NewHilux.net

Hello brains trust.

Is there an easy way to get a small sample of the AT fluid to check colour to see its condition?

My 2016 build hilux has about 140,000km (only last 10,000km were me) and i would like to have a little check to see how it looks.

In my old prado that i have now sold i dropped the AT fluid at 120,000km and it looked brand new. Don't want to go to the same effort with the Hilux if its not worth it.

Cheers,

We were always taught that Auto Transmissions needed to be "serviced" around once a year or every 20K. Ever since they stopped putting dipsticks in it's hard to know if technology has brought the Auto Trans closer to the Manual or if we still need to coddle them a little? I try to avoid buying Autos for this reason, so I'll be interested in the responses you get to this one. Buying a late model manual is not as easy as it once was.

It's not easy since gen 8 don't have a filler tube and opening the transmission leaves a big risk of contaminants. Unless the vehicle has been abused or used for towing, Toyota recommend the transmission fluid is 'lifetime'. Although I don't subscribe to the 'lifetime' view, unless you have any transmission problems I wouldn't touch it. If you're really concerned, take it to a transmission specialist and change the fluid, otherwise don't sweat it.

check on Youtube , there is a checking procedure on there , bascially you remove the overflow plug and if the tranny is overfilled , some will come out. I believe this has to be done at around 45deg temp

Gipsy wrote:Toyota recommend the transmission fluid is 'lifetime'.

WOW, Toyota have made something that lasts forever. I saw a News report earlier about the engines that Toyota are soon to put out being "Super Efficient" and "Bullet Proof" and all these other wonderful choices of terminology.

I guess looking to the future I would like to get hold of one of these Hilux 4WD utes with all the bells and whistles as long as it comes standard with the Perpetual Motion Engine.

Although is a Toyota recommended "lifetime's fluid, it's not Toyota that makes genuine Toyota fluids and oils, they're manufactured by a third party. Who knows where the 'lifetime' claim comes from?

Perpetual motion?? Now that's an idea I would like to see, something like the sun's energy but even that is finite.

lifetime refers to the warranty period, Many manufacturers do it to reduce the service costs of owning a new or near new vehicle. I would suggest changing it using the genuine Toyo ATF, Last time I checked they didn't even list a filter for the N70 4 speed.

Gipsy wrote: ... the sun's energy but even that is finite.

It's only gotta outlast me. It'd be bonus if it outlasts my daughter as well, but that isn't likely to be an issue I'll need to concern myself with.

Random Dude wrote:Hello brains trust.

Is there an easy way to get a small sample of the AT fluid to check colour to see its condition?

My 2016 build hilux has about 140,000km (only last 10,000km were me) and i would like to have a little check to see how it looks.

In my old prado that i have now sold i dropped the AT fluid at 120,000km and it looked brand new. Don't want to go to the same effort with the Hilux if its not worth it.

Cheers,

Yes, undo the drain plug, measure and replace . (when cold/ room temp... cold out/cold in)
The colour will look dark compared to new fluid, but the fluid turns dark anyway.
The 2-3 lts that come out, will be refreshed with new obviously.
At your milage , its perfect.Certainly no sooner.
What you don't want to do, is a flush.
The fibres from the plates "float in the system and re-bed into the plates".
If you "Flush", those fibres are removed and the plates will now wear, ALL OVER AGAIN.
The secret is, not having "so many" fibres in the system that clog the galleries, but having some to be utilised.
So no flush!!
If you really want to be anal about the "level"
Drive the car around the block ( after the refill), use a scan gauge or other method
Get the temp of the pan, not torque converter to 42 plus or minus 1 deg wont matter.
Undo Check plug ( the guy with the 5mm allen head) and allow fluid to flow to a trickle and replace plug.
No fluid? .... add a little more and repeat