transmission sticking after tranny fluid change

[jack mccarthy]

Has anyone experienced a problem with the transmission not
shifting smoothly in 1st and 2nd after changing their transmission
fluid?

I have 20K+ miles on my 2002 tundra and recently changed the
transmission fluid with toyota's dextron III. The manual states
that you will need 2 quarts, but I was able to drain 3 quarts, so
I replaced it with 3 quarts. The tranny dipstick level is fine, so
I don't know what could have happened.

Now the transmission "sticks" a little in first and second gear
when shifting. It is very annoying in stop and go traffic on the
highway.

[Tundraholic]

When I changed mine it took 4 qts. I would first double check the fluid level.

Tundraholic

[aguevarra]

Originally posted by jack mccarthy
Has anyone experienced a problem with the transmission not
shifting smoothly in 1st and 2nd after changing their transmission
fluid?

I have 20K+ miles on my 2002 tundra and recently changed the
transmission fluid with toyota's dextron III. The manual states
that you will need 2 quarts, but I was able to drain 3 quarts, so
I replaced it with 3 quarts. The tranny dipstick level is fine, so
I don't know what could have happened.

Now the transmission "sticks" a little in first and second gear
when shifting. It is very annoying in stop and go traffic on the
highway.

If all else fails, do a complete auto tranny fluid change as described in the garage section and use Mobil 1. I finally did this about a week ago and the shifts are smooth as silk...especially 1st to 2nd. It's not cheap though. You have to buy 15 quarts of Mobil 1 at around $5 a quart. I got mine at Auto Zone. Good luck.

[jack mccarthy]

Ive checked the tranny dipstick several times. Once after
I turn the truck on in the morning and then again after I get
to work after 30 miles of driving. Both readings are in the
correct regions.

Just wanted to check with you folks before I have the dealership
check it out and go to the extent of getting the transmission flushed.

[mitchr]

Originally posted by jack mccarthy
Has anyone experienced a problem with the transmission not
shifting smoothly in 1st and 2nd after changing their transmission
fluid?

I have 20K+ miles on my 2002 tundra and recently changed the
transmission fluid with toyota's dextron III. The manual states
that you will need 2 quarts, but I was able to drain 3 quarts, so
I replaced it with 3 quarts. The tranny dipstick level is fine, so
I don't know what could have happened.

Now the transmission "sticks" a little in first and second gear
when shifting. It is very annoying in stop and go traffic on the
highway.

What do you you mean by "sticks"? Is it holding in 1st and 2nd longer before it shifts or is it shifting hard. I noticed mine holds the shift a little longer after I done several maintenance "things" at once including changing the tranny fluid. I kinda like it holding the shift because it adds a little more power but I don't like the "hard" shifts which get worse the longer I drive it.

[mikeinaustin]

Jack, did you do this fluid change yourself? If you did, I wouldn't tell them anything about it. Just tell them it has recently started "shifting funny" (or whatever), but don't tell them anything that they can turn around and blame you.

[jack mccarthy]

No, I definitely do not plan on telling the dealership that I changed the tranny fluid. Unfortunately, the shifting isn't bad
enough to really call it a problem. Its just annoying. When I
accelerate slowly from a stop, it appears to stay in 1st and 2nd
a little longer than normal causing it to jerk into the next gear.
This can be very annoying when travelling in stop and go traffic
between 10 and 20 mph.

Strange thing is that the transmission shifts fine when i start it up
cold, but after a few minutes, when the tranny fluid warms up,
the problem occurs. I'd like to switch to synthetic, but since I
have the extendend 7 yr/100k service plan, I'd hate to invalidate
the warranty if that's possible.

By any chance, is your transmission overfilled beyond the full mark...cause that definately will give you a harder shift....i've learned from experience with some toyota vehicle's i've owned.
Check the level again.

[mikeinaustin]

I too have that extended warranty but I changed over to synthetic anyway.

I do not believe there is any dealer that would even think about sending any fluid out for analysis to see if it was synthetic or not before beginning warranty repairs and naturally I wouldn't say anything about it.

If they want to NOT honor a warranty I believe they simply check to see if the fluid looks or smells burnt, ie, never changed according to required service intervals. As long as your fluid looks nice and new and fresh, they generally won't say anything.

If they want to be really nasty, even though the fluid looks clean and fresh, they might ask to see your records or other such proof that you have complied with service requirements though...

[jack mccarthy]

Mark,

I'll check my fluid again. How much over the line from your experience would cause a problem?

Mike,

Would you know if a proof of purchase for tranny fluid sufficient
to meeting the change transmission fluid requirement of a 30K service interval? I know you need to show some sort of
proof of maintenance in order not to invalidate the extended warranty service plan.

[zsp]

I have a 2002, I did the ATF change this weekend to Mobil 1.. I was able to get 5 qrts out by Jacking up the front of the truck and just letting it run... Now when you refill you have to be careful to now over fill. I started 2qrts at a time. Run it for a sec and check it. I did this Saterday it's now Tue and mine is running great. I'm really glad I did it. Ohh by the way I have 20,000 on my truck too...