3rd Gen Automatic Transmission Fluid Level Check DIY

I have drained and filled mine 2 times now and both times it took 3qt 12oz. I have 60 thousand miles 2016 sr5 2wd

 

Just so this is clear in my mind. I threw together a quick drawing to show how I think the overflow works. Someone correct me if I am wrong.

 

You are correct.

 

I will be using a Bluetooth ODBII adapter and the Torque Pro app to read the transmission temp instead of jumping the ODBII jack.

What is the correct fluid temperature in Fahrenheit to properly check levels?

 

The temperature of the ATF should be around 100 degrees F.
Per Toyota - The range is 95 degrees F but no greater than 113 degrees F.

 

From all the posts and videos I have found, it appears the best temperature on the Scan Gauge for our 2016 and above trucks is 104F to drain the excess fluid.
Seems right since 104F is the middle of the 95-113F range.

 

Just checked mine, 10K miles. I have a Scanguage so it was pretty easy. Used a garden sprayer with a clear tube on the filling line to add the quart. I was 6 ounces low, so close enough but at least I know for sure it's good. Thanks for the write up and tips.

 

Thanks for the write up. Checked mine today and transmission was perfectly full (literally within a few millilitres) from the factory.

-2017 model
-Texas built in December 2016
-Canadian export DCSB TRD OR 4WD

Important note:

Truck sat parked for two days in 14 Celsius (57F) weather before the check. Took 17 minutes to reach temperature.

Procedure worked great. Thanks for your efforts to supply us with such a great guide!

 

My new 19 4x4 2.7 Auto does have some funny cold transmission shifting characteristics...... guessing this should be done..... is there a video of this by chance? Definitely a great write up I just learn more from a vid so I am hoping.....

 

There is a few videos
Faye Hadley has a good one on you tube it's for a pre 2016 but basically almost the same
And my 2.7 4x4 did get somewhat better as the transmission " learned " how my wife drove it .....
Personally when I do drive this truck I use sport 4 in town and sport 5 when speeds are 55 to 65 and then finally sport 6 when on the highway

And there are better quality fluids than the Toyota WS witch is made by Mobil

 

I have and will be using torque pro as well.....and coincidentally also using a Bluetooth odbII connector.....

....also I presume by Sport 4 or sport 5 that you pu it in sport mod3 and manually select 4 or 5 or 6, correct?

thanks for the reply/ info.

 

Yes sir it usually goes directly into sport 4 when you shift into sport mode this basically won't allow it to shift beyond that gear and you bump it up or down manually with the shift handle
There are a few devices on this forum that change the shift patterns that plug into the ODB I am still on the fence about getting one
Some owners are still waiting on the OV tune company to " crack " the Toyota software for the 2.7 ..... There is a version for the V6 but nothing yet by them for the 2.7

 

Thank you Sir, and please don't call me Sir. Great screen name. Def good for a chuckle.

 

I could be wrong but I think this is the one you are talking about.... It starts at about 10:00 min into the video....

https://youtu.be/ej_6BZpK3gg?t=10m2s

 

I dont think the 2.7 will be cracked any time soon. Engine has been out forever.

 

So I did this (checked the atf level) this morning and here's what happened for me....

--used the jumper wire method and the part "move the shifter between N and D repeatedly for 6 seconds and D will be displayed for 2 full seconds, then it will disappear" you really have to pay attention and it seemed like those 6 seconds went quick (or I am slow ) and a little confusing for me as I was switching between D/N...... just mentioning if for the next guy.

--removing the fill port plug is easy enough but some those heat sheilds are a little sharp... couple "paper cuts" but nothing that required stitches....

--I did not see a transmission thermostat

--ambient temp this morn was 54 and it took almost exactly 30 mins at idle to get up to temp (97 degress?) and the D to appear

--i know is says don't dilly dally once that D appears and it's up to temp but really theres quite a bit of time (10 mins id say at least) before theres even a chance it gets above temp but that just my 2c worth and obviously the ambient temp was low for me.

--mine was only maybe 4 oz's shy of full and frankly that might have been what was left in the quart at the bottom and what was left in the collection pan.

--i guess my auto transmission is just a little "clunky" cold.... but is very smooth once it warms up.

--Here's where the fill port (24mm) is on a 19 SR 2.7L 4x4

 

Having a hard time believing Toyota would still be underfilling these transmissions 4 model years later. They are filled with very precise machines that meter fluid based on weight.

Has anyone actually drained the fluid and measured what came out? I'm curious if the volume of actual fluid drained would better match what the spec is, rather than using the overflow pipe as reference of "full".

Based on my thinking, the overflow pipe should mark the highest acceptable level, but there's usually a range of acceptable fluid levels, and for most cars the difference between high and low is about 0.5 quarts. So I'm wondering if when people say they are "1/2 qt low" they really mean that the fluid is at the lowest acceptable level, or if its 1/2 BELOW the lowest acceptable level.

 

After checking mine 3 times to make certain it was "full" due to ambient temps on the first two checks I feel confident it is at the acceptable level

At 10k I am going to do a drain and fill and measure the exact amount and re fill with that amount each time

On a earlier post a member stated his took just under 3.5 quarts on a 2wheel

When I do the drain I will post my ambient temp at drain and the amount

BTW I used Orielly global ATF and had no noticable effects so far the color and visual viscosity was very slightly different than the Toyota WS

 

You would think they would have that dialed in (fill amount) but some things in life still surprise me....
it's a new vehicle I "HAD TO" check as I want to drive this Taco until the wheels fall off.....
I totally agree with your comment on the fill amount and wondered that same thing.

 

I would bet the vast, vast majority of these transmissions are actually filled properly (within the normal range of acceptability), and that many are being checked incorrectly, perhaps even at the dealers. I don't quite trust the current "fill it till it comes out of the overflow" method of checking, and I also don't believe that Toyota, one of the largest automakers in the world with arguably the best quality control processes in the world, has machines that can't figure out how to meter the correct amount of fluid into a transmission....