DIY: Check the Automatic Transmission Fluid Level

[nhparrot]

• Park the vehicle on a level surface.
• With the engine idling and the parking brake applied, shift the selector into all positions from "P" to "L", and then shift into "P" position.
• Pull out the dipstick and wipe off the fluid with a clean rag. Re-insert the dipstick and check that the fluid level is in the HOT range.
• Do this check with the fluid at normal driving temperature (70 - 80°C, 158 - 176°F) .

HINT: Wait until the engine cools down (approx. 30 mm .) before checking the fluid level after extended driving at high speeds, in hot weather, in heavy traffic or pulling a trailer.





If necessary add ATF DEXRON-II or DEXRON III

[tempetom]

Glenn, I reckon that only applies to Tundras with a tranny dipstick.

[Rotryrkt]

How about the procedure for checking the trans fluid level on 2005 models with no dipstick!

I tried yesterday while under there changing oil and greasing drive shafts. I have two plugs on the trans pan one a plain plug at the rear (drain?) and one with "check" stamped in it with a hex allen head. I removed this "check" plug assuming it was at the bottom of some sort of tube extending at or above the specified level in the pan. Logical, I thought, like most things Toyota. WRONG!! I got a face full of oil before I got it threaded back in. I figure I lost about a quarter pint of oil at most. I doubt this will have any effect, but I would like to know the correct procedure in any case for peace of mind. Anyone know the correct procedure, and where the fill hole is? I found what looks like a fill hole plug, but it is in the tail shaft housing between the trans and transfer case. Is that it? Thanks in advance for your help.

[tempetom]

I'm wondering if you were not on a level surface when checking the level? It's virtually impossible to overfill as I understand it. What you did was correct I think. I assume the "check" plug was on the side and the overflow plug was on trhe bottom. I suppose oil could come out if the tranny was hot shen checked.

[nhparrot]

Originally Posted by tempetom

Glenn, I reckon that only applies to Tundras with a tranny dipstick.

see attached

[Rotryrkt]

Thanks folks for the response and to Glenn for posting the procedure from the shop manual. I talked to my local dealer today to confirm what I had done was right. He said it was, but the fluid needs to be up to temp and idling in park to do the check. It was warm but not running when I checked, so it probably had drained back into the pan what would normally be circulating causing too much to run out the overflow tube. I will certainly recheck it with the engine running to verify the proper fill.

Thanks again tempetom and Glenn for the response. I'm sure this helps a lot of us "Barnyard Mechanics" used to having a dipstick to check oil levels.

Regards,
Bill

[tedm]

Last week I took my 2005 DC to the Toyota dealer and asked him to check the Transmission fluid. He told me that he was not to check it, that it was good for the life of the truck. He said the thought that it was strange that that was what Toyota recommended.

[snobordr]

I accidently drained about .5 quart (or less) of transmission fluid out of my 2005 DC tacoma. Rather than trying to fill it myself I took the truck to the Toyota dealer. They told me that the transmission is a closed system, and that they are not able to "top off' the transmission fluid. The only thing that they could do was to do a complete transmission flush ($200). The mechanic didn't think that loosing .5 quart would be a problem, so I left without getting the fluid filled. I was wondering if the document posted by Glenn applies to Tacoma's as well as Tundra's? I would feel much better if I could add some fluid to get the level back to normal.

[nhparrot]

see attached

[RCraig]

Have any of you (with a dipstick) noticed that it says "No need to change ATF under normal driving conditions." The Toyota service manual only mentions changing the ATF at 60,000 miles (if you use your vehicle for primarily for towing). The dealer says every 30,000 miles. A buddy of mine bought an '05 Tacoma 4X4. It doesn't have a tranny dipstick. The dealership told him that it was designed to be replaced only when the transmission "went out" or had to be serviced when there was a problem. Can you believe?

[slabman]

I assume this same tranny is what's used in the LX470? My dealer said the fluid was good for 100K miles, but didn't know how he was going to change fluid at that point in time. He thought maybe by then they would come out with something to allow him to do this. Strange, but why can't Toyota provide for the owner who simply wants to change fluid more frequently? I note those posted service bulletins do NOT address CHANGING the fluid, only checking and topping off.

[bwatters]

I have a 2001 4Runner and cannot find the dipstick for the transmission fluid. Last night, it would not reverse so I thought I should check the fluid before I try and drive it to the dealership. Can anyone tell me where I find the dipstick? I am not exactly mechanically inclined.

[tom33us]

I've seen some threads where people are saying that Dexron III is fine, but a mechanic has just told me that the Toyota-manufactured ATF (known as "Toyota Red") is the ONLY fluid that should be put into the transmission because if it mixes with another type then the mixture begins to coagulate, which is bad times.

Can anybody give me a 100% accurate rendering on this? Must a 2000 Corolla have ONLY the "Toyota Red," or can I use Dexron III?

Thanks a bunch.

-Tom

[fastman9]

I've used Dex III for years with no problems.