Transmission Fluid - to change or not - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

wdaltman · 05-27-2011, 07:30 AM

Hello, I just bought an 06 Sienna LE with 60k miles. Next month, we'll be taking a 10,000 mile camping trip out west pulling a small luggage trailer (around 600 lbs loaded). The transmission fluid has not been changed and I'm wondering if it would be a good idea before this trip. In seeking advice, I've heard everything from never change it to change it regularly, but it might be too late to begin doing that. However, I understand that this is included in the 100,000 scheduled maintenance.

Advice? Should I go ahead and have it drained and filled?

Yuko · 05-27-2011, 08:07 AM

The 06 should use the T-IV ATF and at 60k, it is perfectly safe to do a drain and refill or a complete fluid exhange. (but never a pressure flush)

torch1025 · 06-01-2011, 02:00 PM

Does this involve just undoing the hex drain plug at the bottom of the transmission let drain completely then fill back up? I am having a hard time figuring if that is the drain plug or not since I know ZERO about transmissions! Please advice and thank you in advance!

wdaltman · 06-01-2011, 02:14 PM

Yes, that's exactly it. The drain plug is a hex and is under the driver's side. I'm going to be doing this tomorrow, but my understanding is that you remove the plug, catch the fluid, replace the washer (it's apparently a crush or compression washer that is meant for one use, though I think it can be used a few times before being replaced) and replace the 4 quarts of fluid. The conventional wisdom here seems to be that it's best to the oem fluid that you can pick up at a dealership. I paid about $5 / quart and a few bucks for the washer.

torch1025 · 06-01-2011, 02:33 PM

Thanks for the information! Yes the dealership wants $90 to do this service and I believe I can do it for about $25 ($5.45 per quart X 4) (drain plug gasket $1.51) I might even do this service three times to really get some good fluid in there. This will still be cheaper than the dealership and I will have 12 quarts of good fluid in there. I am not sure what that ratio would be, but it would be almost new. Thanks again for the reply!