timmy0tool

iTrader: (7)

find out what $150 job entails. if that is just a simple drain and refill (2 quarts), he is taking you for your money since two quarts is $20 at most! if that includes a flush, then it's decent.

how many miles are on the car now? doing a flush on a high mileage transmission could be detrimental, as indicated by other threads here.

RA40

iTrader: (6)

For simple drain and refills, ~$50. Takes more work to do an oil change and those from the big oil shops are $20. DIY is straight forward if you don't mind laying on the ground for about 10 minutes with basic hand tools and a catch pan. Other basics: Type IV fluid about 2-4 quarts, funnel, rags or paper towels to wipe up any spills dribbles. Crush washer and I want to say it is a 12mm bolt on the pan.

python

iTrader: (4)

don't do a partial drain and refill..thats just dumb, if u do that how do u know when enough is enough?u will still have a mix of some old in as it doesn't miraculously become all new fluid after so many changes do the 150.00 dollar fluid exchange and be done with it,
i would go to Toyota,get the fluid and give it to the shop..ur going on ur trip u will have the peace of mind knowing ur fluid is new.

timmy0tool

iTrader: (7)

i do not recommend doing any transmission work on a car immediately before on a long road trip. you need to have the work done and test drive the car for awhile first before going. if you still have little confidence in your car's reliability, i would just rent another car just for piece of mind.

RA40

iTrader: (6)

timmy0tool has the right thought. If the car is currently shifting fine, doing the partial drain should not pose any additional risk on your trip. If the car is not shifting well, this would not be the time to perform such a service. The incremental drain takes about 4-5 drains to get back to being a clear bright red.

The caution is that a very dirty fluid typically has burnt particulates that have adhered to various passages and in the pan. Fresh fluid has cleaning and lubricity package that tends to dislodge stuck particulates. Having those run through the system is not good and shows up as erratic to no shifting. This is why a gradual incremental drain is widely discussed here.

Once the fluid is nice and red you can do the partial drain every 15K, 30K miles. I do this approximate 2 quart routine every 8K-10K miles since I'm under the car for oil changes anyway.

python

iTrader: (4)

lol..if u go to a shop that performs a reverse flush u might have issues with that..when I bought my car it had 129,000 miles on it and the fluid was really dirty..looked like a dark blood red...i had a fluid exchange done then had the pan dropped and filter changed, my car is pushing 200,00 miles on it. ive also had another fluid change done at 170,000. im posting this from my own personal experience on my car...not what others are saying.
btw here is an article
http://mdhmotors.com/transmission-fl...-transmission/

RA40

iTrader: (6)

python, no one is debating you on this subject. Your premise is that mechanics will follow the procedure as you posted, not so. Jlacck can make the decision as he chooses from a wealth of discussions internet wide.

Leave the attitude out of this thread or do not post.

Bill Dowd

Like the guy said above get some crush washers say about 5 drain the trans thru the drain plug in the trans pan don't over tighten drain then drive about 5 miles do it again till you have gone thru about 10-12 quarts of tranny fluid. I use mobile one synthetic in my 1991 with 315,000 miles change it every 30k I flush it thru the trans cooler I put on and it still kicks like a mule thru the gears. I also heard that Max Life from Valvoline synthetic trans fluid will also work or just use the Toyota type 4 trans fluid all will work. Trans fluid needs to be changed more often now days due to traffic heat and just plain wear. I pushed a 1986 Toyota Cressida trans motor etc using Mobile one product to 529,000 and nothing wore out I have met people with 1990 to 1995 LS 400 with more than 600,000 miles and still had the same motor and trans so Lexus build a great car. Lets see BMW do that!!!!