Transmission Service at 104K Turns Ugly

For the reasons already mentioned above, avoid the "flush" machines. Changing the fluid that comes out when draining the pan (about a gallon) on an interval (I do every oil change but that may be excessive) will keep the fluid fresh and that should be sufficient.

 

For the cost of a drain and fill, I can’t see why someone wouldn’t do that on a regular interval. Seems like cheap and easy insurance to me.

 

my 02 has a dipstick
has been drained and filled 2x by previous owner
now has 300k and i will drain and fill and probably only check the stick from then on

 

There's just so many opinions on this one. And there are also Toyota certified mechanics out there that say don't touch the transmission fluid for Tundras that don't tow and don't drive under rough conditions. If you have an engine with no dipstick, it's considered sealed, they say. All of this info is in these threads too over the years. I tend to lean toward drain and fill, but you figure even then you might be changing out 4-5 quarts if you are lucky of a pan that holds much more fluid than that.

 

see PHMs post above for that

 

I had my 07 transmission flushed by Toyota about 1.5 yr ago at 96K miles. I had no issues and no broken bolts. Definitely smoothed out the gear changes at lower speeds. (i.e. in stop and go traffic).
I do vaguely remember the transmission had a recall when it was about 1-2 yrs old and they replaced a solenoid or something. I've never had a single issue with the truck/trans and it used to regularly tow a 8000 lb boat. It probably depends on where you live in part. We don't have any real issues with rust in these parts.

 

https://www.tundras.com/threads/tundra-maintenance-guide.315/

For 2009s:

• Replace transmission oil every 60,000 miles if towing, 90,000 miles if not

 

Gotcha, thanks. I suppose doing the drain and fill somewhat regularly would eventually get all the original stuff out. I've never towed with the truck yet so I might just stick with the 90,000 (or if I ever stop going to the stealership for maintenance start doing the flush and fill).

Now hopefully not opening a huge can of worms with this one.... What is a good fluid to use? Does mother Yota have her own they make?

 

Multiple drain and fills over time are good. 1st Gen Capacity is 12 quarts+/-

A drain and fill is about 4.5 Quarts. Effective 30% change with new fluid. You will notice a better transmission shift as long as you get your level proper which is KEY!

You could do Transmission drain and fills every engine oil change as you are already set up. Or, do them every other engine oil change and you will always have good fluid.

 

I’ve had fluid since last Christmas, but no time. This winter I will do the 12+ Qt flush on my 06 with amsoil WS equivalent.

I won’t wear any gloves just so I don’t waste any of that expensive mojo.......

 

Well, now I don't know what to do anymore, lol. I just went over 74K on my 2012. Previous owner did not tow, but had the truck at the dealer for all services, every 5K miles. He never had a drain and fill, or flush. I just towed ~7500 lbs trailer, over 850 miles, and will be towing it on occasion. SO should I drain and fill, or leave it alone??

 

If it was me at this point I would just keep doing oil changes with dropping the pan and see if it eventually goes away. I doubt the clutches are wearing any more than normal. Most likely they just stirred up junk and it's now in the shift solenoids. With luck it'll make it's way back to the pan. The oil filter isn't much, a cloth covered screen but it can be cleaned or replaced (it's not expensive). If it continues to act up I would see if you can find a transmission shop as a good one can pull the solenoid block and clean it and replace anything worn for a lot cheaper than replacing the transmission.

 

I owned many F150s. On the ones that had screens I installed a pan drain plug and just did a drain and fill every 30k. On the ones with a paper filter I dropped the pan and replaced the filter. Never had a tranny problem. Of course the old C6s were bulletproof and with a shift kit and cooler you could not kill them.

 

Drain and fill.

 

If you can change engine oil, then you can drain and fill a transmission. Easy stuff. Cheap, too.