[davidctaylor]

I am getting ready to do a drain/refill of the automatic transmission in my 2002 Toyota Tacoma Prerunner double cab. I had been under the impression (for some reason) that it required a Toyota-specific tranny fluid. However, I just got out the owner's manual and it specs "Automatic transmission fluid D-II or DEXRON III (DEXRON II)".

So my question is this: Is it worthwhile to go with Mobil 1 synthetic? Or is it ok to just use a name brand tranny fluid? I use Mobil 1 oil in the engine.

I need something I can buy locally, because I plan to do this tommorow.

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

David Taylor

 

[KSdblcab]

It is worthwhile to go with Mobil 1 synthetic, but it's okay to use conventional. A driveway drain and fill will only replace about 1/2-1/3 the fluid though. Fluid in the torque converter, lines, etc will remain. It would be more worthwhile to take it some where and have it hooked up to a machine and also have them drop the pan, replace the filter, and replace with synthetic fluid. Check out gadget's website, or try a search here as he addressed that issue a while back.

 

[davidctaylor]

I don't believe there is a replaceable filter. And from what I hear, you get 4-5 quarts out of it in a drain, which isn't too bad. I think I will probably go with M1.

 

[Duckski]

David,

You are correct, there is no filter to replace. All there is that sits there is a screen. I fyou got to clean that, IMHO, you got bigger problems. I took a look at mine when I had a linkage problem. If you drop the pan, you will have to use SillyKone, there is no gasket. Not to tell you how to do it or anyhting but this is the way I do it.

Start with the truck cold on a flat surface and drain.

Measure what came out in old 5qt oil container.

Replace with the same amount, drive till hot and add if needed.

I replace with Quaker State Standard DEX III once a year if it needs it or not. I do pull a boat quite a bit but my oil always is nice, red, and no order. I drive an average of about 22k a year.

HTH.

 

[ARB1977]

I am getting ready to do a drain/refill of the automatic transmission in my 2002 Toyota Tacoma Prerunner double cab. I had been under the impression (for some reason) that it required a Toyota-specific tranny fluid. However, I just got out the owner's manual and it specs "Automatic transmission fluid D-II or DEXRON III (DEXRON II)".

So my question is this: Is it worthwhile to go with Mobil 1 synthetic? Or is it ok to just use a name brand tranny fluid? I use Mobil 1 oil in the engine.

I need something I can buy locally, because I plan to do this tommorow.

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

David Taylor

Draining and filling doesnt do jack chit. You need to flush out the system completely inorder to keep your tranny happy. When i did mine at 32K i bought 2 cases of redline D4 which is pretty expensive but worth it. The whole system has at least 18 qrts so draining and filling on takes care of 4 qrts worth. Flushing out the system is pretty easy to do. Drain whats in the pan, if the fluid looks ok but not burnt you dont need to drop the pan. Fill the pan with 4 qrts, remove the cooler line going back into the tranny and place it in a gallon jug and start the engine with it in park. Fill the container till its almost full and shut off the engine. Rememeber 4 qrts=1 gallon. Repeat till 20 qrts is used up, thats what i did.

 

[hezy]

What if you have 100k miles and have never done it at all?

 

[ARB1977]

What if you have 100k miles and have never done it at all?

Oil is important to the engine as atf is important to the tranny. Would you run oil in your engine for 100K? Atf doesnt brake down as qwickly as oil does thats why you can go 30K+ with atf but 100K is alittle too much. If your not noticing any slippage you should be ok but if the fluid is brown color that means the fluid is burnt and your tranny could be shot. At that point its not worth changing the fluid. I run synthetic and i would never go 100K between changes. 50K for synthetic and 30K for regular atf but thats just me.

 

[thanhnp]

Is there a Post with Pics and the entire procedure to Flush the Tranny?

 

[Bryanccfshr]

I am a big believer in drain and refills. Flushing is OK iif you want to totally replace the fluid with synthetic for example, But if you have a cooler and drain and refill consistantly you will not have any problems.

If you do things such as towing , alot of city driving, Offroading or sand driving I would suggest an aggressive drain and refill routine . I go 1 year or every 10K miles whichever comes first on my Taco. Some may be OK on a 20-30k interval.

I can get a gallon of Penzoil DexIII for 7 bucks at wally world and usually have a quart of something lying around as it takes me a full 5 qts sometimes more on a drain and refill. My used oil is always fresh and bright red when I drain it. And the transmission operates great especially considering it's life is pushing 33's with 4.10's in deep sand all the time.

You can use any DexIII compatible fluid in the 2002.
Mobil 1 is a great ATF as is the Amsoil series. You can also get a really good blend here at a great price http://www.specialtyformulations.com/index.htm

You can either add it in a drain and refill or fush depending on your needs. If you drain it before you start oxidizing the fluid you should not have to flush it. The fresh additives from a consitant regimen of drain and refills will reenforce the existing fluid that is left in the transmission. Once it becomes oxidized or burned though you cant bring it back. Transmission fluid does not become contaminated like engine oil. It is stressed mainly by heat and it's duties as a friction modifier. That is why controling it's operatiing temperatures is so important.


To the original poster. Drain and refill with whatever fluid you have confidence with and do it regularly.

 

[Bryanccfshr]

What if you have 100k miles and have never done it at all?

If it were my truck I would do a drain and refill but order an analysis kit before you do it. Have the fluid analyzed for oxidation and particle counts. The fresh fluid you add will replenish the antioxidant adds in the rest of the fluid while you wait on results and you will be able to tell through analysis if the tranny is in a condition to be flushed. At that mileage you probably do need a flush since the fluid has never been replenished but only if the transmission isn't already failing.

 

[Bryanccfshr]

A more technical take on the topic. http://theoildrop.server101.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=4;t=000147

 

[98 Taco]

i replaced 4 quarts of fluid
Type II Dextron/Mercon Valvoline
about 3.00 each, I think
I just opened the drain plug and let it all come out, and then refilled with the engine running in park
I am going to install an inline magnetic filter soon as well, externally in line with the return line back to the tranny.

 

[DWM]

i am getting ready to do a drain/refill of the automatic transmission in my 2002 toyota tacoma prerunner double cab. I had been under the impression (for some reason) that it required a toyota-specific tranny fluid. However, i just got out the owner's manual and it specs "automatic transmission fluid d-ii or dexron iii (dexron ii)".

So my question is this: Is it worthwhile to go with mobil 1 synthetic? Or is it ok to just use a name brand tranny fluid? I use mobil 1 oil in the engine.

I need something i can buy locally, because i plan to do this tommorow.

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

David taylor

how many quarts of transmission fluid do i need for my 2002 toyota corolla sport model to have it full?