How to change your Toyota Sealed Transmission Fluid

[@dimitris.p.kepenos]

Why this isn't trending? These videos can and will save thousands of people getting scammed.

[@jackeroo75]

Or do-it-yourself

[@johnchan7157]

AMD is amazing. Super helpful content for people who care about caring for their cars!

[@rmitchell1]

The way new Toyota's are is a scam. Not much different than any other vehicles now a days.

[@longjonz88]

Toyota low key don't want you maintaining your own vehicles anymore lol.

[@mikelock4350]

People are lazy

[@leanbean6545]

As an educator, I’d like to say that you are an excellent teacher. You are so thorough, yet concise. In addition, your videos appeal to a variety of learning modalities (auditory, visual, kinesthetic) so that everyone can learn. Great job!

[@squirelova1815]

There's always going to be some GREEK involved with "education" now, isn't there? Don't you forget it, 'cause: "my ancestors were building the Parthenon while yours were swinging from the trees...". "There you go..." and, you asked for it buddy.

[@clintonhill6404]

Totally AGREE!!! 💯

[@PhongNguyen-vq2jq]

Positive. Thanks for teaching. The teacher is so nice. God bless you

[@PhongNguyen-vq2jq]

My car is 2011 Camry. Can I use this procedure. Thanks ADM

[@lpspinners8736]

What a fantastic teacher! Thanks for posting!

[@2006gtobob]

Any manufacturer that does this shows us all how little regard they truly have for their clients. The conventional automatic transmission is the single most complex mechanical device in a car, and maintenance needs to be easy for the owner, especially the traditional DIY owner. Why Toyota fell for this marketing ploy is beyond me, and saddens me. They also took what was fairly easy to do and seriously complicated it for the average DIY'er. Thank you for this presentation and showing what it really takes to, as simply as possible, do what used to be a simple task.

[@MrNorthstar50]

Toyota might have done away with the dip stick so you would have to take it in to dealer or if it had a dipstick owners might use the wrong type of fluid or not get the level of fluid correct. Only Toyota knows this answer.

[@CocoChanelle-1]

“Complicated it for the average DIY” means they took the power and money back from you. (At least tried to).

[@joeycochenour5783]

Yeah it’s intentional to force you into their service shop to pay them to do it.

[@roymartin198]

Since these transmissions are “sealed units” and have no recommended fluid change interval, I doubt Toyota was trying to get your business by complicating the procedure. I have a 2020 4-runner, bought from dealer new, never had the transmission touched by anyone. My guess is a drain and replace with same amount of fluid at same temp (both old and new fluid) should be safe. Having said that, if you have any question about maintenance history… play it safe and follow the procedure.

[@CocoChanelle-1]

@@roymartin198 it’s “sealed” to make you dependent on them. Fluid is fluid and it gets old after 35K. If you want it to last drained and fill.

[@gregorylopez6024]

The Toyota dealer is telling me not to flush the trans fluid at 60k or service the strainer inside the pan. On my Tacoma. I call BS on the dealerships refusal to do the work. There’s hardly any honest people left in this world. Thank you for your information.

[@Rodrigueira1]

Thank you! Just did it on my Venza. One thing it wasn't explained is to put the gear on park when the "D" is on for 2 seconds. I read the bulletin board and it also mentioned to unplug the wire from the obd2 before checking the level.

[@pabloramon768]

This is also my concern. I’m about to do the service on mine and I’m trying to call TCCN shop but I can’t get a call back or service help.

[@qyl-sf-ca]

@@Rodrigueira1 when you put the gear on park, then you can remove the wire and wait for the "D" to become solid. You don't need to wait for the "D" solid then remove the wire then check the level. The bulletin says as long as the testing mode is active, it's OK to remove the wire which will help to check the level more accurately, since the engine will idle more stably.

[@safyankhan8469]

@@qyl-sf-caCan this method work on the new Camry? I got 2021. Thanks in advance.

[@qyl-sf-ca]

@@safyankhan8469 Yes, should be the same.

[@safyankhan8469]

@ Thank you for the quick response.

[@kens-jr2vv]

I can't imagine one of these "Express Lube" places following this procedure.

[@evanpaulsmithfalconfogolin6147]

Not only that but something like a transmission being so delicate that an ounce of fluid difference potentially causing damage should be considered a design flaw.

[@mrr8682]

they have a vacuum machine, we don't!!! so we only get 3Qts a time out... they're able to flush the entire system..

[@PilotScott-ey7lw]

@@mrr8682which is actually bad, and they usually use the wrong (cheap) fluid.

[@bryanluther7660]

@@PilotScott-ey7lw A toyota dealer did that with my Camry SE, used Valvoline Max life rather than Toyota WS and smoked my tranny, but of course, not their fault, no liability for it, no discount on replacement. Bought a used transmission with no history and had it replaced at a private shop. Toyota dealer was Cochran Toyota in Irwin, PA. They lost my business forever. Bought my '24 Tundra 1794 at a different dealer farther away from my home.

[@phils.3178]

lol

[@Jst_a_layman]

I had been searching for anything on dipstick less transmission fluid level like for ages n then this guy comes along n answers jst about everything u wana know... may the lord bless u sir...

[@MikeEpperson-pr9ty]

I just wanted to say thank you for making this video. Just did my 21 Highlander and made the process so easy. Probably saved me hundreds of dollars by not having a dealer do it!

[@Jaxen90841]

Depending upon the mileage, your local dealer or garage wouldn't have even done it. My girlfriend's Rav4 has just over 100K miles on it. We couldn't provide proof that it had been done at 60K. The garage thought the risk of doing it now would be too great. It might develop slippage. Did it myself. Works fine.

[@mrr8682]

I just did the wifes 20 Highlander..... it wasn't bad at all... I need to do it 2 more times so I know the fluid is clean...

[@tardeliesmagic]

I'm from the UK & did my 2015 Yaris 1.3L (98,500m) by filling it up with a garden hose & a funnel, there's room on top of the engine to insert the end of the hose & poured it that way...a bit slow but it did it. If a hose can fit at the top it uses gravity so no need to buy a pump like we see in some other videos.

[@donboyles44]

Hello. LOVE your Toyota maintenance videos. Can I ask you if there are any specific changes / nuances regarding the draining / refilling of transmission fluid on the "sealed" transmission on the 2015 Lexus RX350? Thanks

[@bobabraham5060]

A great overview of a necessary maintenance item. Sealed transmissions with “lifetime” transmission fluid are the worst fraud ever perpetrated by car makers on buyers. I know I have a 2009 Tacoma with this claim. Although I brought the truck in for servicing since new the dealer never changed the transmission fluid even though Toyota recognized they blew it in around 2015 and issued a service bulletin recommending changes at 60k and 30k thereafter. They never communicated this to owners…. At 90k I started to notice the dreaded “ low speed shudder” and changed the fluid and filter. It was disgusting! The shudder does not go away quickly, but it does go away eventually if you keep changing the atf fluid. When the dealer renewed the frame on the truck they told me the transmission had to be replaced at a cost of more than $5000. I told them I’d wait til it broke down. The truck now has another 50k on it and aside from a teeny shudder at walking speeds it runs like a top. Don’t be afraid of changing the atf fluid and the filter as well if that’s possible Don’t believe a dealer or service rep that tells you it’s lifetime fluid there is no such thing

[@stevensapyak7971]

10.3.21. Reminds me of GM with their touting of the new coolant DexCool®️for the 1996 model year………good for 150k/5yrs⚠️. Turned out to be known as “DexKill or Deathcool” ‼️ It was quietly re-engineered years later.

[@whopperdad22]

Amen Brother change that trans fluid for long service life!

[@charlesjackson1700]

@@stevensapyak7971 Before I switch to Honda and Toyota, I had two GM cars and the transmissions had to be rebuilt at 28,000 and 46,000. No fluid would ever stay in them that long anyway. Both were V6 engines.

