How to change your Toyota Sealed Transmission Fluid

A Toyota master diagnostic technician explains step by step how to change your toyota sealed transmission CVT transmission and new 8 speed transmission!

Please read the notes in the description that's applicable to your Toyota transmission. Leave a comment or email if you have any questions.

In this video I will go over how the sealed transmission works, Also how to drain the fluid and add new toyota transmission fluid. Also I will go over the 3 ways to adjust the toyota sealed transmission fluid level.

This applies to all Toyota models without a dipstick. If you own a 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 corolla with a CVT transmission it's the same procedure just make sure you use the correct genuine Toyota CVT FE fluid.

This also applies to Toyota's new 8 speed transmission in many models including 2017-2020 highlander 2017-2020 Sienna 2018-2020 Camry 2019-2020 Rav4 and more.

Notes on 8 speed transmission:

- The drain plug that I showed in the picture in the video is gonna be a 10mm hex and the overflow tube will still be a 6mm hex socket.
-The cooler bypass will be located between the transmission and the radiator, you have to remove the front driver's side splash sheild to access it (10mm screws and clips) Also this only applies to some 2017-2020 highlander and 2017-2020 sienna models. If your highlander or sienna doesn't have it then skip the cooler bypass part.

Notes on some tundra and sequioa models.
-Some of these models will have 2 drains on the transmission pan. one is going to be a drain plug and the other will be the overflow tube. so drain the one then tighten it then use the other plug to adjust the fluid.
-The cooler bypass will be available on some of them located by the transmission on the passenger side.
-The fill plug will be located on the driver's side of the transmission also a 24mm bolt.

Notes on some Tacoma models.
- Some Tacoma models will use the A\T OIL TEMP light instead of the D or Drive light.

This procedure does NOT work on the following models:
2020-2021 Supra. Any toyota with a dipstick. All scion IA and Yaris IA and the new yaris hatchback. Scion FRS and Toyota 86. All hybrid models.

Tools needed:
-10mm socket for panel removal.
-21mm socket for wheel removal.
-6mm HEX socket.
-10mm HEX socket (only for 8 speed transmission)
-drain pan
-a container with quart measurments
-a fluid pump( one used in the video linked below)
-Small jumper wire.
-Temp gun if using this method (linked below)
- 4 jack stands and jack if lifting the car off the ground.

Parts needed
-For CVT transmissions use Genuine CVT FE transmission fluid. It's sold in a 4L container.
-For WS transmissions use genuine WS fluid. They are sold in 1 quart bottles.
-2 washers (or 3) for the drain and fill plugs.

Fluid transfer pump can be bought below:

Infrared Temperature gun:

Links to helpful videos:

Link to my video discussing transmission fluid types:

Aftermarket fluids :
I do not endorse nor recommend the use of any aftermarket transmission fluid in any Toyota WS and especially CVT transmissions. If you choose to use a non original fluid you are doing so at your own risk! Always shop around for best deals and prices from the dealership or online for original parts.

Song: x50 - Miss U
Music provided by Vlog No Copyright Music.

[dimitris.p.kepenos]

Why this isn't trending? These videos can and will save thousands of people getting scammed.

[gtobob]

Any manufacturer that does this shows us all how little regard they truly have for their clients.
The conventional automatic transmission is the single most complex mechanical device in a car, and maintenance needs to be easy for the owner, especially the traditional DIY owner.
Why Toyota fell for this marketing ploy is beyond me, and saddens me. They also took what was fairly easy to do and seriously complicated it for the average DIY'er.
Thank you for this presentation and showing what it really takes to, as simply as possible, do what used to be a simple task.

[leanbean]

As an educator, I’d like to say that you are an excellent teacher. You are so thorough, yet concise. In addition, your videos appeal to a variety of learning modalities (auditory, visual, kinesthetic) so that everyone can learn. Great job!

[kens-jrvv]

I can't imagine one of these "Express Lube" places following this procedure.

[MikeEpperson-prty]

I just wanted to say thank you for making this video. Just did my 21 Highlander and made the process so easy. Probably saved me hundreds of dollars by not having a dealer do it!

[Thecelestial]

