3rd Gen Automatic Transmission Fluid Level Check DIY

so whats the news?

 

No noticeable difference after the light top off. Traded into a 6MT soon after.

 

Help: How would you fully drain the pan?

 

There's a drain plug in addition to the overflow plug.

 

For those with a copy of TS or scangauge what is the temp readout we are looking for on a 2017 Tacoma?

 

I get 186* tf1
190 tf2 after driving for an hour with a decent amount of shifting

 

Tf2 isnt something I care too much about considering it is the TC outlet. But pan temp stays 186-190 under decent load or with my small 5x8

 

...^^^... Nice write up ... I wanted to copy and save this entire file ...

 

I just bought an '18 TRD OR 4x4 and I'd like to check my AT fluid for peace of mind as well. When the engine is up to temp and you crawl under the truck to remove the overfill plug, what am I looking for? Am I waiting for all of the fluid to come out before I put the plug back in? Am I waiting for it to trickle, as in a drip drip drip, or a small steady stream?

 

You really only need to pull it for a few seconds. If there isn't fluid gushing out, then you're all set.

 

Thanks! Now what if it is gushing when I remove the overfill plug? Would I need to let all of the fluid drain out before I put the plug back in? I'm just trying to figure out when to put the plug back in, when it's still gushing or when it's stopped gushing.

 

When it slows to a trickle, put the plug back in. Not when it's gushing out. It's never going to stop dripping out because the fluid level is going to be at just the same level as the top of the overflow tube, and the truck will be running so the fluid will be moving around making waves. You'll know when it's time to put the plug back in. Don't overthink it.

 

Thanks! I think I'll check it this weekend!

 

Great write up!

 

Excellent write up!
Best I’ve seen on the subject, better than the TOYOTA fsm. In fact, TOYOTA ought to use it as a field service guide.
Post like this are what makes TW shine, with no bashing on TOYOTA or WS ATF.

Sticky please?

Now if only post #1 could be in a pfd file format, it would be the icing on the cake.





Cheers!

 

Looking over the Toyota service manual for the procedure and they mention nothing about pinning the thermostat for those of us with a tow package. I am going to follow your procedure today, but wondering why Toyota doesn’t pin it.

It also appears they mention to fill until fluid comes out of the overflow plug to begin with.

 

I think pinning the thermostat just ensures that the circuit is full of fluid. If one never got it above the opening temp, you'd be a little short once it opens and fills. If checking on a warm day, it might still be beneficial to slow the warm up a little and give you time to check without exceeding the temp limit.

 

I just followed the instructions here and my truck was 1/2 quart low. Glad I did it.

Thanks OP.

 

Just did this to my truck. Trying to eliminate rough downshifting in stop and go traffic and some piece of mind. I was 1/3 to 1/4 quart low. Doubt that will affect much.

 

Here is how I did it on my last Tacoma, a 4x4 06 Sport. This is the shortened version, because at the time, I was changing the fluid and screen also, so leaving that part out. Found out what Toyota recommended for fluid temp to check the level, I think it was around 96 to 116 or somewhere around that. whoever uses this technique would want to find the Toyota temp spec. I drove my truck around the block to warm it up a bit, but not too much. Used an inexpensive handheld IR temp gun and shot it at the pan and it read 100. Pulled check bolt and fluid that came out was 105 so diff in temp was 5 degrees. So for my future checks, I know the pan is 5 degrees cooler than the fluid. After using this technique for my trans fluid change, I found the new amount I added back in, was exactly the same amount added by the folks who did the Toyota technique of using the diagnostic port or a handheld scanner. I will be using this method on my current truck, but will be pressing in the thermostat also. If it truly matters.