3rd Gen Automatic Transmission Fluid Level Check DIY

You’re sassy. Must have gotten into a tussle with your wife’s boyfriend.

here’s the full explanation

https://youtu.be/qbCAEscrJ8E

 

Ping me when you dig 2016 and up procedure with tow package like this one for 2007 Tundra

 

This is a Tacoma forum. The tranny is new for the third gen FYI.

 

Stupid question, What happens if you add too much fluid? would side effects would you think you would have if you just dumped an additional half quart in?

 

That is a good question! I wish i could answer it.Maybe reach out to an actual service tech at Toyota see what they say. I would like to know!
Did you accidentally over fill?

 

I havent done anything yet. Im usualy VERY critical of all things and the little details bother me. Now that I have 2 kids and i am lucky to get 5 mins to myself I was wondering if added a little extra without checking actually matters. I know with engine oil over the high it can start to foam and that causes issues.

 

Overfilling would increase the overall pressure in the system and may lead to leaks or hydraulic pressure induced damage.

Degree of overfill matters. A few oz won’t matter. Half a qt seems on the high end. The good news is it’s easier to remove than to add so just do the level procedure and drain some excess or confirm the overfill.

 

Appreciate the time you put in to this. I did it today and I am satisfied with the results.

 

So my questions would be were you low or high to start? what changes did you feel before and after service? I ask this because i may want to do it aswell.

 

When I first did it I did not do it properly. I warmed it up too hot and thought I can check it while its warm. I was thinking domestically. But when I ran across this I thought I give it a try. After loosening the fluid level plug twice I estimated about a little less than a pint. So I put about that much back into it (another estimation) and proceeded to do it according to this post. I put 1 Qt. of tranny fluid in and followed the procedure. When I checked the amount of fluid that came out with a bucket and drained it back into an empty Trans quart container. A little over a pint measured in the container. Which would mean at my estimation I was probably about 1/2 pint low. Drove this week had no issues. I am comfortable with the outcome. I have 31K on the truck. When I bought it in 2016 a lot of people were posting low tranny fluid from the factory. But this appears to be normal level due to mileage.

 

I have a 2021. I couldn’t get it into temp check mode which I found interesting. Tried the Paperclip method and another method someone posted that worked for their 2020.
I ended up waiting 13 minutes which seemed to be at least the amount of time that it took people to get to temp. Using this method, I ended up getting back the quart I put in, so I'm not concerned i created any additional issues.

Anyone else gave issues with their 2021 and temp check mode? Regardless, I feel pretty comfortable about the result.

 

i've heard that the paperclip method doesn't work on 2020 and 2021s. I plan on just using an OBD reader to get the ATF pan temp.

 

I haven't done any of this and haven't checked it

 

For '20+, there is a manual method not requiring jumping the OBD. I think it's basically the same process, sans the jumper.

 

so i tried doing this today but i didn't realize how hard the fill hole was to access. Guess I need to lift it up the truck because there's no way i'm fitting under there comfortably. I'm looking at the correct hole right? on passengers side way up there.

i'm going to need a fluid pump to get it in there. i have the amsoil easy-fill pouches but there's no room to get it up there.

 

This is what I use. But the bigger version. Unfortunately it's not available on Amazon. Mine holds about a quart and a half. This probably hold a quarter of a quart.


WADEO Oil Fluid Extractor, Fluid Change Syringe 200cc for ATV's, Boats, Farm Equipment, Industrial Gear Boxes, Motor Vehicles, Oil Change Evacuation Pump

WADEO Oil Fluid Extractor, Fluid Change Syringe 200cc, Extraction&Fill Pump for ATV's, Boats, Farm Equipment, Industrial Gear Boxes, Motor Vehicles, Oil Change Evacuation Pump

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08M9X1TN2?_encoding=UTF8

 

I used the temperature from my scan gauge. Don’t know how precise it is but if I shoot for the middle of the temperature range I think I should be good.

 

Yep. That would be the one.

I used this pump. Worked well.

 

yea, but the fluid is meant to be checked under 113 degrees in which case the thermostat should not be open. so if you pin the thermostat, you may overfill the transmission. the service manual doesn't say anything about pinning the thermostat.

 

Do you mean P to R?

“Move the shifter from P to S, then back to P. Then move the shifter between N and D repeatedly for 6 seconds.”