Thank you for your help. I was able to change the fluid without too much trouble and learned a ton! Some observations from my experience should it help anyone:
1. I have a 2019 Camry and did the transmission fluid change at 60k miles. It was the first time I did it and the first time the transmission fluid has been changed since buying the car new. The fluid seemed very clean and still a good red color.
2. I did an oil change at the same time but before the transmission. You do not need to remove the splash guard that covers the oil drain plug as it is bolted to the same splash guard you have to remove to gain access to the transmission drain plug and remove that will expose oil drain bolt anyway. Save you a few minutes if you're doing the engine oil at the same time and a 'duh!' moment lol.
3. The drain plug AND the fill plug were torqued down extremely tight. Make sure you have something with a lot of leverage, especially the drain bolt. I used a 16 inch torque wrench and still barked my knuckles on the fill plug. Be careful.
4.I jacked the up car on 4 stands to keep it level and confirmed with a magnetic level on the undercarriage. It wasn't perfect but it was close.
5. A long piece of tube stretched over a funnel held high above and clamped onto hydraulic lifts for the hood is how i got the fluid back into the transmission. As long as there was pressure from more fluid flowing into the tube it was able to go into the fill hole with minimal leakage. I couldn't get the last few drops in, but I purposefully overfilled it so that last few ml's didn't matter.
6. Draining was straightforward, the straw came right out and the fluid came afterwards. I didn't have a bucket to measure but that would've made it a lot easier to know how much to put in. Another video I watched said 3.5l which is what I did and it went fine draining out the excess though it was probably a little wasteful.
7. The temperature was tricky. I went with the infrared gun method and because my Camry isn't the same model as the vehicle in this video the picture wasn't a perfect match. I looked for the same ridges in the picture and tested multiple areas until every spot on the transmission case was over 95F. Afterwards I removed the drain bolt for the second drain to get the appropriate fluid level and after about 20-30 seconds it started to trickle out like shown in the video.
8. Before and during part 7 I was shifting to circulate the new fluid a very concerning thump sound kept happening when going from park to neutral, neutral to drive, drive to park etc. It wasn't a bad thump, I imagine it was the transmission doing its job with low initial fluid since it hadn't had the chance to fully circulate. I took a risk and drove it around afterwards and luckily that sound did not occur over the 20-25 minutes of test driving. I was mainly doing neighborhood but also was able to get up to highway speeds of around 70mph and it was shifting great, no incidents. I think giving the fluid the opportunity to actually flow and engage the gears instead of just alternating between park and drive was what actually filled up any gaps in transmission fluid that was causing the thumping. I still am concerned that the sound was due to low transmission fluid, so I'm curious how it will sound when I start it cold tomorrow morning. In either case it drives as good as new when warm so I know the level is very close and I way overbought fluid so I can add more and repeat the drain process.
8. I've left the splash guard off for now, and placed a large piece of cardboard under where both the oil and transmission drain bolts are located. I will inspect it in the morning for any leaks, along with the bolts themselves. I'm about 2 hours post change and the only thing on the cardboard so far is water so I think I'm in the clear.

Will update ASAP. Thanks for all your help!

[bobabraham]

A great overview of a necessary maintenance item.

Sealed transmissions with “lifetime” transmission fluid are the worst fraud ever perpetrated by car makers on buyers. I know I have a 2009 Tacoma with this claim. Although I brought the truck in for servicing since new the dealer never changed the transmission fluid even though Toyota recognized they blew it in around 2015 and issued a service bulletin recommending changes at 60k and 30k thereafter. They never communicated this to owners….
At 90k I started to notice the dreaded “ low speed shudder” and changed the fluid and filter. It was disgusting! The shudder does not go away quickly, but it does go away eventually if you keep changing the atf fluid. When the dealer renewed the frame on the truck they told me the transmission had to be replaced at a cost of more than $5000. I told them I’d wait til it broke down. The truck now has another 50k on it and aside from a teeny shudder at walking speeds it runs like a top.
Don’t be afraid of changing the atf fluid and the filter as well if that’s possible
Don’t believe a dealer or service rep that tells you it’s lifetime fluid there is no such thing

[slm]

You are an amazing instructor! I wish all my instructors in college were as patient and thorough as you. Keep it up! Thank you so much for taking the time out of your life to help all of us amateurs understand and tackle jobs that we can do.🙏 God bless you for your generosity! Peace be onto you! 👍

[jshepard]

Very helpful video. I spent a couple weeks collecting the tools I'd need to do a fluid drain and fill on my 2015 Corolla. My one bit of advice is to do it when the transmission is unquestionably cold. Get the car into a level spot and leave it there, then do the drain and fill in the morning. That will greatly reduce the chances of under filling the transmission, which is easy to do. You also don't need this pump apparatus. A small funnel and a couple feet of 1/2" vinyl tubing works great.

[kushilgunawardana]

I have done my 2014 RAV4 transmission oil change according to your instructions. It's absolutely smoother than before. Your videos are great help for DIY jobs. Keep it up mate. Appreciated.

[Jst_a_layman]

I had been searching for anything on dipstick less transmission fluid level like for ages n then this guy comes along n answers jst about everything u wana know... may the lord bless u sir...

[Jetsonn]

“May The Lord bless you and keep you” Thank you for that 💙

[davypig]

I don’t have a Toyota or an automatic trans but I watched anyway and this was an excellent how-to video. You sir have class.

[Rodrigueira]

Thank you! Just did it on my Venza. One thing it wasn't explained is to put the gear on park when the "D" is on for 2 seconds. I read the bulletin board and it also mentioned to unplug the wire from the obd2 before checking the level.

[MyNameJeff-cksb]

You’re the only guy I trust on how to videos for my Camry. I’ve watched a bunch of other Youtubers and you are by far the best

[hasuinc]

You;re the BEST!!! Your videos are accrate and fully informative !! I am 71 but still believe in doing the oil changes myself. .

[RyanLeeProductions]

I tackled this job today and did the Diagnostic Mode with a jumper wire and I feel so much more confident that I did my drain and fill correctly thanks to you. You explain things very well and the procedure was easy to follow. These transmissions are not cheap to replace so it was important to me that I got the fluid level correct. So thank you very much sir and god bless you and your family.

[alext]

We wouldn't consider NOT subscribing. Everyone should subscribe. These are the clearest instructions ever. Another excellent video.

[vaughnavesian]

Thank you for a great video. I never trusted lifetime ATF deal. got it changed at 50k. It smelled ok but was already dark. Thank you for being honest. Much appreciated by plenty of Toyota owners

[striderwolf]

Been watching Toyota DIY vids for 10 years and Car Care Nut is THE BEST! Seeing him show up on the forums a ton now. Thank you!