Sienna ATF Drain & Fill

[randomhero439]

My parent's 2006 Toyota Sienna FWD is coming up on 110k miles. The ATF has never been change on it. My plan was to do a drain and fill on the transmission every oil change (5000 miles OCI), for a total of 3. On the "normal" service it states that the fluid never needs to be changed, however there is a drain plug thankfully. I am thinking of using Toyota Type IV since they are budget minded. Is there a transmission filter for this this mini-van? Im pretty skeptical about removing the pan to change the filter. Last time I removed a pan was on my 2000 Dodge Stratus 2.4L. Afterwards no matter what type of gasket i used, it leaked. Even the Mopar Transmission Pan RTV!

Thoughts on this?

 

[LeakySeals]

I think T-IV is one of the best fluids out there. My transmission is clean, trouble free, goes on and on and on. Yours ran 110k trouble free miles on factory T-IV which backs that statement up. All I've ever performed on the Camry is once a year 4qt T-IV drain and fills. $6 a qt, $25. Comes out clean at 20-25k. So you could do a couple like you said to catch up, then get into a once a year/20-25k drain schedule. When you go to the dealer get the washer! Replace that every other drain. I still haven't replaced the filter screen, may do that at 300k.

 

[bepperb]

I think T-IV is a pretty average fluid, but it doesn't cost more than most other products (castrol import or Maxlife) and being it isn't your car and you don't want a finger pointed at you if there is a problem that is what I would use. The transmission filter is likely a screen so I would not drop the pan. Three four quart drain/fills spaced at oil change intervals sounds like the perfect plan.

You may need to go buy some 3/8 drive torx or hex sockets, I can't remember which but I think you'd have a hard time with just normal L shaped keys.

Lastly, it would be a good idea to mark a jug 1 quart, 2 quarts, 3 quarts... etc and then pour what you drain to be sure you put back in what you take out.

EDIT: the washer recommendation is a good one. Mine wept and I had a small moist area but never enough to drip after my first change. At the next change I filed it flat (it was nowhere close) and that took care of it, but an easier option would be to buy a new one at the dealer. IIRC it's an aluminum washer made to deform to seal and probably should be replaced every time.