AT service advice

[cobos06GT]

Just bought a new to me 2003 4Runner. Has 99k miles. It seems to have been extremely well cared for. The transmission fluid is bright red and it shifts just fine. I have no way of knowing if the transmission has ever been serviced. Like most here, I have trouble just leaving things alone, especially when I do not know the history.

Should I do anything at all?

 

[JHZR2]

Id just suck out and swap a few quarts first... Then when the spring comes and you have a nice day, drop the pan and do a real fluid replacement. Drain the TC if you can as well when doing that.

 

[Falken]

I'd personally leave it alone if it is bright red.

If it was neglected and never changed the fluid would be very dark brown.

Then in 2 years do a drain and fill.

 

[Mr Nice]

I would do 2 drain / refills.

 

[Donald]

I think you need to drain the pan and replace the filter assuming it has one. Someone could have replaced old crudy ATF with new ATF just to sell the car. You never know.

Dropping the pan will allow you to see whats on the magnet, bottom of the pan, etc.

 

[dave munson]

Originally Posted By: cobos06GT
I have trouble just leaving things alone, especially when I do not know the history.


Ah, that's the ticket. That's the way I would do it.

 

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted By: dave munson
Originally Posted By: cobos06GT
I have trouble just leaving things alone, especially when I do not know the history.


Ah, that's the ticket. That's the way I would do it.


Yeah, Id prefer to have a baseline. I just want to get to that baseline a bit slower since there is a god amount of mileage on the vehicle.

 

[WhyMe]

whenever i buy a used vehicle, unless it came with records showing when things were done, i change what fluids i can and use that as my new baseline for changes.

 

[FoxS]

Get some test strips for the fluids. Apart from freshness you want to be sure they are the right ones.

Apart from that, for the ATF, the other concern would be the filter.