How to Drain/Refill Automatic Transmission

drain and file completed. Added about .5 quarts more than i drained since i understand the underfill is quite common.
Started the engine and removed the fluid level plug and nothing came out... Temp was about 75F in transmission.
once temp hit 90F it started to dribble and kept going. As soon as my ultragauge indicated 116.8 (its seems to go up in 2.8F increments) i reinstalled the fill level plug..

once it all cools down i will torque everything up.

so looks like it was indeed about .2 to .3 quarts low.

Total cost $36 for the 4 quarts of WS...

Fluid that came out looked good and my main intention was to correct the possibility of the factory underfill.
think the magnefine filter is doing its job quite well since fluid didnt even have a hint of the very fine metallic particles you often see.

Ultraguage is showing max temps of 170F so fluid should be holding up just fine.

now that i know how easy this is to do i will probably do one in every three years since its cheaper than an oil change.

 

I just did another drain and fill, this was the 3rd in 70,000 miles. The service was probably not needed but for $25 its cheap insurance. I drained 2.75 quarts and added 3. When I pulled the overflow about .25 drained out. Here are the steps I followed.

1- Remove 24mm fill plug
2- Remove 14mm drain plug
3- Drain fluid
4- Install 14mm drain plug
5- Add 3 quarts of WS fluid
6- Install 24mm fill plug
7- Install jumper wire, pins #4 and #13
8- Turn truck on and cycle through gears
9- Cycle through neutral and drive quickly x6
10- Watch AT Temp light come on 2 seconds then disappear
11- Put truck in Park, AT Temp light will come on 2 seconds again then disappear
12- Wait for AT Temp light to turn on and stay on
13- Remove over flow plug 5mm hex
14- Drain fluid until a trickle, better described as a continuous drip.
15- Install overflow plug
16- Remove jumper

And done.

-RJM

 

And this why i bought the ultragauge..can skip all of this and get a real temp reading.
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7- Install jumper wire, pins #4 and #13
8- Turn truck on and cycle through gears
9- Cycle through neutral and drive quickly x6
10- Watch AT Temp light come on 2 seconds then disappear
11- Put truck in Park, AT Temp light will come on 2 seconds again then disappear
12- Wait for AT Temp light to turn on and stay on

 

X2 I love my Ultragauge.

 

From the looks of it the transmission drain plug is the same size as the engine oil drain plug and has same torque setting (29 ft/lbs) and both are going into a steel pan.

Any reason we cant just use one of the oil drain plug washers in place of the more expensive steel crush washers??

 

I use copper crush washers for all my drain and fill plugs.

 

Some people just reuse them.

 

I’m guilty.

-RJM

 

is there any know reason for all the different material for the washers on the oil pan, trans pan, transfer case...
there are copper, there are aluminum , there are steel ...

my not just one material? They are all just crush washers in low pressure applications.

anyone ever tried the bonded seal washer like these?

$18 Swordfish 31981 Automotive Dowty Bonded Seal Washer Assortment, 150 Piece

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MXI57Y9

 

the OEM crush washer on the transmission drain plug and overflow tube was steel for some reason

$10 Rexka 20pcs Transmission Drain Plug Gasket Compatible with Toyota Lexus Truck 35178-30010 4Runner, Celica, Land Cruiser, RAV4, Sequoia, Tacoma, Tundra,GX460, is F, IS250, IS300, IS350, SC300, SC400

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07B7HKD54

 

Where did you get these?

 

Auto parts store.

Look on the rack by the oil filters - drain plug washers, usually in a yellow/black package. Dorman, I think.

The huge ones they should have behind the counter. It can be hit or miss, depending on the store. I need to find a more reliable supply for the big ones.

You can also get them from Toyota. A little more expensive, but readily available.

 

Just did the flush.
Hats off to this thread and to all with the positive support throughout the thread.

 

ugh, 58 pages and counting on this subject!!!!! where is a diagram of fill plug for Automatic Transmission on a 4x4??????? (2015 4x4 Toyota Tacoma Pro)
4x4 have a transfer case where they are showing on 4x2, and there are lots of bolts

 

A750F

 

Ugh, first post and you act frustrated at the content. Did you ever try google?

 

Or even just getting under his truck and looking for it

 

Subbed

 

Does anyone know if you can do this without the driveshafts on? (Mine are currently disconnected due to diff regearing)

 

I dont see why not... only issue is you might not fully circulate the fluid before the level check. I chose to drive around the block before checking the level. shifting thru the gears stationary might be sufficient, but idk. probably more of an issue if you do the full flush via cooler line rather than just a drain/fill.