I have a 2012 Toyota Rav4 with 74,000 miles on it.
How often should I be changing the Transmission Fluid?
Thanks!
Steve in Agoura Hills, CA
I would do it every 40,000 miles, drain and fill only. Right now you are overdue.
Are you putting an average of 7,400 miles a year on it? Then that would translate to about every 6 years to change the fluid out.
It's in your "Scheduled Maintenance Guide” or “Owner’s Manual Supplement”. Hopefully you still have it. If I remember, for normal driving 45-60k first one and then every 40k miles. We've all seen Scotty's view on life of the transmission fluid, and I agree there's no such thing as lifetime fluid for anything. Drain it, measure how much came out and put that amount back in.
It's been 10 years now. I would absolutely change the fluid and filter now and at least every 50,000 miles. Would you ever change your engine oil without changing the filter? I would not.