Color / Status of my "Lifetime" WS Auto Transmission Fluid Concern

Hello Tacoworld,

I performed my first drain / fill of my automatic 6 speed transmission at 12,000 miles in my 3RD Gen 2018 OR DC SB following the procedure outlined here:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/3rd-gen-automatic-transmission-fluid-level-check-diy.547455/

I was wondering if anyone has done the same and if you may have a picture of the color of your automatic WS transmission fluid. I was a little surprised to see mine had already started to turn an orange-ish color. It looked blood red while draining but, on a paper towel it looks more orange.

The fluid smells exactly the same as brand new fluid, and I asked my wife for her opinion since her sense of smell of far greater than mine. She agreed, eyes closed, cannot tell the difference.

This is the first new truck I've ever purchased and I thought the fluid would stay red a little longer than 12,000 miles.

I drained out 3 quarts, added 4, and 1 came out during the "temp check mode". So mine wasn't under-filled.

Any opinions you may have would be greatly appreciated!

Huge thank you!

 

Oil analysis is the only way to be sure of anything.
All the ones I've seen on Toyota ATF-WS suggest a 60,000 mile change interval under 'normal' conditions.

 

What made you decide to replace the tranny fluid at 12,000 miles?

 

Why are you draining trans at 12k miles?

 

Guess I need to research it closer, my dealer said its a "lifetime" fluid and doesnt need to be serviced until at least 100k miles.

 

Absolutely...
FWIW, I've seen Aisin literature recommending 2 yr/12,500 miles. I plan on doing mine at 30,000; more than anything, just to have a 30,000 baseline for oil analysis.

 

The color is fine, good early in service condition.

Without a dipstick, checking fluid condition is less than fun. So a pan drain and refill is certainly appropriate at times.

 

Asian truck tranny fruid no need be repraced

 

Im at 42k and probably fall under "severe duty" in their service manuals. Texas usually ticks that box automatically and then I tow and off road with it.

 

I did a drain and fill at ~40K miles after seeing my converter temps hit 280 F. It didn’t smell burnt but MaxLife is relatively cheap at $18 for a gallon (@Walmart). Running on the beach my pan temps hit 210 F. Doesn’t look like you can tell much by color, but new MaxLife is a pretty cranberry red.

Old fluid vs new MaxLife
2018



This spring did another drain and fill. I estimate my transmission has about 40-50% new fluid (MaxLife).
2019

 

How are you seeing your temps?

 

Scangauge II

 

This is good to verify level.

I did this early also because the dealer would not check the level.... It acted like fluid was low.

Ended up low 1 1/2 liters..... What a difference in performance once full....

 

The reason I decided to drain / fill my transmission was because I felt it was necessary to check the fluid level after reading all of the horror stories about these transmissions being under-filled right out of the factory. The process of "drain / filling" and "checking" are almost exactly the same accept you need 1 additional crush washer and 3 more quarts of WS ATF fluid to complete the drain fill. So I figured, why not get some fresh fluid in the system.

I've also seen other people waiting until 50k and not being happy with the color / smell: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/3rd-gen-auto-trans-fluid-change.548642/

I'm glad I did it and it is super easy to do. I plan on drain filling every 7,500 miles, doing the "full" replacement every 30k.

ATF is cheap, transmissions are not.

Thank you rnish for posting the pics!

 

Good answer