3rd Gen Automatic Transmission Fluid Level Check DIY

I added a quart of Lubegard when I serviced my tranny (dropped the pan, replaced the filter, refilled with new fluid) - 6 quarts of Toyota WS fluid and 1 quart of Lubegard; after which I drained out the excess during the Fill-Check Procedure.

Lubegard isn't something that you will notice a difference from using. It is more about longevity for your transmission.

Mr. Gearcruncher (our resident TW Tansmission Guru) talks about some of the technical aspects of Lubegard.
Just search for 'Lubegard' and read all of his posts - like this:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/search/15835326/?q=Lubegard&t=post&o=date&c[node]=186&c[user][0]=90305

LubeGard on ASSmazon:

$15 Lubegard 63010 Platinum Automatic Transmission Fluid Protectant, 10 oz.

https://www.amazon.com/Lubegard-630...072&sprefix=lubeguard+pla,aps,153&sr=8-1&th=1

 

Your original post said you would "pump fluid in until it weeps from the fill hole". Bad idea. You will certainly overfill it.
If you did drain it, measure what comes out and refill it with the same amount, you may be OK, but why wouldn't you do it correctly?

 

I’m waiting in 14 quarts of Amsoil ATF to show up. Going to do a full flush. Drain, add back, pump out some through the cooler feed line, repeat until new fluid comes out and check level. I only have 39k miles on my truck so I don’t expect any TC issues. Going to pin the thermostat as well for the summer. Hoping to get my temps in check in preparation for towing without adding an additional cooler.

 

I towed a max 6500lb trailer with an additional cooler and pined thermostat. The pinning only kept the temp from rising too quickly. Once the temp was up I used my trans temp measurements to drive by. Depending upon your load you may wish to reconsider adding a cooler. I got one that was ~10x12”.

 

Yeah, I’m only planning on pulling 3k. If I have to do the additional cooler, I will. Just not looking forward to pulling my bumper and wench for the job.

 

Unless you have added something, no need to pull bumper. You do pull the grill which is extremely easy on these vehicles. Two screws and two plastic fasteners, plus a few electrical connectors and that is it.

 

Grill won’t come off with bumper on. Bumper won’t come off without disconnect wench. Might be able to get the grill loose enough to work though. Again, hoping get away without doing that but will if needed. Just a pain.

 

It's ok if it doesn't make shifting a luxurious experience, I was curious if anyone had experience to speak to about transmission health and upkeep. I'm gonna research what you've linked.

 

Just talked to a master tech this morning who works at Smithtown Toyota, he said leave it alone. If I feel like it, do it at 50k.

 

Good decision!

 

If you're doing a transmission fluid change on a 3rd gen 2.7 (and maybe others), note that the fill plug is right above the crossmember on the frame. That crossmember has a hole in the top just the right size for the plug to fall into, but not one on the bottom where you can wiggle it out. Not to mention there are bolts in the way and no way to see it. Ask me how I know.

Recommend putting a towel or something over that crossmember to avoid frustration / perma-lost fill plug.

 

2017 Tacoma SR5 4x4 with tow package - bought December 2016 (Mexico built) - now has 18,7xx miles

finally did this today.
Followed the instructions on page 1 (my truck isn’t a DD and sat for about 5 days), truck took 9 minutes to find the “temp zone”.
I put in a quart as page 1 described.
My truck was right on the money.
Anywhos, I’m glad to know it’s proper. Took it for a test drive after for about 15-20 minutes and nothing has changed.

Also would like to note, the fluid color was still good

 

you can also just monitor the trans pan temp with a scan tool and bypass all this BS

 

It was 115-130F for the 2007 5 Speed Tundra I did this weekend. Used Techstream to monitor the temp until it was in the zone. Same procedure as Tacoma.

 

and how do you know,sir?

 

it's a little bit lower in the 3rd gen tacoma, but you can just check the temp. range in the service manual if you don't know the range already.

 

i'm just imagining you chasing a rattling noise coming from the frame rail

 

Well well. Did this check myself on my 2017 DCB 4x4 TRD Off Road when I got it new. Was low, about 1/2 qt. Took it to the dealer a few months ago for the 50K service, and we went over this issue. “don’t worry, we know about this”.

Scan Gauge showed high temps on way back from SoCal. Did check again - Surprise!! 1 QT low. Filled it back.

 

I've spent 2 hours reading though this thread and STILL am mystified about how to check the fluid level on a 2WD '22 V6 or 2WD '21 2.7. Here's my delimma:

1) On a factory new 2WD '22 V6 I leveled the truck on a 95 degree afternoon.
2) Since the fluid was already at 95 degrees I proceeded to shift slowly from P to R to
S and back again to P.
3) I then removed the 5 mm overflow plug AND NO FLUID CAME OUT !
4) I then let the engine idle and additional 20 minutes until the tranny fluid temp
was 150-160 degrees AND STILL NO FLUID CAME OUT !!!!!

5) Everyone here will now say my transmission was underfilled at the factory,
but the same exact "no fluid came out when the tranny was 150 degrees" problem
happened last year on a brand new 2WD '21 2.7 truck.

There is no way in hell the factory is still underfilling these trucks after 6-7
years of production. So what am I doing wrong ?? Or is everyone here that
is claiming these trucks are underfilled from the factory doing something wrong?

 

Oh, I am so spathic with your frustrations with these long Tacoma World threads.

My theory to your dilemma is as follows: Toyota found their original specifications for fluid fill levels in these transmissions were not necessary and reduced, per the Toyota bean counters request, to the fill levels they are putting in at the factory now. Toyota is hesitant to put out a bulletin addressing this difference because then they would be barraged by people claiming their transmissions were over filled. Toyota can't win. My bet is the lower fluid level is safe, otherwise Toyota would address the problem. I myself will fill to the levels as per the procedures as that is all I have to work with.

My waste of $fluid, not Toyota's.