Topic: Automatic Transmission

[Wainiha]

I have a 2012 Auto trans on my Tacoma.  I cannot find a dipstick.  Is it true that the trans fluid doesn't need to be changed(I've heard that)?  I don't buy it.  I don't see typical fill and drain plugs like on my R150F.  Am I missing something?

[OVRAROK]

You may try calling your local transmission shop..I had a somewhat same situation..not a tacoma..but a person vehicle that I was working on...my buddy own a trans shop..I called to ask him...told me to bring it by..he had a dipstick to check..

[emsvitil]

Fluid is good for the life of the transmission...…




 

[05sport4x4]

The 4Gen and up 4 Runners along with the 2nd gen and up Tacoma's have what Toyota calls a sealed transmission.  They do not have a dipstick.  There is a fill plug on the side of the transmission and a overflow plug in the bottom of the transmission pan.  There is a procedure you would do to check the fluid level by warming the oil to a temperature and with the overflow plug removed see if it trickles out.  A royal pain in the behind.

Yes they call the fluid lifetime the type WS but what is the life of the vehicle?  I added an oil cooler and changed the fluid at 205K on my 05 4Runner and it looked like it should have been done sooner.

[Gnarly4X]

Based upon my experience with my Toyota Corolla, I would change the automatic transmission fluid in that truck every 20,000 miles minimum!

Here's a link to my thread on automatic transmission fluid and Toyota's "Life time" transmission fluid.

https://board.marlincrawler.com/index.php?topic=101381.msg1132990#msg1132990

Gnarls.

[Wainiha [OP]]

Guess my truck is going up on the ramps for a better look.  I generally don't like to look at fluid when on ramps but I can fit very well under my truck without them.

[redneckcustoms13]

My 06 has 360k on it. Fluid wasnt changed until well over 275. Still working great. Tows as much as it drives unloaded to.

[Gnarly4X]

My 06 has 360k on it. Fluid wasnt changed until well over 275. Still working great. Tows as much as it drives unloaded to.

There is considerable and historical debate on the subject of oil change frequency.

What does the 2006 Toyota Tacoma owner’s manual say about changing the automatic transmission fluid?

While I read many articles, oil manufacturer’s recommendations, auto manufacturer’s recommended maintenance, auto dealer’s recommendations, and all the guys who maintain their vehicles, I will continue to change my motor oil and automatic transmission fluids based upon my experience and experts in the transmission repair industry, and results of UOA test results.

My 2013 Corolla factory Warranty & Maintenance Guides says at 120,000 miles or 144 Months (12 years)
Driving while towing, using a car-top carrier, or heavy vehicle loading
•   Replace front differential oil
•   Replace transmission fluid or oil
•   Tighten nuts and bolts on chassis and body

That is the first time I read where the automatic transmission was even mentioned.

Although I completely respect anyone else’s opinion, expertise, and experiences, there’s no way I’m driving my car for 120,000 miles or 12 years without changing the automatic transmission fluid.

I’ve been changing my motor oil & filter in my vehicles at 5,000 miles (after the warranty period ends).  In my Corolla I drain about 2.5 quarts from the automatic trans and add back fresh fluid Toyota World Standard (WS).  It takes me another 30 minutes to do that and I do it at the same time I do the motor oil and filter change.

My 2001 Toyota Camry has 350,000 miles and the transmission works perfect.  I've been changing the automatic transmission fluid about every 20,000 since the car was purchased new in 2001, with a filter kit replacement about every 75,000 miles.

With that said, I may be more anal about period and preventative maintenance than the average auto owner. 

Gnarls. 

[Wainiha [OP]]

There's a pretty good writeup on the DIY procedure here https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/how-to-drain-refill-automatic-transmission.63851/
I prefer to do a measured drain and fill. Just measure whatever comes out of the drain plug, fill it with the same amount, drive around a while and repeat the process 2 or 3 times
I use valvoline maxlife ATF as do many others, it costs a lot less than Toyota fluid and is arguably just as good
personally, I would drain/fill every 50-60. I don't believe in lifetime fluid

Great link!

[Wainiha [OP]]

Called Kauai Toyota, didn't get a price quote.  They said they recommend the fluid change on my 2012 at 110,000 miles.  I'm at 80,000.

I'd rather do it myself if I have time.  Plus it's always good to learn something.

The main reason I'm here...

[Wainiha [OP]]

2nd call, 2nd, and different service person said my truck was serviced before sale and the ATF should be changed every 5000 miles.  I hate mixed messages.

