2012 Toyota Sienna Transmission Fluid Service [EASY]

[@michaelpalestrini1392]

Appreciate this video. Watched it a bunch of times before I got up the courage to do it. Wasn’t too bad. Video was a huge help. Thank you for putting it together.

[@themarginalmechanic5928]

Thanks

[@slacker_DIY]

I also used Vavoline Maxlife on a 2012 Sienna. Fixed my shifting issue. Can't believe why some people are so militant about transmission fluid.

[@jesuscuevas8889]

I agree. No lame intro or walk with your dog before it. Lol. Straight to the point and well explained. Thank you!

[@troyyap]

My 2011 went 80+K on that ATF and still running great...

[@Speedmark1483]

Thank you! Very clear and to the point, and exactly what I was looking for!

[@themarginalmechanic5928]

Glad I could help

[@atxjax1]

update for March 2024.........any issues with running the MaxLife?

[@johnnyBqwazy]

Thanks for the video, I can appreciate that procedure.

[@botmoderator3405]

Great video. Still not sure if i want to mess with it. The shifts are still great and no problems. Have 130k on a 2011. I have had no problems using Valvoline for my honda Odyssey or other vehicles so i agree that as long as a person gets the rated fluid to their vehicle and follow the proceedures correctly, no problems arise from it.

[@JohnnyD975]

Thanks again Marginal Mechanic - very helpful reminders to review before doing it yourself.

[@kathanquan]

Very good explanation! Thank you. You make it easy

[@johnwood4109]

I was looking for some that didn’t use Toyota ATF because I believe the saying that they’re all checked You just need yo change to with WS and it will later The hard part people just don’t change it Thanks

[@rcdesmond]

Best Explanation that I could find. But I Don't know if I missed it, but I'm not clear on why the extra oil (drained, when just the plug was removed but not the straw) wasn't added back after the straw was reinstalled? Was it because of the proper temp thing you explained?

[@1stpeter3fourteennw]

Thanks for the info. Best uber ride ever!

[@michaeldeltadrop782]

It amazes me on how many people believe that these auto manufacturers own oil refineries to make there own fluids. If you want to pay $10+ for a qt go ahead or pay $18 for a 4 QT jug of Valvoline and call it a day.....

[@youbikewithatube]

This is the same with some of the products in the cycling lubricant industry. Literally they are the same lubricants as used in other industries like motor sports just with higher price tags and super small amounts. For example Shimano charges $22 fir 100 grams of their premium grease. Motorex charges $17 for 400 grams, they are exactly the same product.

[@Jedi_Luke]

Save a few dollars on trans fluid, pay a lot later for transmission replacement 🤣

[@MicheluceRizzuto]

Yo, dude! Your van is going to explode!!!! BAM!!!

[@TheStampinandi]

my testing with a laser thermometer finds that the fluid temp is 10+ degrees above the pan external surface temp.

[@mycharmedunicorn8715]

Toyota is telling me its sealed and dont worry about it. I have 141,000 Miles on my 2012. Is this accurate? I just feel like they’re trying to drum up business for transmission rebuild or replacement in the future.

[@themarginalmechanic5928]

It's itemized on the schedule maintenance plan and there's a full-blown maintenance procedure for it.

[@daveg2199]

At the beginning you drained almost a quart you said. This means it’s almost a full quart above the straw when full. You didn’t show adding more (almost a quart)after drain plug was reinstalled. Not to mention the initial drain plug removal the van was jacked up so I bet you are a quart low overall. Wouldn’t that be correct?

[@vmfan96]

I was thinking the same. Could it be that quart that came out initially was the amount that splashed beyond the straw in the pan? I appreciate the video as it explains the straw that is there beyond the drain bolt. The only problem with filling the same amount as removed is that you need to measure it at the same temperature. The only concern would be that if you are adding cold fluid that has not expanded, you may be over filling if you didn't allow the fluid removed to cool before measuring it.

