Hello Scotty,
I love your YT channel and especially your energy when it comes to cars! I recently bought (4 days ago) a 2013 Toyota Avalon Limited (automatic) almost 98,300 miles from a dealer. I've bought other vehicles from them and they're great but have a very important question. I've always heard to not change transmission fluid if it's never been changed (unsure) or even have high miles. I've been searching the Internet and came across your name and noticed your on this site... I'll read forums but had to make an account to speak with you. Much continued success and blessings to you and thanks in advance.
Welcome, we have gotten this question so many times, we made an FAQ, hyperlinked here: https://carkiller.com/scottykilmer/howto/atf/
There is a complete guide there.
@justin-shepherd I'm assuming the answer is no
You didn't even click on the link, I'm assuming you down voted because you didn't like my answer. If you didn't mean to, the buttons are made for up and down votes, we're alerted to those votes when you click on them. I'm not there with you, I can't see any fluid samples for myself, etc. That's why we created the FAQ specifically for your problem. It is a complete guide, pictures and all.
@justin-shepherd my apologies I didn't know that was a vote I must've accidentally hit it. Does the same thing applies if I want to change the coolant as well? It has 98300 miles everything is good but did a Carfax and the 2 previous owners did the oil changes every 5k and other recommended work but not the coolant nor trans fluid. From what I looked at earlier that you sent it's best to change with filter (flush) only if it's not as dirty nor burnt but if very dirty only change out fluid? Sorry if I'm getting on your nerves but just want to understand. Thanks
I'm assuming the answer is no
That is an incorrect assumption. To determine the answer you need to take stock of the current condition of your transmission fluid as detailed in the FAQ. As @justin-shepherd stated we cannot do that from here, we can only provide you with the information needed to make that judgement for yourself.
my apologies I didn't know that was a vote I must've accidentally hit it. Does the same thing applies if I want to change the coolant as well? It has 98300 miles everything is good but did a Carfax and the 2 previous owners did the oil changes every 5k and other recommended work but not the coolant nor trans fluid. From what I looked at earlier that you sent it's best to change with filter (flush) only if it's not as dirty nor burnt but if very dirty only change out fluid? Sorry if I'm getting on your nerves but just want to understand. Thanks
No problem. We're here to help. Coolant change intervals are specified in your owner's manual. If you have no record of the coolant being changed, change it. The coolant may be 12 years old and aluminum engine blocks are not nearly as forgiving as the old cast iron blocks from decades ago.
Transmission fluid changes are once every 60k miles. Don't flush your transmission. Do a drain and fill only, if grit hasn't started building up on the dipstick. Don't change the fluid if it's burned.
Hope that helps.
@justin-shepherd last thing! Everything understood but when doing the drain on trans do I get them to change the filter as well because I heard some have them or only drain and refill.
do I get them to change the filter
If it has one one, then yes of course filters need to be changed.
Call your local parts dealer with your VIN and see if they have one, or check online catalogs like rockauto.com, but the mechanic should know.
Or, like Justin said, look at what transmission you have.
Video: Weber Auto - Which Transmission is in My Toyota or Lexus?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFhRo7A-1Jc
I think you have a Toyota U660E, which takes this filter (part# 35330-48020)
https://parts.longotoyota.com/oem-parts/toyota-transmission-filter-3533048020
last thing! Everything understood but when doing the drain on trans do I get them to change the filter as well because I heard some have them or only drain and refill.
It depends on the transmission. Some models have fixed transmission filters, typically high-end cars have them. Google the make, model, and year of your car and tell it you want to change transmission fluid. Google ads will probably indicate whether or not you can replace the transmission filter.