Changing Transmission Fluid

[kolias]

Can someone please tell me how to change the automatic transmission fluid? I checked the manual and the service CD, neither mention how to do this. I have a 2000 V6. Thanks.

[fastone01]

Originally Posted by kolias

Can someone please tell me how to change the automatic transmission fluid? I checked the manual and the service CD, neither mention how to do this. I have a 2000 V6. Thanks.

Here is a write up of one of the members here I copied. Can't remember who it is but I am sure he will not mine and I can post this for you.


Transmission Fluid Change
While it's much better for the transmission to change the fluid using the method in [the above] article than it is not to change the fluid at all, this method only replaces about half of the fluid in the transmission. The best thing to do is to change out ALL of the fluid, and this is also something a person can do themselves.
First, drain the fluid from the pan, just like you would using Mr. Macfairlane's procedure. Once you've replaced the filter, the pan gasket, and reinstalled the pan, you're ready for the next step.
Fill the transmission to the proper level using the proper type of transmission fluid. Then disconnect the return transmission line (the line in which transmission fluid flows from the transmission cooler back to the transmission), located near the bottom of the radiator. There's two transmission lines connected in this location, and the bottom line is usually the return line. Once the line has been disconnected, attach a clear piece of tubing to the transmission cooler, the same diameter as the transmission line, approximately 5-6 feet long, using the transmission line clamp to secure it.
Place the unattached end of the clear tube in a plastic, one gallon milk container and place it where it can be seen (like not under the car).
For the next portion of the procedure, make sure that the parking brake is set prior to continuing. Start the engine. The transmission may have to be put into "Neutral" or "Drive" in order to pump the fluid from the transmission. I usually put mine in "Neutral" to accomplish this step. While the transmission is pumping out fluid, you can monitor approximately how much fluid has been pumped out by looking at how much fluid has been pumped into the plastic milk jug. While fluid is being pumped out, slowly add new fluid to the transmission at about the same rate as its being pumped out. This keeps the fluid level at, or near the proper level. You can see the condition of the fluid through the clear tubing as its being pumped out.
After approximately 4 to 5 quarts (obviously, if it's more than 4 quarts, you'll have to turn of the engine, and fetch another milk jug) of fluid have been pumped out, you should notice a change in the color of the fluid. It should go from a brownish red color, to a bright pinkish red color. When this happens, all of the old fluid has been replaced with new fluid.
Be careful not to overfill the tranny during this procedure.
When completed, reconnect the transmission return line to the transmission cooler. Check the fluid level as you normally would, and add fluid as required.
This fluid change method is twice as good for your transmission as the method of only changing out half of the fluid is. Happy shifting

[KLS]

Follow the instructions listed, except--
-Keep the transmission in Park.
-Pump out 2 quarts, stop the engine, add 2 quarts, pump out 2, stop, add 2, etc. until you've gone through a total of 16 quarts including the 4 quart sump drain & refill.
-add an in-line transmission filter made by Magnefine or SPX Filtran, 3/8" size, to the cooler line you had disconnected.

Your 2000 takes commonly available Dexron-III ATF. I prefer a synthetic for longer fluid life and maybe longer transmission life--your choice of Mobil 1, Amsoil, Royal Purple, Schaeffer, Red Line.


Ken

[THarms]

Here's how I did it...

"You will want to do the full 16+ qt flush. Here is Alan's procedure (with a few of my own minor modifications) that I used when I did mine. Its fairly simple and takes about 45-min to an hour (max) to complete even for a first timer. I highly recommend using Amsoil ATF, although many have found that Mobil 1 ATF works just fine as well. The key is synthetics are superior.

1) Before you even start, stop by an auto parts place and get a 3 foot section of 3/8 inch rubber transmission line. Also, pick up the transmission crush washer from the dealer. (I keep a couple of all the various Tundra fluid/oil washers in my tool box so I don't have to run to the dealer to do a fluid change. )

2) Park the vehicle for a couple minutes to let all the fluid drain into the pan. and then check the transmission dipstick to see what the fluid level is.

3) Drain the ATF in the transmission pan by pulling the drain flug (think it's 14 mm). While the plug is still out, pour a clean, full quart of ATF into a funnel inserted into the dipstick tube to flush out any dirty fluid left on the bottom of the pan.

4) After all the fluid finishes draining, put the plug back in with the new crush washer and tighten it to 15 foot-pounds.

5) Fill the pan with 4 quarts of fresh fluid (synthetic highly recommended) using a narrow funnel inserted into the dip stick tube.

