We have 2008 Highlander Sport with 185K miles been using Valvoline MaxLife ATF since around 60K miles. Just recently did the drop pan, replaced the strainer and cleaned the magnets. Tip is use a 10mm 45deg offset wrench and a regular ratcheting wrench for the corner ones near the frame, It just takes time and be careful when during tightening the bolts back. If you buy the parts/fluids @ Toyota parts online then do local dealer pick up, price would be cheaper. Oil filter $4.50 and ATF WS $11 per quart @ Lemon Grove Toyota.
Dropping the pan to change the filter is a bitch! There is one pan bolt that snugs up close to the frame that will make you curse the devil. I drained and re-filled with Valvoline MaxLife at 40,000mi and am about to drain and re-fill again at 85,000mi with MaxLife.....no tranny issues thus far. Great video, thanks for posting!
Planning on doing mine soon . I have the same vehicle as you. BTW recently I did a service and clean the mass air flow sensor and the throttle body and the vehicle is now idling nice and quieter 🤫
Thank you for the video The best suggestion I would say is if you want to know the real condition of the transmission oil, then keep a nice size sample of the fluid and order a test kit and have the oil analyzed; that is the only way to know the true properties of any kind of oil. The color is not really an indication of the quality of the oil frankly, because if you were to change the entire transmission oil fully and drive to 2 or 3 thousand miles, the color will lose its pinkness. I have used Blackstone Laboratories services in the past to check on my engine oil (as I only use standard Mobil 1) and ATF-WS transmission oil. Thank you
A long- time mechanic told me that if the car has more than 100,000 miles and the transmission fluid has never been changed then only do a partial change to prevent slipping. To go from a fluid with some metallic residue to a fluid with none may actually cause transmission failure.
Great video. Best one I’ve seen for this vehicle. If the fluid is really really old, is this basically an entire flush? I’ve heard you don’t want to completely replace the fluid if it’s really bad otherwise it will start slipping
It is actually advised you NOT do that with a transmission with such high miles. If anything, just drain and refill one time. Get the fluid too clean and the transmission may start to slip.
Thank you for the video. I have 2010 Highlander at 99500 miles and Trans Fluid never been changed. I hear horror stories that changing the fluid will cause more problem. I was wondering did you have any issues after changing your fluid? if possible please let us know. Thank you again.
Thank you for your time to answer my question and the advice. I am planning to change the fluid soon. I will definitely use the OEM fluid. Thank you again.
is yours a 2WD? front. all the other guides are for awd version which are completely different. The color will change to that darker color pretty soon from what I've leaned. So that's okay. It is strange that this is a "lifetime" fluid, even says on the dipstick. But a drain and fill is a good idea.
I've noticed no car manufacturers encourage changing ATF more money for them . As a matter a fact they're now building vehicle now without dipstic you can't even check your transmission fluids
We have 2008 Highlander Sport with 185K miles been using Valvoline MaxLife ATF since around 60K miles. Just recently did the drop pan, replaced the strainer and cleaned the magnets. Tip is use a 10mm 45deg offset wrench and a regular ratcheting wrench for the corner ones near the frame, It just takes time and be careful when during tightening the bolts back. If you buy the parts/fluids @ Toyota parts online then do local dealer pick up, price would be cheaper. Oil filter $4.50 and ATF WS $11 per quart @ Lemon Grove Toyota.
Dropping the pan to change the filter is a bitch! There is one pan bolt that snugs up close to the frame that will make you curse the devil. I drained and re-filled with Valvoline MaxLife at 40,000mi and am about to drain and re-fill again at 85,000mi with MaxLife.....no tranny issues thus far. Great video, thanks for posting!
Planning on doing mine soon . I have the same vehicle as you. BTW recently I did a service and clean the mass air flow sensor and the throttle body and the vehicle is now idling nice and quieter 🤫
Thank you for the video
The best suggestion I would say is if you want to know the real condition of the transmission oil, then keep a nice size sample of the fluid and order a test kit and have the oil analyzed; that is the only way to know the true properties of any kind of oil. The color is not really an indication of the quality of the oil frankly, because if you were to change the entire transmission oil fully and drive to 2 or 3 thousand miles, the color will lose its pinkness. I have used Blackstone Laboratories services in the past to check on my engine oil (as I only use standard Mobil 1) and ATF-WS transmission oil. Thank you
A long- time mechanic told me that if the car has more than 100,000 miles and the transmission fluid has never been changed then only do a partial change to prevent slipping. To go from a fluid with some metallic residue to a fluid with none may actually cause transmission failure.
In my manual it says to change the fluid at 60k if you tow.
Great video! And perfect timing too. I bought the ATF WS and am about to do this. Any extra tips or after thoughts?
no its pretty straight forward. Just check your fluid level before you change it.
Great video. Best one I’ve seen for this vehicle. If the fluid is really really old, is this basically an entire flush? I’ve heard you don’t want to completely replace the fluid if it’s really bad otherwise it will start slipping
This does not remove all the fluid. Ideally do it again. I like to wait a year or 10,000 miles.
I did 4 drain and fills on my 2011 and changed the filter because it was at 143k and was never done.
Why exactly did you do that
It is actually advised you NOT do that with a transmission with such high miles. If anything, just drain and refill one time.
Get the fluid too clean and the transmission may start to slip.
what torque did you put back on the drain plug?
Use 25 ft.lbs.
Great video! Thank you!! Did you keep your car engine running during the whole process?
Not when draining the fluid. Only when checking the level…
Thank you for the video. I have 2010 Highlander at 99500 miles and Trans Fluid never been changed. I hear horror stories that changing the fluid will cause more problem. I was wondering did you have any issues after changing your fluid? if possible please let us know. Thank you again.
No issues at all. If you plan on keeping your Toyota for a long time, I would do it. Use OEM fluid.
Thank you for your time to answer my question and the advice. I am planning to change the fluid soon. I will definitely use the OEM fluid. Thank you again.
I took mine in to a local shop at 200k. Never changed before. Okay so far...
is yours a 2WD? front. all the other guides are for awd version which are completely different. The color will change to that darker color pretty soon from what I've leaned. So that's okay. It is strange that this is a "lifetime" fluid, even says on the dipstick. But a drain and fill is a good idea.
AWD
@@deadbugdoug thanks
So your not concerned with changing the filter?
To difficult for me. Changing the fluid is better then doing nothing.
I've noticed no car manufacturers encourage changing ATF more money for them . As a matter a fact they're now building vehicle now without dipstic you can't even check your transmission fluids
yes it's true.