Transmission Fluid Change

[lamadera]

The manual for my 2001 Highlander claims that the tranny fluid never has to be changed under normal operating conditions. I've got 60,000 miles on it and the fluid looks a bit dirty. How often are you all changing your fluid? Did you have it flushed? My dealer wants $180.00 to do a flush.

[edwardh1]

I think in a flush or filter change there is some very small risk of getting trash into the xmission internals. On my cars I just drain the fluid at 60-70k miles. works for me

[r8r0]

I changed my transmission fluid at 70K on my 2001 highlander- no flush. No problems so far. presently have 78K on it.

[lamadera]

I have also read that flushes can cause problems. So did you just drop the pan (or is there a drain plug)? How much fluid gets replaced? Did you replace the filter? Thanks.

[lamadera]

I had the dealer just drain the pan. A lot cheaper than a flush. Not all the fluid gets drained, but it is noticeably cleaner. Pan has a drain plug on it, so next time I'll just do it myself. Apparently the filter never needs to be changed. The car has 60 K on it and the fluid was pretty dirty, and I don't tow anything. I don't think Toyota's recommendation of never needing to change the tranny fluid is a good one.

[04tundraDC]

got our 04 flushed at 50K, $60, couldnt say no, when a vehicle gets to 50K i tend to do a full service on the vehicle, but then i am just anal about our cars.