Advice on how to avoid the "stealership" rip off?

This seems like a great idea here. Since I THINK I might be low on fluid, seems like I just pull said plug and add to it until it runs out. Just to be clear, this "over flow" plug you mentioned is the same plug for adding fluid like they talked about in the DIY right?

 

the overflow plug is on the trans pan, closest to the front of the vehicle. the plug, or bolt to add fluid is on the side of the transmission. if you haven't gone under there to take a look at it yet, you'll see what i mean when you do lol

 

I found the draining and filling the easy part of the job. Getting the transmission to go into AT TEMP check mode is what gave me fits, what a stupid thing. How to check your fluid level in the middle of no where? Just plain stupid way of getting us to go to the dealership.

 

all you need is a piece of wire, then follow the instructions, or watch the video linked in the DIY. its really not too bad, and you'll know when you're in temp check mode for sure.

 

Did all that like 30 times. Was only able to get it to do it once, checked with light on solid, nothing came out. Added 1.5 quarts, then could never get it to go back into check mode again. So I timed it as per comments in the thread. 13 mins and I got like 3/4 of a quart to come out, down to slow trickle.

 

Love Amsoil stuff. If I could afford to run Amsoil all the time I would

 

I've got a friend who's a dealer so I get *slightly* better pricing, but not by much. I ordered 3 gallons of the Amsoil ATF because at the time it was pretty much the only non-Toyota WS fluid in existence. I'm pretty sure I've since paid that credit card off...

 

Just because somebody is paranoid doesn't mean they aren't getting screwed.

 

yes