3rd Gen Transmission Fluid level Check

I I didn't know about this thread

 

The AC60E is the 2 wheel drive version
The AC60F is the 4 wheel drive version

Note: need to let the truck site over night so the fluid is cold. Mine only took 10 mins to warm up to the check temp.

I attached the Doc. needed to check the ATF. It is pretty straight forward. I suspected my fluid was low and the dealer would tell me they checked it and in fact they didn't. Last time I checked, if you want something done right you do it yourself.

I have read some have done this check with and WITHOUT pinning the thermostat. I pinned the thermo when I did the check both times.

I did this process two times.

The 1 st, I pumped in a half quart of ATF.

The 2nd, I didn't add any fluid as it was at the correct level.

I did noticed a difference after adding half quart of ATF especially with eliminating the harsh downshifts.

To jump the OBDII, use a piece of speaker wire and insert into port 4-13.
The fill plug (Crack this bolt while the engine is cold so you don't burn your arm)is on the passenger side (WS) stamped on the bolt 24mm.
The check bolt is a 5mm hex.
To pin the thermo. you push it in with flat head and then put a drill bit (can't recalll size pretty small)put thru the holes to pin. It is located on the passenger side inline with the atf check level bolt.

Hope that helps.

 

It's so easy everybody should be doing it...!!!

 

Yes, the difference in measurement between the marks for high and low on any particular vehicle automatic transmission dipstick might perhaps be 1 quart.

But, the measurement on the dipstick is a completely different metric than the expansion of the volume of the fluid in the transmission or transmission pan at any particular temperature.

Those are two different items.

It should always be checked when hot and running, not cold and running. Right? If the dipstick shows low when hot and running, then you would add fluid because it was perhaps 1 qt. low on fluid. If it shows high during your check, then it’s filled properly. You’re checking at the same hot temp each time. You might find it low, but that’s because it needs more fluid. That’s why you have a dipstick. If it’s high, it’s not because of expansion, it’s because it’s properly filled. And, of course expanded maybe just a little.

I’m thinking that the expansion of the automatic transmission fluid across its operating temperature range isn’t going to be anywhere near 1 quart in our Tacomas. That would be around 10% of volume for what’s in the transmission, excluding the fluid in the exterior lines and fluid cooler.
And, you’re measuring from only the few quarts in the pan.

The Tacoma with tow package has a 10.7 quart capacity and 10.5 quarts without tow package.

I haven’t yet found a volumetric coefficient of expansion per degree of Fahrenheit for transmission fluid but the percentages of expansion for other liquids such as new motor oil at .00039% or ethylene glycol (used in antifreeze) at .00032% per degree of temperature are small.

For the petroleum and paraffin in standard transmission fluid, the number is higher which could result in expansion that is a bit higher. But, transmission fluid isn’t just all petroleum and paraffin. It has some other additives.

If the transmission is filled at the factory with an indoor temperature of 72 degrees, and then we’re checking the level of the transmission at around 107 degrees, that’s only a difference of 35 degrees and would result in a very small percentage of expansion, or perhaps just 3 or 4 ounces. If you further raised the temperature of the transmission from 107 degrees to normal operating range you might increase volume by 1/3 of a quart depending of course on the type of straight fluid and its coefficient.

What’s the volume of expansion coefficient for the synthetic transmission fluid that I’m using?
I don’t know.

Petroleum isn’t listed on the MSDS for the contents of the Valvoline MaxLife transmission fluid I have in my transmission. Valvoline synthetic fluid contains ‘Heavy Paraffinic Distillate’ and ‘Zinc Dialkyl Dithiophospate’ as listed on the data safety sheet. Petroleum isn’t listed in MaxLife.

I wouldn’t worry too much about getting your transmission temperature exactly right for a fluid level check. Several degrees either way isn’t going to matter too much for volume.

Just checking your transmission fluid to see if it’s a quart or two low when just above 100 degrees would be a good thing to do to make sure it’s close to properly filled.

There’s an interesting and long post that I read somewhere on Tacoma World with someone talking about and giving strong opinions regarding the use and longevity or lack thereof when using WS fluid in our transmissions. It was an interesting read.

Internet search ‘Toyota WS fluid’ for more interesting opinions on the factory fill transmission fluid.

It’s interesting to see the role that politics can sometimes possibly play in the the decisions made by corporations in using one product over another.

I wouldn’t say anything bad about Toyota WS fluid and I’m not an expert, but I thought “ what the heck”, and decided to try something different.

 

One thing is that you don’t need techstream or any other software to check the fluid. The instructions have a TechStream instruction and another set of instructions without.

I have TechStream and it is easier to connect #4 and #13 than connecting Obd2 connector to laptop and running TechStream.

Let me know if you guys have any questions!

 

I agree .... jumping 4 and 13 is easy as hell..

 

Yup, there is no need for additional software or to buy an IR thermometer.

Grab a paper clip or wire and stick it in port 4 and 13. From there move the gear shifter as directed in the instructions. Once the D shift indicator blinks it means it is within temp window to check fluid. Go under vehicle and remove 5mm hex plug. Check fluid. If less than 5mls come out, shut off engine and add more trans fluid. Repeat process.

 

Anyone have a picture of the refill plug? For some reason I can't find it! I must be blind or something!

 

I posted some pictures in this thread (post # 207).

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...on-fluid-directly-from-factory.405642/page-11

 

Thanks for the reply, on the 4x2’s it must be placed a little farther back? The plug has ”WS” stamped in it correct? I just took this photo, is the bolt circled in red correct?

 

That's the one.... Damn that's clean..!

 

That certainly looks like it. What model/engine do you have?

 

Thanks for the quick reply guys. 2018, DCSB TRD Sport 4x2. Picked her up 2 weeks ago. Got a little confused since the Toyota instructions had it labeled where RichVT’s pictures are

 

I get a slight vibration/shudder just before stopping, nothing at any other speeds and I have just attributed it to braking and the tranny downshifting...maybe I am wrong?

 

Just wanted to check back in and say my 2018 TRD sport 4x2 had the correct amount of ATF fluid from the factory after performing the check. Done with a IR thermo gun when the atf fluid pan read 100degrees F

 

Haven't found a diy for 3rd gens but this thorough how to is the best I found which I used on my 2nd gen twice. https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/diy-full-flush-for-automatic-transmission.68462/

(2nd gen) What I have learned from this process is you have to jump 4 prong and 13 prong, conduct a series of shifts (in link above) to get into temp mode. Once tranny oil reaches a certain temp (from cool oil to warming up for approx 25 minutes), temp mode light illuminates indicating you can now check correct level by removing overflow Ellen bolt.

I just purchased a 3rd gen 2017 and plan to check level (no current issues) to be on safe side.
Since I'm unsure about which 2 prongs to jump and which series of shifts.
I will simply warm up truck for 25 minutes (tranny pan will be slightly warm to touch at this point: what I learned from 2nd gen), remove overflow Ellen, ensure there is a small trickle of oil, if not, I will ad oil till I obtain a small trickle.

 

You will be way passed the correct temp.

I had mine checked at the dealer 5 miles away. It took 4 hours to cool enough to check. It only takes about 10 minutes of idling to bring it up to temp.

I've checked it myself several times, using the jumper method; before and after said trip to dealer. Twice before, and once after. The two times before, I checked with the t.stat pinned and unpinned; there is no difference. Temp check mode opens the t.stat.

 

Check out my build thread for directions/photos on trans check without the need for TechStream or any other OBD2 software.