2009 Toyota Highlander Transmission Fluid Drain & Fill

[@shawndwyer6209]

Dropping the pan to change the filter is a bitch! There is one pan bolt that snugs up close to the frame that will make you curse the devil. I drained and re-filled with Valvoline MaxLife at 40,000mi and am about to drain and re-fill again at 85,000mi with MaxLife.....no tranny issues thus far. Great video, thanks for posting!

[@kellmarktv]

Planning on doing mine soon . I have the same vehicle as you. BTW recently I did a service and clean the mass air flow sensor and the throttle body and the vehicle is now idling nice and quieter 🤫

[@charlesrobert6211]

A long- time mechanic told me that if the car has more than 100,000 miles and the transmission fluid has never been changed then only do a partial change to prevent slipping. To go from a fluid with some metallic residue to a fluid with none may actually cause transmission failure.

[@kpmcdonald1]

Thanks for the video I thought I was going to change the fluid and filter but just don’t want to mess with the bolts behind the frame

[@eddievonpapen6306]

If you want to drop the pan. I watched a lot of videos about the 4 bolts from hell. Some many approaches. It’s almost impossible to use any type of wrench to get to those. I used a 10 mm semi offset and a flex wrench but struggled for two hours for just two bolts.The rust didn’t help. Some people loosed the transmission mounts and lifted the transmission. I finally bout a block of wood between the transmission and jack and jacked it up about 1.5 inches and managed to get the bolts with a 1/4 wobble extension and 10 mm socket.

[@TV-hx6hz]

what torque did you put back on the drain plug?

[@gmansideas7463]

Use 25 ft.lbs.

[@johnsantiago3887]

Great video! And perfect timing too. I bought the ATF WS and am about to do this. Any extra tips or after thoughts?

[@deadbugdoug]

no its pretty straight forward. Just check your fluid level before you change it.

[@walter.bellini]

Thank you for the video The best suggestion I would say is if you want to know the real condition of the transmission oil, then keep a nice size sample of the fluid and order a test kit and have the oil analyzed; that is the only way to know the true properties of any kind of oil. The color is not really an indication of the quality of the oil frankly, because if you were to change the entire transmission oil fully and drive to 2 or 3 thousand miles, the color will lose its pinkness. I have used Blackstone Laboratories services in the past to check on my engine oil (as I only use standard Mobil 1) and ATF-WS transmission oil. Thank you

[@DesertSnow1]

I did 4 drain and fills on my 2011 and changed the filter because it was at 143k and was never done.

[@thatstrami]

Why exactly did you do that

[@XxChuyoxX]

It is actually advised you NOT do that with a transmission with such high miles. If anything, just drain and refill one time. Get the fluid too clean and the transmission may start to slip.

[@nastysoda9212]

is yours a 2WD? front. all the other guides are for awd version which are completely different. The color will change to that darker color pretty soon from what I've leaned. So that's okay. It is strange that this is a "lifetime" fluid, even says on the dipstick. But a drain and fill is a good idea.

[@deadbugdoug]

AWD

[@nastysoda9212]

@@deadbugdoug thanks

[@snorlaxTACO]

We have 2008 Highlander Sport with 185K miles been using Valvoline MaxLife ATF since around 60K miles. Just recently did the drop pan, replaced the strainer and cleaned the magnets. Tip is use a 10mm 45deg offset wrench and a regular ratcheting wrench for the corner ones near the frame, It just takes time and be careful when during tightening the bolts back. If you buy the parts/fluids @ Toyota parts online then do local dealer pick up, price would be cheaper. Oil filter $4.50 and ATF WS $11 per quart @ Lemon Grove Toyota.

[@Savvy_VR]

Great video. Best one I’ve seen for this vehicle. If the fluid is really really old, is this basically an entire flush? I’ve heard you don’t want to completely replace the fluid if it’s really bad otherwise it will start slipping

[@deadbugdoug]

This does not remove all the fluid. Ideally do it again. I like to wait a year or 10,000 miles.

[@kevinferger9897]

In my manual it says to change the fluid at 60k if you tow.

[@gallardojorge4763]

So your not concerned with changing the filter?

[@deadbugdoug]

To difficult for me. Changing the fluid is better then doing nothing.

[@LeroyJohnson-o5u]

You should have changed the filter too. All you had to do unbolted the front and side motor mount and jacked up the transmission a little and you could get to those bolts.

[@Playtrack22]

10:00 what is that smoke?

[@deadbugdoug]

Oil off dipstick fell on hot muffler.

[@oficeptel6493]

Thank you for the video. I have 2010 Highlander at 99500 miles and Trans Fluid never been changed. I hear horror stories that changing the fluid will cause more problem. I was wondering did you have any issues after changing your fluid? if possible please let us know. Thank you again.

[@deadbugdoug]

No issues at all. If you plan on keeping your Toyota for a long time, I would do it. Use OEM fluid.

[@oficeptel6493]

Thank you for your time to answer my question and the advice. I am planning to change the fluid soon. I will definitely use the OEM fluid. Thank you again.

[@averageguy1261]

I took mine in to a local shop at 200k. Never changed before. Okay so far...

[@bigpoppasmerx2168]

My 2010 is at 222k miles. Never did the trans oil change. Had a mechanic twll me if i didnt do it under 100k not to bother anymore to prevent issues. Is that correct?

[@eastcoast1005]

This is a standard rule for every transmission in any vehicle because an old transmission doesn't work well with new oil.

[@MMRaol]

Great video! Thank you!! Did you keep your car engine running during the whole process?

[@DesertSnow1]

Not when draining the fluid. Only when checking the level…

[@kellmarktv]

I've noticed no car manufacturers encourage changing ATF more money for them . As a matter a fact they're now building vehicle now without dipstic you can't even check your transmission fluids

[@deadbugdoug]

yes it's true.

[@JesusGonzalez-ol5yo]

IT USES 3.5 QUARTS NOT 4

[@JesusGonzalez-ol5yo]

NOT CHANGING THE FILTER AND GASKET IS A HUGE NO NO

[@deadbugdoug]

Changing the fluid is better than doing nothing.

[@JesusGonzalez-ol5yo]

@@deadbugdoug YEAH IT'S LIKE EATING JUNK FOOD WITH A DIET DRINK YEAH I GET IT

[@johnnylong6289]

Not on this vehicle.

[@rigell2764]

@JesusGonzalez-ol5yo why are you yelling