How to check Toyota transmission fluid (?)
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I have a 04 Camry with the V6 and U151 5 speed AT. The OEM shop manual says to check fluid level when up to operating temp, which they seem to say is 176F. Park on level surface, pull the selector through all the gears and finally to Park. SET the parking brake and check fluid level with engine RUNNING. Should be near the upper notches on the dip stick. I've had my vehicle over twelve years and checking the AT fluid level is still somewhat of a ????????.Your AT fluid level check should be the same, but I would do some further searching. Regards
On the 05 Matrix with 1.8 and the Aisin transmission the dipstick has both hot and cold hash marks to check the level. It seems like they come from the factory on the high mark. I check it not running and cold. I check the oil level and other fluid levels at the same time.
Originally Posted By: Samzone
Thanks for that info. Almost moved to Columbus one time for a job with the power district, didn't happen but I like the place.
Nebraska Public Power District has their headquarters here. Loup Power District and Cornhusker Public Power District are also here.Black Energy also has an office here. I retired from Tri-State G&T, which is headquartered in Westminster, Colorado. We supplied power to six public power districts in western Nebraska.Also worked for Arizona Public Service at Four Corners and Grand Island(Nebraska) Utilities Department.
Thanks for that info. Almost moved to Columbus one time for a job with the power district, didn't happen but I like the place.
Nebraska Public Power District has their headquarters here. Loup Power District and Cornhusker Public Power District are also here.Black Energy also has an office here. I retired from Tri-State G&T, which is headquartered in Westminster, Colorado. We supplied power to six public power districts in western Nebraska.Also worked for Arizona Public Service at Four Corners and Grand Island(Nebraska) Utilities Department.
Originally Posted By: Samzone
I have a 2006 Highlander base 2.4 with Aisin transmission. What is the best way to check the fluid? (hot/cold, running/not running?) The manual is silent on this, and I'm new to Toyota.
Is there a dipstick? My '05 MINI with the Aisin auto didn't have one. Just a standpipe in the drain pan to check when warm, not hot or cold.
Find out which tranny you have and visit the Toyota forums.
I have a 2006 Highlander base 2.4 with Aisin transmission. What is the best way to check the fluid? (hot/cold, running/not running?) The manual is silent on this, and I'm new to Toyota.
Is there a dipstick? My '05 MINI with the Aisin auto didn't have one. Just a standpipe in the drain pan to check when warm, not hot or cold.
Find out which tranny you have and visit the Toyota forums.
All Toyotas are checked with engine ON and in D.
The level should be in the bottom of the marker and not on the top, if its filled to the higher side, you will experience bucking on incline.
Good luck
The level should be in the bottom of the marker and not on the top, if its filled to the higher side, you will experience bucking on incline.
Good luck
I drained the transmission, got 3 quarts out, put 3 quarts in. I checked the dipstick with the engine hot and running. There are two sets of hash marks on the dipstick, and my level is just above the top mark of the lower set of marks. So I have questions: Why are there two sets of marks? Hot and Cold maybe? If that was the case, I would expect to be in the range of the upper set of marks, not the lower set, when the engine is hot. Any thoughts would be appreciated. The question I need to answer is: Should I add more fluid to bring the level into the range of the upper set of marks.
Fluid level checking in cold engine will result in accurate level. Once the ATF expands all bets are off and always be at the low side of the marker.
When I check cold with engine off, the level is a little above the full mark on the top set of marks. The top range is marked "Hot" and the bottom range marked "Cold". That makes sense, since hot fluid expands, but why is it when I check hot the level is in the cold range of the stick, and when I check cold the level is in the hot range? Is it because the level drops when the engine is running because fluid is circulating?
Check ATF with the engine running, transmission in park. The level does change when fluid is circulating, and the dipstick is calibrated to account for that.
"Hot" means 158-176 F, or 15 minutes of driving in at least warmish weather. (I'm taking this from the manual for a Vibe, which is a Toyota Matrix in Pontiac clothing.)
Basically, if you start the engine and check fluid first thing in the morning, fluid level should be in the "Cold" range. When the trans is up to temperature, fluid should be in the "Hot" range, engine running.
Remember that transmission fluid takes longer to heat up than engine coolant--the trans may not be fully up to temp just because the engine is.
As long as your cold reading is correct, you can start experimenting with hot readings after trips of different duration and types of driving. My manual says to wait 30 minutes to check if you have been driving in heavy traffic in hot weather or at high speed for quite a while. I imagine that means the reading could be above "Hot" if checked right after stopping in those cases.
"Hot" means 158-176 F, or 15 minutes of driving in at least warmish weather. (I'm taking this from the manual for a Vibe, which is a Toyota Matrix in Pontiac clothing.)
Basically, if you start the engine and check fluid first thing in the morning, fluid level should be in the "Cold" range. When the trans is up to temperature, fluid should be in the "Hot" range, engine running.
