3rd Gen Automatic Transmission Fluid Level Check DIY

Yes. If you get the tranny temp on it. I like using the method used in the videos as it leaves no guesswork. When the “D” light reappears, it’s time to adjust the level. The non-techsteam method seems more complex than it really is. Once you’ve done it a couple times it’s not so scary.

 

Yep...
Temp check mode puts the engine in a certain idle mode...
The Techstream method puts it in temp check mode as well... Why not just instruct the Techstream user to monitor the temp sensor if it didn't matter.
As you said, eliminate the guess work.

 

I’ll be checking the level soon then. Thanks

 

So, if i have a scan guage with Trans oil temp on it.... do i have to put the truck into 'check mode', or can i skip that step and just watch for the AT oil temp to get between 95-113? Also, is it the trans oil pan temp or torque converter temp that one should watch? thanks -

 

ya you can just use the scan gauge, and I tend to wait for both temps to be in the range, but pan temp is the one you want.

 

thank you -

 

I just did this whole thing and according to the work my transmission was almost 1 quart low. To be honest I think I did something wrong because I find it hard to believe it was that low. I didn’t have any shifting issues previously

 

If you use Toyota's check mode, it only changes engine speed when the trans temp is in the correct range. You just hang out under the truck and wait, no need to watch anything, just listen for the rpm change.

 

I would imagine that it also opens the thermostat for trucks with them

 

Do we need to do any of this song and dance if we just drain the pan and refill until it drips from the overflow port? All the guides I've watched make it seem that easy, then you start 'er up, shift through PRNDS, and test drive.

 

I don’t think so. I don’t think there’s an electronicals going to the tstat.

 

Yes. Imo

 

Just did a test run of this method to make sure I know what I'm doing tomorrow. Going to clean the pan and replace the filter in the morning.

Great write up! Thanks so much. It was so much easier than I thought at first.

I used a stopwatch to see how much time I had between the solid D and the flashing D and I came up with about 11 minutes. Truck had not been driven all day but I'm in the southwest and it was about 95F
and sunny.


Edit to add: dropped the pan, replaced filter and gasket, cleaned everything out and put about 5 QTS back in before I did this fluid check method today.
So glad I did! Wish it was a bit earlier (I'm at 96k miles right now) because there was a lot of metal sludge on those magnets. But- hot damn! She shifts so much smoother now. Feels good man

 

I need to do this.

 

I tried doing this today but I’m getting a slightly different outcome. When I perform the shifting sequence, the D either starts blinking (atf too hot) or stays solid (correct temp). There was no heating up period between the two.
Is this happening because I’m f-ing up or because the ambient temp was 95f when I performed it??

 

Probably that.

 

Toyota, just put a damn dipstick on the transmission and cut out all the needless BS!

 

Do it in the morning. It takes hours to cool the fluid down.
Or use OBD apps to check the actual temp.

 

Exaclty what happened with me earlier today!

 

Overflow transmission fluid level checks piss me off.
Toyota says that's normal.