[ramichia452]

Hi everyone
I have a toyota sienna 2014 with 200k.the transmission fluid was never replaced and my question is should I replace it along with the filter or leave it alone. I know the risk by changing the fluid and what is the right way to do it without having any problems

 

[3Wheelerguy]

Welcome to the site. You are going to get mixed reviews on this.

As far as me. I would drain it into a measuring container and replace the same amount of fluid. Drive it for 500 miles and change it again. That's just me.

 

[DC_Dave]

Welcome! At 200k, I would replace the filter and fluid in the pan. The process for partial fluid change is readily available on YouTube.

If the fluid doesn't look and smell terrible, I'd then start replacing 3qts of fluid at every oil change. If the fluid looks to be in really bad condition, I'd change it twice per oil change interval.

Please let us know what you find when you get in there 🙂

 

[doji]

If replacing and you do not use the recommended way to use the OBD to set the correct level when the fluid is in the temperature range, would suggest doing the change with a cold engine so the ATF fluid that goes in is the same as temp as the fluid that came out.

 

[AndreyG]

If replacing and you do not use the recommended way to use the OBD to set the correct level when the fluid is in the temperature range, would suggest doing the change with a cold engine so the ATF fluid that goes in is the same as temp as the fluid that came out.

I did not know about the emperature range. Thanks for the advice

 

[sbihue]

Check out this DIY for some good info....tranny fluid diy
If you have never done a flush or a drain/refill, use the temp method as the fluid measurement methoumes that the previous fill level was correct which may or may not be correct.

Tip:
You do not need to remove the driver side wheel. On a level surface like a garage floor, turn the wheel all the way to the left. That gives you enough clearance to access the fill plug.

 

[RRdan]

Hi everyone
I have a toyota sienna 2014 with 200k.the transmission fluid was never replaced and my question is should I replace it along with the filter or leave it alone. I know the risk by changing the fluid and what is the right way to do it without having any problems

I'm in the same situation. 2011 Sienna with 185k. Please keep us posted on your experience with changing, or not!

 

[Anton]

I had a complete replacement done on my van at 152k and it's been fine for 10k miles since. They used some big cylinder with a piston in the middle, dirty fluid on one side and clean on the other, and hooked it up into some hose.

 

[irockchaps]

I changed mine at 150k on my 2013. It's pretty straight forward. Measure up the fluid that comes out after it cools down. Put that much back in. For reference on mine, 2 qts came out and 2 went back in.

Amazon sells a quart bottle screw on tube that helps. It's slow cause the air bubbles have to come up, but it works and it's cheap.

Amazon.com

 

[slothman]

how do you know the fluid was never changed? Are you the only owner? Or you just don't have records from previous people ??

If the oil is original, there is no way in hell I would replace the fluid. With 200k miles, you are begging for trouble.

You can drain a little bit out, and smell it. If the oil smells like "burnt toast", DO NOT change it. If it looks red or brown on a white paper towel, you are OK to change.

The reason is, old floating particles in the oil, holds the clutches together. Fresh fluid can sometimes make things WAY worse.

Also need to mention, you cannot change the oil "cold". You need a temp gun to read the temp and make sure it is within range, and THEN add the oil. You cannot just "add what you take out". This is because of the torque converter and special fill tube that is screwed within the pan. There are many videos on youtube that explain the process (including Toyota master techs).

 

[slothman]

I changed mine at 150k on my 2013. It's pretty straight forward. Measure up the fluid that comes out after it cools down. Put that much back in. For reference on mine, 2 qts came out and 2 went back in.

Amazon sells a quart bottle screw on tube that helps. It's slow cause the air bubbles have to come up, but it works and it's cheap.

Amazon.com

You cannot do a cold drain and fill. The temp has to be proper.

 

[irockchaps]

I didn't mean to imply I changed it cold. Yes, look at the master tech videos. There is a set temperature to which the overflow tube is calibrated. I did use a temp gun and refilled at a certain temp. Used the overflow tube and all. I didn't mean to give instructional step by step there are plenty of videos online. My only point was that it can be done by DIYers. Toyota doesn't charge too much to change it either if you're not comfortable doing it yourself.

 

[Anton]

You need to SET it at temperature. You can change it cold if you want*, but any procedure which does not finish with setting it at the right temperature is blindly trusting that it was correctly filled before. I never assume stuff like that.

* EDIT: people go 'round and 'round about whether it's beneficial to change fluids hot, the assumption being that hot fluids flow faster and are likely to be better agitated and therefore are carrying more particles. I always do but some people don't.

 

[greenskeeper]

FWIW, when I did a complete change and did the final fill cold, upon raising the ATF temperature to 108-113F, approximately 1/2 quart of "extra" fluid came out.

Would that extra 1/2 quart cause the transmission to self-destruct? Probably not... low fluid level would be of greater concern IMO.

The next time I change the fluid (30k miles), I'll measure the exact amount of "extra" fluid for anyone who wants that as a point of reference.