Hello, I have a 2013 Toyota 4Runner with 158k miles. I bought it about 6 months ago and now the transmission shudders between 25 - 30 mph when it's cold. The fluid has never been changed, so I was wondering if it's too late to change it or not, especially since I'm about to drive it from Tennessee to Florida in about three weeks. The transmission shifts good otherwise, I'm just worried about the shudder harming the torque converter. Any advice would be appreciated.
shudder is definitely bad for the transmission. The converter clutch is shot and overheating. Fluid change might get you a few more miles out of it, but won't fix it.
I did some research online and according to Google and AI if I change the fluid now then sludge can become dislodged in the transmission and cause problems.