Transmission Fluid Level

So I remember reading that some of the 16's came out of the factory with low tranny fluid. Went to check my 17' today and thought I was crazy when I couldn't find the tranny dipstick, just to research on here and find out there isn't one? Unreal.....Also couldn't find anything in the manual on tranny, transfer case, or diff maintenance intervals. Guess my question is has anyone had low tranny fluid issues on their 17's and what schedule does this group recommend for maintenance? Still shocked there's no dipstick!

 

Supposedly it's a "sealed lifetime" trans and doesn't "need" service. I'm gonna do a dump and fill every 20K or so.

 

yup its an enclosed system. I had the dealer check the Trans fluid on my 17 and after the second time I asked for a physical check not using techstream they told me it was low and they topped it off. No clue about intervals on fluid changes though.

 

The majority of new Autos are sealed, no-dipstick type affairs. It’s not just Toyota doing this. Most new pickup trucks, of any size or make, lack a tranny dipstick these days. I don’t know the reason, but I’d be interested to find out.

It’s strange that we all expect a tranny dipstick for an Auto, but ironically no one ever looks for the tranny dipstick on a manual.

 

Thanks guys... so does anyone know how to check the fluid level without a dipstick? I'm guessing it's going to be a pain but would rather do it myself as I've yet to find a dealer I actually trust.

 

The reason is, that with a sealed system, two things happen:
1. Higher case pressures can happen which will push fluid into all parts of the transmission. This will improve lubrication.
2. No stick means no weekend warrior seventeen beers into a case can mess it up in his driveway on a Sunday afternoon.

Truthfully though the amount of people that even do their own engine oil changes has dropped to below 5%. Regular consumers just don't do maintenance anymore. They are not going to change stuff for the few who do, instead they are going to make it as bomb proof as possible and protect their warranty investment, even their extended warranty to 100K.

 

1..... not true. There is a breather to allow for expansion and contraction of the fluid.

 

Yes, there is a breather but it is above atmospheric pressure. I do not know the exact value. I can ask.

 

It's not much if that's true, when I fill my transmission pan though the cooler hoses I can easily push air through the lines and hear it escaping through the breather using a small hand pump.

 

It only has to be a small number above atmospheric to allow thermal expansion to push fluid throughout the system. To fully contain a pressurized system requires an accumulator.