Accidentally Drained Trans Fluid

well, i tried to change my oil (first time ever) on my 07’ Tacoma, got underneath the truck and badabing badaboom, loosened the drain plug to my transmission instead of my oil. It drained a total of about 2.5 quarts before it was done. what do i do?

 

Put 2.5 quarts back in? Not being a smartass, that's what I would do.

Welcome to TW!

 

Yeah what he said. Measure how much you took out, and put it back in. If the container you drained into was clean just dump the same stuff back in

 

does the engine not have to be running or at a certain temperature to do that?
also there’s no trans dipstick idk if that changes things ?

 

If the container was clean and you didnt spill any, yes, put it back in. I'd try to get new fluid if you can. Carquest used to stock it. Otherwise learn the procedure to put the truck in check mode, fill the fill plug, get truck to proper temp, and drain overfill plug. Instructions are in more than one thread.

 

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/63851-how-drain-refill-automatic-transmission.html

 

Not again.

 

might as well do the trans now,

 

The engine doesn’t need to be running to put what you took out back in. If you dumped it in a dirty bucket, do not put it back in, any grit in the bucket is a bad thing. Follow the link provided above and use new fluid.

 

When the FJ Cruiser 1st came out lots of guys did the same thing. Including adding 5.5 qts. of oil on top of the 5.5 qts. of oil that was already in there. At least you caught it and aren't stranded.

 

If the container you drained the fluid into was clean, then just put it back in. If it wasn't, then measure what drained out and out the same amount back in.
What's your mileage? Might be time to get some new fluid in there anyway.

 

Welcome to TW OP.

 

Toyota should have put some type of placard on the trans pan......

 

They did, unfortunately it was located behind the drain plug.
Once removed, the warning is evident by a red/pink fluid with distinctive smell different that engine oil.

Lol.
It happens. Fill it back up. And drive on.

 

Ha! After teaching my boy how to change the oil on his '07, I got underneath with a white paint pen and wrote "NOT THIS ONE" with an arrow pointing to the trans drain plug.

 

Reading about this error several times here, I bot a can of red spray paint, took the truck to some one who knows the difference between transmission and oil drain plugs, and we sprayed to hell and back the oil plug......end of problem.........

 

This is a common mistake to make. Add 3 quarts WS or equivalent back in. That way you can safely drive the truck.

When you get a chance, do a proper fluid check.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/how-to-drain-refill-automatic-transmission.63851/

 

Look at it this way, at least you didn't drain the whole trans, double your engine oil and drive it around for a few days (happens more often than you think).

I still for the life of me can't understand how this happens to people lol, but at least you caught it and you'll definitely know better next time.

Just add in what you took out and you'll be good to go

Welcome to TW

 

HALP!!!