Remember that transmission fluid takes longer to heat up than engine coolant--the trans may not be fully up to temp just because the engine is.
As long as your cold reading is correct, you can start experimenting with hot readings after trips of different duration and types of driving. My manual says to wait 30 minutes to check if you have been driving in heavy traffic in hot weather or at high speed for quite a while. I imagine that means the reading could be above "Hot" if checked right after stopping in those cases.
I usually add trans fluid about 4-8 oz at a time. A half quart all at once could overfill it.
I always tended to overfill a little on Hondas to be safe, never had a problem. Several mechanics, including a top tranny specialist, has told me that it won't hurt a thing, worst case scenario is overflow mess out of the vent (which never happened to me as far as I know). Are Toyota/Aisin trannies sensitive to overfilling?
Originally Posted By: Samzone
I always tended to overfill a little on Hondas to be safe, never had a problem. Several mechanics, including a top tranny specialist, has told me that it won't hurt a thing, worst case scenario is overflow mess out of the vent (which never happened to me as far as I know). Are Toyota/Aisin trannies sensitive to overfilling?
I can't answer that, since I have never overfilled mine. Maybe somebody else has more experience with the specific trans.
I always tended to overfill a little on Hondas to be safe, never had a problem. Several mechanics, including a top tranny specialist, has told me that it won't hurt a thing, worst case scenario is overflow mess out of the vent (which never happened to me as far as I know). Are Toyota/Aisin trannies sensitive to overfilling?
I can't answer that, since I have never overfilled mine. Maybe somebody else has more experience with the specific trans.
Originally Posted By: Rhymingmechanic
Originally Posted By: Samzone
I always tended to overfill a little on Hondas to be safe, never had a problem. Several mechanics, including a top tranny specialist, has told me that it won't hurt a thing, worst case scenario is overflow mess out of the vent (which never happened to me as far as I know). Are Toyota/Aisin trannies sensitive to overfilling?
I can't answer that, since I have never overfilled mine. Maybe somebody else has more experience with the specific trans.
well, i was warned about the fluid level in my sealed 6speed in my rx. supposedly it is very sensitive to fluid level. i sure wish it had a dipstick. if i had known about this thing being a sealed trans.prior to purchasing, i dont know if i would have bought it. thats how strongly i feel about it
Originally Posted By: Samzone
I always tended to overfill a little on Hondas to be safe, never had a problem. Several mechanics, including a top tranny specialist, has told me that it won't hurt a thing, worst case scenario is overflow mess out of the vent (which never happened to me as far as I know). Are Toyota/Aisin trannies sensitive to overfilling?
I can't answer that, since I have never overfilled mine. Maybe somebody else has more experience with the specific trans.
well, i was warned about the fluid level in my sealed 6speed in my rx. supposedly it is very sensitive to fluid level. i sure wish it had a dipstick. if i had known about this thing being a sealed trans.prior to purchasing, i dont know if i would have bought it. thats how strongly i feel about it
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Originally Posted By: lexus114
well, i was warned about the fluid level in my sealed 6speed in my rx. supposedly it is very sensitive to fluid level. i sure wish it had a dipstick. if i had known about this thing being a sealed trans.prior to purchasing, i dont know if i would have bought it. thats how strongly i feel about it
Well this past weekend I flushed the transmission via the return line and everything came out great. Used RL D6 and return line flush, the line that is higher than the lower one on the transmission. I filled, daughter held the clear jug with tube connected to the radiator, wife started and walked through the gear. The most fluid comes out in P, the least comes out in R. Done and don't have to think about it for another 60K, my car had 50K on the odometer.
No change in drive and tranny shift feel whatsoever. The capacity of the unit is 7.8L, I flushed 8Q though the system.
well, i was warned about the fluid level in my sealed 6speed in my rx. supposedly it is very sensitive to fluid level. i sure wish it had a dipstick. if i had known about this thing being a sealed trans.prior to purchasing, i dont know if i would have bought it. thats how strongly i feel about it
Well this past weekend I flushed the transmission via the return line and everything came out great. Used RL D6 and return line flush, the line that is higher than the lower one on the transmission. I filled, daughter held the clear jug with tube connected to the radiator, wife started and walked through the gear. The most fluid comes out in P, the least comes out in R. Done and don't have to think about it for another 60K, my car had 50K on the odometer.
No change in drive and tranny shift feel whatsoever. The capacity of the unit is 7.8L, I flushed 8Q though the system.
I flush all of my Toyotas at 50-60,000 miles with WS ATF from the dealer ($7/qt). I use 12 quarts...then over fill 1/2 quart and get the fluid to 114F and use the pan drain tube to get the level right while the engine is on and in P.
I have done 3 cars that way and no adverse effects.
I have done 3 cars that way and no adverse effects.
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