How to check fluid in sealed transmission

Taking sample of fluid from 2005 Toyota Tacoma SR5

[erikcox]

I am glad they brought it to you for an inspection.

I dont believe in "flushes" I would only advise an "exchange". Drain, refill, pin transmission thermostat open, put outlet line in bucket, start engine, run through each selector setting down and up, do so for 45 seconds or X amount of quarts (same that was drained out of transmission pan), refill and repeat process until all the old fluid has been "exchanged". You already knew that by that is for those who do not know what "exchanging" the transmission fluid entails.

Keep up the good work my friend. I wish more service providers were as honest and trustworthy as you.

[aerialrescuesolutions]

I like this guy right here, he tells it like it is. They told me it "Just had an oil change" I drained the oil... Black, black.. Always check that stuff yourself. Receipts or not. Drain it, the color don't lie, people do.... Jim

[rightlanehog]

PRE-PURCHASE INSPECTION. Those words are music to my ears. Believe me, I was singing the blues before I learned the hard way how important a thorough inspection from a thoroughly qualified mechanic was in the process of buying a used car.

[SonnetGomes]

Thank you so much for posting this. I wonder why manufacturers don't include a dipstick with transmission these days. It probably saves them few quids! Yet, Transmission is such a critical and expensive component to fix or replace.

[condor]

Good video TM. My observation from my experience is that it is very hard to look at fluid and say it is old unless it is really bad/nasty. The fluid you show looks to be somewhat darker but to say it is old and was not flushed is somewhat of an inexact science. I regularly change out a gallon of ATF in my suburban (every 10K) using my vacuum pump video and the fluid in the jar looks darker than new. You will never drain fluid and have it nice and pink like new. Even completely new fluid will look darker after 10-15K miles from my experience. The person buying this car would do well just to do a few fluid drain and fills regardless just to establish a new baseline. Love your videos and garage!

[can-cruiser]

Thanks for posting Peter. I hope you get the time to post a video about checking the fluid level in sealed transmission (for ex. A760F) using TechStream as per the factory manual. Thank you.

[billrobsham]

My 06 toyota tacoma 4.0 long body has 183, 000 and the transmission fluid has never been changed . Probably should not bother now, right?

[deerphoria]

I'm the second owner of a 2015 Tacoma V6 4x4 with an A750F transmission with tow package. The vehicle has 125k miles. I am not sure if the transmission fluid was ever changed in the past by the previous owner. If I don't know what brand of transmission fluid is in the transmission, can I use any fluid that meets WS standard? Don't know if the previous owner changed the fluid and if he did, there's no way of me knowing what brand was used. So, lets say if there was Toyota WS fluid in the transmission and I used aftermarket fluid, is that ok for a drain in fill? Maybe drain and fill a few times all in one day?

[hywd]

They say flushes are bad for transmissions. Drain and refill is the best option?

[KyawBwa]

This is useful, Kuz my 2007 tacoma don’t have a stick too 🤦🏻

[Luka-Fuel]

Hi I have a 2020 Tacoma I recently went thru some water due to floods in my area. It was a big mistake to me it seemed like 20 inches deep max . I have bigger tires and 2inch lift so I didn’t see it being a problem. I was going very slow soon realized water was coming in my cab that’s when I realized oh no I put it reverse and backed out. Trying to find another way to get home 2 min of driving the car started to jerk as it was misfiring I started to crap my pants I love my truck and only have 27k on it . I come home took my mats out and vacuumed my carpet from the little water that come in . The next day called out of work drove my second car bought fresh oil drained it no water was present in the oil. Went for a drive it was all good for the first 6 miles the symptoms returned no check engine light. Did a little research and it felt exactly like a transmission shutter from the torque converter. Took it to local mechanic told him what happened and asked him to completely flush my transmission the pan down, replaced the transmission filter. He also recommended draining the rear differential and front and differential. I also brought 2 gallons of ams oil transmission fluid . I agreed that afternoon I came to check up. He said it was done, and he gave me back the 1 gallon. I said the truck takes minimum 6-7 quarts. He said he never took down the pan because while draining there was no water present anywhere. I took the truck drove fine again for the first 6 miles but the symptoms got worse now . Now I’m pissed but more at my self for going thru that water then the mechanic not dropping the pan down. Took the truck back told him that the truck was even worse now. He advised me it’s not your transmission it’s your motor a vent valve . I told him how can that be when the motor sounds good no smoke no ticking no check engine light and it’s starts to do it after 6 miles from being cold it’s sounds to me once the transmission fluid warms up that’s when it starts. He got Upset with me and told me to call the insurance they will total my truck. I realized I can’t go on with this mechanic. Took the truck home one of my friends who was once a mechanic recommended I go under the truck and disconnect all the sensors and spray them with electrical spray cleaner which I did and noticed trans fluid dripping on me while I was under the truck. He never replaced the crush washed is my assumption so now I have fluid dripping from the drain plug. Took it to this recommended mechanic now told him what has happened and my symptoms.
He told me go to Toyota buy me 14 quarts of transmission fluid transfer case fluid transmission filter crush washers. The next day he called me, told me there was water in my transmission. He said he did all the work. He drove the truck. It was still doing it a little bit. He then said he added shutter fluid drove the truck and it wasn’t doing it anymore. I took the truck. It drove perfect but I realized the truck liked to be in very low rpm some reason 1000 1100. The mechanic called me a day later and asked me if the symptoms returned which surprised me and I was happy about it and if the symptoms returned to call him back two days later and maybe 50-60 miles the symptom started to return slowly in low rpm I felt it my dash board and the rear shaking as if I’m driving over the highway emergency slits that worn you your getting of the road. If I drive more aggressively to keep my rpm higher it does not do it. I called the mechanic he said just drive it for a few weeks put more miles on it. I’m in a hard place right now I don’t know what to do anymore any help or recommendations to a mechanic in New Jersey would be appreciated. Thank you

[UncleSarkis]

I've always been told that it's usually not a good idea to flush transmission fluid, rather drain wants in the pan, change the filter and then replace the amount you drained.

[markreynolds]

Thanks for sharing this information, good information.

[BoricuaRD]

Hi toyota maintenance! I have been watching your videos for a long time you have helped me so much! thank you! I recently just purchased a 2008 toyota tacoma with 180k miles I'm wondering if I should change the transmission filter with a drain and fill of the transmission fluid or only just change the transmission fluid?

[peterchow]

Can you do video on changing the transmission fluid, thanks

[oscarmagallanes]

Should the transmission fluid by changed on a Gen 2 Prius (2008)?

[kyleguthrie]

Do you know what temp the 3rd gen fluids needs to be?

[sumanasoh]

Is changing transmission fluid and differential fluid based on mileage interval only or time interval for a lower mileage vehicle?

[alexnunez]

Can you link the checking fluid video? Please, kind sir.

[cbosmooth]

Hello! 2008 Tacoma sport 264k miles shuddering and vibrating under seat whenever i hit 2k rpm or hard acceleration but only does this towards the end of a gear or higher rpm, , not at all at low rpm or from a start, , , i was sure it was my front ujoint as i saw the bearing dust stripe on my undercarriage but the shop said no they think its transmission. Ive read alot that a flush fixed this problem and u joints. Do you think i should change it out and this might work and if so do i HAVE to change filter? or does his sound like ujoint? One day i did hear i tiny squeak from ubder the truck when i accelerated further making me think its a u joint. BUT i got the truck at 100k miles and is now 264k and ive NEVER changed the fluid yet (i know dont hate me), , any suggestions? Great channel btw, open to anyone who wants to help thanks!