Transmission Flush...or Exchange?

[linuxgod]

@DirtNap, Toyota says simply to inspect. However this is on the 60k "special operating condition" list.

I have no idea how Toyota defines "heavy vehicle loading". IMO there are 2 approaches to 60k service:

1. Inspect and replace if required. Not sure if "inspect" means visual or sending a sample off for analysis. If visual, I don't know how accurate "is/isn't pink" really is
2. Assume that "heavy vehicle loading" applies to you and replace the listed fluids.

You can probably get away with just inspecting and only replacing if it looks really bad. Toyota says you can go 10k miles between oil changes for normal use and Blackstone confirmed I could go 8000 miles (half pure city, half towing), so 10k miles is probably a bit conservative even. Most likely the fluids will last more than 100k miles if you're only lightly using the vehicle.

That said IIRC I think I spent about $600 to have the above done at 60k, though I do tow. I'll do the diffs and xfer case at 90k, but I won't do the ATF again until 120k.

 

[DirtNap]

Thanks. I was thinking -- maybe change it out at like 100k "whether it needs it or not". stretching the "heavy loading/towing" interval a bit, but maybe being a bit more cautious than the standard "keep an eye on it" mode.

@DirtNap, Toyota says simply to inspect. However this is on the 60k "special operating condition" list.

View attachment 1810668

I have no idea how Toyota defines "heavy vehicle loading". IMO there are 2 approaches to 60k service:

1. Inspect and replace if required. Not sure if "inspect" means visual or sending a sample off for analysis. If visual, I don't know how accurate "is/isn't pink" really is
2. Assume that "heavy vehicle loading" applies to you and replace the listed fluids.

You can probably get away with just inspecting and only replacing if it looks really bad. Toyota says you can go 10k miles between oil changes for normal use and Blackstone confirmed I could go 8000 miles (half pure city, half towing), so 10k miles is probably a bit conservative even. Most likely the fluids will last more than 100k miles if you're only lightly using the vehicle.

That said IIRC I think I spent about $600 to have the above done at 60k, though I do tow. I'll do the diffs and xfer case at 90k, but I won't do the ATF again until 120k.