Transmission Drain and Fill

Howdy, y'all.

My truck is about to reach 94k miles and I'd like to change the transmission fluid. From what I've read, a drain and fill is the way to go at this point to avoid upsetting the automatic transmission. Is there a write-up for it here on TacomaWorld? I can't find any when I search for it. Should I just drain it, measure how much fluid drained, and replace that exact amount?

I found a write-up before, and it seemed pretty tricky, something about letting the truck idle and letting the transmission get to a certain temperature, draining it, refilling it, repeating the idling process, checking the fluid level, etc.

My buddy says to just drain it, and replace fluid until it starts coming out of the fill hole, but he's a Chevy guy so Idk if their trucks just have a different drain and fill procedure or what.

Thanks, y'all.

 

Try here

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/how-to-drain-refill-automatic-transmission.63851/

 

I paid Toyota to do mine @ 100k
I have asked multiple shops how they do it.
Some say drain and fill to specified amount list.
Some measure the amount that drains out and refill back to the amount that drained.
Only Toyota said they actual allow the truck to warm up.
They use a scan tool to know when to check.

In all honesty who know how anyone does it unless you watch them.
I know the procedure above is time consuming and has to be done in a specific time.
I chose to pay Toyota. Probably pay them again in 75k or so.

 

I hear ya. A part of me wants to take it to the dealership in hopes it'll be done by the book with their dealer level scan tool, and done properly. The other part of me worries because of all the horror stories I've heard about lube techs at the dealership being brain dead and messing up a simple oil change lol. I did find that write up I mentioned again. Had to search through Google, not the TacomaWorld website.

 

Thank you. I didn't see your response. I appreciate you linking it. This is the write-up I originally saw.

 

What does Toyota get for doing that ?
I’m thinking about having that done .

 

Just over $200 with tax.
Took 3 hours.
I waited the 3 hours in the waiting area. Not the most fun thing to do.
You might get a buddy to pick you up and take you back.

 

Your buddy is a total dumbass, that would probably take a few gallons of fluid and wreck the transmission.

 

A drain only lets out about 3 quarts of fluid. The rest remains in the torque converter. The transmission takes about 3 times as much total.

If you have any mechanical ability at all. You will save a lot of $$ and can be sure it was done properly if you do it yourself and follow the flashing light method of getting to the proper temperature.

 

I did a drain and fill and fluid check myself first. The fluid looked dirty, so a few weeks later I dropped the pan, changed the filter and cleaned up the pan magnets, and did a full tranny flush with +12 quarts of valvoline Maxlife synthetic ATF. Was pretty easy.

Do the drain/fill and fluid check first to get some confidence, then when you compare your dirty fluid that comes out to the fresh stuff going in, you will probably want to do a full flush at some point in the near future. Full flush was right around $100 with filter and fluid. Also had to buy some 3/8" ID hose.

 

Don't drain and fill... Do a powered flush. You want to get all of the old fluid out.

If by chance your clutch discs are only working because the fluid has lots of material floating around in them then it's already in need of service.
As in it's already busted haha.

Although I'm pretty sure if that low of a mileage that you're pretty much fine to do a power flush.

I'm about to have my second one either this weekend or next weekend depending on the schedule, replacing the gasket crush washer filter and all the fluid.

 

Drain from pan by removing drain plug. refill with exactly 3.2Qts(3 Qts-6.5 Ounces) New WS Approved ATF .I prefer all Full 100% Synthetic as any Name Brand WS Low Visc ATF Only . Thats all there is to it. I refill using a Tranny Funnel and clear hose to fill hole about 3 feet long or more! Fast and easy and exact fill and no mess! PS , I preefer AMSOIL Signature Series LV ATF.

 

I would NOT recommend a powered flush. Yes, there are old shavings and contaminants in the transmission itself but with higher mileage vehicles, some of thick gunk actually keeps some seals and solenoids from leaking. If you flush out the transmission with an air powered flushing machine (I have one at the shop), it may possibly cause more issues than fix any.

The proper method to drain and fill is to REMOVE THE PAN after draining.
CLEAN ALL THE MAGNETS at the bottom of the pan, these collect ALOT of gunk.
REPLACE TRANSMISSION FILTER WITH NEW FILTER.

Replace drain plug, remove overfill plug (smaller allen bolt head on the bottom) and fill transmission until some fluid drips out of the overfill.

Start vehicle and row through all the gears to ensure fluid is dispersed. refill transmission until fluid drips out of overfill hole. Replace overfill plug and enjoy.

 

No no...more false information about a power flush. You don't use air, never would anyone ever suggest that haha. What on Earth?

The machine heats the fluid to operational temp and typically uses the transmission pump, though some have a pump in the machine if the transmission doesn't support this. Then it runs until it has cycled all the old out and new starts to come out.

The whole "gunk holding it together" is nonsense. If gunk truly was holding it together then you need to service the transmission. Don't ignore problems, fix them.

Typically all the problems and myths come from folks messing shit up because they don't know what they are doing. So they make up excuses as humans do.