[@DanPotthast]

Been reading a lot about the Toyota ATF WS and most people are saying it can't handle the high temperatures. I called the dealer to get a price on it and the sales rep asked me how many miles I had on my tacoma and I said 30k, he said woah woah woah you don't have to change it until 100k my man. I said will Toyota back that? He said yup! I said so after my 60k mile warranty is up Toyota will cover my transmission from not changing the fluid until 100k? He said I'm confused by the question, I said I'm confused by the answer. Even though this information was given to them by Toyota, it's some of the worst advise I've ever heard. Toyota will not do anything for you when you're out of warranty even if you followed their maintenance schedule to a T. The guidelines have been oil change every 5k and trans fluid every 30k for decades. Toyota didn't defy physics. They build incredible vehicles that last a long time, but the environmental regulations and fees are leading them into a black hole. Listen to mechanics, they know better than engineers. Sealed or unsealed transmission, oil burns. Keeping your fluids fresh is proven to make your vehicle last a long time.

[@bobabraham5060]

@@DanPotthast Yes they are durable, all trace of shuddering in mine is now gone 40k after a couple of quick changes. I think it took a while for everything to wear in again. I plan on changing ATF oil every 50k now

[@Thecelestial1]

Thank you for your help. I was able to change the fluid without too much trouble and learned a ton! Some observations from my experience should it help anyone: 1. I have a 2019 Camry and did the transmission fluid change at 60k miles. It was the first time I did it and the first time the transmission fluid has been changed since buying the car new. The fluid seemed very clean and still a good red color. 2. I did an oil change at the same time but before the transmission. You do not need to remove the splash guard that covers the oil drain plug as it is bolted to the same splash guard you have to remove to gain access to the transmission drain plug and remove that will expose oil drain bolt anyway. Save you a few minutes if you're doing the engine oil at the same time and a 'duh!' moment lol. 3. The drain plug AND the fill plug were torqued down extremely tight. Make sure you have something with a lot of leverage, especially the drain bolt. I used a 16 inch torque wrench and still barked my knuckles on the fill plug. Be careful. 4.I jacked the up car on 4 stands to keep it level and confirmed with a magnetic level on the undercarriage. It wasn't perfect but it was close. 5. A long piece of tube stretched over a funnel held high above and clamped onto hydraulic lifts for the hood is how i got the fluid back into the transmission. As long as there was pressure from more fluid flowing into the tube it was able to go into the fill hole with minimal leakage. I couldn't get the last few drops in, but I purposefully overfilled it so that last few ml's didn't matter. 6. Draining was straightforward, the straw came right out and the fluid came afterwards. I didn't have a bucket to measure but that would've made it a lot easier to know how much to put in. Another video I watched said 3.5l which is what I did and it went fine draining out the excess though it was probably a little wasteful. 7. The temperature was tricky. I went with the infrared gun method and because my Camry isn't the same model as the vehicle in this video the picture wasn't a perfect match. I looked for the same ridges in the picture and tested multiple areas until every spot on the transmission case was over 95F. Afterwards I removed the drain bolt for the second drain to get the appropriate fluid level and after about 20-30 seconds it started to trickle out like shown in the video. 8. Before and during part 7 I was shifting to circulate the new fluid a very concerning thump sound kept happening when going from park to neutral, neutral to drive, drive to park etc. It wasn't a bad thump, I imagine it was the transmission doing its job with low initial fluid since it hadn't had the chance to fully circulate. I took a risk and drove it around afterwards and luckily that sound did not occur over the 20-25 minutes of test driving. I was mainly doing neighborhood but also was able to get up to highway speeds of around 70mph and it was shifting great, no incidents. I think giving the fluid the opportunity to actually flow and engage the gears instead of just alternating between park and drive was what actually filled up any gaps in transmission fluid that was causing the thumping. I still am concerned that the sound was due to low transmission fluid, so I'm curious how it will sound when I start it cold tomorrow morning. In either case it drives as good as new when warm so I know the level is very close and I way overbought fluid so I can add more and repeat the drain process. 8. I've left the splash guard off for now, and placed a large piece of cardboard under where both the oil and transmission drain bolts are located. I will inspect it in the morning for any leaks, along with the bolts themselves. I'm about 2 hours post change and the only thing on the cardboard so far is water so I think I'm in the clear. Will update ASAP. Thanks for all your help!

[@shnielmanhousr4165]

Update?

[@slm6173]

You are an amazing instructor! I wish all my instructors in college were as patient and thorough as you. Keep it up! Thank you so much for taking the time out of your life to help all of us amateurs understand and tackle jobs that we can do.🙏 God bless you for your generosity! Peace be onto you! 👍

[@jshepard152]

Very helpful video. I spent a couple weeks collecting the tools I'd need to do a fluid drain and fill on my 2015 Corolla. My one bit of advice is to do it when the transmission is unquestionably cold. Get the car into a level spot and leave it there, then do the drain and fill in the morning. That will greatly reduce the chances of under filling the transmission, which is easy to do. You also don't need this pump apparatus. A small funnel and a couple feet of 1/2" vinyl tubing works great.

[@kingofasia0]

Yes that's true. Then you can just measure the exact oil that came out the transmission with the oil new oil you bought, because both will be at the same temperature

[@kushilgunawardana5580]

I have done my 2014 RAV4 transmission oil change according to your instructions. It's absolutely smoother than before. Your videos are great help for DIY jobs. Keep it up mate. Appreciated.

[@FarhanKhan-cs9cr]

I put valvoline my transmission fluid it not working great

[@nadeemshahzad7980]

@@FarhanKhan-cs9cr always buy the original Toyota transmission fluid from Toyota dealers

[@ryanhuang8498]

I use Aisin transmission fluid for Toyota. The same company that makes these transmissions. No problems.

[@ravireddy2535]

@@ryanhuang8498 where do you buy this ASIN trans fluid?

[@ryanhuang8498]

@@ravireddy2535 NAPA Auto Parts

[@MyNameJeff-ck4sb]

You’re the only guy I trust on how to videos for my Camry. I’ve watched a bunch of other KZbinrs and you are by far the best

[@phillipkelley3513]

I have been in the field for over 40yrs and I totally agree! Very good presentation.

[@allandaniel1281]

What is the transmission temp for a 2017 Toyota sienna ??

[@TheCarCareNut]

Hi! 95-114

[@DuckMcDuckinson]

@@TheCarCareNut hey AMD! Should I drain and fill the trans on my 2010 Camry LE 2.5?

[@donniev8181]

​​@@TheCarCareNutdo the new 24' Camrys have that cooler line button that needs to be depressed then pinned with the Allen key? If so, where is it located?

[@striderwolf687]

Been watching Toyota DIY vids for 10 years and Car Care Nut is THE BEST! Seeing him show up on the forums a ton now. Thank you!

[@2005Pilot]

What’s the best Toyota forum for a 2015 Avalon? Thanks

[@johnkelly54321]

Common Questions Answered: Yes, put it in Park once the "D" comes on. If you have an 8-speed transmission, you need to bypass the cooler for the entire process (start with this step and conclude the job by removing the allen key after you have verified proper level). For those of you confused with how to bypass the cooler, pause the video on the two pictures to notice how the "button" gets pushed in, then held in place by the allen key. Finally, yes, you need to purchase a new Toyota OEM crush washer for when you reinstall the drain plug. Hope this helps!

[@edwardjackson9871]

Can you tell me where the cooler is under the car? Is it to the driver’s side of the transmission, in front or back of the transmission? I can’t seem to locate it. I do have an 8 speed trans. Thanks for your help

[@chrisflamion2283]

@@edwardjackson9871 I have an 8 speed tranny as well, did you find the cooler, if so, what side is it on?

[@veelm777]

@johnkelly54321 Just did my 21 Camry and missed this... it's been a few days since I did it. Pretty nervous now, thinking I messed up. Any ideas as to what this part of the procedure of bypassing does and why it needs to be done, most importantly, what should be done if it wasn't done when doing the transmission fluid change?