6) Go to the front of the vehicle and throw an old t-shirt under the fittings going into transmission cooler in front of the radiator to catch any drips when you disconnect the UPPER line . Not much fluid should drip, but this will catch anything that falls.

7) Disconnect the UPPER fitting on the transmission cooler. This is the return line back to the transmission. Feed one end of the 3 foot section of 3/8ths inch transmission line through the hole in the middle of the bumper (behind the license plate) and connect one end to the UPPER fitting on the tran cooler. You won't need any clamps, it should fit tight enough. Just squeeze it on and this will divert the transmission fluid into a drain bucket or jug rather than back to the transmission.

If you want, you can leave the temporary drain line above the bumper rather than through it, but I keep my truck clean and I didn't want any ATF drips on the clean paint when I pulled the line off. I guess you could run it under the bumper too. But through it worked best for me.

8) Put the other end of the temporary drain line into a bucket that has graduated marking on it so you can tell how much fluid is in the container in 1 quart increments (a 1-gal plastic milk jug works well… fill with 1 qt increments of water and make marks on the outside of the container as each quart is added).

9) Once you've got one end of the temporary drain line connected to outlet (the UPPER fitting) of the cooler and the other end into the graduated container you're ready to go. If you connect to the outlet, you'll have the advantage of flushing fluid through the cooler also. Plus, it's easier to attach the rubber hose.

NOTE: If you don't have the aux transmission cooler, then connect this drain line to the OUTLET on the transmission cooler that is in the radiator rather than the OUTLET on the auxilary cooler. You can still use the same 3/8 inch rubber hose either way.

10) Start the vehicle and let your graduated container fill with 2 quarts of fluid. This will only take about 20 to seconds or so. Maybe less. But I suggest that you turn the vehicle on, then turn it off 3 seconds later the first time just to make sure that everything is draining as you expect and that you're not making a royal mess. (Although its possible to do this by yourself, having another person start/stop the engine would be a big plus).

11) Once you have two quarts of fluid in the drain container. Stop the engine and put the same amount of new ATF into the dipstick tube.

12) Pour the 2qts of old ATF from the graduated container into a larger (5-gal preferred) oil collection container then put the 3/8” hose back into the container to flush some more material.

13) Repeat Steps 10, 11 & 12 until a minimum of 12 qts of ATF has been flushed from the system (or 6 cycles). The total amount flushed when completed should be the original 4 qts from draining the pan plus 10qts from flushing the system. If the old ATF was dark colored, you should see a noticable difference in color in the ATF fluid coming out of the hose once the transmission has been completely flushed with new fluid.

[I flushed close to 16 quarts. I had 5 gallons of synthetic ATF when I started and had about a gallon left when I was done].

14) Check the fluid level before you pull the drain line off (so it's the same level as when you started or a little less). This is the STOPPED level of fluid that was in the pan with the vehicle oriented on whatever level or unlevel ground you have chosen to drain the vehicle on. So give the fluid time to drain down - couple of minutes will drain a vast majority of the fluid.

15) If it's not too high, pull the drain line off and reconnect the original transmission line back to the upper fitting on the aux transmission cooler. (Or the transmission cooler in the radiator if you don't have an aux cooler.) It's best to leave it a little low when you pull the drain line as more fluid will drain down the longer you wait.

15) Start the vehicle and run it up and down through the gears(P,R,N,D,L2,L1,L2,D,N,R,P). Check the ATF fluid level while leaving the engine running. Add fluid if necessary to bring the level up to the low mark on the dipstick.

16) Drive the vehicle for 20 minutes and check the fluid when it's warm (again with the engine running and transmission in Park). Add fluid if necessary if the level is still below the low mark (I tend to fill until it is about 1/8" below the high mark). Drive the vehicle a couple of days and check the level again.

17) Don't overfill. If you do, drain the extra fluid off before you run the transmission much.

18) Clean the 3 foot drain hose and put it in a plastic bag and you can use it again later.

19) Take the used ATF to your nearest oil recycling center."

[kolias]

That's great. Thanks a lot guys. I really appreciate it.

[Pegasus]

Is this the same method used to change the transmission fluid in a 1999 Toyota RAV4?

[S-Man]

i just finished flushing my tranny on friday, and i got 16 qts. of royal purple at about $7.95 a qt. bad thing is, i accidentally evacuated too much fluid, and had to run back up to toyota (the only place within 25 miles that carries the stuff) to get 3 more qts. of royal purple. That did the trick and after about 5 hours (including extra trip) my truck shifts super smooth. I think its smoother than when new, but i know its at least as smooth as when new. its great. and its easy too, next time it should'nt take me more than an 1 1/2 hrs 2 hrs tops...i was on a retarted learning curve this time around.