Re: HOW-TO: Check the Automatic Transmission Fluid Level

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

 

Re: HOW-TO: Check the Automatic Transmission Fluid Level

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.

 

Re: HOW-TO: Check the Automatic Transmission Fluid Level

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.

 

Re: HOW-TO: Check the Automatic Transmission Fluid Level

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

see attached

 

Re: HOW-TO: Check the Automatic Transmission Fluid Level

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

 

Re: HOW-TO: Check the Automatic Transmission Fluid Level

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.

 

Re: HOW-TO: Check the Automatic Transmission Fluid Level

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.

 

Re: HOW-TO: Check the Automatic Transmission Fluid Level

see attached

 

Re: HOW-TO: Check the Automatic Transmission Fluid Level

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?

 

Re: HOW-TO: Check the Automatic Transmission Fluid Level

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.

 

Re: HOW-TO: Check the Automatic Transmission Fluid Level

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.

 

What kind of transmission fluid does a 2000 Corolla need?

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

 

Re: HOW-TO: Check the Automatic Transmission Fluid Level

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

 

Re: HOW-TO: Check the Automatic Transmission Fluid Level

see attached

How would a 2.5 inch lift on front end affect the service on a 2006 Tundra Transmission? i suspect that it would change the level once the vehicle is raised but probably not enough to affect anything? any thoughts since i know a lotta people have raised their front ends to level their truck and was fixxin to do the same to my Tundra. I would carry to Dealership to check due to they should know how to do it IAW Toyota Guidance i hope?

 

Re: HOW-TO: Check the Automatic Transmission Fluid Level

Like snobrdr, I too accidently drained about .5 qts of trainy fluid. NO idea how to get it back in, but Glenn's post with pictures should help.

Any idea if i run any risks by driving it, down that much fluid?? Not very bright, but I try real hard!

 

Re: HOW-TO: Check the Automatic Transmission Fluid Level

Has any one ventured out on a limb yet and tried to change their own tranny fluid on one of the transmissions without a dipstick? I am interested to here other opinions and yet results with doing such a procedure. I am not certain but think it is simply a drop the pan and replace with rubber gasket from dealers jobs. Nothing too complicated. I guess the difficult task of checking the ATF temp is the stumbling block for some. Or at least thats what got me. That and the inability to find ATF 'WS' anywhere other than the dealers. If its such a world standard then how come no one has heard of it yet. Guess toyota is raising the bar on that one.

 

Re: HOW-TO: Check the Automatic Transmission Fluid Level

115K - Original Owner. 2000 - V8 Auto SR5. Tow Package. Light off road and towing. Mostly easy/light on acceleration and usually drive under 2000 RPM.

I was draining 4 qts every other oil change (3K-4K miles) and replacing with Castrol Dextron III but it became too hard to find, so at about 40K I switched to the Chevron Dextron III stuff for sale at Costco.

When I start the engine cold in the morning the ATF level is on the bottom notch of the cold section on the dip stick. When it is hot it is on the bottom notch of the hot section.

Everything looks and smells good and I have had no transmission problems so far.

I used to get up to 20 mpg, but lately it seems to stay around 17 mpg. I just changed the plugs and airfilter, but was wondering if a drop in mpg is a sign of transmission problems not to far down the road?

Thank you:ts:

 

Re: HOW-TO: Check the Automatic Transmission Fluid Level

Same thing here - accidentally drained some transmission fluid when changing oil. Will it hurt to run with a little less (I lost .5 qt at most).
If I decided to do it myself, how do I get the fluid in the refill slot in the side of the transmission? Will a regular funnel do it?

 

Re: HOW-TO: Check the Automatic Transmission Fluid Level

see attached

pt. 17 on that document says, "

17) When the ATF flow slows to a trickle, install the overflow plug through the new gasket."

What "new gasket" is it talking about? Especially if all you do is just top the fluid level off?​

 

Re: HOW-TO: Check the Automatic Transmission Fluid Level

jathoms, how did it go with the fluid adding, pretty simple? if it does leak without a new gasked then its probably not need, IMO.

 

Re: HOW-TO: Check the Automatic Transmission Fluid Level

ooops *doesn't leak, I mean.

 

Re: HOW-TO: Check the Automatic Transmission Fluid Level

Well, I looked and couldn't find a good way to get to it. The best idea we came up with was using a syringe to shoot it up in there in the refill hole.

But, I ended up taking it to the dealer and he topped it off for me.

 

Re: HOW-TO: Check the Automatic Transmission Fluid Level

if it happens again, you could use a differential gear lube pump. it simply pumps the fluid from a lower level to a high one. it how they get oil in the differential, found at all auto part stores.

 

Re: HOW-TO: Check the Automatic Transmission Fluid Level

see attached

I looked at your PDF and it does not look like my tranny, did they change it for 06?

 

Re: HOW-TO: Check the Automatic Transmission Fluid Level

I do not see it mentioned anywhere in the owners manual about replacing the tranny fluid...do we not need to do this in the 2006 Tundra? Seems kinda strange but Im assuming it never needs it, according to the book.

It only mentions changing differentials and transfer case fluid if towing...when they say "towing" do they mean everyday, once every couple weeks, or what?

thanks for the help in advance