chage the fluid via the line method. i think you have caught it in time. if it smells like gear oil, then its bad. but i think you will be alright with a flush. JUST DONT POWERFLUSH it with a machine and you will be fine.

 

Today I was on my way to Church and it seems like my tranny went. All of a sudden the engine is revving and its goin no where. When I pull over and inspect the ATF, its blackish/brown. The last time I had the fluid changed was last year at the Toyota dealer. I now have over 236,000K on it and my real question is can I just drain the old fluid put a fresh 4 quarts in there? The thing was actually smoking. When it cooled down I was able to move it. So I'm hoping that this will solve my problem. Advice someone, please?