How to Drain/Refill Automatic Transmission

Use the Valve body removal specs.
Buy 5 qts. Take one back if needed.

 

For a full change, 10.5 quarts without tow package, 11.1 with tow package. Easiest to just buy 12 quarts. Just a pan drain and refill takes about 4.

 

If only there was a thread where that information was given in the very first post...

 

Not exactly, first post discusses volume lost when draining the pan, but replacing the strainer requires a pan drop and will result in significantly more fluid lost. My experience is about 3 quarts for a drain and fill, 4.3 quarts to drain, drop the pan, and remove strainer. I’d refill with 4 quarts for the former, 5 for the latter, to ensure good overflow check and account for an under fill if never refilled before.

@Socialwork05

 

Read through this thread as much as I could so if this has already been said sorry.

I have a ScanGauge 3 in my 2015 Tacoma TRD Off Road. My question is, can I just use the Oil Pan Temp reading coming from my SG3 or should I jump the OBD2 and put it in Oil Temp check mode?

 

Yes you can, temp must be 95-115F.

 

For anyone interested, I used this method to change the fluid in my truck at 112,000 miles (currently at about 130,000). My truck had the "rumble strip" vibration at about 40mph. I used Toyota WS fluid and a bottle of Lubeguard. After the fluid change, the vibration slowly went away after a few hundred miles and now it feels perfect. Figured I'd post up in case someone had a similar issue.

 

That’s interesting, a vibration at about that speed has been a symptom of needle bearing failure for many. I hadn’t heard about any relationship to transmission issues, but good to know.

 

Yeah happened right around 38-40ish mph after torque converter lock up and from what I was told, it was from TC shudder. Slight tap on the brake pedal (taking the TC out of lockup) made the shudder disappear.

 

Doing my 2014 Sport with tow package, 36,000 miles. Drained fluid and only 2 qt's came out, this is first time doing a drain and fill. I have read through this thread and see most people are getting 3-4 qt's. I have also read that some trucks with towing package are low from the factory. I have had no issues with the transmission and no leaks. Have not done the refill and trans temp yet, anyone else experience this?

Just read some more in this thread, seems some are only getting 2.5 qt's, I guess I will put 3 qt's and se what drains out of check plug.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...be-low-on-fluid-directly-from-factory.405642/

 

Truck was parked on a level surface?

 

Of course after you bring it up to the check fluid temperature.

I always add more than needed then drain the overfill. Keeps me from going through the process of crawling under the truck to check and recheck the fluid level.

 

Put in 2 3/4 qt's, brought up to temp, and only got about 2-3 oz. out of check port. So right at 3/4 low, about what most are finding with the tow package.

 

My Scan Guage 3 just arrived!
I can confirm that it reads my 2005 Tacoma Pre Runner 2wd transmission fluid temperature.
It reads both the pan and torque converter temperature. Really cool guage...

 

Don't forget the specified check temperature was changed to 97-115F per TSB 0129-08.

 

Thanks for the heads up! I have done probably 6 transmissions services so far and have always pulled the level check plug at 115 degrees Fahrenheit
Ive never had a problem...I use to use my bosses snap on scanner to read the temps but im no longer working there so thats why I went with the scan gauge 3

 

Yea not sure what the actual difference in fluid would be but it can't be more than half a quart, still better to follow service info.
Too bad the OP of this thread is long gone so no way to get the first post updated.

 

115 is top of spec anyway, so its not a big deal. I just wish we could edit the first post. We tried haha.

 

You PM'd a mod or the almighty One Bob @tcBob? Any of them should be able to update the first post