8, 2019 at 11:00 AM
    #9
    15whtrd

    15whtrd Mr. Blonde

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    It was my understanding that forcing fluid through the passage ways with the machine could cause some debris to start plugging up passageways and what not.
     
  10. Jan 8, 2019 at 11:08 AM
    #10
    Atomic City Tundra

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    Doesn't mean it isn't true. I'm a Mechanical Engineer by trade and worked for a spell as a Test Engineer at Caterpillar in Large Wheel Loaders. I had a few friends that worked in Transmissions at CAT while I was there - they were the ones that got me on the "no-flush" bandwagon.
     
  11. Jan 8, 2019 at 11:24 AM
    #11
    Trikerider

    Trikerider New Member

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    The dealer told me they recommend fluid change at 85,000 miles, they hook up a machine to the cooler liner and allow the engine to pump out old and in new, so they told me. I just added seafoam trans tune at 70,000 miles and it seamed to help with some of the rough 2-3 and 3-4 shifts. Will probably have it changed at 80,000.
     
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  12. Jan 8, 2019 at 11:37 AM
    #12
    ColoradoTJ

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    Toyota quit doing “flushes” in my city. They only do services of drain, filter, refill, check level, and operational check.

    I just did the transmission service on my truck at 29k miles. External spin on filter, drain pan, refill. This wasn’t scheduled until 42k. At 42K I will swap the internal/external filters and do another 2 gallon refill of that liquid gold the Allison requires.

    I personally know a transmission shop owner (35 years experience) that has never done “flushes” and refuses to purchase those machines. The machines that will actually do the job correctly are very expensive to operate. He also told me there are multiple “flushing” machines that do some filters and recirculate back to the transmission. No thanks.
     
  13. Jan 8, 2019 at 11:39 AM
    #13
    DalTee

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    The military as well - I don’t ever recall seeing a flush or even a full change on vehicles UNLESS it was contaminated and milky
     
  14. Jan 8, 2019 at 11:59 AM
    #14
    bdpeelgren

    bdpeelgren New Member

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    Had mine flushed at 115k, I’m at 125k now with no issues. Maybe it’s just me but I felt as if it shifted a little smoother afterwards.
     
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  15. Jan 8, 2019 at 12:15 PM
    #15
    Professional Hand Model

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    Its best to to a drain and refill every 30k or half that when in heavy service (towing, city driving, temps over 90°) Rationale: you keep the fluids refreshed until around 100k miles.

    At 100k miles, DIY or have a professional transmission service performed that does a pan drop. They can clean your filter (or replace at that time) and it allows them to post mortem your fluid/filter contents found to access the health of your unit.

    The link below is very helpful. The guy models his business after an American, W. Edwards Deming, who post WWII, helped Toyota get back on its feet and become what it is today.

    http://www.agcoauto.com/content/news/p2_articleid/238

    Chime in on what you think!
     
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  16. Jan 8, 2019 at 12:19 PM
    #16
    2015Crewmax

    2015Crewmax [OP] New Member

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    Thank You for your time folks.
     
  17. Jan 8, 2019 at 12:49 PM
    #17
    ColoradoTJ

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    In your owners manual there is two maintenance schedules.

    A & B.

    A is for light duty use, not a lot of traffic. Etc.

    B is for heavy use, towing, dirt roads, using 4wd.
    This schedule states to change filter, drain fluid at 60k miles.

    Another area to pay attention to is under each maintenance schedule, the owner is supposed to have the solenoid function, level, transmission function check every 30k. My dealership did these for free as part of the general care of the truck. Took 30 min or so depending on trans temp.
     
  18. Jan 8, 2019 at 12:54 PM
    #18
    kparrow

    kparrow New Member

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    Should never do a flush per my service manager at my local Yota dealer, Toyota only says drain and fill. Did mine at 104k and unless I am going to tow a lot before I reach 200k....will most likely have it done at 150k and then 200k. FYI I bought the truck with 104k on it, so did it as soon as I bought as I did not know if it had been done previously. If I start towing a lot...which I don't forsee until after I hit 200k...then I will have it done sooner.

    I specifically asked about a pan drop and my service manager said Toyota said not needed at 100k, just drain and fill.
     
