(maintenance question)transmission fluid change 2013 4.0 v6 tacoma

I have heard the transmission never needs to be changed in the Tacoma.I don't see where it says that in the manual though, does anyone else know where that's stated in the manual? I know it's not listed anywhere on the scheduled maintenance service schedule. It must say it somewhere, I just can't find it, Anyone else see it in the manual? Also, I'm getting my oil changed at Toyota this weekend, I'm at approximately 13, 500 miles. The maintenance log says to "lubricate propeller shaft (4wd models)" & re torque propeller shaft bolt at 15,000, what is that? Should I have them do it now? THANX!

 

Have you found where it said to change the transmission fluid in the maintenance log? If you can't find mention then I'd say it is saying never.

My 2005 says change at 60K and 120K if you tow.

 

Yes the Tacoma transmission fluid should be serviced, at 60k miles intervals. A couple years ago when WS (World Standard) high mileage Toyota trans fluid was introduced the service interval was either 120k miles or 100k miles. Currently now though it is 60k miles. IT IS NOT LIFETIME TRANS FLUID. Neither is the super long life PINK antifreeze, it should be serviced at or near 100k miles.

 

Ok, but where in the manual does it say to change it at all? I can't find any mention of transmission fluid change at any mileage anywhere in the manual! Am I missing something?

 

Not sure. I do my own maintenance, have never looked in the maintenance manual for my Tacoma. I go by updates given to my dealership from Toyota, which are then relayed to me and the other techs.

EDIT: Ok just looked at warranty & maintenance guide book. On page 45 (60,000 miles) it says under "Inspect the following:" Transmission fluid or oil and under 'driving while towing" to replace said fluid. This is the time when you would do it.

 

Your owners manual doesn't tell the intervals, your Scheduled Maintenance Guide does. Check at 60K, 120k.

 

60,000/72 months under special operating conditions...
http://smg.toyotapartsandservice.com/guides.php?xv=0&xy=0&xint_id=0&v=22&y=2012&int_id=12

 

Thanks, I must've missed it! Now I see it! I have a few more question though. Some people say the dealer refuses to change the transmission fluid, because they claim it's a lifetime fluid that don't need to be changed. I'm nowhere near that mileage yet, but what do you recommend if the dealer won't change it? And when the book says"inspect transmission fluid"how are you supposed to do that without a dipstick?!!? Am I the only one that finds it strange that there is no transmission fluid dipstick? Is that unique to Toyota?are there any other manufacturers that do not have a transmission fluid dipstick stick ?

 

When towing it's 60,000 or 72 months (which ever comes first.) Since i don't drive much i go by the months. At 72 months i had a drain and fill done (my dealership doesn't do complete flushes.) The drain/fill was fine with me since the milage was only 20,000 miles.
I believe there's a fill hole on the side where the level can be checked.

 

I don't really tow with mine, or go offroad, but I would do it anyway, just in case. Just afraid dealer won't want to do it, claiming it's a lifetime transmission fluid.

 

I'm the same way... that "never needs changing" thing is complete bs. All fluids break down over time. If your dealership won't do it take it to another one or have them log into www.toyotaownersonline.com and show them the info for the 60,000 mileage maintainence i posted above. Make sure to mention you tow... good luck.

EDIT... just realized your a 2013 with 13,000 miles. If i were you i'd wait till you hit the 60,000/72 month mark. As far as the greasing the driveline zerks and retorqing the bolts do a qiuck search... lots of info on it here.

 

These should answer a lot of your questions. BTW, if you have the tow package, it's more than just a drain and fill.

I believe this is just the drain and fill.
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/63851-how-drain-refill-automatic-transmission.html

This is if you have the tow package.
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/68462-diy-full-flush-automatic-transmission.html

Good luck.

 

Thanks!

 

A couple of years ago I was wondering about this when I owned my double cab. I had asked the customer service guy and told him that it wasn't in there. He brought over a tech and the tech said, "it's a life time and we don't need to change it". "If you want to get it flushed they will do it for me". So at 100,000 km's I will be getting it done. Lifetime, my ass!

 

I'm curious, I wonder who on TW has the most miles on a 5-speed automatic that has never done any service on it.

Probably for another thread, but since I drive stick, I won't be starting a thread.

 

My last one had about 130k on it when the wire harness inside the tranny failed and it started throwing tranny codes. I told the dealer what the codes were and they suggested a new transmission. I couldn't figure it out but a friend's shop had it nailed down in a few hours. I sold it a few months later. I suspect under normal use one of these would go 200k miles no problem even without a fluid change. It's the same trans as the Tundra used starting in I think 03 and i've seen plenty of those well over 200k.

 

I've got a 2013 and I'm wondering if its worth changing out all of the stock fluids to synthetic now rather than down the road at 60k? I'll be switching to synthetic oil at first oil change.

Tranny
Dif
Anything else???

Thoughts....

 

had the dealer do a trans flush on my 13 at around 45k miles. took about 3 hours because it has to be at a certain temperature. I tow a decent amount and i tow heavy. Trans had reached 240F once. I then upgraded the trans cooler to a larger unit and after driving with the new cooler for a month i had them do the flush. Temperatures are much better now while towing.

 

I flush all my vehicles at 50,000.

 

I've been a mechanic for 24yrs and a transmission is a transmission and all fluid breaks down from heat. Manufacturers use the word lifetime loosely and don't use the word unlimited. They just calculate how long it will last on average without service and that is it's lifespan about 100k .After that they will recommend a new one for various reasons. I drained mine at 120k and it was like Dark grape juice not Red kool aid. I flushed it with 3 gals of Valvoline max life atf,replaced filter ($58) dealer only part . It was on it's way to fail. Get it serviced don't believe the dealer. It will cost about $300 to get it done right but that is better than $4000 for a new one.