Trans. Fluid Level Check

Okay guys, if what I'm posting here has been covered extensively I apologize. I did several search's of the forum and came up pretty much empty.

I have a couple of questions regarding checking trans. fluid levels on my 2016 Taco with tow package.

What temperature (I have a ScanGuage II installed) should the trans. fluid be while making the check. I think I've read between 115°F and 133°F. Is that correct? Does that pertain to the TC temp. or the pan temp.? Do I pin the trans. thermostat and bring it up to temperature or pin it after I get the fluid temp. into the prober range?

Add a quart or two of fluid through the fill plug opening.

Then set the parking brake and run the trans. through all gears leaving it in every gear for a couple seconds. Correct?

Then remove the fluid level plug in the bottom of the pan until there is a mere trickle coming out. Do I do this while the truck is in park with the engine running?

Any other nuances that I should be aware of?

Thanks for the info.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...n-fluid-level-check-diy.547455/#post-17758357

Pin the t-stat, yes. There is a procedure for trans check mode using a jumper in the OBD port - the truck will indicate when temp is correct, and adjust engine RPM as well.

When you remove the check plug, a trickle is more like as soon as it stops gushing full flow.

 

Should the jumper be used in lieu of the ScanGuage temp readings? Does engine RPM have an effect on accuracy? I'd rather not mess with wiring if at all possible to get an accurate check without.

WHY does this procedure need to be so involved?!!

 

It seems involved when u first start, but it's not too bad. The truck does bump the rpms up when you're in temp check mode, wether that makes a difference or not only Toyota/aisin can answer

 

I've done it pinned and unpinned using temp check mode. There is no difference; I assume temp check mode opens the thermostat.

 

I prefer temp check mode.
You never what all temp check mode does as far as opening/closing fluid circuits...see my previous post about the thermostat being opened by temp check mode.

 

95*f~110*f @ 2~3 drips per second.

Or do a Drain & fill of 3.3 quarts.

 

Once mine hits 104, I pull the plug and once it stops gushing, screw it back.

I also add a half quart more than I drained to make sure some drains out and I am full.

When i did my 2018, added exactly what I drained out, plus my 1/2 quart. When I pulled the plug at 104, nothing came out.
Added the rest of the quart and repeated the procedure and only a few ounces came out but now I knew it was full.

 

Can a jumper for the temp check mode be purchased or do you have to mess with a paper clip or whatever? I repeat, WHY must this be so involved, just put a damn dipstick on the trans. and be done with it!!!

 

When you do the drain and fill thing do you just drain, replace drain plug and put in the 3.3 qt. then check fluid in temp check mode after warming the trans. up?

 

So Max, you don't do the temp check mode? You just warm the trans. up to 104°F and pull the check plug?

 

#savethedipsticks

#dipsticks matter

The inventor of a reasonable retrofit dipstick kit would make a fortune.

 

I used Toyota's procedures with Techstream and it went into "level" check mode at 96°.
I did level check and 2 drain/refills and in all cases the temp was 96°. You need to be done before reaching 113. See attached
I would do it in the morning. Make sure you loose the fill plug before. Also wear some gloves, you will slice your hands on that heat shield.
Find level spot.
I put 1qrt for level check. Cheap pump with extra tubing works fine.
Easy procesure

 

When I first bought the truck I did the level check, the fluid was low and I added 3/4 of a quart. Then I drained (engine off) the fluid to see how much came out.

If was ruffly 3.3 quarts. So now I do a drain & fill of 3.3 quarts every other oil change(once per year).

 

It is more accurate to check within a known temp window. Newer low viscosity ATFs have higher thermal expansion.

One anecdote I remember reading was, on one particular transmission, 1/4" on the dipstick was equal to 3 quarts.

 

Doesn't seem to make a difference on level, though it does slow how quickly it warms up the fluid, and increases the time length of the temp window.

On my RAV4 the check mode runs the electric fans except in the temp range so you can lay and wait at the check plug for that cue. On the Tacoma you gotta watch the dash and then climb under. Pinning the t-stat seems to give a little extra time so you don't have to rush as much.

OP, yeah it seems complicated, it's no more so than an engine oil change once you've done it a few times. A wire from a bad network cable makes a good jumper too. It's small enough guage to stick in the OBD pins without messing them up.

 

And thank you for your post on doing it on '20+. Have it saved for the future even though I can use TS.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...-level-check-diy.547455/page-12#post-22645913

 

Why they (Toyota) make something as elementary as checking ATF levels into such a convoluted and confusing procedure beyond comprehension. It makes no sense at all!!

 

Not that my agreement was solicited or necessary but I agree and seems this would be the easiest and most beneficial method.

If the fluid in the tranny and bottles are the same ambient temperature, say 80 degrees F, then volumetric temperature differential shouldn’t be an issue and warming tranny fluid unnecessary.

Replacing 3.3 quarts (about 1/3 of total tranny fluid capacity) every other engine oil change, IMHO an inexpensive transmission preventative maintenance strategy. Particularly if transporting heavy loads full time.

An once of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

 

Excellent and lucrative dealership service department high margin revenue generator.

Intimidate the ignorant consumer, drive, steer ‘em (puns intended) to dealership service departments for tranny and wallet flush.