Auto Tranny Fluid Confusion

Guys I need your help... I decided to change my auto tranny oil on my 01 3.4 Prerunner by just removing the oil pan bolt and was expecting about 4 to 5 liters to drain as told by some of you guys who had done this procedure BUT instead only about and liter and half (1.5) came out. What gives????Idont see any other bolt abound the oil pan???? Help.

 

it was partially removed,,,

 

baseline and 51ave,,, only about 1.5 qts came out,, i am at a friends house in mesa and fear that i mite have messed things up. I poured in close to what came out.

 

thanx,, i appreciate your help.

 

When you just pull the drain that's all you'll get out. There is fluid in the TC, valve bodies, etc etc. You usually will only get about a quarter to half of the trans' total capacity. You didn't mess anything up. I wouldn't bother droping the filter and changing that unless the fluid hasn't been changed in a while and was pretty dirty.

Service manual calls for 1.7qts to 2.5qts depending on the trans for a drain and refill.

 

What is really the best way to change ATF. Drain and Fill, Remove pan and drain and fill, flush and fill. There are so many methods on how to change ATF. I don't get which one is the best.

 

this is how i did mine on my 04.....drained the fluid then dropped the pan. wanted to get it all totally clean. even though i didnt get anything from the torque converter.....now, i'll get a full flush since i cleaned the filter really well.

also, when i drained mine..........around 5 quarts came out.