[@rautsai_00pm23]

@@veelm777i have done with my 2019 toyota rav4 adventure, and I completely forgot to push the coolar bypass? It's been already few weeks since I changed the fluid, nothing seems to happen but I'm still wondering.. If someone help me locate in my car? Thanks. ❤️❤️

[@RyanLeeProductions]

I tackled this job today and did the Diagnostic Mode with a jumper wire and I feel so much more confident that I did my drain and fill correctly thanks to you. You explain things very well and the procedure was easy to follow. These transmissions are not cheap to replace so it was important to me that I got the fluid level correct. So thank you very much sir and god bless you and your family.

[@Gretzky2857]

Can you purchase a jumper wire at a local hardware store I’m assuming?

[@markanderson2904]

​@@Gretzky2857 Any piece of wire will do. Solid wire is easier to use than stranded. Wire should be small enough gauge so as not to spread the connector too much. (Don't use a piece of wire from your house wiring.) Probably 20 or 22 gauge.

[@mrnatnatwarlal1972]

How did you ensure the car is at level? Did you use 4 Jacks?

[@jshepard152]

@@mrnatnatwarlal1972 I just did mine with the car sitting on its tires in the garage, as my garage floor is level.

[@jamesgerke3787]

Yikes You've got to be kidding me. They definitely designed this so the average Joe will have to take their car to a dealer. And I wonder how much that they will charge for doing it. ?

[@vaughnavesian4912]

Thank you for a great video. I never trusted lifetime ATF deal. got it changed at 50k. It smelled ok but was already dark. Thank you for being honest. Much appreciated by plenty of Toyota owners

[@PecanPie1102]

56k at 11:13 minutes on dash

[@profdleeucc]

The Toyota lifetime ATF rating is supposedly based on the Toyota ATF synthetic fluid being able to keep the contaminated particulates in suspension without causing undue potential clogging; some of the worst enemies of the automatic transmission is excess or too high automatic transmission fluid temperature and excess particulate contamination levels causing clogging of automatic transmission; by changing the Toyota approved synthetic automatic transmission fluid every 50K to 60K miles one can potentially avoid via preventative maintenance drain and fill with about three quarts of Toyota synthetic automatic transmission fluid followed up with the 100-degree temperature automatic transmission fluid overflow tube drain off check; that way one never has to ever worry about overheating ones automatic transmission fluid due to excessive wear or contamination hopefully even after hundreds of thousands of accumulated miles. Now even if one let's say, for example, did not want to DIY(do-it-yourself); the next time one gets one's wheels/tires rotated typically done once every 10,000 miles or so service intervals which would, of course, require one's car to in fact go up on the hydraulic lift anyway at one's local garage; simply have them additionally drain your old 60K mileage automatic transmission fluid out thru the removed six mm drain plug and also the additionally removed 6 mm overflow tube also as well; then simply have them install about three initial customer-purchased approved Toyota vehicle automatic transmission fluid; then simply have ones independent mechanic bleed off the excess of one's Toyota automatic transmission fluid from the automatic transmission fluid overflow bypass tube thru the removed automatic transmission fluid drain plug after it reaches about 100 degrees F using a customer supplied infrared scan tool; now one could also naturally further combine this recommended routine maintenance service interval with the change of one's engine oil to a good well respected recommended brand name fully synthetic oil such as supplying ones independent mechanic with a customer supplied five quart jug of Mobil 1 0W-20 weight(about $25/five quarts at walmart) and also the recommended accompanying customer supplied fully synthetic oil filter such as Mobil 1 synthetic oil filter(about $9 on rockauto); to also further improve one's vehicle gasoline miles per gallon efficiency. Sure it might cost the customer quite a bit of extra money having it actually done by one's own local independent trusted car mechanic, but it's probably worth it in the long run especially if it's already maintenance pre-scheduled to occur at the same time with one's normal 10,000 miles maintenance pre-scheduled tire/wheel rotation and also one's normal 10,000 miles maintenance pre-scheduled synthetic engine oil and synthetic engine oil filter replacement also as well; one would quite likely probably improve one's vehicle longevity over the long term while also improving ones vehicle's overall long term gasoline miles per gallon efficiency; that is ultimately hopefully one's longer-term ultimately truly desired highly achievable planned objective car preventative maintenance goal and viewpoint.

[@circuitsandcigars1278]

350,000 miles on the same ATF fluid in my 2008 Prius no issues. Even the dealer said a fluid change wasn't necessary and it shifted fine until the day I sold it

[@bluegrassman3040]

@@circuitsandcigars1278 I have the 2013 Camry and have never changed the trans fluid. It has 153,000 now. I’m wondering if I should?

[@circuitsandcigars1278]

@@bluegrassman3040 It wouldn't hurt but I'd pull the dipstick on a sunny day and look for the color and see if it looks brown and a burning smell. I don't think it's something to obsess about tho. Some folks even have the fluid analyzed for chemical content looking for various metals that can indicate wear.

[@mrnatnatwarlal1972]

After contemplating on this for more than 6 months, Today, I finally did this service. Thanks to Car Care Nut for all the guidance. One additional recommendation I would have to your viewers is that get an extra drain plug nut - just in case. I happened to strip mine and had to order the nut through dealer and wait for couple of days. It is cheap - like 6 bucks or so; so its ok I think.

[@2005Pilot]

Drain plug itself right? I didn’t see a nut In video

[@mrnatnatwarlal1972]

@@2005Pilot Yes. Drain plug. Sorry there is no nut there. You are correct.

[@TB-lv2rh]

Perfect video to watch when learning how to do this for the 1st time. One thing I'd like to mention to anyone trying this for the 1st time: BE PATIENT WHEN WAITING FOR THE SOLID "D" LIGHT TO COME ON! It will take approximately 8-10 minutes or so, but it will show up on the display.

[@Jetsonn]

Wait so you sat there and shifted between drive and neutral quickly for 8-10 mins?

[@jshepard152]

@@Jetsonn No, not necessary. You only do that for a few seconds to enter temp detection mode. Then you remove the pin jumper and watch for the D indicator on the display. It will either be off, on, or flash. Off = too cold. On = correct temp. Flash = too hot.

[@davypig571]

I don’t have a Toyota or an automatic trans but I watched anyway and this was an excellent how-to video. You sir have class.

[@Jetsonn]

“May The Lord bless you and keep you” AAAAAA-men! Thank you for that 💙

[@abugerito]

I followed the directions and was able to change the ATF in my 2015 Highlander. It drained about 1.8 qtr, filled with 2.5 qtr and after checking fluid it drained about .6 - .8 qtrs. It took between 15-18 min to get the to solid D from overnight parked cold. I thought I did something wrong because other guys said it takes 5-10 min. Anyway, thanks for this video!

[@alancruz8096]

2019 Camry SE owner here, You sir are a godsend to many of us Toyota owners! My dealership wants close to $500 dollars for the trans fluid change and they mentioned that they are also draining the torque converter during this service. Can you comment on the torque converter drainage please? Thank you again for your dedication in helping us to keep our cars running for a long long time! God bless you!

[@dfhhtyu3434]

Same they gave me quote on 19 Camry with 80 k miles i think it might early to do it what’s your thought Ahmed

[@72151]

I used to be a Crew Chief Instructor on F-4 Phantoms and I really enjoy watching your videos. Great Job!!!

[@frankharley1000]

Phantoms phorever! USMC Aviation, 1981- 2001

[@charlesdesurne4696]

as a kid , I lived near an airport where a national guard base operated. would watch the RF-4Cs take off with afterburner then come home trailing smoke

[@bIgMiKeObAmNa]

Just bought a 2024 corolla and i want to be able to drain and fill the cvt fluid on my own. This guy really knows what hes doing. Thanks for the video man!

[@bmsk0076]

2024 Corolla? Transmission oil changes should not bother you for a couple of years.

[@alvinsimba734]

@@bmsk007660k miles for the cvt transmission change. I’m only at 29k miles on My 2020 Corolla LE, just waiting to hit that 60k miles and then change that cvt transmission fluid. Mine has the 1.8 litre engine instead of the 2.0 litre engine

[@travismcgee4144]

Tackled this today on my '17 ES350. I was anxious as I'd never done it before. Wasn't bad at all! Took a while to heat up, as my garage was 50 degrees F this morning. Car shifts smooth as silk after the change. Thanks for the excellent video!