Especially from the "professionals".

[Wainiha [OP]]

Fluid change vs. fluid flush?  Thoughts?  I heard of people having problems after a flush.

[emsvitil]

Change.

Drop pan and change filter.

Flush doesn't change filter (flush is a cash cow)

[Gnarly4X]

Thoughts….

In  50+ years of owning and driving vehicles with automatic transmissions, I’ve never had a flush done, and never had an automatic transmission failure due to improper maintenance.

When I drain my tranny in my Corolla it only drains about 2.5 to 3.0 quarts.  The transmission holds about 6.9 quarts, so a flush would supposedly remove and refresh all the fluid.

I’ve read comments that an automatic transmission flush can cause problems, but I don’t have enough facts on that to comment.  Like e said, it’s not a cheap dealer service.

Dropping the fluid pan and changing the filter kit is a good idea.  The “filters” I’ve seen on the automatic transmissions I’ve maintained isn’t really a filter, it’s a screen.  The pans I’ve dropped, after 30K to 50K, do have a residue, and the gasket is ready to be changed.

Bottom line for my Corolla..... changing 2 to 3 quarts of fluid, with a drain and refill,  every 5,000 miles only takes me another 30 minutes during my crankcase oil & filter change, and adds another $30 to the cost (Toyota WS fluid) is a very inexpensive investment for preventative maintenance.

If I didn’t do my own maintenance, I would take my vehicle to a reputable transmission shop and have them do a flush and refresh about every two years, or about 30 to 40K miles, or sooner for the factory recommendation.

Going 100,000 miles or never changing automatic transmission fluid in my vehicles ain’t gunna happen. 

Gnarls. 

[Wainiha [OP]]

Change.

Drop pan and change filter.

Flush doesn't change filter (flush is a cash cow)

Toyota Kauai service guy said there is no filter inside my 2012 Tacoma A/T transmission....(Wrong?)  I'll ask my mechanic friend.

[Wainiha [OP]]

Kauai Toyota insists the filter in the A/T is lifetime but the fluid should be changed.  The tech suggested a trans flush at 160,000 miles.  I'm still on the fence...

I just changed the fluid myself that's all.

[Gnarly4X]

...  I'm still on the fence...

About what?

Gnarls.

[Wainiha [OP]]

About the flush.

[Slabzilla]

You can do the simple but messy flush at home if you have a 5 gallon bucket about 8ft of clear hose and clamps that will attach to your trans cooler lines.  Find the output line, run one plastic line into the bucket.  Take the intake line and put it into the Valvoline ATF large container or 8-10qts of ATF in a clean 5gal bucket at radiator level and start the engine. The trans pump should do all the work for you. If you have to put it in gear to make it work, be safe and do this with the wheels off the ground.  Keep track of the fluid, when it comes into the bucket looking good stop and reattach your lines.  This is basically what they do at the dealer,  Keep the intake line submerged so you don't suck any air.  New fluid is more important than a new screen, both are better.  If you do suck air just leave the vehicle alone for an hour and the bubbles will die down.  If you use a large ATF container use some small ones to keep it from going dry during the flush, 2 person job.  The joys of "Do It Yourself".   

[Wainiha [OP]]

I like do it yourself.  I don't like paying people to do any of my jobs. Thanks for the tip Slabziilla.

[Gnarly4X]

You can do the simple but messy flush at home ….  The joys of "Do It Yourself".   

ATF is formulated to keep almost all of any contaminants and micro particles suspended.  I've never seen a "filter" in an auto trans, just the metal screen.  I don't know if a dealership uses any kind of solvent during the flush - I doubt it.   

If that is all that a dealership does during their "$300 flush", I will not pay anybody to do a flush.  Doing what Slabzilla describes would be a little risky to damage the transmission and WAY too much work for me.

As I mentioned, since 80,000 miles, I've been draining about 2.5 to 3 quarts from the automatic trans in my Corolla during my motor oil & filter change, and adding back Toyota WS ATF.  I'm changing oil every 5,000 miles and using Mobil 1 5w-20 synthetic and Toyota World Standard ATF.  So far so good.

My next oil change will be at 145,000 miles.  At the 150,000 miles change, I'm going to send a sample of the motor oil and the trans fluid to Blackstone for testing.  I'm very curious what the results will be.

Gnarls.

[Wainiha [OP]]

I have made my choice.  No flush just keep changing the fluids ATF and everywhere else.  Thank you guys.  Always helpful and polite.