Change Automatic Transmission Fluid

[gao]

I have a 2004 Toyota Tundra, which I bought second hand.

The manual says that the automatic transmission fluid capacity is 2 liters (drain and refill). So I bought 2x1 liters of automatic transmission fluid from a Toyato dealer and tried to change the automatic transmission fluid.

I drained the automatic fluid into a container. To my surprise, it is much more than 2 liters. I did a measurement, it is about 3.3 liter.

I thought may be the previous owner added too much automatic transmission fluid. Therefore I added the two bottle of the fluid through the dipstick hole and measured the level. It was too low!

Anybody knows what may the problem? Is the manual specification wrong or I do not know what I am doing?

Thanks

Gao

[shall36]

Fill it according to the dipstick....transmission warm, idling in park.

[TRD911]

I have had this same debate with myself. I have drained my tranny several times. Each time I say "I am going to only put back 2.2qts" and I always wind up putting 4 back in to see it on the dipstick. Why do they lie to us what are they doing. I have a 2000.

I say fill according to the dipstick.
B

[ThomasE]

This has come up in the past, the manual is wrong. Drain & refill is exactly 4 quarts for me, a 2001 4 speed auto.

[TRD911]

Awsome. Thanks for the reply. I am glad that I listened to my instincts. I thought four quarts was right. Thanks,

B

[2003bajatundra4x4ac]

so if draining/filling on a new to me/used truck is it okay to put in 4 quarts of any synthetic? will it be compatible with what is already in the tranny?

[Greenie]

Originally Posted by 2003bajatundra4x4ac

so if draining/filling on a new to me/used truck is it okay to put in 4 quarts of any synthetic? will it be compatible with what is already in the tranny?

Be sure that the synthetic you're using is Dexron III compatible. Finding Dexron III compatible fluids are problematic now that GM has withdrawn the licensing agreements of the Dexron trade name for use on aftermarket fluids. Royal Purple Max ATF is a compatible Dexron III fluid. I know because that's what I decided to use in my '01 transmission after consultation with an engineer at Royal Purple. A bit pricey but an excellent product.

Mobil 1 synthetic ATF is another excellent choice but is confusing since they can't use the Dexron trade name in their labeling application. The current Mobil 1 synthetic ATF is acceptable for pre-T-IV fluid applications as elaborated on their website. According to Mobil's website their Mobil 1 synthetic ATF is compatible with Toyota T-III (referencing Dexron III). As an aside they also claim compatibility with Toyota T-IV. I can't comment on the latter as it is not relevant to my particular model year. If in doubt contact Mobil 1 and confirm this information or check their website for your own satisfaction.

Here's what the Mobil 1 website had to say about compatibility questions:

"The new Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF will meet the requirements of Dexron III as the previous formula did. Feel confident to continue using Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF. In the product description we recommend Mobil Dexron-VI ATF for GM vehicles manufactured in 2006 and later. For vehicles older than that, Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF is still a perfect fit."

The down side to just replacing four quarts with synthetic is that there will be approximately twelve quarts of conventional, dirty fluid remaining in the system so the synthetic will be diluted. Piecemeal synthetic four quart changes will not yield the full synthetic benefit but your overall fluid cleanliness will improve marginally. However if you do frequent drain and refills at short mileage intervals eventually you'll end up with a dominant synthetic concentration over a prolonged period. I flushed mine using a technique outlined in an old TS thread to get close to a 100% concentration.

If you're interested do a search for ATF flush. It's a fairly simple DIY.

Welcome to TS and good luck on your "new" Tundra.

[MrBeanley]

For what its worth, I decided to just stick with Toyota branded T-IV for my '04. I saw that Amsoil lists a T-IV equivalent, as well, but rather than chancing it, I figure I'll just stick with what the manufacturer wants in there.

[packeroni]

On an incline my drain and fill is 5 quarts, when on level surface it is 4 quarts. Since I found this out I drain and fill it on my driveway inclined.

[Rotts]

I have the same issue with our 2000 4-Runner. The manual gives one amount but it always takes more.

[tundrunk]

Does it matter if you have the tow package with the external cooler? I want to change mine tomorrow. The guy at toyota said 3.5qts but he sounded like he was in a hurry. Should I just get 5 qts to be safe? I'd rater have one extra than be short. I know I don't want to over fill.