Mine was a barely perceptible shade off on the test strip at 105k and will need a change at some point before 200k one would think. Pop the hood and prop it up. I decided to add an inline transmission filter to both the Tundra and our '07 Sienna and change that filter instead. Now it is time to put in the fresh fluid. Pretty easy job just time consuming maybe 3 hrs at a slow Sunday pace.
It replaces these for use in older model Toyotas. Above the overflow bolt is a straw which determines the level of the fluid when the temperature is correct. Thoses bolts 3 that sit under the frame are a pain to remove and install but doable and the gasket and pan came right off without any problems. Once the fluid has finished draining, put the drain plug back in and tighten it up. You enjoy taking care of your Sienna.
If My tranny was not leaking I would have kept doing the drain and fill method. The response from the transmission while accelerating in these situations warrants a replacement or adjustment. I shifted into neutral, which removed the forward pressure, and after a second or two, the rpms drifted back into the normal range. I called the dealership one day and they suggested changing it every 30k miles to be on the safe side. I hate greasy marks in the under side of the van it is juts an indication of some thing is not right some where, but in this case I know what is not right. The consistency of the Automatic Transmission Fluid is comparable to that of brake fluid on your Toyota Sienna, but never should one be used as a substitute of the other.
If not, you can make your own with a gallon ice-cream bucket or milk jug. The filter comes off with 3 bolts and the filter is made of some type of fiber media. If My tranny was not leaking I would have kept doing the drain and fill method. Next, take the vehicle for a short drive taking it up to highway speeds. I don't think there is a disadvantage in changing the fluid and at 115,000 I would do the filter also.
It looks as if maybe a swivel socket may be needed? Final drive ratio is 2. If I were you I would get some rare earth magnets to add to the pan for additional protection. At 115,000 miles, the only trans fluid change was whatever needed to be replaced when a pan gasket was replaced at about 30,000. What does the replacement filter look like? If it is just a screen, it's probably not worth replacing. If you have a nice graduated container of some sort, use that.
We only sell parts from trusted brands like so that you can find quality parts you can count on. I decided to add an inline transmission filter to both the Tundra and our '07 Sienna and change that filter instead. After 150K miles, there was a small amount of debris on the screen but nowhere near enough to impede the flow. Then screw the fill plug back in. I don't think you need new bolts for the job. This is actually a pretty important step.
It can be handy to know exactly how much fluid you end up draining from the transmission, so that you know exactly how much you should add. I can often reproduce hesitation with a hard brake followed by heavy throttle. Now a few words about the magnets , pay attention to where they are located cause you will want to remove them to clean them properly , there are 2 and they are near little dents made in the pan which will help you oriente them. Now it is time to put in the fresh fluid. When I've reported my concerns to the dealer each time it's been serviced for 2 years! Has anyone had problems getting to these bolts? Flushing the transmission fluid is not recommended for a vehicle that does not have transmission problems, even if the fluid has never been changed, and should only be used as a last resort before rebuilding the transmission. This, however, can be awkward to turn by hand - ha … ving a strap wrench makes getting to the filter a cinch.
This problem occurs at least 90% of the time. You've run into the same problem I did. I recommend a drain and fill every 20k miles. I also bought a set of brand new bolts as looking at the bolts I assumed that I might strip em while trying to get them off so would be nice to have a brand new set to go back in. You can now enjoy smoother shifts, and peace of mind that your tranny will last much longer now that you've changed out the worn fluid. On the Tundra, the pan is also stuck on with a form-a-gasket type sealant. The biggest safety issue with this is a left turn across an oncoming lane of traffic similar to a corner turn.