[@yujayn]

how long before the D stays on?

[@travismcgee4144]

@@yujayn it was cold when I did mine....it seemed like 5+ minutes of shifting....

[@j_scentv]

How many miles did you had when you changed it? I have a 2016 lexus es350 I got 80k on it. I want to change the trans fluid but I’m afraid that is too late idk what to do yet.

[@travismcgee4144]

@@j_scentv mine was just over 60k. I don't think 80k is too late, as this procedure only changes a portion of the fluid.

[@aaronhoutz3141]

I really appreciate all of your tutorials. One point where I could see some getting confused (I did). After toggling between N and D quickly for about six seconds, the D indicator will come on. At least on my 2017 Rav 4, if you happen to have it in drive, the D indicator doesn't turn off. This does not mean it is up to temp and ready to drain. You then need to shift back into park. The drive light should disappear, and then you wait. I had to wait for about 7 minutes before it came on.

[@charliep5139]

Awesome video and thanks so much! I had a 2016 Sienna and few things I want to add, in case anyone cares or if it was a little different with them, too! -I was able to do this on a flat surface without having to jack up my van or remove any tires; I turned the wheel all the way to left and I got access to ATF fill bolt with an extension. The ATF drain plug, I thought, was pretty accessible without having to jack it up -I got my jumper wire on amazon for like $5 and the pack came with way more then I'll ever need! -Maybe this was lost in editing or my van just does things different but my sequence was a little different a) After making sure the parking brake was up and all four wheels were chocked off, I turned off all the lights, radio and HVAC and then turned off my car. b) I put the jumper wires in the right spot c) I started the car d) I shifted around several times e) I then did the drive-neutral-drive dance until the "D" came on for two seconds f) I put the car in park; the "D" went away. It come back on immediately with the car still being cold like in your video g) the "D" light came back on; this did not happen immediately for me. It took until the car was up to operating temperature. For me, I could sit in the car and wait until I saw the "D" light come back on, or once I heard and felt the engine fans start, the "D" light came on, too; this took about 15 minutes of my car running at idle h) I undid the drain plug until it got to the right amount of drips and then put the plug back on. i) I did this twice, after letting the engine completely cool down, and after the 2nd time I put a new gasket on the refill and drain plugs. Thanks, again, keep up the great content, and I'd love to know if I did anything incorrectly. Take care.

[@tstephane2000]

Thanks Charlie P.! This really saved me a lot of frustrations

[@charliep5139]

@@tstephane2000 no problem. Let me know if you have any questions!

[@jameswright4387]

Hello, I recently bought a 16 sienna and will be doing this soon. About how many quarts did you have to fill?

[@fabfivedominate]

I've always drained trans oil and replaced what I drained. I won't do that anymore. My new 2017 tacoma off road came 1 quart low from factory in Mexico. Common issue with 3rd gen tacomas. Will start doing temperature checks from now on. Great video.

[@anthonywalters4420]

This is the most informative video I have seen on how to change these new transmissions fluid. The steps and stages are sequential and clear. The videos and the directions are on point. Great video. Thanks.

[@patrickmclaughlin7193]

This is the only video that even mentions the transmission cooler bypass valve for the 8-speed units. Find this at the 14:35 mark. Great video. Great production as always.

[@vbvortx]

Yes, but I couldn’t quite get it.. can you explain what and when should be than with that alen key

[@fredcotter9672]

Great video. As a lifelong gearhead, do it yourselfer, and at one point in my past a certified mechanic, your videos are incredibly informative and helps me keep up on the changes of my Toyotas. Many thanks for all you do!

[@dlukton]

It's so much better with a car that has a dipstick.

[@coloradoboo1071]

Wow, my el cheapo $28 Etekeity Infrared thermometer Worked! (2014 Tundra 5.7L Max Crew 4X4) Started off at 60 degrees cold, started engine and ran through gears, she hit 85 in about 5 minutes, went up and went through gears again, and the top/right of the drain pan (where AMD showed) was at 106 in 9 minutes. So I don't need a $300+ OBD2 reader to get tran temp! (Be careful under the vehicles, I was seeing 350 degrees on parts of the tailpipe...ouch) God Bless!!

[@starzztop]

I have the BlueDriver OBD scanner and it shows the transmission temperature.

[@coloradoboo1071]

@@starzztop Do you have a Tundra? Reviews on Amazon says doesn’t show temps for Toyota or Lexus 😩

[@starzztop]

@@coloradoboo1071 i have a 2014 camry

[@coloradoboo1071]

@@starzztop what model is your OBD reader??

[@rbs427]

Just did this. Following this closely on my 2015 Sienna. Thank you!!! The fluid was browninsh. 92,000 I wish I knew this at 30,000. Next change is 120,000 miles.

[@alext8828]

We wouldn't consider NOT subscribing. Everyone should subscribe. These are the clearest instructions ever. Another excellent video.

[@davidstacy]

Thank you for providing this information to the Toyota owners community.

[@ElRayo23]

Best explanation out of dozens of videos that I watched trying to figure out how to set the correct level. Thanks!!

[@hasuinc6054]

You;re the BEST!!! Your videos are accrate and fully informative !! I am 71 but still believe in doing the oil changes myself. .

[@chuckwalla2967]

The good old days when you could check the level with a dipstick and fill through the dipstick tube with a funnel.

[@toddsmith1617]

That is why iam keeping my Honda 2010 as long as possible. This is bullshit.

[@TheUniversalEyes]

@@toddsmith1617 Some cars you can't even check your oil levels...same type of sealed system. Now that's really bad!

[@Athletyk]

Our local dealer refuses to replace the transmission oil on newer toyotas, claiming that any change would void the warranty. this is absolute BS.

[@MeGBillG]

@@Athletyk exactly and these dealers are RUINING TOYOTA name

[@jjl8511]

The incorrect transmission oil level May cause trouble. Some People don't know you need to.let the engine running to check transmission fluid, opposite to the engine oil

[@JSTODDARDJ]

This is the best toyota channel . Please do more DIY stuff!

[@jbeebo]

Firstly, AMD - THANK YOU for taking your precious time to make these videos. You clearly have a wealth of knowledge to give and that you do so freely here on KZbin is truly a blessing to folks like me. This method drains only a few liters of fluid from the pan, maybe 25% of the total fluid volume. In a typical auto trans, the total volume is around 10 ~ 15 liters. By far the largest volume of fluid remains in the torque converter and some in the cooler & lines. There is an alternate method in which you disconnect the line that runs to the cooler and have the trans pump out the fluid into a graduated container. You pump out a liter or 2 at a time, and fill the exact same quantity into the trans. Repeated pump and fill using this method will guarantee to get all the old fluid pumped out (vs. just diluted with fresh fluid in the pan drain method). What are your thoughts on this method? Are there any pitfalls one should look out for (aside from the very important instructions about setting the fluid level in the right way you so clearly explained in this video)?

[@TheCarCareNut]

Hi! Thank you for watching my channel! So first I’ll say this. The idea of replacing the transmission fluid is to refresh the additive package and the small amount you replace does just that. People often are chasing after replacing the whole fluid and in some higher mileage transmissions that’s actually not a good thing honestly. Having said that on the method you mentioned. It works but you have to be careful. Running the transmission low sends air into the pump and could really cause more issues than good. If you must do this procedure I would overfill the transmission a bit then drain that excess so you always have enough fluid

[@DuckMcDuckinson]

@@TheCarCareNut hey AMD! Can I do a drain and fill abs replace the trans filter on my 2010 Camry LE 2.5 with 90k miles?