[@daveg2199]

@@vmfan96 right on. The other problem with putting in what you took out is, what if the amount that was in there was incorrect? Now you’re putting it back to the incorrect level. My understanding of the straw is that the pan is full up to the top of the straw and above the straw if he drained out about a quart in the beginning that means it was above the straw line level. It’s like the overflow tube in a bathtub. If it’s over full it will run down the overflow like the straw.

[@carolinaoverload327]

How much fluid drains out / has to be refilled with this method?

[@nickpark9587]

hold on . maybe i am missing something here. Did u drain the oil, then rin the vehicle until 113F then fill until the draw spits out the oil? Running vehicle without the oil? what if as u pour, and it cools down the pan resulting in less than 113F?

[@jeremyreeves8940]

I was like, did he cut the video, why’s he filling at the end? Nuts man. Definitely want it warming while it’s full maybe .5 qts more then you took out

[@marcgiroux470]

after filling new oil, do you install the drain plug while the engine is still running? or can you stop the engine and then screw the plug back on. That is one step I could not confirm anywhere on the net.

[@ocsrc]

How do the Valvoline oil change places change the fluid ? I have seen them hook up to the transmission lines that go to the radiator. Is that a good way to do it ?

[@trevornutcher8607]

That's a trans flush when they hook to those lines. Can be ok but a drain and fill is the recommended route. Flushing changes all the fluid out and can cause problems especially if the trans has a lot of miles or hadn't been regularly serviced. The fluid gets some 'grit' to it as the clutch packs wear, and if you remove all the fluid on an older trans and replace with clean fluid, those worn clutch packs no longer have grit in the fluid and can start slipping, needing a rebuild.

[@kenly351]

Did you start engine to get 113F after you remove drain plug? I going to change filter. You you have any recommendations?

[@inyeneeshiet7945]

How do you determine when the transmission fluid needs to be replaced?

[@patadegrillo007]

Every50 k to 60k miles to be safe

[@chocotoynk2931]

Will this procedure work on a 4 cyinder sienna?

[@ScubaCat3]

The toyota dealer near me actually uses maxlife transmission fluid, so I'm pretty sure it's fine 😀 (and my car still drives with it, too, so that's good enough for me)

[@kingofuseddurablecars.ls6040]

STOP LYING

[@vboutique2188]

How do I just check the level?

[@jasonjason4974]

Do you warn the car up before starting the procedure? Or can you warm up the car to 113 after the fluid is drained and the red plug is inserted?

[@tarajoe07]

Drain completely. Reinstall the straw. Fill til it pours out. Run engine up to temp with plug still off. Once to temp, top off. Reinstall the plug

[@jasonjason4974]

@@tarajoe07 Thank you Joe, I appreciate it!

[@daveg2199]

@@tarajoe07 hi. But there was almost a quart drained by just removing the drain plug at the beginning. So technically it’s almost a full quart above the straw. Correct?

[@tarajoe07]

@@daveg2199 it's dependant on temperature

[@daveg2199]

@@tarajoe07 I assumed it’s drained cold. So either way its still a quart above the straw. If filling it cold.

[@mckessonfamily7021]

So the fill plug is vertical? You just put the hose in the hole? I'm used to pouring oil and other stuff straight down, not sideways. Is there anything special I need to do besides by a funnel with a really long hose like that?

[@themarginalmechanic5928]

Just attach a hose to a funnel

[@paperandmedals8316]

Why can’t I just replace the same amount of fluid as I removed? I get there’s a process, but if I can avoid transmission fluid pouring out of the fill hole I think I will.

[@themarginalmechanic5928]

Yes, you can do that. It's just not the procedure. So decide if you want to follow procedure and get it right or just wing it. Hey I'm the marginal mechanic so I wing a lot of stuff but there are times when you should follow a procedure to get as close as possible to the correct result.

[@lanceg2533]

Because the temp of the fluid you took out is not the same as the room temperature fluid you’re putting in

[@paperandmedals8316]

@@lanceg2533 you’re going with fluid expansion? Where I live it’s already over 100F the expansion of trans fluid is not a concern.

