3rd Gen Automatic Transmission Fluid Level Check DIY

You need to add the fluid first and let it come up to temp with the existing fluid. You can't add cold fluid into the pan and expect to get an accurate reading IMHO. You could heat the fluid containers you want to add in a warm bath to 105 degrees and than wait till your ATF temps were similar and than add it but this seems more complicated than simply adding fluid, turning on motor and watching till you get the correct temp and than draining the excess fluid.

 

or pretty substantial rake the opposite way? Probably makes sense to just measure the bottom of the frame rail (to ground) at the front end and at the rear end and level them out within a 1/4" or so?

 

If your ground is level.

 

Isn't it wild the complication of this procedure ....

One if the technical guys needs to put up a formula for the expansion rate in this stuff

It couldn't be extreme or bottles would be popping on store shelves in the sunlight or heat ....with that being said the expansion of the total amount of fluid in the trans may equate to a noticable difference

I personally think a average amount should be determined for a drain and fill on a "cold " 70 degree ambient temp truck and that amount put back in and call it good

Extreme temps could throw this off by a few fluid ounces

 

Yup. So verify ground level, than measure frame rails (I guess both sides so you take into account pitch and roll?), add fluid, cycle through gear shift positions (to distribute ATF), get to temp
(95-113 degrees), drain overflow, close everything up. Simple eh? Thanks Toyota!

 

The transmission level check mode entry process for 2020 is different and does not require jumping OBD pins. Found that out while ripping the manuals off TIS last weekend.

Also, using the trans temp from an OBD scanner is only half of it. The transmission level check mode also puts the engine at a specific RPM.

I'm at work, when I get home I will post the 2020 level check method entry process.

 

Why not skip the first two and just verify truck is level with ramps or Jacks lol

 

THANK YOU!

 

I guess the question is how to measure "level"? Frame rail level? Truck bed level? Ground surface level? Bottom of ATF pan level? front and rear bumper heights level? What part of the truck should be level? Folks were saying to drive truck on level surface but different model trucks have different rake (TRD PRO vs SR5 for example). I know I am overthinking this but to me, any dealer tech is going to have the truck on a lift. So the frame rails will be the deciding factor? So level frame rails with jack and forget about the whether the ground is level or not (as you said).

 

AC60F (AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION / TRANSAXLE): AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID: ADJUSTMENT; 2020 MY Tacoma

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).

Performing this operation will cause the vehicle to enter fluid temperature detection mode and engine idle speed control mode. In engine idle speed control mode, engine idle speed control starts when the fluid temperature reaches the specified temperature and the engine speed is maintained.

 

Thanks. hmmmmm.... I wonder if I can return my brand new new ScangaugeII?

 

I just finished the procedure. I let the temp drop to 93 degrees on my OBDLINK then jumped the pins and finished up. I decided to do this rather than just temp based on the post above that talked about a specific RPM as well as temperature. The D appeared quickly as it only had to come up a couple degrees. I ended up adding between 11 and 12 oz of fluid. I poured what came out back into the quart bottle I used to find the amount that stayed in the transmission and then looked at the scale on the side of the bottle. I'll see if I can tell a difference tomorrow. I do wonder what the acceptable min/max level is and if 12oz makes a difference.

Thanks for the instructions. Read them several times but in the end it was pretty simple. For those who are worried about when to put the plug back in - the amount coming out of the overflow tube started out a steady stream about the size of a pencil, then pretty quickly slowed to a very fine stream. At that point I started to think about putting the plug back in, held off, started over thinking it, but then it went to a drip, drip so I knew I was good to go and put it in.

 

I just finished this on my 2020 tacoma with ~850miles. I did not feel like programming my new ScanGuageII so I just used the method posted above by Mattleg (thanks!) for 2020 models. I placed a bubble level on the bottom of the both frame rails (in the front and towards the rear) to check that the truck was level. It was, so apparently my garage floor is level. I did pin the ATF thermostat open. It took about 15 minutes for the "D" indictor light to illuminate. I ended up adding ~350ml (1/3qt) of Toyota ATF fluid so my truck was pretty close to correct from the factory. After the fluid stopped gushing out, I waited a little more and reinstalled the bolt when there was a very thin but steady stream of ATF still flowing out. At worse it was 1/3qt low, probably not enough to really worry about but at least I know it is filled now.

 

Just finished checking
my 2020 with 4100 miles. Transmission was 1/3 qt low.

 

keep it - use it to monitor transmission pan and converter temps - and other useful items related to truck mechanical and electrical performance (check and clear codes). much easier than the method described in this thread to determine proper temp. IMO worth every penny.

 

All this when they could've just left the dipstick and tube. Damn all these manufacturers and their "sealed" transmissions.

 

Did you replace the crush washers on fill and check plugs? The reason I ask is because I've done similar type of check/fill on my other vehicle without replacing them (both regular aluminum crush). Did not have any leaks and I've done it twice now. Did you get your fluid from the dealer or online?

 

I have used the jumper on the obdii port, but using techstream or my scangauge II is just so much easier (lazy I Know) to fill or check. Using the techstream or scangauge, also makes doing a complete flush much easier, just finished my 2nd round of fluid changes, transmission, ect.

 

I'll use this method next time. Pumping from the bottom, I tend to end up with fluid all over the hose (and a mess from there) and you can't seem to fully empty the bottles.

 

Worked great, thanks!

only 3/4 of a quart low.