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  19. Jan 8, 2019 at 1:02 PM
    #19
    FirstGenVol

    FirstGenVol Brake Czar

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    My local stealership won't even do a flush any more. Only a drain and fill. At 72K I'd go ahead and do it knowing that you're only going to remove around 40% of the total fluid in there. Then I'd do it again in another 50K. Every 30K seems really excessive to me but certainly wouldn't hurt. New fluid is a lot cheaper than a new transmission.
     
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  20. Jan 8, 2019 at 1:14 PM
    #20
    Professional Hand Model

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    Refreshing your transmission fluid is easier than an oil and filter change and can be performed at the same time. DEXIII cost about $30 for 3 qts?
     
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  21. Jan 8, 2019 at 1:36 PM
    #21
    Upgrayedd

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    I’m at 58k miles and will be having the dealer do the trans service at 60k. I will also be doing diffs and t case myself at that time.

    Just following the manuals recommendations for more severe use. I tow a lot and don’t want my trans to crap out.

    B943B753-0DBA-4D9A-9B6C-0B2339F7CBD8.jpg
     
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  22. Jan 8, 2019 at 2:20 PM
    #22
    teedubbya

    teedubbya I like fat booty

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    Because it’s BS and an old myth that sticks around.
     
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  23. Jan 8, 2019 at 5:32 PM
    #23
    tightywhitey

    tightywhitey New Member

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    I do a mix of hwy/city driving. I’m at 60,500 miles...should I get it serviced now?

    Also have the DAP tune...do I need to remove this first before the transmission service?
     
  24. Jan 8, 2019 at 6:12 PM
    #24
    Alloutdrs1

    Alloutdrs1 New Member

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    I thought that Toyota dealers did more of a fluid exchange instead of a power flush. I'm at 40k now and do a lot of towing so I'm going to have mine done this month while work is slowed down a bit. How much are your guys trans services running at the dealer?
     
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  25. Feb 10, 2021 at 11:37 AM
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    L Holmes3

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    $320.00 for flush and fill at my local dealer. Includes the fluid.
     
  26. Feb 12, 2021 at 7:53 AM
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    Vector W8

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    I did my first trans flush at 45k i wanted to see how things looked. All was good. New filter and fluid and peace of mind.
     
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  27. Feb 12, 2021 at 8:45 AM
    #27
    sask3m

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    I would do several drain and fills to get rid of as much old fluid as possible. Read some bad things about flushes.
     
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  28. Apr 30, 2021 at 6:20 AM
    #28
    camillethetoy

    camillethetoy New Member

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    I did the full (13 qts) drain/fill on my FJ (also sealed trans) at 99k miles via the hose that goes to the radiator. It shifted like a new vehicle after that. I was talking to people for weeks telling them how good my transmission shifted. Random people really found that conversation odd, haha. My point is, I feel like it can make a HUGE difference. After this result, I did the same to my TJ who's transmission was slipping at 170k, totally fixed that too! I am wary of those who say the sealed transmission does not need maintenance now..

    With that said, I think I am going to try the drain/fill 3-5 qts at a time on the Tundy. Mostly out of laziness I suppose, I hope it has a similar effect.
     
  29. Apr 30, 2021 at 6:47 AM
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    Terndrerrr

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    I did this at my local Toyota dealer with my 4Runner for $300 last year because my TC was slipping between 4th and 5th gear. Dealer told me it would take 2.5-3 hours. I dropped it off at 1:30 and signed the work authorization. They called me back just a few minutes before 3pm and said I was all set. :confused:

    It never lost the torque converter slippage, and I’m highly skeptical they actually did what I paid them for since they were done an entire hour earlier than they said they would be. From what I understand, if you have some buildup on your TC and that causes it to slip (that mild rumble strip feeling when the transmission is about to shift), you don’t just want to put all new fluid in the trans...you need to have it flushed through so that buildup is gone. From what I understand after this debacle, this is more involved than just draining all the fluid and putting all new fluid in it. I thought I was paying for the latter (dealer’s language made it seem that way), but I think they just replaced the fluid, if even that.
     
  30. Apr 30, 2021 at 6:58 AM
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    hagrid

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