[@daveg2199]

@@paperandmedals8316 if you replace what you took out that’s fine. But, what if it has been running low from the beginning or since the last change by whoever did that? You will continue running it low if you just do a simple replace of what you took out.

[@jeremyreeves8940]

@@paperandmedals8316good point. Just edit until it’s 100degrees outside, should be close enough. Wasting to much time on this temp crap. Ohh no the Theron gun is reading 10 degrees lower then actual level….. it won’t be right and will ruin trans. We better measure it down to 3 drops exactly of accuracy range.

[@e728cw]

Since fluid expands. Can I just let it sit at night and not turn it on until I drain it at noon. And just add the exact amount.

[@marcelfarley5586]

Good thought, except that you will be refilled to the amount in the transmission before the change. That's good if there was a correct amount to start with, but if the starting level is too high - or too low - you're refilling to the same incorrect level.

[@stateboy80892]

Our 2012 Sienna xle has been whirring/whining after Firestone did a drain/fill of the transmission fluid...

[@joyroc885]

Is it worth changing the filter at this time?

[@SuperMan-uj7dh]

I want to do a simple drain and refill. Does my car have to be level before attempting this? I have a set of two ramps to jack the front wheels up. If I refill my trans with whatever came out will I be good?

[@themarginalmechanic5928]

Given the fact that you're going to be doing a speed job than your proposal is fine.

[@SuperMan-uj7dh]

@@themarginalmechanic5928 ok I got a better idea. I will weigh the amount of fluid instead of checking the temperature. This way I will get the correct amount in.

[@themarginalmechanic5928]

54 weeks old it's going to contain friction material from the clutch packs and therefore it will weigh more. I don't know how much more but that's the only thought I had

[@stateboy80892]

Thank you!

[@cguest3397]

Does this procedure only apply for a 2012 Sienna or is it the same for a 2014?

[@wisco_livin690]

Will be the same.

[@nicholasmarangos9115]

When it warms up here in southern N.H. I will be doing this to my sienna. As well as trying to tackle the spark plugs.

[@nicholasmarangos9115]

Marginal Mechanic I’m coming over for help lol! We can do the transfer case in my bmw 5 series ! Thanks for the great videos

[@alan4sure]

​@JustAnotherTowerClimber yeah, just pay the dealer.

[@Bababooski]

Was there a crush washer on the drain overflow plug? If there was, did you reuse it or put a new one on?

[@themarginalmechanic5928]

I have no recollection if there was. A lot of more modern cars have a rubber seal built into the drain plug so there is no Crush Washer. I'm sure I would have reused it unless it was damaged in some way. I just don't know

[@Bababooski]

@@themarginalmechanic5928 No problem, I'll have some on hand if it does need one. Can't wait to see what my 2015 Sienna with 80k looks like. Thanks for the diy how to.

[@MHe38]

@@Bababooski hi, did you get the transmission fluid changed on your sienna?

[@louelski]

what's the mileage on your van when you did this? would you recommend to this at 120k?

[@RD-jy7pc]

Most manufacturers recommend transmission fluid changes every 100k miles, so you are good to go! You can change it earlier if you want to as well, and you don't have to worry about damaging anything.

[@tylerc7037]

@@RD-jy7pc ive heard otherwise. Technically the newer Toyota's have a lifetime transmission fluid in them. My friend had a 2011 Camry V6. Flushed her trans fluid at 80k and it failed shortly after. Maybe she just had bad luck but i wouldn't trust flushing a trans past 100k. I have a 2010 Venza at 142k original trans fluid. Shifts beautifully still.

[@alorenzoperal]

I have a Toyota Sienna 2014 with only 55 000 km in the dealership told me to change the transmission fluid, what do you do ?

[@themarginalmechanic5928]

Well you should look at the Toyotas maintenance schedule for the vehicle and decide from there. I strongly expect that the dealership is trying to scam you out of her fluid change that is not necessary at this time.

