Change transmission fluid?

Hi guys I bought a 2013 tundra 5.7 v8 with 217k. Everything runs great no issues. No rust or leaks. No history on transmission fluid changes. Dealer took sample of fluid who said that it was dark but no metal seen. They advised against doing and fluid changes do to fear of damaging itect...Some dealers I have spoken to said to do a flush while others have said drain and fill only. What you guys think?

 

I would change it if it were my pickup. Probably a couple of times the first year.

 

Drain and fill. No need to overthink it.

Do another next year.

 

Drain and fill. Flush could dislodge material a d cause issues.

 

Another vote for drain and fill. A couple of them. Has worked well for me.

 

Even if my truck has never had any documented service?

 

Drain and fill wont cause issues?

 

None.

Dealership is just being lazy.

They get good money for a flush, but peanuts for a drain and fill.

 

Yup. You're replacing 4 quarts out of 12 and not running the vehicle while forcing fluid through the system. It's about as gentle as you can get with a fluid exchange. The transmission fluid wears out in one of two ways: either the additive pack wears out or the fluid itself breaks down. Those don't improve over time so just letting it go will only continue to degrade and already degraded fluid. Doing a drain a fill replenishes a part of that fluid to improve the fluid integrity and replenish a percentage of the additive pack.

I've done D&Fs on my 13 tundra since 40 or 50k miles; I purchased it new and the fluid is in great shape. Our '15 sequoia, on the other hand, was purchased used and didn't have a trans fluid exchange until 110k miles. I had zero qualms about doing it. It was very dark and starting to smell. Shifting wasn't degraded perse but it improved slightly with the fluid exchange.

 

Drain and fill wont cause those issues?

 

Have you done on high milage trucks that had not been previously serviced?

 

Other vehicles that I've owned or were owned by family/friends, yes. Unknown service history or no service history on several vehicles over 150k miles, one or two of them over 200k miles. It has always helped and never hindered, in my experience.

 

1 drain and fill and see how it goes.

 

https://youtu.be/jJr30r6RRgw?si=HwH-WaKdiZNGwDnN

3:28