Trans Fluid/Filter Change...Next?

[coopns]

09 Tundra 175k...new to me. Had a hesitation going up small inclines 20-25, light on gas. Also slight "rumble" strip feel going 50. After some advice and research...including here...dropped the pan, new MaxLife and filter. Replaced 4qts. Drove it about 10 miles today, definitely felt better, still could feel that slipping/hesitation but much, much improved.

I was 'anticipating' ATF would be really bad...wasn't. Pan was not bad at all either. Still changed out 4qts and new filter. I can't check fluid level so I'm also left wondering, does the trans have requisite amount of fluid? Wish it had a filler tube! Toyota said might not have enough fluid, which could be the hesitation.

Could you recommend what to do next? Another drain and fill with Maxlife? Bit of a pain without filler tube...has a plug to drain but an odd filler plug on side of trans pan...snaked a hose down to it.

Should I feel a difference right away after the change or will it take some time to filter through? I figure another drain and I'm almost there.

Should I leave Lubeguard/Lucas out for now?

 

[CT8]

Is the transmission filter a screen?

 

[RooflessVW]

What's your transmission's capacity? I would do a line flush and fill using the proper procedure. With no dipstick this typically involves removing the fill plug with the engine running, ensuring you have cycled through all available gears, and filling until the fluid runs out at a certain temperature.

 

[Rolla07]

Drive it more before you change again.. Does Toyota have a way to check level? Seems odd they cant tell..

 

[3800Series]

With only 4 quarts on a drop you might as well change it next week if your trying to replace the old fluid. My Regal holds about 13 quarts and 7ish quarts on a drop.

If your just looking to maintain then 25k miles or what ever your service manual recommends. Easy method is just measure what ever you take out and put that much right back in.

 

[Oro_O]

At this point, your most cost/time effective action would be to:

a) drop the pan and clean out the debris in the bottom.
b) check the screen (filter). In these, it's just a wire mesh so no need to replace it.
c) refill pan and then swap out 8 more quarts via the transmission line.

This way you can get to 95+% new, clean fluid with 12 qts. instead of the 28 qts it would take to get to that level of new fluid if you just drain/fill and only change a fraction of new fluid each time.

Here's a fill % calculator I made, this link should show what doing a drain/fill does, vs. just swapping it out at once via the lines. And contrary to internet myth, your transmission will not explode a week after you put clean fluid in it.

At this mileage, dropping the pan and cleaning it is wise as there is shed friction material, etc. in the bottom that is quickly "loading" your clean new fluid and reducing the effectiveness of your change.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Q09EgQ9YKJf1Q_qROXvstVO4PMeYGlPTXseqFuq3E54/edit?usp=sharing

 

[Donald]

I think you need to find out how to check the fluid and see if it's full. It could have been low when you started.

 

[Bgallagher]

Originally Posted By: Rolla07
Drive it more before you change again.. Does Toyota have a way to check level? Seems odd they cant tell..


+1 There must be some sort of a check nut that you remove while the transmission is warm on level ground. If fluid is dribbling out versus gushing/nothing than the transmission is filled. I would recommend doing another change in a week or two and add a bottle of LGR and you'll certainly notice the difference.

 

[coopns]

We filled it through a fill bolt on side of transmission pan.

I know how much came out but again, I think it was a bit low to begin with.

Other Tundra people mentioned that the trans is picky with the level, starts to act up if low/high. So that is my concern, how do I know what level is correct, through the plug but at what point, till fluid starts to come out that fill plug? The plug is about a shade over half the trans pan.

I think with fluid pretty cheap at Walmart, I will go with 2 more drains and a splash of Lubeguard Platinum.

As previously noted, did feel considerably better but I am left wondering is it because of more fluid or new fluid. The spent fluid really was clear and filter wasn't bad, magnets weren't bad. So I guess as I'm typing this maybe was the added fluid.