[stonemxfan369]

08 sr5 5.7l 2wd. The truck has been in the south with warm climate its whole life except two trips up north during winter if that maters. It was bought used with 40k miles and i believe the previous owner towed with it (nothing to big i hope). It shifts fine and doesnt portray any issues. So the truck currently has 82k miles and i was wondering when and if I should change the tranny fluid. Also when it is time to change will be be very urgent or will exceeding that time by a little be a big deal? If this has been discussed many times a link to a thread or article answering my questions is fine.

 

[ColoradoTJ]

In your owners manual states what should be done.

60k if in severe duty...towing a lot.

 

[tridacna]

The only way you'll know the condition of the fluid is to drain some off and send it to Blackstone for testing. I would do the change fluid change and be done with it.


http://www.tundratalk.net/forums/tu.../112638-used-transmission-fluid-analysis.html

 

[eharri3]

It isn't cold that kills a transmission, it's heat. Specifically, when it is put under enough stress through towing and high ambient temps to boil the fluid it loses the properties that allow it to do its job properly. Good auxiliary cooling slows that breakdown considerably.

In your situation I would do drain and fills with each of the next 3 or 4 oil changes, not worry about it for a couple years, then just do that again. If there is no indication anything has ever been done with the fluid I would be reluctant to do a flush. It will be more expensive and take more time to get mostly fresh fluid in there with a series of drain and fills. But it will still do the job in a way that won't create the sorts of issues that tend to happen when people do a full flush on a transmission that hasn't been touched in 80 or 100k miles. At 5 years and 46k I just started a series of about 3 or four drain and fills, then I will do whatever is the standard 100k transmission service when I hit that mark.

If you do the research you will not find anybody making 100% definitive black and white statements about flushing vs draining and filling in these situations. People always quantify their statements with 'probably', 'probably not', or 'most likely.' So it seems like it's something you have to take on a case by case basis and get fresh fluid in there in what seems like the most comfortable and least risky method for you. The more miles you rack up without ever servicing it, the more cautious you have to be.

 

[quiksi]

would the extra cooler that comes with the tow pkg help with slowing the breakdown of the fluid?

 

[jcrich]

would the extra cooler that comes with the tow pkg help with slowing the breakdown of the fluid?

Not sure on the Tundra, but on my previous truck (GMC diesel) the trans cooler only engaged when the trans temp reached a certain point. Same with the oil cooler.

 

[Tundra2010]

I took mine into the dealer at 60k and asked to have the transmission serviced because it says 60 if towing in the manual. I pull a 5000 lbs boat about 600 miles around 8 trips a year. Dealer told me it wasn't necessary and the towing they are referring to his heavy towing on a regular basis. Reccommended at 100k.

 

[Hydrex]

I drop the pan every 50,000 miles on my Ram. Inspect and clean magnet, change filters and top off with new fluid. I know you can go way more miles before changing, but it's cheap insurance. Figure the dealer wants to sell you a new truck. Blackstone labs is great, for all lubes, btw. I tow very heavy loads and drag race, so far, every time I drop the pan, no surprise, I like to keep it that way!

 

[tho98027]

Eharri3, you notice any improvement in the way the tranny shift after the drain and fills?


Sent from AutoGuide.com App

 

[Toxarch]

My dealer had several Tundras come in that towed a lot and the transmission fluid was burned by 60K.

 

[Bax467]

How much fluid comes out when u pull the trans drain plug?

 

[forester54]

about 4 1/2 to 5 quarts, i just did mine about 2 weeks ago

 

[eharri3]

The truck had 46000 non towing miles when they did the first drain and fill last week. It already drove like pretty close to brand new but there may have been at most a fraction of a percent improvement in smoothness if any at all. I think if you wait for it to get bad enough that you can really feel a difference in shift quality by doing something with the fluid then you waited too long. That is like waiting until your engine runs rough to change the oil. The dealership service manager tried to convince me nothing needed to be done for awhile and started educating me about the magic of WS fluid. I had to stop him and tell him I was well aware of its advertised capabilities but regardless, one way or another I still start getting fresh fluid into my vehicles' transmissions by 50000 miles no matter how long the factory stuff is rated for.

 

[Bax467]

about 4 1/2 to 5 quarts, i just did mine about 2 weeks ago

Cool thanks. Guessing u just replaced the amount you removed

 

[Hootbro]

Cool thanks. Guessing u just replaced the amount you removed

Keep in mind he has the 5 speed auto that is different than the 6 speed auto that comes on the 4.6/5.7 trucks.

I never got more than 2.5-3 quarts doing a simple pan drain and refill on my 2010 4.6l.

I drained mine into a clean clear plastic gallon container, mark with a sharpie the level and dump then refill with the exact same amount. You can run a long tube hose from the drivers side engine bay to get to the refill port on the 6 speed transmissions and refill that way.

 

[Bax467]

Thanks for the heads up as I did not notice that.......my whole truck is running amsoil. Looking forward to the trans getting it too

 

[GIXXERKELLY]

I took mine into the dealer at 60k and asked to have the transmission serviced because it says 60 if towing in the manual. I pull a 5000 lbs boat about 600 miles around 8 trips a year. Dealer told me it wasn't necessary and the towing they are referring to his heavy towing on a regular basis. Reccommended at 100k.

My dealer keeps telling me the same. Wait until i have a 100k.

 

[Toxarch]

My dealer keeps telling me the same. Wait until i have a 100k.

Eff that. It's your truck and your money. Is he going to pay for the repairs if you find out you waited too long?

 

[eharri3]

My dealer all but refused to do a full flush when I took mine in at 46K but said he would do a drain and fill if I really wanted it. I think they are scared of flushing and causing a failure until the truck is old enough that there is no way you can make them or Toyota take responsibility for anything that happens.

 

[SunsetBronze1794]

A lot of good posts here by many people. I would change it or at least inspect it. Always good to be safe rather than sorry.