HELP Accidentally drained trans fluid? ?

If you are 100% sure that you captured and measured how much ATF poured out, you can add that same amount back and it will be safe. You should get a new crush washer (Drain plug gasket - Toyota part # 35178-30010). I would also use OEM Toyoata WS ATF fluid (

$58 Toyota 00289-ATFWS Lexus & Automatic Transmission Fluid WS ATF World Standard, Pack of 4

https://www.amazon.com/Genuine-Toyota-Automatic-Transmission-Standard/dp/B00CTUSEMU). You can get the washer and fluid from your local dealer. It is worth mentioning that people have found there ATF under filled from the factory and so there is a procedure to check this:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/how-to-drain-refill-automatic-transmission.63851/


Might be worth doing? BTW, I just checked my 2020 TRD OR and it was only a 1/3qt low, so essentially fine but at least I know I have the correct amount now.

 

This fill plug photo is for manual transmission, the auto transmission fill plug is harder to see but next to the green wire.

 

Correct?

 

Bullseye!

 

Another view

 

Nope, that's a 2WD AT. It's clearly stamped AC60E (4WD AT is AC60F) right there on the body.

 

Yep. Stamped WS for the WS trans fluid.

 

Refill with fresh fluid and drive on Consider it an early 50k service for your trans. Mark it in your log to repeat at 100k

 

En route to dealership to pick up new oem fluid and crushwasher.


Thanks for the help everyone

 

Lol I remember doing that on my first gen... It was 2am in my defense. I would just refill it. No need to go to the dealer to have it flushed

 

@Dragonaut If you have the Tow package you do not have to remove the WS plug to replace the fluid. Just remove the top hose (where it comes out of the radiator) to the tow package aft cooler. The AFT fluid comes out of the tow package cooler and returns to the transmission though this line. Just pump the fluid into the aluminum return line (hand pump) - replace the line and clamp. Done. Some fluid will come out of the line left attached to the tow package cooler hose that is left attached to it - just put a cup under it and catch it - usually less than a tea spoon full - or just plug the line when you pull it. Do all of this with the vehicle off.

 

It is a very simple drain and refill in fact there's a readily available pump adapter now that makes it so you don't even have to take off the fill plug. If you tow a trailer I would strongly recommend you make this a regular part of your repertoire. The adapter goes on the fluid check port there is a sleeve inside. They are done exactly like changing the gear fluid in an outboard motor. Pump in approximately whatever came out, Remove the adapter, Let the access spill out until it stops. If nothing spills out, few more pumps.

 

Doesn't the fluid level need to be checked differently though?

 

Appr

Sounds like a great tool, I just picked up a simple hand pump that threads on to quart containers at auto zone but will look into that for the future

note: this truck not equipped with tow package

 

Installed drain plug with new crushwasher, moving on to refill phase.

After the drained trans fluid sat undisturbed in the container i drained it into is now showing only 2 qrts exactly on level ground. So I will pump in two qrts and give it some time to work its way in and then start the truck?

What is the margin of error with this refill ie if its off +/- by half qrt. somehow can i cause irreparable damage?

 

So who's opinion is correct?

 

Based on my experience with my own truck, a drain and fill takes ~3 qts. If you only drained out 2, then yours may have been low from the factory, as many of the 16-17 MY Tacomas had this problem (mine was .75 qt low from the factory). If I were you I'd put 2.5 qts in. Actually, if I were you I'd put 3 qts in and then follow the procedure linked earlier to do an accurate level check. It's not nearly as complicated as it might seem. It does require that you have a 5MM Allen key or socket to R&R the check plug, however. If you don't feel like this is something you can do, then fill it with 2.5 qts and call it a day.

 

Recommended to do the proper ATF temp check procedure if you can spare the time, but if not, it takes ball park around 14 minutes of idle (cold start) for the ATF to reach the correct temp for checking. Be sure to cycle between N and D five or six times to get the fluid circulated.

 

First quart pumped back in successfully

 

Don’t sweat it, we all make mistakes, even the keyboard tough-guys who are giving you grief. Look at this as an excuse to do a diy flush or a simple drain and fill. There are numerous posts on this forum that give detailed step by step procedures. A few searches and you’ll be good to go. Good luck!