Toyota Tacoma (3rd-gen) Automatic Transmission Fluid Change (Part 3 of 3)

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   • 3rd Gen Toyota Tacoma maintenance (2016-2023)  

Part 3 wraps up the transmission fluid service with temperature verification, final fluid level checks, and real-world results.

This video covers:
-Starting the engine and monitoring transmission fluid temperature using the Foxwell NT716
-Cycling through all gear positions (twice), with pauses, to purge air from internal passages and components
-Why transmission pan temperature runs significantly cooler than actual fluid temperature
-and why using a thermal gun on the pan is unreliable

Final fluid level procedure:
-Removing the fill-check plug at 38°C, allowing fluid to reduce to a controlled drip
-Reinstalling and torquing the fill-check plug while working safely around hot exhaust components
-Inspecting pan fluid condition before final closure
-Allowing exhaust temperatures to drop before reinstalling and torquing the fill plug

Results and evaluation:
-Side-by-side before and after fluid comparisons, both in bottles and on paper towels
-Extended test drive (longer than planned due to noticeable improvement)
-Discussion of future plans to transition coolant and brake fluid to Amsoil, based on current results

Additional service notes:
-Replacement and evaluation of sway bar bushings, including my experience with thermoplastic bushings
-Why I ultimately recommend rubber bushings and permanently retired the thermoplastic ones

Follow-up maintenance:
-Second fluid change performed off-camera, with documented fluid condition comparisons
-Filter inspection and replacement despite clean appearance (arguably overkill—but intentional)
-Discussion of diminishing returns from multiple fluid changes and when more than two makes sense

I close with an honest evaluation of the driving results after a 1,500-mile trip, and my recommendation for future services based on cost, results, and long-term reliability.