Well, I think I’d take it to an independent shop...someone who specializes in Toyota, and you’ll save yourself a little money. And the fluid level check is important, so you want someone that knows what they’re doing or has a scan tool that can measure tranny temp to do the fluid level check.

As for flush, or drain and fill or pan drop. I’d do a pan drop at that mileage.

I’ve done the drain and fills at 50,000 miles and quite honestly I ended up having to do three of them to get the fluid to even start to look better. Toyota WS fluid goes very dark very quickly upon factory fill, so unless you keep up with it from day one it’s very difficult to keep it looking “fresh” unless you do a full exchange or pan drop. And if you decide to to do the flush/exchange, keep in mind that the filter is not being changed (and it’s not a metal strainer, it’s a paper element filter). And there is magnets that need to be cleaned. So in my opinion, I’d go with the pan drop, filter change, magnet clean and call it a day.

 

I'd change the filter. Can you DIY?

You can search rockauto.com just to look at the filter/gasket kit such as the ATP kit, and the Aisin WS ATF (other members like Valvoline Maxlife ATF, fully synthetic at $18/gallon at Walmart).

2013 TOYOTA AVALON 3.5L V6 Filter | Shop Now at RockAuto

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2013 TOYOTA AVALON 3.5L V6 Transmission Fluid | Shop Now at RockAuto

Transmission-Automatic Parts and More for Your 2013 TOYOTA AVALON at Reliably Low Prices. Fast Online Catalog. DIY-Easy. Your Choice of Quality. Full Manufacturer Warranty.

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And scroll down to the bottom for the latest 5% off code:

RockAuto Discount Code

Hey guys, I got this discount code but it will expire on October 24th and I won't be using it. I don't know if it can be used more than once so whoever uses it first might be the only one to get it. All you do is put this number "38391513162399" without the quotes in the "How did you hear...

www.toyotanation.com

 

Just got back from the dealership, dropped the car off for a recall fix. I argued with the service rep about a simple fluid change for $199 and he told me only a flush ($299) can be done since it is a "sealed system with our world class Toyota Transmission Fluid". He also told me he didn't want to push unnecessary services on me and to wait until I hit 100k for a flush....🐂😑

@JohnGD thanks for the links! I have changed transmission fluid and filter on my 2000 Avalon which had a dipstick. The 2013 appears to have a hex drain bolt and a 24mm refill bolt. Other than measuring how much comes out and putting the same amount of new fluid back in, how do you measure the fluid level?

Thanks for the help fellas.

 

The dealer takes the easy way out using a fluid exchange machine. It's ok if that's what you prefer, and as long as they make sure the ATF level is correct (not always the case with dealers). The machine can exchange 95% of the old fluid, but you're still left with an old filter.

In the pan there's a "standpipe" or plastic straw. The straw is removed to drain (non-issue if the pan's dropped). During filling, the top of the straw sets the level of the fluid in the pan. Yes, you add back the amount you drained, plus maybe 8-10 oz more of the new fluid. Here's how the level is set on the U660E (which I believe yours is??):

No pictures in this replacement review. And I couldn't find BlackCamSE's pictorial filter change writeup either.

07 SE V6 U660e transmission pan drop/filter change!

Hey Guys! Figured I'd share my experience with you! Upon reading about other members transmissions failing at relatively low mileage, I decided to do a pan drop and filter change on my 2007 Camry SE V6 with 77,408 miles the other day. I really wish I took pictures during this whole process, but...

www.toyotanation.com

An older version DIY (U241/251), more similar to the A541e in the 2000. Depending on how much a contortionist you are using a ratcheting wrench for a few hard to reach pan bolts may not need to jack the transmission.

DIY Gen 5 and Gen 6 Camry / Gen 2 Solara Trans Filter...

I decided to finally get around to posting a DIY for the filter replacement and flush on a 2002-2009 Camry and 2004-2008 Solara 4 speed and 5 speed U series automatic transmission. This procedure should apply identically to Highlander, Rav4, Sienna, Lexus ES, Lexus RX, Avalon or other Toyota...

www.toyotanation.com

Here are some more videos, just FYI. No need for all those fancy tools: