2012 Toyota Highlander ATF change interval

[tvaughn0712]

Here's a link to a fill and check instruction (I think your highlander is the U660E type) U660E fill and check . I have the same transmission and have been considering doing this as well. What does everyone think is the best way to drain (remove pan, use fluid extractor)? I 2nd SumpChumps request for video (hopefully before I get around to doing mine

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[mrdctaylor]

Thanks for the info. Mine actually has a dipstick and I've seen instructions on (supposedly) how to check the level. I plan to do that beforehand, to see where it falls on the dipstick (sometimes I hear Toyotas are underfilled a bit from the factory). Then I'll remove as much as I can with my extractor, measure the amount that came out, refill with the same amount, and then go through the dipstick process again and add a little if necessary. I'm thinking it will be as simple as that. I was thinking about using the drain plug, but the extractor is sooo easy...and I don't have to remove that cover underneath, which is quite large.

 

[tvaughn0712]

Lucky you. I'd kill for a dipstick. Your method sounds simple enough.

 

[Greasymechtech]

About a gallon for a drain/refill. Ramps/time/temp will affect drain/refill quantity. Use the pan's drainplug. It might have its own drain hole so that you might not need to remove the large plastic underbelly cover.

Every 30k is easy enough. If you notice a shift quality difference, shorten the interval.

 

[Leo99]

I'm banking on lifetime on my 2004 Rav4 and 2003 Corolla ATF fluids. 265k and 225k miles and still going. No towing or heavy duty use.

 

[147_Grain]

IF your transmission's oil pan has a drain plug, just drain the ATF each spring (before the summer heat arrives) and refill with a gallon of MaxLife LV (Low Viscosity) ATF. Inexpensive insurance can easily be done during an engine LOF change while the vehicle's already in the air. Cost is only $16.97 per gallon at Walmart. Pay your mechanic an extra $10 - $15 to also drain the ATF during the spring engine LOF service.

 

[The Critic]

Originally Posted By: Or
Originally Posted By: mrdctaylor
So do most people hate the Toyota ATF WS? I've always tended to use factory fill ATF. I use Hyundai SPIII on my Santa Fe and have had good luck so far. I had planned to stick with ATF WS.


I think there are quite a lot of people who are very disappointed that Toyota has made promises about WS that it can't deliver. As a semi-synthetic fluid, it works and is on par with the general field. It's not a "lifetime" fill and high mileage owners, 2nd owners, are inheriting problems from the "just get it out of the warranty period" and "lower the TCO for accounting purposes" approach.

It's not per se a horrible fluid. But it's in the middle of a serious slide in engineering quality standards and product quality on behalf of Toyota. The part of the introduction of it that was coupled to goosing the CAFE numbers are unclear, also. Toyota engineers have mentioned in published engineering papers the purpose was to increase mileage - a lower viscosity fluid that could goose mpg a teeny % - at the expense of the buyer's hardware but to the benefit of Toyota's penalties under CAFE standards.


I have yet to see any "proof" of issues with WS being a lifetime fill. Most Toyotas have had WS as lifetime fill since about 2003-2004. We have not seen/heard of the transmissions failing in mass quantities for the 2nd and 3rd owners.

What you see in the fluid often has little correlation to its serviceability. Shops use this scare tactic (fluid color/appearance) to sell more services.

 

[Leo99]

Originally Posted By: The Critic
Originally Posted By: Or
Originally Posted By: mrdctaylor
So do most people hate the Toyota ATF WS? I've always tended to use factory fill ATF. I use Hyundai SPIII on my Santa Fe and have had good luck so far. I had planned to stick with ATF WS.


I think there are quite a lot of people who are very disappointed that Toyota has made promises about WS that it can't deliver. As a semi-synthetic fluid, it works and is on par with the general field. It's not a "lifetime" fill and high mileage owners, 2nd owners, are inheriting problems from the "just get it out of the warranty period" and "lower the TCO for accounting purposes" approach.

It's not per se a horrible fluid. But it's in the middle of a serious slide in engineering quality standards and product quality on behalf of Toyota. The part of the introduction of it that was coupled to goosing the CAFE numbers are unclear, also. Toyota engineers have mentioned in published engineering papers the purpose was to increase mileage - a lower viscosity fluid that could goose mpg a teeny % - at the expense of the buyer's hardware but to the benefit of Toyota's penalties under CAFE standards.


I have yet to see any "proof" of issues with WS being a lifetime fill. Most Toyotas have had WS as lifetime fill since about 2003-2004. We have not seen/heard of the transmissions failing in mass quantities for the 2nd and 3rd owners.

What you see in the fluid often has little correlation to its serviceability. Shops use this scare tactic (fluid color/appearance) to sell more services.


My 2003 and 2004 Toyotas have T-IV as a lifetime fill. The fluid is a dark reddish brown in both vehicles and has been that color for a very long time without visible change. I was told by Jiffy-Lube the ATF was dark and smelled and needed to be changed very soon or something bad might happen. That was 150k miles ago.