[@alorenzoperal]

@@themarginalmechanic5928 that’s exactly what the dealership told me, you need to change de fluid now

[@Mrdubomb]

OE toyota fluid is garbage, youre doing the right thing by upgrading the fluid

[@nurik9256]

I have 2011 toyota sienna ,was have problem transmission when is cold first gear hard to shift, I change the transmission oil 2 times because first time only come come out 2 qrt oil , I put 2 WS toyota transmission oil in drive it 25 minutes after change the filter and oil again, after is realy clean and shift much better .

[@Dbails-wu6gu]

I have a 2013 sienna xle, 214,000 miles. Never had a transmission fluid change. Been thinking about it lately but I’m scared that changing it with the mileage being this high, it might actually make it worse. Van doesn’t shift bad or anything, might just leave it and see

[@themarginalmechanic5928]

Like I always say. The story is almost always in the color of the fluid. Take a fluid sample and send it off to a laboratory for examination and they'll tell you just how degraded or impregnated the fluid is with worn friction material. I also really don't believe it's never been changed. I just don't believe it.

[@Dbails-wu6gu]

@@themarginalmechanic5928 ok, believe what you want but it’s never been changed. It’s not even in the owner’s manual to change it. A completely sealed transmission with no dipstick. I asked the dealer about it (when I used to go to the dealer for service) and they said it doesn’t need to be changed. So…yeah, never been changed. I now do all the maintenance myself on it except plugs because I’m not taking the entire top part of the engine just to get to the back 3 cyclinders.

[@Dbails-wu6gu]

@@themarginalmechanic5928 BTW, this excerpt is from a Sienna chat board. “The maintenance schedule that came with your Sienna is correct. There is no recommended transmission fluid change unless the vehicle is used in one of the special operating conditions which includes towing.”

[@mycharmedunicorn8715]

I was told by the dealership I bought and have had serviced my 2012 Sienna for 9 years my transmission was sealed in my 2012 and it would never need changed. Is that true or not? I just drive it. No towing or anything

[@Dbails-wu6gu]

@@mycharmedunicorn8715 that is true, per my dealership as well as the owners manual. I just tipped 216,000 miles on our 2013 sienna and it’s been good so far. Thought about changing it so I looked at some videos on KZbin but then decided against it because I didn’t want to run the risk of messing up my transmission. I’ve heard stories of peoples transmissions not doing so hot after they change the fluid, especially after it’s been a while or have never been changed

[@AdamW321]

Is there a filter that should be also replaced?

[@patadegrillo007]

There is a filter that you could clean with brake cleaner or replace it every 90 k

[@mycharmedunicorn8715]

@@patadegrillo007 where is the filter? Is there a way to check the transmission fluid level?

[@patadegrillo007]

@@mycharmedunicorn8715 the filter is inside the oil pan, to check if level is low,need to remove drain plug,if level is good, one cup of oil should come out at least, did my 2 Camry's last month, each time I drain 2 qts. Total with the plastic tube removed, did it 3 times until oil was beautiful red final refill 2 qts and a half ,will re-do it in 50 k miles and new filters since the cars have 110 and 135K

[@roadglide1142]

Isn’t it easier to just meticulously measure the fluid drained & refill with exact amount of new fluid?

[@alan4sure]

Sounds logical to me, except you should probably let old fluid cool to room temp for precise measurement. Hot fluid expands. Replacement fluid will be cold.

[@gibsonexplorer8777]

That's what I'm going to do

[@higherregion]

I purchased a sienna with a damaged radiator damage and all the transmission was pumped out. I just need to fill the transmission. I assuming taking out the drain plug from the left side and filling it until it pours out. Is is the proper technique

[@themarginalmechanic5928]

If you do that I can pretty much guarantee you're going to blow up your transmission. Please watch the video.

[@nunya6600]

Why not just measure how much you remove and put in the same amount of? Too complicated with the goofy overflow straw…

[@tetelestai7095]

I just wanted to comment that your van is going to explode because you didn't buy the ATF from Toyota.

