RAV-4 ATF Checking Procedure?

[srivett]

My parents have a 1997 RAV-4, 2wd, automatic. The transmission dipstick calls for DEX II while the Power Steering calls for DEX II or III! I think it's bizarre that the ATF isn't be spec'd for DEX III but whatever...that's what I put in. My problem is that the manual doesn't say if the RAV should be running or not when checking the fluid. They totally avoid this topic in the manual and I didn't realize it until after dumping the fluid.

I mean really...they even show how to use the dipstick for the windshield washer fluid!

Sould the RAV be running or not?

Thanks, Steve

 

[CharBaby]

Steve,

Typicaly the auto trans need to be warm and engine running in order to check the ATF. There are only a few cars that I know of that are checked differently. Drive your RAV4 for at least 20 minutes and then check the fluid volume on level ground. The volume should read near the FULL HOT mark on the dip stick. A tad over or under means little as long at it's not grossly over or under.

 

[srivett]

I agree that it's normal to check with the engine hot and running. I thought only Hondas had you check with the engine off. But, this Toyota dipstick has notches for HOT and COLD acceptable ranges. It's very strange...is this typical of Toyotas? I hope my parents don't have any troubles while out on the road this weekend.

Steve

 

[mechtech]

Hot and cold marks on the dipstick for ATF are older then dirt - it is a normal thing.

 

[H2GURU]

This tranny fluid has a very high coefficient of expansion. Make sure you only bring it to the top of the HOT mark after a run of at least 30 miles or 1 hour, or leave it half-way between the upper (HOT) marks.

 

[oilguy3]

quote:

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Originally posted by srivett:
I agree that it's normal to check with the engine hot and running. I thought only Hondas had you check with the engine off. But, this Toyota dipstick has notches for HOT and COLD acceptable ranges. It's very strange...is this typical of Toyotas? I hope my parents don't have any troubles while out on the road this weekend.

Steve

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I have the same type of tranny dipstick in my Tacoma and I FINALLY figured out how to read it properly. The hot marks are for when the engine is hot, the transmission has be shiften into every gear, and to be checked with the engine running and tranny in parr. The cold hash marks are not actually to be used when the engine is cold (seriously, go figure). The cold marks are for when the engine has sat over night so the fluid is cold BUT the engine has just been started and shifted through all the gears.

You'd think they would have cold hash marks that indicated the actual cold level of the fluid, but NO!! You have to start the engine first.

 

[Eddie]

Dex 3 is back speced to dex 2 so no problem using dex 3 for both.