I think there is no telling what was in it at 80K miles when you bought it. I think the tranny flush is part if the 15K and 30K mile service. Those services are usually done with a new vehicle to keep the warranty intact, usually at a dealer but that doesn't mean they used T-IV (see this thread: http://www.tacomaterritory.com/forum...d.php?t=96002).

My 2002 Tacoma owners manual says Dexron II or III but it could be wrong, it wouldn't be the first time I've seen a wrong spec in a Toyota printed manual.

 

Good point....so T-IV it is. I'm probably going to dislike the stealership after I get the pricetag on this stuff!

Thanks for all the information and help on this subject though. You guys are going to make my Tacoma last forever!

 

My car has 99k on it and I plan on changing the fluid in my tranny @100k

I very much doubt its ever been changed, so that rules out a flush, how would I go about changing all the fluid out?

 

As far as I know, you can't change ALL the fluid out. Reason being is that the Torque Converter holds 2/3 or so of all the fluid at any one time. Unless you are willing to yank out the TC, it's not happening. That being said, doing a drain (of what is in the pan) and refill over a period of several thousand miles in between, should get enough of the old stuff out that you should be in the clear.

 

alright, I'll do the drain and fill and if the fluid looks good I'll let it be for a few more k's

Thanks!

 

can u mix dino and syn atf?

 

just check the fluid. if it has tiny metal flakes in it then dont but if it doesnt, THEN DO THE FLUSH.. i have found that amsoil shifts very smooth, i like it..

 

yes they are compatable.. just do not mix types of atf like, dexIII with TIV etc etc

 

GOAT, his is dexIII also... TIV wasnt used until 2003.. now exculsevly for 2004's and up..

Quatro- do not use TIV, yours is spec'd for DEXIII.. call the yota place and double check but i am 99% sure i am right.. so this means you have a few good options. M1, amsoil and redline... you can mix those up actually,(not that i would) they are compatable.

 

trdparts4u.com wants $35 for their tranny screen.. i thought i read somewhere where they charge 27$ for it??

 

GOAT, a lot of yota dealerships do not flush period.. they just drain and fill. i dont have a toyota dealership within hundreds of miles of me that will do a "flush"... this is why i opt for frequent drain and fills. esp ifyou offroad, heavy on the pedal or hard city driving bc DEXIII is crap for an atf. TIV isnt that great either though it is leaps over DEXIII.

 

I've had a couple of flushes done at dealers, this guy has too:
http://www.tacomaterritory.com/forum...ad.php?t=96002)

 

is mobile 1 full synthetic?

 

I got a PM from someone telling me that the Toyota techs say to never replace the ATF filter. I know, I've had to argue with the parts guys to get them to order one for me before. So just for the record, I'm not saying that everyone needs to go out and replace them. The subject was brought up by someone as to cleaning one, and I just said they really can't be cleaned effectively and to just replace it instead of trying to clean it.

The first time I changed one it was hardly dirty at all at 100,000 miles. I went ahead and changed it since I'd already bought the filter and had the pan off.

The 2nd time I changed one I was doing a VB upgrade at about 27,000 miles and had the pan off for that. So I went ahead and changed it while I had the pan off. It's a real PITA to get the pan off and I didn't want to have to take it off again for a long time.

Based on my limited experence with these filters, they really don't get very dirty, but both of my trannies were in great condition and had regular maintenance. I'd say that the filter can easily go 100,000 miles without a problem, maybe even 200,000 miles. In fact cleaning the magnets is probably more important than changing the filter IMHO. I edited my previous post to make that a little clearer.

 

I always go to the dealer and have the thing powerflushed. they force 15 liters in and suck 15 liters out. master technician says this is all that needs to be done normally, if done when the manual says to do it.

 

Ah....should I buy DEXIII from the dealership or just get M1, Amsoil, or Redline?

Thanks!

 

Try here Mike:
https://www.1sttoyotaparts.com/partscat.html

I was just going from memory on that price (IIRC), so don't quote me on it.

 

I'd lean towards that myself, especailly if you're just doing a drain and refill. Some have speculated that the DexII or III may not be compatable with T-IV. But I don't know.

 

From the dealership or M1, Amsoil, Redline though Goat??

 

they arent technically compatable but i have read where someone mixed it to no ill affects but its bad practice as we all know.

Quatro your truck specs DEXIII-- so go out and find some M1, amsoil universal atf, or redline and use those.. those are the best DEXIII's on the market now. you cannot get those at a dealership...so call around your local auto parts stores and go from there.. always read the bottles of atf to make sure its approved for DEXIII and roll with it. the above atf's are synthetics. if you do not want to pay that price Valvoline maxlife makes a good dexIII fluid. its like 3.50$ per qt at walmart.. i have used that myself till i switched to a synthetic after reading more about dexIII's.. the key is with dexIII (non synthetics) is that you NEED to drain and fill it frequently (10-15k miles) or every 3rd oil change bc dexIII shears and goes to crud quicker than the synthetics.

most of your questions should be answered by now