[@themarginalmechanic5928]

I just called the owners to whom I sold it too and they reported that the van actually exploded and they weren't sure whether it was a hit by the mafia or if it was the transmission fluid

[@morpeter76]

Has the van landed after it exploded😂😂😂 it's only been a few years

[@fh3486]

I have a 2017 and weny down the hood and dont see this drain plug. Dont it usually is located by the driver side where the fill plug is located?

[@themarginalmechanic5928]

The only plug on the transmission pan so if you can see the transmission pan you should be able to see the plug. I suppose it's possible they were some that came out of the factory with no drain plugs at all. But I can't speak to that with any Authority

[@fh3486]

@@themarginalmechanic5928 i have a 2010 toyota venza and was able to locate the transmisson pan which is black with a drain plug. However, i couldnt find it with a 2017 sienna. So confused

[@AmandaHugenkiss2915]

2017 had a different transmission, dual clutch.

[@ocsrc]

How can I check the level of there is no dipstick ? I just bought one Thanks

[@patadegrillo007]

Can not check oil level, only refill with the drain plug off and the engine running with the transaxle at the recommended temperature like the video shows. What you can check is the color of the old fluid , if it is dark then no good, fresh atf is red, seen cars with 40 k completely dark like old engine oil

[@nerdstrom44]

How much transmission fluid is required?

[@Luiscabada1966]

Just put in what you took out. That is if you verified he status of your fluid before said flush.

[@NikolaiBarrin]

Toyota Sienna 2012 engine 3,5 L, atf requirement 6,4 qt . But it depends how much you pour out. If you opened the pan of transmission and changed the filter you must pour in 5 qt.

[@Upliftyourbrothers]

Why not heat up the atf to 110 degrees on the stove then dump it in?

[@themarginalmechanic5928]

You certainly can do that but if the transmission is very cold the fluid will cool down very rapidly and will condense which certainly won't give you an accurate indication of its full. I mean there is a procedure that the system be at a certain temperature. Follow the procedure and you'll be better off.

[@JoshBryan]

Because the fluid in the entire transmission should be the same temp for the most accurate reading.

[@narutouzamaki6611]

My 2012 Toyota sienna broke down the transmission

[@nono-mk7jg]

how about just drain it measure it and pour the exact same amount back in ? am I missing something?

[@themarginalmechanic5928]

The amount in the transmission is not guaranteed to be the correct amount and transmission fluid will have significant volume changes with temperature changes. I guess what you're missing is the fact that Toyota created a complicated requirement that they expect mechanics to follow.

[@nono-mk7jg]

@@themarginalmechanic5928 i assume my sienna has the correct amount of fluid from the factory dont you?

[@themarginalmechanic5928]

@@nono-mk7jg it is your choice.

[@nono-mk7jg]

@@themarginalmechanic5928 thanks for letting me know its my choice ! dolt

[@jeremyreeves8940]

I refuse to watch any video without out oem fluid used. Ha, just kidding

[@_RiseAgainst]

You wouldn't have to worry about this if you bought a dodge. They wouldn't make it to 100k

[@HETPEZB]

So there is no filter to replace?

[@westernapache1700]

Just a screen. I pulled the pan off from my 2011 Sienna at 75K and the screen was spotless.

[@fawnclark4718]

Can you do this on a cold engine? Does it have to be at least 103 degrees?

[@HETPEZB]

Fawn Clark , temperature is important.

[@mikedale2633]

Yo where is P0990 Censors

[@Calimero-1980]

just refill the same amount you took out, end of this conversation

[@SundayAdio-m3h]

Op713

[@KevinNelsen-i1p]

ur van is going to explode bruhhhhh

[@kevins5268]

Delete your comments the cancel culture at it finest!

[@themarginalmechanic5928]

I have no idea what you're speaking of.

[@kevins5268]

@@themarginalmechanic5928 you said it 3:35 mark on your video.

[@beanerskickuindaface4186]

Your vans guna explode

[@jamesegerton9783]

ON