Trans drain & fill question

I’ve read in the past about drain & fill trans fluid with oil changes and that 3 quarts come out at a time. I did this with my oil change and almost 5 quarts came out.

Am I remembering what I read incorrectly, had too much fluid in there?… Put 3 quarts back in and seems like the right amount on dipstick. Little confused

Appreciate your input

 

Did it look like ATF or pink milkshake? Perhaps someone overserviced it in the past

 

Looked fairly clean. Def not milkshake. I’m thinking that’s the case. So 3 quarts are supposed to come out right?

 

I just had an issue with my pan bolt.... so I've done this twice this last week.... 5 is correct.
This last fill I put just a gallon and it didn't register on dip stick... added a quart and it came in just right....

Were you parked on an incline? how long you let it drain? Seems like a full drain takes 20 minutes... IMO. but dipsticks don't lie? lol start it up and bring it to temp and then check again... the innerworkings of the transmission might suspend the fluid....?.... and adjust the reading... a solid reading.

Just my 2 cents.....

 

No it's typically 4. But it's not an exact science and some people reported different things.

Just make sure you are checking the fluid per the instructions. I believe it's best when done at operating temperature, in neutral, while running.

 

Thanks

 

Mine 2004 was just under 4quarts.

 

I got exactly 4 last time I did mine.

 

You guys measured the fluid that comes out? Weirdos.

 

If you have a dipstick I'd pour 3.5 quarts, check your dipstick then add more accordingly in half quart increments. I'd rather underfill while checking than overfill accidently and have to start the whole process over again. GL!

 

Mine is just over 4 quarts. I buy two gallons, drain and refill the pan, then pump a gallon out at the trans cooler.

 

Do you guys think there is a shelf life on ATF? I have a 3 year old bottle of Valvoline Maxlife in my garage.

 

ATF? No. Brake fluid or anything else hygroscopic? Yes.

 

If you let it draining for a longer period of time, about half of fluid will come out.

 

I still have 5 year old Mobil 1 ATF I'd still use, but I think it has a seal which is unbroken if I'm not mistaken.

 

My trans fluid has a 17 year pan life. So far

 

@shifty` - I saw Toyota warn people that WS ATF is hygroscopic in one of their TSBs

 

NHTSA echos that, but they're only warning about it being an open container. I'd still be careful with WS specifically though.

The ATV that FGV asked about above is what I have an open jug of in my shop, and it's definitely not.

 

Getting the fluid level right is a pain, so its easier to drain what comes out and put the same amount back in.

 

It’s easy if you have a dipstick. It sucks if you don’t.

 

Voss, one thing that came to mind today was when I was pricing a new pan for my '02 earlier this week in case I couldn't resolve my mangled drain bolt. Was the parts guy at my Toyo dealership mentioned that my year has 5 different pans!! lol He literally chuckled in disbelief and I have to admit it seem odd to me... So I had to get my Vin number for him to verify which one it was.... But this could be why everyone is coming up with different volumes?? and that's just for one Year model!

So the drain and measure is a good method or fill and warm transmission up and check while running would be the best option. It's literally nuts how many different volumes have been stated. lol

 

...unless, of course, you had the wrong level to begin with.

 

Its still a pain. You have to have a level surface, and you have to be fully warmed up, and you have to cycle through gears each time you add more. Once you get it right, its just easier to keep it that way.