2021 Tacoma 2WD Automatic Transmission Fluid Level

I searched the Forum before doing a DIY fluid change...but I seem to be chasing my tail.
I didn't do the Jumper trick, though.

I drove the truck to reach operating temperature.
I removed the large fill plug on the side of the unit.

Next I removed the threaded plug for the overflow tube... 2 & 1/2 QUARTS flowed out...IS THIS NORMAL?

Then I removed the pan Drain Plug... 2 QUARTS flowed out. Is this a Normal Amount?

That is a total of 4 & 1/2 QUARTS drained out of the unit.

I reinstalled the Drain Plug.
Next I added 3 & 1/2 QUARTS in the fill hole/side hole which began seeping out of the overflow tube drain-hole.
Then I reinstalled the Drain Plug for the overflow tube, and screwed the threaded plug into the Fill hole.

I then started the engine and shifted the transmission through ALL the gears while driving back and forth in my driveway. The transmission shifted perfectly, but I have not driven it on the highway yet.

My questions are:
How did the overflow tube allow 2 QUARTS to drain out IF the transmission was filled properly at the factory???

Why did the transmission drain 4 & 1/2 QUARTS TOTAL into my measuring bucket WHEN I WAS ONLY ABLE TO REFILL THE TRANSMISSION WITH 3 & 1/2 QUARTS OF NEW FLUID???

Thanks for any advice.
I will check for replies tomorrow before I road test the truck...just to be safe.

 

Operating temp is too high. You need to be cooler than that. It's not accurate the way you did it.

You need to do it cooler and with the jumper method.

Keep it simple.

Drain, from the drain plug. Fill with 4qt. Start engine. Do temp check. Open overfill.

 

Engine needs to be running to do the level check.

 

Thanks for the fast easy-to-understand replies! The PTSD makes thinking a major problem. You guys bailed out an old Veteran!

I need to add 1/2 quart...then recheck using the info ya'll gave me.

By the way...I've been a C**vy guy, but this Tacoma is money in the bank with improved gas mileage over other makes/models.

 

the jumper method doesn't work on 2021s.

To enter automatic transmission fluid temperature detection mode:

• Depress and hold the brake pedal.
• Start the engine. [#1]
• Turn off electrical and mechanical loads
• Slowly move the shift lever from P to S, then move the shift lever to P. (~3 seconds each position [#2]
• While observing the D shift indicator on the combination meter, move the shift lever back and forth between N and D at an interval of less than 1.5 seconds for 12 seconds or more. [#3]
• Perform #1, #2, & #3 within 60 seconds
• Check that the D shift indicator comes on for 2 seconds.
• Move the shift lever from N to P.
• Release the brake pedal.
• Allow the engine to idle until the automatic transmission fluid temperature reaches 35 to 45°C (95 to 113°F). The D shift indicator will come on again when the fluid temperature reaches 35°C (95°F) and will blink when it exceeds 45°C (113°F).

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

this is what i did to enter temp check mode and it worked perfectly. might take a couple times to get it right, but it does work!

 

Cryptolime & Members.....thanks...
I guess the old trans. dip stick was too complicated
I can only guess that the Tech who serviced the truck knew about the "Low fluid Factory Mistake", was in a hurry and just pumped a couple "extra" quarts of fluid into the trans.
The transmission shifted great on the test drive...the shifts engagements were much faster and the high pitched whine is gone. Maybe the excess fluid was causing enough air bubbles in the fluid to affect the trans. without burning up the clutches??
I still need to check the level with the engine running/park brake on/trans in Drive to top off the new fluid??

By the way...I read on the Forum the retaining nuts that hold the differential in place may not be torqued. Sure enough...the Driver's side nuts were only finger-tight which explains the clunk when shifting into Reverse. The Passenger's side diff. nuts were torqued correctly from the factory.


It's a good thing there is still 70,000 miles left on the warranty.

 

I hope you read this property. ATF readings must be preformed when the ATF is between 95-113F. You need a scangauge ii or use the jumper method.

 

Welcome to TW..

 

yes, the engine needs to be running, and the truck in park. The "D" indicator will come on when it reaches the minimum temperature. I prefer to use an OBD reader to monitor the transmission pan temps too. You don't really need to enter temp check mode if you can monitor the temps with an OBD reader but i do it anyways.

 

Finally an Update: Thanks everyone. The transmission ended up taking 4.5 quarts to refill it after driving around town. 4.5 qts is the amount I originally drained from the pan.
Sorry about any confusion I caused.

 

Seems like something I would do a complete waste of time and money for something I read online. Glad I didn’t fall for that one though I’d only have done it if my tranny seemed to be acting up

 

Actually, level check mode does more than tell you when the correct temp range has been reached. It also sets the engine idle to where it needs to be for a correct reading. So, while you can use a port scanner to read the AT temp sensor #1 while under the truck, you still need to get the truck into level check mode. This is why it's critical that all extraneous equipment(like AC) must be turned off before the procedure.

 

SO.....it IS Rocket Science after all !
The transmission has another 5,000 miles on the fluid change and has been doing great. Being Old School I change the fluid every 30,000 miles.
thanks Guys.

On a side note: I recently changed the engine oil & filter....
then I brought the truck in for Warranty work.
The Toyota tech said the engine was 4 qts. overfilled.
I asked the Service manager...."Was the oil discolored" (old oil mixed with new oil).
She said "No".
I said "I do my own oil & filter changes...IF I didn't drain all the old oil out and added 6 qts of new oil...shouldn't the new oil be discolored?"

She thought and thought...and said "You are correct".
I said "Hmmm...Something doesn't add up....THAT'S why I do my own maintenance".