[@TheCarCareNut]

Hi! Yes you can

[@johac7637]

I put the hose in a measuring container, on my 1st change I remove the pan, filter, measure the oil, and add the amount I drained with removing the pan, and then as it is pumping it into the measuring container, I add at about the same speed it drains, also have someone shift the trans thru is range to drain the clutch packs, I have always changed oil before it shows color changes, and so far have had no issues, as the filter and magnet are cleaned, and replaced, cheap insurance. My wifes has 25K and 6 years old, changed it as oil oxidizes, even engine oils have a time recommended time as well as mileage,

[@Papa-oj4vd]

I have a 2016 rav 4 117,000 miles trans has not been changes ever should I change or not

[@bhoges5145]

I this very similar to my Tundra a few years back. What I did different was a pulled the cooler line and filled the fluid as it came out. Once the fluid was bright red I stopped. This way I got all the old fluid out. Then I adjusted the level. I'm due next summer. I tow so I keep on top of it.

[@ecmjr]

I've got Eric the Car Guy for Honda/Acura and now I have the Car Care Nut for Toyota/Lexus.

[@jrh11254]

Another good channel is “Toyota Maintenance.”

[@riceburner4747]

AMD from car care nut he's my favorite! He speaks the gospel for strictly toyotas. U can ask him anything & he gets back to u! And he SHOWS u. Good luck with ur Toyota! 😁🇺🇸

[@mailmanjoe]

Same!

[@riceburner4747]

@@jrh11254 thnx, I have him too!

[@jrh11254]

@@riceburner4747 - I wish Peter of Toyota Maintenance had more time to do in-depth videos. He’s limited because of his one-man-show business-model of his shop.

[@qtpatooty4929]

I’m learning to try to do a lot of my own maintenance and am loving your channel. I haven’t found anyone else’s videos that are as informative and comprehensive as yours. I have a 2020 Rav and am learning so much about what it needs. Thank you so much!!!

[@andrewives5001]

I also have the 2020 rav. Have you done the procedure yet? It’s almost time for me to do it. I’ve only ever done oil changes and break pad swaps so I’m a bit nervous haha

[@qtpatooty4929]

I actually ended up paying to have this one done bc it was pretty inexpensive however I’m gearing up to change out the coolant which is something I’m a bit nervous about but I’m going to do it anyway

[@claudiusdsouza8772]

I have been following your videos and you are simply amazing. The attention to the detail you provide to simplify it for us DIYers is just gr888. I had this done on my 2014 Rav4 and everything worked out like a charm. I did it when the outside temperature here in Toronto was 0 degrees celsius so it took about 4-5 minutes for the Drive sign to appear on the dash and i was getting a little nervous lol... I actually did visit the Toyota dealership to get this done before and they talked me out of it. So glad i saw yr video and true enough at a 125,000 kms the fluid was dirty and black. Thank you sooo much for these great videos.

[@worldvistor]

The transmission needs to be flushed when the fluid color turns to brown and black.

[@unclejediisampsonii3624]

Hey Claudius, did you put the vehicle in drive when the temp was right or did you have a helper with foot on break and vehicle in drive while you made the level adjustment. Thanks in advance

[@claudiusdsouza8772]

@@unclejediisampsonii3624 I did this without any helper and I had put on the wheel back on the driver's side after filling the transmission fluid, I did not use jack stands. Just choose a level surface. I just waited for the D to stay solid and then put the vehicle in park (without turning it off) and quickly crept under the vehicle to remove the drain plug. The RAV4 sits slightly higher and I am small built lol... so did not have an issue. Might not work with a car (Corolla or Camry) due to the ground clearance. I also kept the drain pan ready under the transmission before I began the process. Good luck!

[@unclejediisampsonii3624]

@@claudiusdsouza8772 Thankyou Claudius, much clearer now 👍but still a little intimidating.

[@WreckerRC]

Thank you. I just changed the Transmission fluid on a 2020 Sienna. Thank you for the guide. The job wasn't hard... just tedious. I went the temp gun method and it worked just fine. I did wait until the transmission was at 100, solidly between the recommended numbers of 95-110.

[@brazenbunnies]

I watched about seven videos on checking level. Yours is the best.

[@MoparMarqG]

One thing touched on, but not emphasized is that the car on the jack stands should be as level as possible. Most garages have a slight slope to them. And many of us do not have 4 matching jack stands (I have 3 pairs of non-matching jack stands). So getting the car as level as possible will help yield a valid level indication with the drain plug standpipe trickle method. It would be nice if there was a known surface on the underside of the car where a person could place an angle finder (as used for driveline angles) to get the angle as close to zero as possible.

[@thinkertoo2995]

Thank you for this video. The part where the jumper wire comes in and then the shifting sequence plus the temperature scan check. why not just measure what you took out to the ml and then add that exact same amount to the ml. ? If the car has traveled 50-60 thousand miles it must have been filled correctly from the manufacturer. Thanks again. For all your videos. They are ALL helpful.

[@rdspam]

“It must have been filled correctly from the manufacturer” is a huge assumption. Why not just make sure it’s right?

[@franciscozarate9353]

Someone mentioned that their 3rd Gen Tacoma came 1 quart short of transmission fluid from the factory

[@donniev8181]

AMD is a blessing to all DIY Toyota owners, national treasure.

[@JB-he1jt]

Very good information!! I've owned toyotas for over 30 years and always used the graduated bucket method for ensuring the same amount of fluid that I drained goes back into the transmission!! Never had any issues doing it this way and saved thousands in service and repairs.

[@geraldevans2535]

Worked fine for me too

[@airguns-shooter]

I just did this drained the transmission fluid measured it and put the same amount back its easier and less complicated

[@cjjesse1970]

@@airguns-shooter did you drain it hot or cold? I want to service my 2018 xse camry. Kinda scared to get the fluid level wrong. I know fully expands when hot so I just want to make sure if I would do it with cold fluid since I would be putting cold fluid back in. Thank you for your help.

[@airguns-shooter]

@@cjjesse1970 I drained the oil when it was 118F i drove it for like 10 minutes to reach that temperature and it was cold that day I used infrared thermometer and I checked the oil pan I understand I don't think it's good to drain it while cold because the oil expands when it reaches above 115F so you will be able to get most of the old oil out i measured the old oil and i put the same amount back my car shifts very good and i have no issues at all but the same time i wish if i did it the same way like whats on the video but i found it complicated so I did it the easy way

[@airguns-shooter]

@@cjjesse1970 I didn't have anyone to help me I was so scared not to get the right level that's why I did it this way but now I'm scared too what if my oil level was low and I just put the same amount back it's still going to be low I'm going to have to do it the right way next time

[@ajmann07]

TY for taking the time not only to video these but I'm sure the editing takes a lot of time as well. May GOD bless you as well.

[@ReddyzFun]

Thank you so much for your video as it helped me immensely. I just finished my first ever transmission drain and fill on my 2013 LEXUS RX 350 as I hit 100K miles today. The oil was a bit thicker, dark and had a slight burnt smell; and surprisingly I only got 1.6 qts of fluid out on a leveled surface with an overnight cold transmission. Next time I am thinking about jacking the front wheels to get more fluid out. One of the things that I was little confused was in Step#4 at 11:16 where you demonstrated to shift between "N" and "D"; it took me around 3-4 mins of rapid shifting before the "D" became solid; I was expecting it to come within few seconds as demonstrated in your video but for me it took close to 4 mins. More importantly one of the things that I was not very sure was if I needed to keep shifting between N and D until the solid "D" shows up on the display; I was almost ready to give up as it was hurting my wrist pretty bad. Once the "D" showed up and stayed solid, I put the shift in "N"; quickly removed the jumper clip; ran as fast as I can under the car to unscrew the cap; and to my dismay I only got a little bit of fluid out and it started trickling like in your video. I think I only added little less than 2 QTS (12oz less) as I took just little more than 1.5 qts. I took the vehicle for a test drive and everything felt normal. As per your recommendation, I am going to verify the fluid levels within a week or two to ensure everything is in order. Thanks again for all your great videos.

[@edbielick202]

On a 2018 highlander do you have to put wrench in the cooler and when do you remove it 17:03

[@ReddyzFun]

​@@edbielick202 I am not sure if you are referring to the same video as I did not dealt with any cooler line.

[@Fpan87]

Is there a cooler bypass on your Rx? I have a 2013 f sport with 8 speed transmission- not sure if I need to press on the cooler bypass that he mentioned.

