I'm looking to change my transmission fluid. I have a 2004 3.4L tacoma with the 5 speed manual transmission. In my searching most of the information i have found is for automatics.

I am thinking of switching to a synthetic fluid. Is there a need to flush the transmission or is that only needed for an automatic? If i go synthetic should i change it sooner the first time to get any loosened up junk out? Is there a filter on the manual?

thanks
RC

 

hey there. i switched my fluid out 2 months ago. along with the diffs and the xfer case. used 75w for all but the rear diff (90w). just drained and filled- take the fill bolt off first so you know it comes off, and releases the natural vacuum so the fluid streams out. as far as a filter is concerned, i think there may be mesh, but nothing like the oil filter where it needs to be replaced every change. drain and fill- no flush like the autos. i'm sure mkgarrison will be along with the 140w speech shortly

edit: not synthetic, however. all napa gear oil.

 

i used redline mt-90 shifts great

 

I'd suggest either Redline MTL or Redline MT90 for your truck. Works most excellently.

Cheers!

 

Dont need to flush.Synthetic is copatiable with base oil.I used amsoil severe gear in the tranasfer case and transmission,and mobil one in the gear sets.Amsoil has a good application guide on line with recommended oils and capicacity list.

 

140w in the tranny isnt a good idea. he wasnt talking about the diffies buddy. Amsoil GL4 SVG would be my choice in a heartbeat... double check bc most are not supposed to use a GL-5 in manual trannies.. again double check. besides if you are not in a cold climate a 140w GL5 for the diffies in synethetic would be most awesome of choices unless its a daily driver only. i only refered to the 140wt in synthetics for people who haul and offroad a lot..

 

+1. REALLY good stuff.

As alluded to, if you go synth you need to make sure you use a GL4 oil. It has no differential friction modifiers and will allow the synchros to grab. GL5 synth is too slippery and will make it shift like crap. For instance, Mobil1, a fine gear oil, will truly irritate you with what it does to the tranny.

This is not necessarily true with dino oils though.

 

yup.... honeslty i think it does go for dino oils also. better to be safe than sorry.

GL-4 for manual trannies and t-cases
GL-5 for diffies.

 

There is no filter in manual transmissions.

Any time I have changed from dino to syn, this is what I do. I buy a M1 synthetic from Autozone (or Castrol, Valvoline, Penn., etc.), then run it in there for about 1000 miles. Then I drain that, then put in the good stuff (Amsoil). Not sure if that helps any, but it my head it does.

 

You guys who have run full syn in your transfer and tranny... how many miles do you go between changes?

 

This may come out a little long but covers all fluids:

LUBRICANTS & FLUIDS
Engine Oil
Grade 1......API*
SAE 0W-30 Synthetic Signature Series Oil
SAE 5W-30 Synthetic Motor Oil
SAE 5W-30 XL Synthetic Motor Oil
All Temps......5W-30
Manual Transmission,.....GL-5
All TEMPS......75W-90
Severe Gear 75W-90
Manual Transmission,.....GL-4
All TEMPS......75W-90
Synthetic Manual Transmission and Transaxle Gear Lube 75W-90
Automatic Transmission.....TIV
Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid
Differential, Front .....GL-5
All Temps......75W-90
Severe Gear 75W-90
Controlled Slip Differential, Rear .....GL-5*
Below -18°C......80W-90, 80W
SAE 80W-90 Synthetic Gear Lube
Severe Gear 75W-90
Controlled Slip Differential, Rear .....GL-5*
Above -18°C......90
SAE 80W-90 Synthetic Gear Lube
Severe Gear 75W-90
Standard Differential, Rear .....GL-5
Below -18°C......80W-90, 80W
SAE 80W-90 Synthetic Gear Lube
Severe Gear 75W-90
SAE 75W-90 Synthetic Gear Lube
Standard Differential, Rear .....GL-5
Above -18°C......90
SAE 80W-90 Synthetic Gear Lube
Severe Gear 75W-90
SAE 75W-90 Synthetic Gear Lube
Transfer Case,.....GL-4
75W-90
Synthetic Manual Transmission and Transaxle Gear Lube 75W-90
Transfer Case,.....GL-5
75W-90
Severe Gear 75W-90
Fluids
Power Steering Fluid.....AF3
Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid
Torque-Drive™ Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATD)
Brake Fluid.....HB
Series 500 High Performance DOT 3 Brake Fluid
Clutch Fluid.....HB
Series 500 High Performance DOT 3 Brake Fluid

 

depends on how hard you ride your truck. if its just a daily driver then go with the what it says in the book if not a tad longer. if you offroad, haul, pull trailors, jacked with larger tires then i would change it a little more frequently since you are putting strain on your tranny.. this goes for the diffs also.


--again, without a UOA its only speculation and educated guesses.

 

you could do that but its not necassary.

the main key with changing any tranny fluids is to get it nice and HOT! then drain immediatley and let it drain for atleast 30mins. this will get most of the gear oil out, then refill with whatever you want to use..

 

I wouldn't put M1 in the tranny unless I was in the sticks, had lost the gear oil, and nothing else was available. The transfer case and diffs, sure.

Even hot it will take a bit to flush out the old oil from the synchros and needle shaft bearings, etc. but that is not a big deal. That's why it takes a few hundred miles for folks to feel the improvement from putting in Redline MT-90.

 

Since I just picked up my first yota 4x4 (used to drive the sports cars and JDM units) I'd just like to clarify....

Use a GL4 gear oil for the transmission and transfer case
http://www.amsoil.com/shop/by-produc...?code=MTG55-EA

like that amsoil product

and a GL5 gear oil for the diffs front and rear

http://www.amsoil.com/shop/by-produc...?code=SVG16-EA

like THAT amsoil product...

both being excellent performers in low temps, great for long life and extended intervals for those of us a little lazy or forgetful....and perfect for daily use/light 4x4ing.... without a lot of towing/hauling... in which case something a little more rugged for the diffs?

 

wheres the filler hole on my taco front diff? i did every fluid in truck but that the other day but couldnt find the filler and or the drain plug. i found the 10mm hex on the drivers side. wheres the drain plug?

 

doing a full drain and fill on all diffs/tranny with amsoil costs $145, with probably a little fluid left over.

thats not terrible considering you dont need to do it often at all unless youre a rock crawler or heavy hauler.