Transmission Fluid Change on 2014 2.5Gen

I did a drain & fill on my 2014 2.5Gen 5.7L V8 in Oct. 2024 @ 324,700 km = 203K miles. First DnF for the vehicle to my knowledge. Did not drop the pan and change the internal filter. Fluid was darkish red, not foul smelling. Drained and replaced about 5 L = 5.3 qrts with Toyota OEM WS-ATF.

Because I doubt no ATF service was ever done I'm planning to do another DnF this month (June). Driven 37K kms = 23K miles since last DnF on Oct. 2024.

Trying to decide whether to drop the pan and do the filter/strainer as well. I understand risk of snapping bolts, needing new gasket etc. Living in Canada, vehicle is in excellent condition, little rust, runs well, all other maintenance performed regularly. Driven for work to construction sites for civil engineering materials tests. My goal is to drive "Big Blue" to at least 600K kms = 375k miles.

I would welcome input on dropping the pan, checking & cleaning the magnets and replacing the filter/strainer. Maybe an "if it isn't broke don't fix it?" situation. I'm a firm believer in preventative work.

 

If the trans works Fine just do a drain/fill - perhaps one every 3rd or 4th motor oil change.

If feeling inspired to change all the fluid - here is a good how to -

https://youtu.be/NX3WRAPJ0Aw?feature=shared

 

I'd stick to drain and fill without dropping the pan.

To me it's simply a matter of risk/reward. I don't believe the rewards (if there are any) of dropping the pan will outweigh the risk even if the vehicle is not subject to rust, etc...

Fresh fluid is the best thing you can do for the transmission, and it sounds like you're on the same path I'd be taking

 

Another for just drain/fill.

Rust condition won't matter to a pan drop. Steel bolts into an aluminum housing will corrode anywhere, from Arizona to the rust belt. Not worth the risk to change a particle screen. Its not much of a filter.

 

I agree with everyone above and just do DNF. I did my second one on my truck just this past weekend within a few hundred miles of the first just to get more of the old fluid out and a piece of mind at just over 62000 miles.