Drained my transmission fluid by accident - what now?

I know, I know, I am an idiot. I was changing my oil (my 4th time to change the oil on this truck) and I slid under the truck saw the plug for the transmission fluid pan unscrewed it, saw that it looked reddish when coming out, thought hm thats weird and let approximately 3-4 quarts drain out of the transmission. Now what to do?

Option A - Drive to dealer about 5 miles away (Probably not a good idea since I am 4 quarts low on transmission fluid)

Option B - Go buy some Toyota ATF substitute fluid from Wal-Mart and put 3-4 quarts of that in there with the rest of the fluid and perform the temp test with the overflow to make sure I have enough and don't worry about it anymore

Option C - Put 3 quarts of substitute fluid from Wal-Mart in and drive to dealer, tell them what happened and replace all fluid

Option D- Call dealer and tell him what happened and get it towed to dealer

 

1) drain the rest of the fluid
2) never go to Walmart
3) purchase proper amount of transmission fluid at reputable auto parts store
4) refill transmission

 

DO NOT DRIVE IT.

You drained the ENTIRE PAN out. (The system holds ~11-13 quarts total.... but its still NOT OK to drive with 3 quarts down)

Get in another car go to the dealer and grab 4 quarts of the toyota WS fluid and fill the thing with 3 quarts. You will then have to properly go through the top off procedure.

 

Sealed transmission. Have to pump new fluid in through trans lines by radiator.

 

Take the other car to auto parts store, get correct fluid and refill.
Stay away from Wally world, the evil empire.

 

No you do not, there is a fill port up taller on the side of the trans.


either way..... DO NOT DRIVE IT!


https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/diy-full-flush-for-automatic-transmission.68462/

 

This happens much more than I would have expected.
Why is that?

 

Only the Toyota Transmission Fluid like it recommends or is a different type ok if it says it complies with Toyota ATF standards?

 

if you cant get the actual toyota WS fluid one that "meets the specs of toyota ws" will be fine

 

Even if it's only 3 quarts of the new fluid and the rest is still the original fluid?

 

as long as you don't do this.... One of the classics https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/halp.33318/

 

Except through what?

 

There is supposed to be a transmission fluid that i much better than Toyota WS fluid, I do not know who makes it or what type it is though, it is circulating around here somewhere and I'm sure someone will chime in on which one is better. The rest of the posters have provided you aojnd advice, especially the poster talking about the fill plug. Good luck to you OP. It happens, if you learned from your mistake then you are good to go.

 

I used Valvoline Maxlife from *gasp* walmart.

I don't know about mixing them though, I did a complete flush through the cooler lines.

 

If you are doing a full flush, any name-brand fluid that complies with Toyota WS spec (e.g. Valveline MaxLife) is good. If you are topping up (where new fluid mixes with existing Toyota fluid in the trans), using Toyota-branded fluid is recommended.

 

Fill it back up

 

Phone didn't like that answer.
On my '12 Sport I had to use the drain and fill process outlined by mountainlion, I think was the OP. Have to disconnect the trannny lines by the radiator to fill. have to pump out the old with the pump in the trans itself, then pump in the same amount by hand through large access bolt hole on side of tranny. I think you can just pump in the same mount of fluid you let out by accident.

 

See my problem is the dealership won't be open until Monday, and I'm guessing that's the only place I can get the Toyota fluid?

 

That will be way to much fluid cold.

Don't do this.

You have to check the level at the right temp with the engine running.