Circus Freak

I've had a '95 4runner since it was new, it now only has 42k. 3vz with an auto tranny. it's used as a family vehical, no off road or towing, i do all of my own regular maintenance, oil / air filters/ plugs whatever it may need but contrary to what the chiltons says (every 40k on tranny & gear oils) says.. i have yet to change the tranny or gear oils, tranny dipstick fluid color does'nt look dark and i have no slipping or gear noise, would it be advisable to change the fluid in the tranny and gear oils at this time with low mileage but twelve years running?

91_4x4runner

I've got 240K on my '91 4Runner 5speed and I suspect that the PO's never changed the fluid. I was told that by changing the fluid at that age would probably start a serious leak. Can someone shed some light on this one?

95RunnerSR5

it can't hurt to change it

GSGALLANT

Fluid change intervals are not just based on mileage, but on time also. Get some new fluids in there and keep that low mileage 95 in good shape.

rezrunner92

Yeah, what GSGallant said. Tranny fluid can oxidize or "rust" over time. Changing the fluid shouldn't start a leak if you don't do something wrong and don't overfill it, that is BS.

20005spd

do what we call @ my work a 4x4 service. drain & refill trans, diffs and tcase. yota recommeneds diffs and t case every 15k. auto tranny is every 30k i think.
its called preventative maintenance.

mwc951

I'm in the same situation.
I've not seen any write-up's
on servicing the auto tranny
though. I'd assume you'd
want to drop the pan and
change the filter too?

rezrunner92

If it has a "media" type filter change it. I am pretty sure it has a screen type in that case just rinse it out good and if it is not torn reuse it. If there is not a lot of junk in the pan I wouldn't even take the screen filter down.

mwc951

How would you tell if there were junk
in the pan without taking it down??

91_4x4runner

Pretty sure he means to take the pan down and look for buildup on the screen while the pan is down, if thats how it works.

Paul H.

I wouldn't just drain and fill, I would do a complete flush and while you are at it, do the radiator flush too. Changing the gear oils are easy, so do it.

Octane

It kinda makes you wonder just how needed it is to change the tranny fluid. A lot of newer vehicles have trannys that are completely sealed and the only time you would change the fluid is when you overhaul the tranny.
I know that newer Tacomas and 4Runners have trannys like this. Theres not even a dipstick to check.

gaboonviper85

they probably started sealing transmission now because of the use of synthetics... normal oils go rancid after awhile and break down.

Elton

mines got 145k miles on the fuild have you seen what it cost to change it

Robrt32

Unless toys are diffrent , your not going to like what happens after you change the fluid in a auto.. Call some dealer ships ask them there opinion. thats where i first heard about it . Ive heard it several times and seen it happen.. My boss changed his 1 time before deer season as just a complete service.. He did not make it to camp.. I can't remember the details but its something to with the new oil and seals and o-rings.... jmo

Paul H.

I had mine flushed just recently and it hadn't been touched in 10 years and no problems.

Paul H.

Have you seen what a new tranny costs?

Elton

welcome to yotatech Circus Freak

curtiswyant

If it's not leaking or burning fluid, I wouldn't change it on an auto. Unless you've been flushing at the recommended intervals for the life of the truck, I wouldn't start now.

trythis

The approach I am taking with my auto came to me when I added a tranny cooler. I had to add new fluid, and that didnt cause any problems, so I am going to periodically remove some (1/2 quart or so) and add new. I will never have all new, but I can get the benefits of the new fluids properties and never subject the tranny to whatever causes the damage when people have a complete changeover. The local transmission shop will not flush mine. They tell me that since I do not know the history of maintenance, that it isnt worth it. Mine is 18 years old with 156K miles, and shifts smooth and tows fine, so why argue with a tranny shop that could make money selling me a flush, and then make more rebuilding it when it causes problems.