[@ReddyzFun]

@@Fpan87 TBH with you I am not sure; I did not do anything like that. I pretty much stuck to what was shown in the video and have so far done it 3X times. I will be doing this again 1X time after 30K miles around 130K miles next year or so.

[@margarethobbs2471]

Well that’s only changed 1/4 of the oil volume . Note I got my oil as hot as could. Drained into a measuring jug let it cool down overnight. It only dropped down 1 mm. Suggested a hose on trans cooler out line into a drain tin. And fill and drain until oil comes clean Mike😊. You are one of the best there is .love your vid.

[@georgelomarro4677]

I have done this twice on my 2016 Scion tC. I have a few additional notes about how I do it that makes this even easier. - First time I used a paper clip works to jump the two pins, this worked perfectly. I now have a scan tool that shows the trans fluid temp, and this is even easier. - You do not have to completely remove the panel in the wheel well. The panel has five clips, and the leftmost clip behind the wheel well liner does not need to be removed. Just remove the other four (the ones you can see and are easy to remove) and the panel will be able to rotate down and there will be plenty of room to access the fill bolt. - You do not need a special pump for the new fluid. I have a funnel with a 18 inch flexible hose. The hose has an outer diameter of about 3/4 inch and fits right in the fill hole. Because we took off the wheel, there is plenty of room to pour the fluid into the funnel. - Cover the rotor and caliper with a large rag. You do not want to accidentally spill trans fluid on the brakes! - I have a super easy method to jack up and level the car. All you need is two jack stands, your floor jack and a magnetic torpedo level. Start with the car on level ground. Before jacking up the car, put the level on the roof of the car, positioning it anywhere that the magnet will hold it in place and the level is level. Now jack up the front of the car, and lower it onto the jack stands, making sure that the stands are at the same height. At this point the level will not be level. Now jack up the rear of the car from a solid point in between the rear wheels. Stop jacking when the level is level again. BING - the car is level, you can remove the front left wheel and it is safe to go under the front of the car to reach the drain plug. (Just don't crawl under the rear of the car because it is only being supported by the jack.)

[@AC_metro]

Nice tips. In reference to having the car level, I think it's easier to just measure the height of the wheels from a level garage floor with a yardstick. 😊

[@AmandaHugenkiss2915]

You can also place your level along the bottom trim about halfway between front and rear wheels to gauge levelness with the spirit level. I also did jackstands in the front and a jack in the back.

[@maurotabuyo9506]

What’s the temp to change it af

[@alan4sure]

​@@AC_metro no because the springs/shocks compress while supporting the car, but they extend and hang down when lifted, but you don't know if the front and back compress by exactly the same amount. Front end is heavier and that end may compress more. Your measurement tire to floor would be wrong then.

[@AC_metro]

@@alan4sure good point. In hindsight, the level seems to be a better route.

[@panoscharos983]

The most accurate and responsible site... congratulations..

[@tedjohnson64]

Wow, I thought VW was the only one with this bizarre transmission fluid changing procedure (for their DSG, "automatic" paddle shifter transmission). The design looks identical (with the overflow tube, and heating up the xmission to a certain temperature, then draining the overflow). Great tip on the Home Depot 10q bucket with quart annotations, I'll have to get one of those.

[@susannero6401]

Great video. I discovered that the Toyota dealership that had done a fluid flush had forgotten to reinstall the plastic standpipe and the magnets in the drain pan, resulting in low fluid and problems when the transmission was cold. So much for the dealership. BTW, my heat gun read 85 deg F when the D light came on, and 110 deg when it started flashing. So it was 5 to 10 deg too low. So if you use that method, factor that in.

[@DunateoRom8v37]

Love the logical, detailed yet concise information with a conclusion after each step. I will be using this in about 10 000km

[@nickv4073]

Good video. I saved it for when its time to do my 2016 Camry. Other videos say 104 degrees is the right time to do the level check.

[@mridware9694]

I installed temperature sensor in the pressure port to monitor the temperature accurately

[@condor5635]

Great video the only thing I’d recommend is not buying a pump. It’s not needed. Gravity feed using the funnel and a vinyl tube works awesome. Also use two identical jugs. Fill one jug with new fluid to same height as drained jug. No measuring and so easy. Or mark drained jug with piece of tape and drain then refill to tape level. Residual fluid not big deal. Great video

[@edgarhernandez1060]

Best educational video I have watch in changing fluid in this kind of transmission

[@kmclane1]

As there is a direct correlation between the level of fluid when it is cold versus when it is at temp, why didn't Toyota make the overflow tube the desired height of cold fluid?

[@TheCarCareNut]

Cold fluid is not a constant. Cold for someone in Florida is 50 F in Chicago it’s -25

[@tunyung]

@@TheCarCareNut question is...... can I change fluid when cold? What ever amount i drained I replace. When cold. Sitting overnight.

[@TheCarCareNut]

Hi! You can but how do you know the fluid level was right to begin with? I would just check it

[@tunyung]

@@TheCarCareNut provided that the original owner with original van intact never molested. Which i am.

[@thomasbrogan9102]

@@TheCarCareNut Smart

[@anthonycapobianco5615]

Thanks for such outstanding instructions! Just performed on my 2013 ES350 with confidence and it went exactly as you described. Lucky for me an add-on package for my OBDLink MX was available and provided the A/T temperature reading which was easily worth the extra ~$15. Now I have some peace knowing it'll be good to go for long term higher miles. Three different dealerships refused to do the job so just had to do it myself. Thank you!

[@nnamdin3372]

I have the 2007 Lexus Es 350 that I want to perform this on, I had to buy a temp gun to measure the temperature, so I want to know, at what degrees did you start draining on your ES? as he mentioned that it differs depending on the transmission.

[@anthonycapobianco5615]

@@nnamdin3372 I opened mine at 99° and it came to a trickle exactly like in his video just as it was going from 103°-104°. I don't know if temp ranges are same for your 2007 as for my 2013 but I hope that helps. It was way easier than I expected. Good luck!

[@nnamdin3372]

@@anthonycapobianco5615 I did it this morning, I was very nervous but it was way easier than I expected. Haha. My transmission happened to be overfilled because, in my region, there's no professional technician that could actually look into it so the mechanic overfilled the transmission and I had to drain the fluid, it was a lot. I'm happy how the car shifts now and it can go better from here. Thanks

[@anthonycapobianco5615]

@@nnamdin3372 Great! Am glad it worked out and went well for you too!

[@AC_metro]

@@anthonycapobianco5615 is your ES350 rear wheel drive or all wheel drive?

[@anthonyfox5337]

I used an electrical multimeter temperature probe taped to the transmission pan on my Lexus IS250 to set the fluid level and it Worked perfectly. I also taped a kitchen thermometer next to it as a reference ( Kitchen thermometer was very accurate ) Didn`t need a costly scan tool / infrared heat gun or to jump the OBD port.

[@johnhoover7869]

So when you use a temp. probe to get the proper temperature you no longer need to do the the jumper wire shifter cycling process? Or is it still necessary to cycle the hydraulic circuits?

[@anthonyfox5337]

@@johnhoover7869 I cycled the transmission between fluid changes. Just search IS250 Transmission oil change and you`ll find lots of tutorials.

[@anthonyfox5337]

@@johnhoover7869 No jumper wire needed ( that`s only to put the ECU into the maintenance mode ) You still need to cycle the trans through D N R P 3 or 4 times to circulate the fluid. No need to do the rapid P N shifting as that is only needed to obtain the correct temp via the ECU maintenance mode )

[@geecrawdad]

Fortunately, I was able to reach the trans plug without raising the car. I think I had to turn the wheel all the way to the left. I checked the pan with a small level and left the plug finger-tight. Once it hit the right temp, I could quickly get to the plug and take it out.

