Partial transmission service on high mileage vehicle

MD1M

MEMBER
2011 TOYOTA SEQUOIA
5.7L
V8
2WD
AUTOMATIC
160,000 MILES

My vehicle has 160,000 miles. No issues with it, but took it to a transmission shop for service and they said the fluid was discolored so they recommended not doing anything. I understand not doing a pan drop drain and refill. I was wondering if I could just have a "plug drop" drain and fill once a year. I think it would only drain a couple quarts, and would have that amount replaced. Wouldn't this be better than just doing nothing and knowing that it will go out eventually? It's a Toyota, so was planning on driving it 500,000 miles. Have been great about all the other maintenance.

3 Replies

ASEMASTER6371

MECHANIC
52,797 POSTS

Good evening,

Yes, I would do the pan drop and fluid change. If you let it go, it will not make 200,000.

You will still not get to 500,000 on that transmission. Chances are you have worn clutches which is what discolors the fluid.

Roy

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Thursday, September 19th, 2019 AT 3:49 PM

MD1M

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Thanks. But I was wondering if I could just have the plug taken out and only replace that amount of fluid, which would be more conservative than dropping the pan. And I would do it every year, which would be every 10,000 miles to slowly get the fluid better. My mobile mechanic, a friend who maintains a fleet of trucks, and the transmission shop owner all told me to do nothing. But I want to feel like I'm giving it a chance.

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Thursday, September 19th, 2019 AT 3:53 PM

ASEMASTER6371