Next transmission service?

[Deontologist]

2018 RAV4, 190k miles.

I had the transmission drained and filled at around 160k miles because the shop thought it was the transmission causing a vibration rather than the out-of-round CV axle . The transmission was 100% fine but they recommended a d/f and I just went along with it thinking that it wouldn't hurt and it would be good to service it for the first time, ever. I'm not sure what fluid they used, I can't find the receipt now anyway. I'm fairly certain it was probably some universal fluid such as Maxlife, as they seem to have a penchant for aftermarket auto parts (such as the aftermarket defective CV axles they kept putting on).

I later had the transmission pan dropped and the filter replaced by another shop around 180k miles. Went in for some other services and since they would have the car for a few days, I'd figure I'd ask for another d/f and they asked me if I wanted a filter replacement. I thought why not, let's just do the filter too since I don't think it's ever been done. I didn't specify a fluid in the moment and according to the receipt I got they used Valvoline MaxLife.

Transmission is doing totally fine currently, absolutely 0 issues, despite what people have said about the dangers of servicing a high mileage transmission.

So right now the transmission probably has some mixture of WS and MaxLife and a relatively new filter. When would you do the next service, and what would you suggest? D/f, or pan drop and filter replacement, and what fluid should I use? WS or keep going with Maxlife.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

One drain and fill every 30-60k is enough. You can use Maxlife or WS with no problem, or any other modern LV synthetic ATF. The brand name of the ATF doesn't matter much.

 

[TumblrDucks]

D/F is most likely be ok, but not transmission flush

 

[THORROMIG]

Spill N fill every 20-30K would be a good practice. I would spill N fill it one more time. If using the Maxlife Multi Vehicle and no issues --- continue. Pertaining, buying that buy the gallon is much cheaper than Toyota WS.

 

[Marrk]

the dangers of servicing a high mileage transmission.

This makes no logical sense. At least not to me.

I think you did fine.

 

[oldcodger]

I think we get confused with a drain and fill or a transmission flush. I would not want to do a flush on a neglected transmision.

 

[RF Overlord]

I always service the transmission on every car I buy (I only buy pre-loved cars). My last purchase was a 2011 Grand Marquis with 177k miles in July of '23. Never serviced before. It's still doing fine.

High mileage my a$$...

 

[OilStainedNapkin]

Toyotas are not very prone to transmission issues. D&F every 50-60k will likely be sufficient. Or full exchange every 100-120k if you go that route

 

[RF Overlord]

Forgot to add that transmission filters only need to be changed once. After that, just drain & fills.

IMHO, YMMV, etc

 

[MalibuRam65]

You can do 2 D&F using AMSOIL SS transmission fluid or HPL and forget about it you’ll be good .

 

[Snagglefoot]

One of the most important things of a transmission service is to drop the pan and clean up the magnet. If it has a small amount of clutch material adhering to it, not an issue. It you have a lot of metal on the magnet, the clock is ticking.

 

[Deontologist]

Forgot to add that transmission filters only need to be changed once. After that, just drain & fills.

IMHO, YMMV, etc

Your comment did prompt me to search up more details about the car's transmission "filter" and I recalled that it was more of a metal mesh screen or "strainer" rather than a traditional pleated media filter.

I'm pretty sure that the shop put in an aftermarket pleated media filter with the MaxLife. I don't think the last shop I went to uses any OEM components unless requested; the shop has a relationship with an O'Reilly's.

Now I'm wondering if I should be concerned about the pleated media filter and whether it'll collapse or something and get sucked up by the transmission pump ... maybe I should consider changing out the pleated media filter eventually?

I did read about someone else with a RAV4 who inspected a pleated media filter and noticed that it was on the verge of tearing ...

I wonder what vehicles with pleated media filters from the factory say about the filter change interval, if any.

 

[Dino01]

One of the most important things of a transmission service is to drop the pan and clean up the magnet. If it has a small amount of clutch material adhering to it, not an issue. It you have a lot of metal on the magnet, the clock is ticking.

Usually I’d agree 100%, but every ws-filled Toyota I own or have serviced (always with ws) have never needed it when I’ve dropped the pans, fwd-based or rwd-based. I’m not sure what it is but they seem to run remarkably clean, even with the ws getting discolored after a short interval.

I usually drain and fill mine religiously every 30k, but even on ones that haven’t been touched until 100k or more still have suspiciously clean pans/magnets, gotta be some kind of witchcraft

 

[Marrk]

One of the most important things of a transmission service is to drop the pan and clean up the magnet. If it has a small amount of clutch material adhering to it, not an issue. It you have a lot of metal on the magnet, the clock is ticking.

I assumed that the OP's transmission is an automatic. You may be referring to magnets in automatic transmissions as well. I have a small Honda with a manual transmission, and I am not aware of any magnets in the any pan. By the way, what is a transmission pan, or were you referring to the oil pan?

Thanks.

 

[Patrick0525]

Forgot to add that transmission filters only need to be changed once. After that, just drain & fills.

IMHO, YMMV, etc

Agree. My 14 Venza had 3 flushes every 40k, and the dealer found minimal magnet debris when he did the 120k filter change. I posted pics in this forum during the summer and filled it with HPL green.

 

[road_rascal]

I've been doing 30-40K trans fluid changes (MityVac pneumatic evacuator) on my '12 Rav4. At around 170,000 miles I dropped the trans pan and there was very little debris on the magnet and the filter looked decent. I replaced it anyways (Wix filter). Right now it has a touch over 198,000 miles and shifts great.

 

[Patrick0525]

I've been doing 30-40K trans fluid changes (MityVac pneumatic evacuator) on my '12 Rav4. At around 170,000 miles I dropped the trans pan and there was very little debris on the magnet and the filter looked decent. I replaced it anyways (Wix filter). Right now it has a touch over 198,000 miles and shifts great.

On ur RAV4, where did u MityVac from?

 

[Patrick0525]

14 Venza ATF filter
14 Venza ATF UOA history

 

[RF Overlord]

I wonder what vehicles with pleated media filters from the factory say about the filter change interval, if any.

The factory service manual for the various Grand Marquis' I've owned states that changing the filter is not necessary during routine fluid changes.

The purpose of the filter is to capture any debris left over from manufacturing and from initial break-in. If you're doing timely fluid services there's no need to replace the filter after the initial change.

There are also threads on here showing that Honda states the same about their filters.

 

[Snagglefoot]

I assumed that the OP's transmission is an automatic. You may be referring to magnets in automatic transmissions as well. I have a small Honda with a manual transmission, and I am not aware of any magnets in the any pan. By the way, what is a transmission pan, or were you referring to the oil pan?

Thanks.

Yes, I’m referring to an automatic transmission. And the transmission pan I’m referring to is on the bottom of the automatic transmission. Typical designs require it to be removed to access the automatic transmission filter and the circular magnet lying on the bottom of the pan. Here are photos from my last pan drop. The magnet sits on a bit of a dimple punched into the bottom of the pan. This gives a chance for debris to accumulate underneath as well as above the magnet. Automatic transmissions have a multitude of thin "clutches" that wear and have metal plates sandwiched between them. Everything wears but hopefully the transmission lasts until the vehicle hits the wrecking yard. In my case I have over 260,000 miles so its likely I'll have to get a re-build done at some time. $$$$$$$. If the magnet is covered in metal slivers, it indicates you have serious wear and the price of the rebuild is going to be higher. Enjoy the photos.