Quote:
Originally posted by deanaddy
I hope this isn't too stupid of a question, but I need to ask since I don't see it addressed in my manual.
When checking the Tundra's auto trans fluid, should the engine be running or shut off? I used to have to check the fluid in my old Chevy with the engine running, but I don't know if Toyotas are different.
Thanks in advance for your honest answers and not making too much fun of me!! 
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The first couple times I'd check it warm/hot and running AND in PARK with the parking brake on. If you've had vehicles for a long time you'd have had some that you had to check the fluid while the vehicle was in neutral. I don't know of any that are out there that are like that now. Seems like a pretty foolish way to check the fluid but being in park vs. neutral makes a huge difference in level (at least on the vehicles you used to have to check it while in neutral).
Don't do it right after driving at high speeds for a long period of time or after a lot of stop and go city driving. It will appear higher than it really is under those conditions and you might think it's overfilled. Let the fluid cool/settle a bit then and then check.
If you have a consistent place where you park, check the fluid warm and running. Then check it the next morning cold. Do this a couple of time and note where your "full" mark is on your dipstick cold and stopped and you'll know how it relates to hot and running FOR THAT LOCATION (assuming the area is not flat since "flat and level is flat and level everywhere").
After several times of doing this you'll find that you can check it while hot and running using Toyota's "mark" or cold and stopped using "your" own mark. Either one is fine. The more you check it, the more you'll know your fluid levels. Check it a couple times hot and running on a hill too and then you'll know where the fluid level should be then too.
After you fill the trans, it's only a formality to check the fluid when you get gas (or monthly or whenever) as the level should not change at all until the next change interval and you "start over" with clean fluid.
I probably check my fluid more cold and stopped in the driveway than hot now. The point is to really see that you haven't lost a significant amount of fluid over time - enough to cause failure.
There are two reasons you check the fluid 1) checking level and 2) checking color change and clarity which indicates condition.
You'll find it's a LOT easier to check the fluid when it's cold as it's sooooo much easier to read. The catch is that you have to know where the "cold and stopped" mark is.
If checking it while cold and running be sure to run it through all the gears (while standing still) including reverse. That will affect fluid level also and is the "right" way to measure the fluid for when it's cold.
Alan
Checking Auto Trans Fluid
Linear Mode
