The proper way to set the transmission fluid level.

Good video. He also confirms the heat gun method is not an accurate way to set the level.


https://youtu.be/NUAuGmDGntY

 

Jumping the connector works just as well for those without Techstream.

 

All you really need is a scan tool that reads the trans pan temp

1. Drain and add fluid (add 1 qt more than you removed)
2. turn on truck and wait until trans pan temp reaches 115F, but before it reaches 130F (if you truck has a trans cooler, pin open the thermostat)
3. open the check plug to allow excess to drain until it reaches a trickle

when fluid is trickling out of check plug between 115-130F it's done.

 

I have a scanguage but I did do this jumper thing when setting my fluid level, actually I did it both ways. I did notice when using the jumper method it makes the truck go into a slower idle, not sure if that makes a difference or not.

 

Fluid temp detection mode?

 

I guess that's what you call it, I used a paper clip. It forced the truck into a slower idle soon after the normal high rev start.

 

fluid temperature detection mode, it's a visual indicator of the trans fluid temp

 

I left the "temp" part out. Corrected.

 

Are you guys doing the 3-4 quart drain and fill multiple times at say 60k miles or just drain and fill once?

 

Welcome to the forum!

Honestly, how people handle the drain/fill is all over the board. Some do multiple drain/fills to cycle the old oil out, while others just do a single drain/fill. Since it seems like not doing a drain/fill still lets your transmission last well past 100k, I think any cycle you chose is good.

Personally, I pulled a sample at 30k and the test results were good. I plan to drain/fill once every 40k and not worry about it. The video above (a forum favorite channel BTW) says it can actually be bad to change it too often.

 

Tried this on my Tacoma. After following the procedure very carefully I could not get it in check mode.

 

$40K truck...just buy the right tools to do the job.

Or

Pay someone to do it for you.

 

I appreciate your optimism in 2023.

 

I thought 115-130F was early gen 2. Don't the 2014+ models check at 99-111F?

 

Transmission type for the 5.7L is AB60E/F (E=2WD, F=4WD), and fluid level check temperature range is 99-111 degrees F. Transmission type for the 4.6L is A760E/F, and fluid level check temperature range is 127-138 degrees F. -
JohnLakeman

 

Page 1958 from the 2015 service manual PDF. This is for the A760E.

 

My 2020 was $46K After tax, title and license (Bought new). Just checked comps with similar mileage as mine. I'll fill you in...they're going for $40K.

 

Everybody frets over the specific temperature-range requirement when checking the transmission fluid level.

But what I want to know is, just exactly how much does the fluid level in the pan vary by temperature changes??

If the fluid level varies only 1/2 quart between cold and hot, then regardless of temperature, you would be getting the fluid level within tolerance.

Has anybody measured the actual difference of fluid level in the transmission pan versus different temperatures?

ToolCat

 

The data I have is 0.0007 parts per degree C. This is a volumetric expansion. I don't know the exact transmission capacity but if it is close to 12 Qts, then 12 * 0.0007 * 100C = 0.8 Qts. That says the amount of fluid increases by 0.8 Quarts when the temperature changes by 100C (about what happens from cold to fully hot). This is the reason they specify a temperature when doing the level check.

I use an IR gun on the pan and shoot for 100F when doing my level check. Trying to get to the exact temperature is not needed. Being close to 100F and then checking for a "trickle" is close enough.

 

I did that on a Tacoma. I hit the outlet side. Now I just drain and replace with what I took out.

 

This is near what I found as well-between .4 and .8% expansion for every 100c. So if you are off by 20c, which would be a lot, that's only 3oz of fluid out of a 192oz capacity-that is not going to make a hill of beans difference to the operation of the trans.

 

I literally turn on the truck after filling, drain from the check port to a trickle and I'm done. By the time I'm under the truck, the fluid temp is around 85 degrees F. +/- 0.5 qt is safe for these transmissions.

 

Why does this topic keep getting discussed over and over again. Theres is only two correct ways described by toyota with an OBD tool or using the shifter sequence method. Level truck, bring ATF pan temp to 99°F-111°F, pull check plug while engine is running, put back in when it slows to a trickle. Every other method described is incorrect, per Toyota. If the other ways work for people thats totally fine but I feel like once a week lately there is a thread on this even though the information on how to do it correctly is just repeated over and over by the same people and then the wrong information is repeated by the same people.

 

Welcome to the internet!

 

Lol there was a time when people used search buttons on forums and repeated threads where closed and linked to the answer already found in another thread but I guess that just takes too much work nowadays.

 

I could start another what size tire can I run with stock wheels post?

 

Easy, hitter. I meant it the opposite of how you took it. Shits expensive these days, no doubt they go for $40+

 

Or another MPG thread. I am sure I could add a few more.

 

Did we discuss the different types of WS fluid yet?

or which one is best?

...not that it matters.

 

Several threads that cover that. I saw a You Tube video where this dude used a Valvoline synthetic that i have not seen before in a Tundra. I tried to Google it with no luck. I recall the bottle being orange or brownish not red.