My 2002 tacoma has 128K miles on it. Automatic trans and i will be pulling a tent trailer. What do you guys recommend for flushing? Is it a good idea to flush or just drain whats in the pan? Ive heard bad stories about trans going out after a complete flush. I want to take it down to jiffy lube and have them do it but im concerned about what ive heard and read in the past.

Or should i just replace the pan fluid once every other week for a couple of months till i get about 80-100% fluid changed? I purchased the truck with 100K miles and I dont know what services the truck has had. Any info will be great!! Thanks!

 

I have flushed my tranny in my GMC twice and drained it once to no ill effect. A fluid drain and new filter should be sufficient if your not having any problems with your tranny. If you suspect the fluid is burnt then I would recommend a flush by a reputable shop.

 

Get the tranny professionally flushed. Not by Jiffy Lube. You aren't saving money by going there anyway. Find a good local Toyota specialist, and use Toyota parts and fluids. $0.02

 

I would just drop the pan and change the filter if I was you. You'll still get 4 or 5 quarts out that way. If you were to flush it, I would stay away from machine flushers because some use detergents and IMO are no good for older trannies.

If you do flush it, I would do the "Amsoil method" in which you disconnect your tranny cooler line and let it drain in a bucket while you put more in throught the dipstick. You use your normal tranny pump and you just start the engine for a few seconds, (enough time to drain 1 qt. out) then kill it and put a new quart in. Do this w/ 16-20 qts. and your done. I have done it to mine and it worked perfectly. There are write-ups at Amsoil.com and here on YT.

 

I took mine to the dealership. Do not ever ever ever take your truck to Jiffy Lubeupyourhole. Did mine at 100k and still running like a champ. Also, get yourself a transmission cooler if you're going to tow a lot.

 

Here's a good writeup: http://home.centurytel.net/stevenjac...sh/tranny.html

 

i agree. i work at an independent auto shop and we mostly see customers with toyotas. the amsoil synthetic fluid is good stuff. i have done hundreds of services with it and ive never seen problems with it. i run it in mine. the only time you would really have problems with the transmission after a flush is on a high mileage vehicle with no maintenance. at that point it could do more harm than good.