3rd Gen Automatic Transmission Fluid Level Check DIY

Is there something better about not having a dipstick that I'm not seeing??? All the manufacturers seem to be going that way. It seem like it makes it harder on the DIY guy and the shops.

 

These newer transmissions are under slight pressure and from what I understand will pop a conventional dipstick out as well as some fluid

 

In theory a dipstick isn’t needed if the transmission is properly filled from the factory and there are no leaks.

trannies don’t burn oil like an engine so you don’t need to routinely check it. You fill it once and don’t even think about it until 60k or so miles when you replace the fluid... that’s the idea.

 

First off @rowsdower thank you for the in-depth walk through. Y’all take it easy on me because this is my first ever attempt to do anything with transmission fluid in any of my vehicles, and I was rather hesitant and a bit anxious. However after reading the about the numerous drivers with Mexico built tacos having low fluid, I had to do this for peace of mind. Glad I did, though, bc it looks as if I was about 1/3 to 1/4 quart low.
I just did mine earlier today. Being a little unsure of just how much of a “trickle” I should’ve been waiting for, I am concerned I may have capped off my drain a little early. As you explained in the walk thru, it gushed out initially but slowed to a very thin and slower stream, which is when I capped it off. Should I have waited until there it was just barely dripping out the overflow? I’m worried I may not have drained out enough and don’t want to damage my tranny with too much fluid. I ordered an extra crush washer in case I needed to go back and drain a little more out.
Thanks for any guidance provided.

 

Not to start anything but, what is a good ATF fluid to use if the dealer does not sell the Toyota branded fluid? I checked the dealer for it and was told that they did not have it in stock at the time. Any recommendations?

 

followed the guide and things went rather smoothly! thanks for the write up, apparently i've been about 500 ml-750 ml low for some time now. but adding in what should have be there hasn't changed driving performance, which is a good sign

i did a dump and fill at first and was trying to explain to my dad the procedure on how to change the fluid (this guide) so after showing him the guide itself he realized shit's not the same as his GMC savana from nearly 20 years ago
Did the rest of the guide and when i got the truck into temp mode and checked the overflow, nothing came rushing out.
stopped the truck, rinse and repeat but put in another liter of fluid and what poured out is what poured out>

Thanks again for the write up!

Yeah i too capped it off at about the same point as you, looking into the hole from where it was pouring out, i seemed to have been just running along the threads, but it was at a trickle/ steady thin stream coming out

I picked up a few bottles without issue yesterday, i don't see why a dealer wouldn't sell it or wouldn't have any in stock... i'd just call ahead to another dealer and so on.


but brand wise, as our user manual states; it recommends the ATF WS stuff


but power steering fluid brings up "Automatic Transmission Fluid DEXRON 2 or 3"



If i were you, i'd keep looking to find something more concrete than this, but i doubt any dealership wont have anything, the ATF fluid is pretty cheap. but if you had to get something, i think that's your best bet for now

 

I started down the same road when I first began considering doing this job. After not really finding a definitive answer, I just decided to use the link the OP gave to Amazon for 4 bottles of the Toyota brand fluid. Took a little less than a week to arrive, and it’s exactly what the manual specifies.

 

WS fluid is a low viscosity it's not anything special exactly it's made by Mobil .... Lots of brands that meet the spec
This will get lots of different opinions going
Have been running the Orielly global since the fluid check ( witch I did 3 times to make certain ) no issues with it

 

@rowsdower thank you for creating this thread! It was a huge help when I unexpectedly needed to replace transmission fluid.

Apologies if already mentioned in the prior pages but FWIW I found this funnel setup worked well -- had to use a longer piece of 1/2ID vinyl tubing than came with it though, but that was cheap enough. OReilly had it in the store, also on Amazon I believe.

https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/...704/4379836/2017/toyota/tacoma?q=funnel&pos=4

 

Yikes. Does anyone know how to jump the OBDII ports for a 2020? I have a new 2020 and want to try this but this ATF level check protocol is not going to work if I can't jump it. I could use my temp gun on the ATF pan (~104degrees) but would really prefer to jump the OBDII port.

 

I ended up using a combination of my Android Torque app and temp gun to do mine. I found the non-custom PID in Torque to follow very closely with the water temp, so it was well over 113° while the pan was cold to the touch. The line and valve for the transmission cooler seemed to be a better place to check with the gun. Using that I went to about 110°, probably not perfect, but it's what I had to work with.

I've since picked up a scangauge and programmed it with the converter and pan temps, so that is an option for the 2020s.

 

Which is which? Is TF1 pan or TC?

 

If u ever get to a point and can't remember, if u look at the data the converter will be the one that changes temp more quickly. I know that doesn't help u now though.

 

Under the Usage Notes for TC1 It says "Pan Temperature", likewise TC2 says "Torque Converter Temperature". I labeled mine "TFP" and "TFC". I believe there is already a preloaded TFC, but it didn't complain about the duplicate.

 

Got a ScanGauageII coming in the mail. There is a comment in the FSM that the truck needs to be level within +- 1 degree while on lift. So I wonder if lots of folks have been doing this, parked on a level surface, with all the rake that OEM suspension has? That rake might account for lots of people find their truck a 1/2qt low? I think I will place bubble level on my running step which seems to run parallel to the frame body. Will jack up the front an inch or two if needed to get the truck level.

 

I definitely leveled my truck.

 

I went full OCD one time I checked it with a level in the bed

I am almost to 15k going to do a drain and fill and measure the amount as well as weighing it on a digital scale
Then again at 30k and see what the numbers are
Then if a few more members post it up we can get a really good idea

My best guess is 3.5 drain and fill

 

The FSM is definitely thorough. When adjusting the headlights, they want a full tank of gas, driver in vehicle, bounce the suspension etc. Pretty cool that it's that well thought out.

 

Reasonable thought.

FWIW - a 1 degree angle across 127" (shorter of the wheelbases) is 2.2" - seems that's a pretty substantial Bro Lean...

 

Question on temperature and expansion. I want to do this procedure after I drive home one evening. I checked last night and the fluid temp was 180+- when I got home, according to my OBDLINK readout. If I let it set until it drops to within the temp range, then could I add fluid until it starts coming out the overflow? In other words instead of starting below the minimum temp, if I start in the range then it seems the existing fluid would already be expanded, if that makes any sense.