Tranny fluid check takes hours?

I went into the dealership yesterday and asked them to check the auto tranny fluid because I was experiencing some "clunking" when shifting. They said I would have to leave it for a couple of days because checking the transmission fluid levels "Takes several hours".

Does that sound right to you? I want to check with the real experts before crying BS!

 

They have to let the fluid cool like overnight and check it first thing in the morning cause they can't check it when its hot!

 

If you didn't make an appointment with the dealer, you're probably waiting in line. I made an appointment with my dealer for my 5k mile service and they were done in less than an hour... A couple days sounds ludicrous...

 

No, I had an appointment, but they said they didn't realize I wanted a tranny oil check.

 

Sounds like they maybe don't wanna do it.

 

if you take it fist thing in the morning they will beable to check fluid level by end of day if the ambient temp is reasonable

 

Yeah, I'm pretty sure they don't! When I asked about the U-joint lube he tried to tell me that they don't have grease zerks on them any more. I honestly haven't looked, but from the posts here it seems that they do.

 

The fluid has to be in a certain temperature range. On my old Tundra it was between 115-133. So it may have to cool down a little which could take a couple hours depending on how hot it is.

 

It's hot in Texas this time of year, so I may have to leave it over night like they said based on your and moe2o4's posts.

 

This. Tranny fluid expands like nuts when hot. They have to let it get down to about 114F before they can check the level. This can take several hours if your fluid is up to operating temperature.

 

i believe the inspection temp (fluid temp) needs to be 108 or below

 

This.

They should have just rescheduled you for a drop off prior to closing, an early AM diagnosics/service, and a mid morning to noon pickup.

Simple, if someone you are dealing with will just think a little.

 

When the dealer's tech checked mine he asked that I leave my truck overnight...it was 1 qt. low and the ECU was reset (3K miles). Learned about this issue as well as the protruding rear door seals on TW. Both were corrected without a hassle from the dealership and so far...so good (6K miles).

 

Posted 6,427,822 times already. Fluid has to cool and be brought back up to temp to check it properly.

Searching is the shiznitter. You can learn so much.

 

An independent shop did a drain and fill on mine in an hour and a half. It shifts great. If they would put a dipstick back in these trucks it could eliminate a lot of grief on checks.

 

Nope. Everyone would be checking the fluid at different temps and then panicking when they thought they found it was over filled or under filled. We'd probably get even more useless transmission threads than we are now, if that's possible.

 

That is an excellent point.

 

I never had a problem checking the fluid on my '95 4Runner, or any other auto with a dipstick. I just followed the manuals instructions and always checked it at operating temp. I did add fluid sparingly though, then checked it again later.

 

Yes, but not everyone is as sensible or logical as you. People would just be checking it and not referring to the manual.

 

Disagree. Many folks are reluctant to open the hood and check it at all. Even if it's shifting funny and they read about it here. They'll just take it to the dealer anyway. Not that there is anything wrong with that.

But it would make the turnaround time faster for the owner, and make the mechanic's life simpler.

And for those of us who are reasonable DIY'rs, and have been using dipsticks correctly all of our driving lives, we can at least keep an eye on things. Some of us tend to hold on to vehicles past warranty. Or buy them after it's already gone.

I'm grateful my little 4 banger has a dipstick equipped trans.

#dipsticksmatter