Scotty,
I have a 2017 Toyota Tacoma with 117,000 miles. I take it to the dealer for regular maintenance.
They tell me at my next appointment at 120,000 miles, it’s scheduled for:
1. Front & rear differential flush - $195.
2. Transfer case flush - $126.
3. Spark plugs - $355.
4. Coolant flush - $136.
5. Transmission flush - $173.
I plan on keeping this truck for a long time. Should I have all these maintenance items done?
Thanks.
Sid54
I would not flush the transmission system. I would just do a drain and fill on it. The rest of the items I would also do.
Do NOT flush the transmission. Have it drained and filled, either once or twice. FLUSHING DAMAGES TRANSMISSIONS. As I've mentioned in other posts, GM & Honda have specific TSBs that tell dealers that flushing transmissions voids warranties. (Another poster on this site added Ford to the list).
Toyota should do the same.
All of the above is also consistent with what Scotty often says, in his video Q&As. Have the dealer do a spill-and-fill (drain-and-fill).
Here's a short article on why a flush is a bad idea: http://www.agcoauto.com/content/news/p2_articleid/238
How does it damage transmissions?
See the AgcoAuto article for a brief intro. I can also send you the number of the GM TSB, as well as a number of other sources, from other TSBs to more complete audio descriptions, and even from transmission shops. It's pretty much a consensus on this, from a variety of sources. An extended audio discussion, from AGCOAUTO, with an owner who has been in the business for almost 50 years, is available. The episode provides an explanation. The principals have a podcast titled The Automotive Hour. They devoted one show to explaining how the flush damages transmissions: 2019-10-19.mp3. If you have a podcast catcher, that's the episode. If not, I'd be happy to send you the 26MB audio file.
I was hoping you knew since you're making *bolded* statements about it. I read the article, which contains various misinformation. All it says is "may cause harm", but it doesn't explain what kind of harm or how it happens. This is the case with all articles I've found making the claim. I have yet to see a good explanation. The TSB only applies to 2013 and prior vehicles. I'll look up the podcast. Thanks.
I'm only 5 minutes into the podcast, and while they do make some valid points, I've already heard enough misinformation, exaggeration and misrepresentation that I don't need to hear the rest because it's untrustworthy. I'd love to rip it apart, but it's not really worth my time. There's too much. It's clear to me these guys don't understand how fluid exchange machines work. What they say MIGHT apply to a very specific set of circumstances. But it does not apply broadly to all transmission situations out there, and amounts to nothing more than scaremongering. So far no mention of any actual damage.
If you'd like to talk to talk about specific points they make, I would be happy to address them with what I know.
Don't do a "flush" on the transmission. Drain and fill procedure a couple of times, plenty of videos how to do that. All the others in the list are overpriced imho. We have pets, so the only one I would have the dealer do is the coolant.
Look up how much a quart costs and you'll see the huge mark up on the diff. and transfer case. And they buy in bulk so their cost is even less. Spark plugs (6) or (4), you didn't mention what engine in your '17 Taco. but they typically go for about $11 +/- each.
Differential:
Front: (4WD models) 1.6 qt. (1.5 L, 1.3 Imp.qt.)
Rear:
Vehicles with an automatic transmission
3.1 qt. (2.9 L, 2.6 Imp.qt.)*2
3.22 qt. (3.05 L, 2.68 Imp.qt.)*3
4.0 qt. (3.8 L, 3.3 Imp.qt.)*4
4.2 qt. (4.0 L, 3.5 Imp.qt.)*5
Vehicles with a manual transmission
4.0 qt. (3.8 L, 3.3 Imp.qt.)
Oil type and viscosity*1:
Toyota Genuine Differential Gear Oil
LT 75W-85 GL-5 or equivalent
Transfer (4WD models):
Oil capacity: 1.1 qt. (1.0 L, 0.9 Imp.qt.)
Oil type*: Toyota Genuine Transfer gear oil LF or equivalent
Recommended oil viscosity: SAE 75W
IF YOUR GETTING IT FLUSHED, YOUR TRANSMISSION WILL GET CRUSHED!
Just a good drain and fill at least twice a year, do this as well as other items, don't flush it.
Just regular simple maintenance like oil changes, fluid checks will be just fine
$355 for spark plugs? Are they made of vibranium???????
