4runner transmissions and plugs - maintenance intervals

I have a 2005 V6 4runner and have always found it unbelievable that you didn't have to change the tranny fluid - even after 100,000 miles. Nevertheless, at 100,000 I took it to the dealer and had them change it. I now have 150,000 miles and she shifts great. I've never had a temperature sensor code (see below) or even a check engine light - and I wonder should I go to 200,000 miles?

I copied and pasted this from another 4 runner forum:

"The standard spark plugs in the 2004 4Runner V8 are 120K Iridium plugs. They will not need replacement until 120 thousand miles.

In the effort to minimize service required, the new transmissions do not require a fluid change, unless necessary with very heavy load conditions. There is a temperature sensor in the transmission that would alert the driver, if the load was super heating the transmission."

"Otherwise, no maintenance required."

"Here is a copy from " "
Toyota's responses to spark plug and transmission fluid questions
Thank you for contacting Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.
We appreciate the opportunity to address your inquiry."

 

Plugs I'm not really sure about I'll probably do what they say in the manual but the fluids I'm really anal about. To me and it's only my opinion all the fluids are the life-blood of any vehicle and I keep them changed. I'll probably have tranny-F done around 50-60,000 miles way soon for my driving but I don't care.

 

I will probably be changing my trans, transfer case, and front and rear difs around 100,000 mile intervals.

All my driving is under normal conditions.

Mostly highway driving, some offroad, rarely towing.

 

I bought my 4th gen last year with 196k miles. I have few maintenance records for it and none of them showed the transmission fluid ever being changed so I went and had it done at a local shop (not the dealer) soon after I purchased it. I also asked them to drop the pan and do an inspection on it. The shop said the fluid was pretty terrible, dark to almost black and getting gritty. Based on that plus other observations their guess was the fluid was original. It wasn't shifting super smooth and I was getting the rumble-strip issue so I could believe it. After the fluid change and some shudder stop it drives just fine now but if I have to have future transmission work done I won't be surprised. I'll probably be changing mine again sooner than 100k just because of how bad the original fluid was.

 

My good friend and mechanic at dealer for 30 years told me to leave those fluids alone - waste of time and money. So, I didn't change anything but oil/filter at 4000 miles.

Those screws/nuts for the transfer casings and front and rear diffs. are sometimes impossible to get out. I bought a 24mm socket and extension and the rear bolts broke easily. The front requires a 10MM hex, and I'm about to order one from Amazon.

I had the dealer change my tranny fluid at 100,000 miles ($440). 4runner now has 150,000 miles - so I'm good to 200,000 IMO.

UPDATE (July 26 2019); I changed the rear differential fluid with 150,000 miles. It was black but had viscosity. Wasn't leaking.

I used Valvoline 80W 90 at $5 a quart (three quarts). Why waste the money on synthetic when you plan on changing it every 50,000 miles.

 

Yeah......I'd struggle with not changing it though.

It would eat at me.

 

All the information you need is here no sense reinventing the wheel. Same transmission as the Taco.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...ith-pics-for-second-gen-4-liter-trucks.289913/. POST #3.

People have argued about flushing a transmission for decades now on this vehicle. Just don't forget the Toyota makes money when they replace your transmission.

Do some reading and make your own decision.

 

After operating several vehicles in excess of 200,000 miles each, my conclusion is there is very little written by car companies about changing transmission fluid over time. Mercedes is the exception that I have found.

Replacing lubricant in any mechanical gearbox is essential to function and longevity. Absence of written documentation from Toyota regarding the 4Runner transmission does not change this.

Change the transmission oil. And the axle and transfer case oil.