[@starnjudy]

Hi. Firstly, thank you for a great channel, for your professionalism and accuracy to detail. I’ve done a full ATF change in my Camry 2011. I set the fluid level using an Infrared gun. After completing I noted your comments regarding accuracy and have therefore done a practice of taking the car into Diagnostic Mode. I followed your steps, accurately installed the jumper in the OBD2 connector. The car reported it had entered “Diag VSC 51”. The car has an indicator with separate lights for P,R,D…etc. I got it into a mode with the “P” and “D” illuminated simultaneously. I then removed the jumper from the OBD2 connector and the “D” stayed illuminated. That has confused me. At that point The flashing warning lights stopped and both “P” and “D” were illuminated. I appreciate at that point the “D” light is not a gear selection indication but a temperature indicator. However I didn’t seem to get the “D” blank, then solid as the temp climbs and potentially flashing (above calibration range). Would you have any suggestions please?

[@TheCarCareNut]

Hi! That is actually the correct sequence. When the D light is off it’s below the temperature range. When it’s on solid then it’s within the temperature range where you’d need to adjust the fluid. If it starts blinking then it’s too hot you’ll need to abort and wait for it to cool down

[@starnjudy]

@@TheCarCareNut Hi. Thank you Amd for that. Yes, it turned out the transmission was warm enough to illuminate the “D” solid. I waited for several hours and tried again and all worked beautifully. Many thanks for a great tip. It was interesting that when the transmission temp triggered the “D” to solid the electric radiator fan cut in and the “D” extinguished, blinked a couple of times over 30 sec, then came on solid again. The front of the pan with the IR thermometer gun indicated 95 degrees in this case. Regards.

[@boldcitycc]

@@TheCarCareNutmine started blinking just as I was starting to screw the plug in. I assume this is ok, as I was just on the edge of leaving the correct range and entering the “too warm range”?

[@fizout]

Thanks for making this daunting task more accessible! For the fluid level adjustment procedure involving running the engine and going through transmission gears, are you sitting in the car and starting it while it is on (jack) stands? Is that safe? The safety instructions on jack stands often explicitly warn against anyone getting in the vehicle, much less turning it on, while it is jacked up. Actually, it would be great to see a video series focused on safety. For example, safety precautions to take for common DIY procedures, as well as common errors to avoid. The safety aspect is often the most stressful part about DIY, and if it isn't, maybe it should be brought up!

[@TheCarCareNut]

Thanks for the video suggestion. I don’t see the issue with sitting in the car while on jack stands as long as they can easily support your cars weight and you in it.

[@fizout]

@@TheCarCareNut I think the concern is not so much with the ability of the jack stands to support the static weight, but the dynamic and non-vertical forces and torques of getting in/out of the vehicle or turning the engine.

[@TheCarCareNut]

Jack stands are pretty stable in my opinion if they are a good brand that are well made. I am not worried as you see in the video.

[@TaijiArban]

@@fizout You should give the car a good shaking before going under the vehicle anyhow, if that feels stable and good, you should be good. I have gone in and out of vehicles while they were on jacks, starting them and turning the wheels and have had no problems. I do use a quality set of jack stands and the jack as well for added safety. You can never be too safe after all.

[@harleyquinn8202]

I went today to toyota dealership in Deerfield, FL. Before tax it was 267.83 total. Here is what they printed Zaktran complete fluid exchange using synthetic transmission fluid (WS1000, T401) 13359 CPG - $126.95 12 WS1000 WS TRANS FLUID - $9.99 1 T401 TRSNMISSION CONDITIONER $21.00 PARTS: $140.88 LABOR $126.95

[@2005Pilot]

What model?

[@dkgrace6743]

If you take out cold trans. fluid and replace it with the exact amount and temperature of what you took out, why would you need to check fluid level and do the over flow test? You are putting back what you took out. Also, would it be better to do this a 2nd time after driving it a few miles? Great videos. Thank you.

[@gjamesb53]

What if the transmission was 1.5 qts low when you drained it. when you fill it with the same amount , it will still be 1.5 qts low!

[@dkgrace6743]

@@gjamesb53 True. But in a sealed tranny that would be unusual, to be that low. If it were that low I think you would be experiencing some problems, no? Point well taken. Maybe the first time you change it you should use the temperature readings and overflow process. Then after that an even exchange would be fine.

[@AnticipatedHedgehog]

Thank you Amd for the video! Seriously car manufacturers how difficult is it to put a damn dipstick?

[@agfa663]

DIY are in direct competition with TOYOTA. Adding computerized parts, removing dipsticks, etc. ensure that you will go back to the stealership for repair. Now imagine what it will be when all cars will be electric and that designers will have found a way to seal many components. They will control DIY by voiding warranties if a sealed part gets unsealed, forcing DIY to go to the stealership. Small garage will only perform brakes jobs and tire changes.

[@kelloginc1]

@@agfa663 sad but true, that's why I'm sticking with mostly older machines.

[@mugensamurai]

I know I may be asking a lot but please do the 8 speed in the Rav4. Best video On the subject!

[@TheCarCareNut]

mugensamurai thank you for your comment! I can make a dedicated 8 speed transmission fluid change including the rav4 once I get a car to do the filming with. You never ask a lot, I greatly value all viewer video requests and suggestions and highly consider them if possible!

[@mugensamurai]

@@TheCarCareNut Thanks man keep up the good work. Looking forward to it.

[@seanclarke4061]

Thanks for this video! DId this service on the 06 IS350 with 226k miles, but something like 3.6 qts came out, so I put just under 4 back in. Independent lexus service said my fluid was brown despite me adding 4qts of WS and changing the filter last summer. I think another drain and refill should be just fine. No issues with the shifting whatsoever.

[@bradart7289]

I can't believe a dealership would bother to go thru this entire procedure !

[@noahkraft6453]

Always make sure the filler bolt is loose prior to draining!

[@bearpuf]

Hi AMD. I've watched your video twice now. It's terrific. However, I feel as if the obvious is being missed here. Can't one simply leave the vehicle sit overnight, then put it level on jackstands, drain the trans fluid, measure how much was taken out and then replace it with the same amount of new fluid to achieve a correct fluid change? The only reason I'm seeing to replace the old fluid with new fluid and overfill by 1/2 a quart, then run the engine to the prescribed temp and then start draining again until the fluid starts dribbling and cap it off is if one doesn't know if the vehicle had the right amount of fluid in the first place.

[@davidodonell559]

I agree it has to be accurate

[@boldcitycc]

This is correct, but you don’t know that if was correct. A guy on here said his Tacoma showed it was a quart short from the factory

[@fredpatrick5139]

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your knowledge and expertise! It is very encouraging to know there are good people in the world who want to help asking nothing in return. A rare thing these days. Thank you and may you be Blessed as well!!

[@stayinformed2913]

I have two Ideas: Instead of measuring the volume of transmission fluid drained out of a car when it is hot, what prevents me from weighing the fluid that came out and pouring the same weight of new fluid back into the transmission? Also, why can't I wait until the drained fluid cools down to air temperature, check it's volume, and then pour the same volume of new fluid back into the transmission?

[@Rob-ou1fj]

Unless I missed something, he intially drained (and measured the volume) the transmission fluid when it was cold, not hot. He only “warmed up” the transmission when doing the final fluid level check.

[@niktozero5944]

An interesting video for self-fluid replacement. I change every 40k by breaking the cooling circuit and displacing the old fluid with the new one. I also remove and clean the pan and change the filter.

[@marcosb2097]

That’s what I am talking about a true care nuts! Your AT will last forever.😊

[@bigfootswatching9986]

@@marcosb2097 You would only hope...........luck of the draw.

[@Ryan_Carder]

What do you mean about the cooling circuit and displacing the old fluid? I'm completely lost on the cooling circuit, but by displacing do you mean adding so much fluid that it runs red again?

[@buffbuffers2076]

@@Ryan_Carder he is talking about taking off the trans oil cooler lines from the radiator and cranking or running the car for a short time to do a complete flush instead of a filter slap or drain and fill like in this vid. And yes you let it pull fresh fluid until it comes out of the return hose.

[@fabrivila2774]

Thanks for your teaching, but it is something complicated to do and if you make a mistake it can damage the transmission. It sucks that these companies reach this level of not putting a dipstick. It is obvious that they want the car to last less and to give work to the dealers who end up charging a lot.

