Early transmission service worth it?

I spent 6 months of the last two years on my 2021 towing a heavy trailer. Practically half of the distance driven since I bought the truck new.

The service schedule I'm using suggests to replace ATF & filter at 96000km. I'm approaching 64000km.

Should I go ahead and clean the pan/filter and do a triple drain/fill now? Or is that clearly unnecessary?

It says in the schedule to replace the filter. In the Toyota manual it's called an oil strainer and it seems to assume that I'll just clean it and put it back. I'm guessing the schedule is mistaken (like the part where it said to lubricate the propeller shaft, which is impossible on this truck)?

By the way - about the three gaskets on the drain/check/fill bolts: is it obvious which is which? I don't want to mix them up when I buy them.

I'm planning to also get a replacement O-ring for the strainer and a new gasket for the pan. Does that make sense or is it unnecessary?

Thanks in advance.

 

So, if my math is right, you're coming up on 40,000 US miles......

Normally, I'd suggest doing a drain and fill at 60,000 miles (US). However, w/heavy tow service, it wouldn't hurt to do a drain and fill now. I wouldn't worry about dropping the pan; just do a drain and fill. No filter in the pan, just a 'strainer'. Key is using ONLY Toyota ATF W/S for your fluid replacement...

IMO of course

 

Agree with this 100%.

Don't forget about diff fluid too.

 

Unless you sure there is no corrosion on the pan bolts I would also agree you should not remove it to replace the filter.
https://www.tundras.com/threads/my-transmission-pan-adventure.110777/

 

You can go drain and fill but you get way more old fluid out dropping the pan. The gasket from Toyota is expensive you might want to order it from somewhere like Sparks. My old truck has a cooler and you have to pin the thermostat on it. World standard (WS) is not my choice of fluids. I didn't have any trouble with my pan bolts but I don't live or travel where they put all that salt on the road either.

 

Thanks for giving me a heads up! I definitely live in salt country.

I'll probably replace the check bolt which looks rusted and has a small allen-head. And I'll leave the pan on, unless something really ugly drains out of it.

I replaced the diff and transfer case fluid a while ago, I should check to make sure the level is right.

 

I wouldn't worry about it till at least 100k imo.

My father has 500k miles on his, never serviced the tranny, still shifts perfect. Lot of that was towing a boat.

 

I'll probably get rocks thrown at me for sayin this but I'm at 80k miles and haven't serviced the transmission

 

We were planning on driving out of state with the Sequoia so we had the mechanic run a flush at 120k mi.

 

I agree with them. I also tow heavy. Transmission fluid and differential fkyid changed at 60K miles. I can definitely tell a difference in the smoothness of the shifts on the transmission. When I drained the differential and saw the amount of contamination in the oil I realized I should have changed it 20K miles sooner.
I suggest changing it now because you tow often and the fluids are significantly cheaper than transmission or differential repairs.

 

Looks like I’m the odd one out but here goes nothing…….….with my 2021 SR5 I change my transmission, front/rear diffs, and transfer case oils every 30k. Engine oil/filter, engine and cabin air filters every 5k. All AMSOIL except the transfer case where I use the ridiculously priced Toyota stuff.

When I realized my truck did not come with a liquid to air transmission cooler I started researching transmission fluid characteristics. What I found was at around 240* transmission fluid breaks down and starts to varnish. I thought, that can’t be good.
Turns out the 2019, ‘20, ‘21 Tundras all had their liquid to air coolers removed and replaced with a liquid to liquid cooler that’s about the size of a spin on oil filter cut in half. I’m not sure about the 5.7L Sequoias.

At 12k miles I installed a factory Toyota transmission fluid thermostat, factory hard lines, soft fluid lines and aftermarket cooler from Genuine Cooling Systems. I’ve got just under 55k on the truck now.

Today was pretty warm at 107* ambient. I drove up a slight grade on the freeway (not towing) for 8 miles doing 60-75mph. The TFT reading on my scan gauge topped out at 192*. It’s my only vehicle so spending the money I do in maintenance is doable.

 

I think you will get several answers all benefiting your truck. As for this (retirement) truck, I have been investing more service money especially now that I tow a trailer with it. I have done both diff services and routine oil changes while closing in on 60k. I guess early is better than never doing it.....It depends.

 

Naaa. You're fine. We all know with the trans cooler the longer you drive the better the fluid gets.

 

Coming up to 60k and haven’t touched mine. Don’t tow and don’t have a “cooler”. Full send.

 

Yours must've been the 1 of 3 Tundras I saw while in Ohio. What part are you in?

 

@texasrho83 Lol yep. Live in Akron but work in Richfield (Nexen Tires) halfway between Cleveland and Akron

finally starting to see a decent amount of 3rd gens around. Tacomas everywhere (Ohio standards)

 

I was visiting family in Tallmadge. Got to see Summit. Badass store!

 

Damn! You were 5 min up the highway from me. My wife has an aunt and uncle in tallmadge.

That summit store is great! They used to have huge car shows on Mondays in the far end of the parking lot.

Toyotas are coming more popular out here but still nothing like it is out west.

 

Next time you come out here, let me know so we can meet up and grab a beer

 

See ya Thanksgiving.

 

I’ll have the turkey in the smoker!

 

My bro-in-law said that cars still meet up there and drive down into Tallmadge.

 

They sure do. Got a buddy that works at summit. I live right by Goodyear HQ.

 

For what it’s worth I’m getting mine done on Tuesday at 51k-ish miles. I’m a believer In Preventative maintenance and it’s cheaper than new parts. Fluids don’t last forever despite what the marketing materials might tell you.

 

Speaking of WS fluid, I noticed some dealers sell for 30% off online which comes to $11 something/qt. I stopped at the Zanesville OH dealer on Wednesday and asked him if he price matched. Oh boy did he ever. I bought 12 qts for $91.68 before tax. Since about 30-40% of my 22,000 miles has been towing I'll do a drain and fill soon and each year afterwards.

 

Ooops……One thing I forgot to include with doing drain and fills. The transmission pan ought to be as level as can be before doing the final fluid leveling drain. I use a 4ft level on the frame and a much shorter level on the pan. Not laser perfect but very close.

 

My thoughts exactly. Marketing is geared toward sales. Period.

I spoke to a guy at Schaeffer Oil during my transmission fluid research. In his words there is yet to exist a transmission fluid that can reach 240* and not be seriously compromised. Yet, I’ve read on the forum the Toyota Tundra transmission fluid overheat alarm doesn’t even activate until the fluid is just over 300*. Yikes!

 

I’ve been retired (military) since 2006. A few cool jobs since then but hung it up for good a few years ago.
I’ve noticed that forgetting what day it is becomes more frequent. That aspect is something that’s EARNED so, if that’s you then not to worry. For us retirees every day is Saturday and every night is Friday night.
The rest of you get back to work! HA!HA!