How to: Checking/changing transmission fluid

Hello TW, I would like to know how exactly one would go about checking the level of and changing the transmission fluid in a first gen manual trans. Also, when refilling do I just put back into the tranny exactly as much as I took out?

Thanks in advance to any advice

 

^ You're correct about the capacity, because that's what my manual says also. However...

I drained my trans fluid this weekend. I turn the truck on and let it run for 5 minutes. I turn it off, get under the truck, and unscrew the drain plug. Just over 4 quarts of fluid drain out. Yes, 4 quarts. WTF? I thought that was it, but then I drop the trans fluid pan because I'm replacing the filter and pan gasket as well. When I drop the pan and the filter, I drain out another quart and a half. So I end up draining out about 5.5 quarts. I'm very confused at this point. The Toyota dealership was closed so I call AutoZone and have them look at all the transmission capacities listed for my year Taco. They say the same, 2.3, 2.5, 2.7. FFS.

I'm thinking that maybe it was overfilled, but if it was overfilled that much something would have ruptured or blown by this point. I refill the trans with 5 quarts. I drive the truck around for the 10 minutes, come home, put it in park but don't turn the engine off. the level on the dip stick read "cold." So I added another .5 quarts. Now it's in-between "cold" and "hot." I leave at that for now as I'm very apprehensive to add more. It's been two days the truck runs fine. *shrug*

 

That's what I'm thinking too but I didn't think that could happen without a flush.

Even in the manual it says "drain and fill - 2.5 qts." Well, the drain alone was still just over 4 quarts.

 

Its OK you know. I figured you were being sarcastic when they were talking auto stuff. The OP that you responded to was referring to a manual trans in his 1st gen.

 

I wondered when someone was going to figure this out.....

LOL

have a nice day.