[@rorycalhoun1126]

💯

[@dp2955]

Thanks so much for this video, AMD! The transmission cooler bypass valve was the worst part, since I didn’t really know where it was, and so had to take the entire plastic shield off. Good thing I had an odd assortment of push-in fasteners as I broke all of them getting that thing out! The rest of the job went great. 8:30 am to noon start to finish, including jacking the van up and placing on jack stands, a tire rotation, and checking fluids. I only got 2.75qts out of my 2019 Sienna with the bypass valve pinned open, so I put 3 in. I followed the magic shifter trick to see when it was warmed up enough to pull the drain plug to set the level, and this went just fine. Then I let it run while watching the D indicator to see how much time I really had to set the level. Starting with a “cold” transmission (this is Florida, it was 90F by noon) I had more than enough time. Between this and the spark plug video, the Car Care Nut has saved our family so much money in maintenance this month! Thanks again!

[@geoffvolker]

I thoroughly enjoy your videos. Thank you for them.

[@nmhazzard]

Thank you so much for your videos! I love the detail, the information, and the 'do things right' mindset share with us! I have a 2021 Highlander, 3.5L 4WD, 48,000km (30,000mi) and completed the transmission fluid change this past weekend. I took care to measure the amount of ATF removed, and refilled, and found the transmission was left with approximately 400ml less ATF then what was there from the factory. The vehicle was purchased new, so this was first time this fluid was changed. I figured that I would be adding less then what was removed from what I noticed when I first removed the drain plug. The A/T Fluid Temp No1 was cold (65oF), and a decent amount of ATF came out until it started to drip before the fill tube was removed. I followed the service manual and your guidance: Levelled vehicle Pressed in the AT thermostat bypass Drained ATF Filled with cold oil, with a bit extra to ensure the level would be correct once complete. Used a scan tool to monitor A/T fluid temp no.1, heated up to 95oF, (95-113of as per the service manual), I keep it on the cool end since I figured I would keep more oil in the transmission than less. Pulled the drain plug, and allow to drain until it began to trickle. Returned the AT bypass to normal I know I am a bit early to do this flush, but I am all in on keeping a well maintained vehicle will ensure trouble-free operation for years! Question: Is it normal that the first flush will result in a lower amount of fluid left in the transmission, or is it more likely I did something incorrectly?

[@nmhazzard]

Well I figured it out, and I was doing something incorrectly. Even though it was very clear, I turned the engine off, then drained the excess, rather than keep the engine running. I corrected this and I am much more inline with the amount of ATF as found.

[@gwilli1754]

Keeping the engine on, leads to less fluid being drained? I was thinking that engine heats the oil and more of it goes into catch pan.

[@nmhazzard]

@@gwilli1754 if you turn the engine off after heating the fluid up to the proper temperature it will led to less oil in the transmission, or more oil drained. That is what I did wrong. So I topped the fluid up, reheated the fluid to the proper temperature, left the engine running while draining the excess fluid. This resulted in more fluid to remain in the transmission.

[@nukestrom5719]

Where did you purchase the service manual? I have a 19 rav4 and an 18 sienna but can't find service manuals for them.

[@gwilli1754]

@@nmhazzard As the oil heats, it expands. I think that the official procedure is just meant to be quick, get the oil plus extra to the operating temp, and done, right then and there close the drain. I could see the procedure work well with two people.

[@antoniogonzalez3509]

Can you please do a video on how to tell if your Toyota dealer is a Great/Good Toyota dealership

[@googleusergp]

Very well stated and laid out. This is one thing I give Toyota a "zero" on the design of this though. LOL. You have to be an acrobat to do all of those steps. The best transmission fluid change was on a Saturn I owned---spin on oil filter and whatever you drained is what you put in. Doing that transmission fluid change was like doing a regular oil change. You were done in about 20 minutes and yes it had a dipstick. I think manufacturers need to go back to having those.

[@okayq]

When do you replace the transmission fluid during the break-in period?

[@TheCarCareNut]

I would replace it every 60k miles or 6 years whichever comes first

[@gd9704]

Nice video! Great job explaining how the system works with the overflow tube. You took an intimidating job for the home mechanic and made it only slightly intimidating! ;)

[@petek3872]

It's a good idea to remove the fill plug first, before draining the transmission. On the 8AT Sienna, for example, a DIY-er may need to obtain a short or a swivel hex socket to access the fill plug. You don't want to find this out when the transmission is empty.

[@bechtoea]

The biggest reason for doing this is to ensure you can actually put fluid in before you drain it. You do NOT want to discover your fill plug is stripped and stuck after you empty the transmission.

[@ThatGuyWhoComments1]

Just bought a corolla with a cvt with 15k miles....thank God I researched how to change the transmission fluid. I was wondering why the manual didn't mention transmission maintenance at all. Car makers these days.... Not looking forward to this much more complicated and risky maintenance but I'm locked in to this car. Thank you so much for the video.

[@jshepard152]

It's not too awful once you get into it. But yeah, a much bigger pain in the butt than it should be.

[@DJ-gh4dg]

Fantastic video quality, super detailed, and good audio. Really appreciate your hard work! 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@chrisernissee9269]

Just changed my fluid! very simple thanks for the video!

[@thangnguyen590.55]

I think you should open the fill plug first to make sure you can fill the new fluid before you drain the old fluid

[@deasttn]

Yup. Loosen the fill tube before draining the transmission

[@merrillschaps2325]

I have a 2017 Camry 2.5. I couldn't get the "D" to disappear, stay on, or flash when jumping the number 4 terminal and number 13 terminal on the OBD2 connector. So I bought a infrared thermometer from Harbor Freight and I was able to get the fluid level correct. Thank you for this very simple and very detailed video!

[@isiaettedarden1831]

What temp should it read?

[@merrillschaps2325]

​@@isiaettedarden1831 between 95°F and 113°F if you use an inferred thermometer.

[@herbertnewman4595]

Could you do a video on repairing the 4x4 actuator on a 2008 Toyota Tundra without pulling the transfer case? By cleaning, soldering, and timing the small HI and Low electric motors on the actuators. Could save thousands instead of pulling the entire transfer case.

[@renemata8410]

Thanks Car Care Nut for the procedure, really helpful. John previously (9months ago) asked that overfilling by 1/2qt might take too long to drain and you suggested to start draining a little early to have enough time to drain the 1/2qt. I practiced the procedure in my garage with an ambient temp of 83F and timed how long it took to temp up (solid D light) and it took 2:12. I then kept going cycling from D to N until the D light starting blinking, meaning too hot...my stopwatch was at 6:16 by that time. Does this mean that I have ~4min in which to drain the excess? If so, I'm thinking 4min is enough time to drain the excess 1/2qt. Is my logic flawed?

[@TheCarCareNut]

Hi! Yes that sounds right. Your logic is very correct. I say hurry because some folks will take their time to crawl under the car assuming the process takes 2 seconds when it could drain for a while. But you have plenty of time in your case

[@quinoajones3888]

I don't get it. When I first removed the bottom nut (dipstick still in), like a quart of ATF came out COLD. How is this possible if the fluid is smaller cold, but was originally filled to top of dipstick hot? Does Toyota factory overfill by 1 QT? I have had this happen with Toyota and Nissan, and I see it in other videos on cold ATF change.

[@maddeusdoggeus1]

@@quinoajones3888 Same Exact Question I had?👍

[@Peter-fs6vt]

@@quinoajones3888 Because your engine is not running.

[@kathyschneider7903]

Thank you you are very well spoken sharing your trade experience is so much appreciated knowing your time testing to be the best you can be. God BLESS you and your family LOVE YOU MAN you make me pro

[@nicolasdiaz7268]

You're awesome AMD, the profesionalism, the kindness, the courtesy, the teaching, the patience, the good manners the explanation of things to know before getting to do the service the desire of helping people save some money and avoid being scammed because the don't know thanks for educating us, thanks for everything! you got everything you should be the directive executive chief in charge of all service departments of toyota dealerships in us and the world, the world would be so much better with people like You, the world needs more people like You! May God bless you and keep you AMD once again thank you we appreciate your videos!