Autotrans slightly low on fluid, ok?

My bonehead brother pulled the bonehead move and started draining his auto fluid in his 05 Taco V6 thinking it was engine oil. Luckily he was using a clean container. I stopped it after it drained about 20oz or so. I had a clean siphon and was able to help him get all but about 6oz back (some left coating the container, and on paper towels, etc).

We drove it and it feels like nothing happened, drove perfectly... is this thing good to go or does he have to get it serviced? How much does a fluid change run at the Toy dealer?

 

I believe at my local toyota dealer they charge 59.99 for a drain and refill for tranny.

which is sorta funny because they charge 59.99 for a new in-cabin filter which takes less than 5 minutes to do.

 

Put some more in. If you dont you could long term screw something up. Not worth the 15 minutes and few bucks to save a few grand in the end...

 

Yes! I'm not the only one!

 

Toyota should've designed that a little differently or put some sort of 'cover' over it. Out of site, out of mind or something.

 

Pan on bottom of motor = oil, pan on bottom of tranny = atf.

 

i had to take a second look when changing my oil as the trans pan looks more like my integras oil pan than the tacos oil pan

 

You still get the epic FAIL since you added drained transmission fluid back into you coolant reservoir.

 

I always thought people were COMPLETE idiots for mistaking the the transmission for the oil pan, but in the Auto V6 they atually do look somewhat similar. You'd think the location would give it away though.

 

but back to the original question... 6oz shy, runs fine, okay? Is there an operating range? Is it within tolerance?

 

Get to normal operating temp, park on level surface, check dipstick. Should be 2 sets of marks - 1 for cold, 1 for hot. Fill it to top mark of hot range. Slowly, just a small amount then check stick until where it needs to be. Done, drive more..............

 

No dipstick.


So called the dealer, $229 for fluid refill.

DOES HE NEED TO DO THIS??? That sucks.

 

Not really much help in deciding on whether the tranny will be O or not, but to help prevent the same mistake again...

... he could engrave an "O" (for "oil") in the head of the drain plug. That would match the "O" ring attached to the top of the oil dipstick. Just an idea. Any kind of visual reminder would be good.

 

really? no dipstick on the autos, how would anyone know if their transmission is full? Maybe check the owners manual.