Hey everyone, I’m sure I can find the right answer if I searched hard enough 😅. I recently replaced my transmission cooler/lines and drained and filled my transmission. Was wondering the most accurate way to check fluid level.

This is the way I’ve done it:

Drive to work (50mins)
Park on level ground
Leave car running
Run through the gears from P to L
Scan gauge transmission temp was reading around 180F
Pull dipstick and clean
Put dipstick back in and recheck for reading

It’s a little over the highest point on the hot line 🥶

I’ve also checked when the transmission temp dropped to 160F and dipstick read a little over the line at the lowest point on hot reading. Guessing this is the proper reading since I believe normal operating temp around 158F??

I may be just a little paranoid but any help is appreciated. Thanks

That sounds good.
This is from the FSM

BASIC INSPECTION
(a) Check the fluid level.
HINT:

Drive the vehicle so that the engine and transmission are
at normal operating temperature.
Fluid temp.: 70 - 80 °C (158 - 176 °F)

Only use the COOL range on the dipstick as a rough reference
when the fluid is replaced or the engine does not
run.
(1) Park the vehicle on a level surface and set the parking
brake.
(2) With the engine idling and the brake pedal depressed,
shift the shift lever into all positions from P
to L position and return to P position.
(3) Pull out the dipstick and wipe it clean.
(4) Push it back fully into the pipe.
(5) Pull it out and check that the fluid level is in the HOT
range.
If the level is not within the HOT range, add new fluid.
Fluid type: ATF D-II or DEXRON®III (DEXRON®II)
NOTICE:
Do not overfill.
(b) Check the fluid condition

Thanks! Essentially if your tranny is too hot it will read over. So I should only be checking when my trans temp around 158F. Will top it off a little and try again.

You did leave out one step in your post which was covered by alumarine. Make sure that after you run through the gears from P to L you then return to P. I assume you are actually doing this as leaving it in L and getting out to check the fluid level would be quite risky, but it's best to be sure.

I just drain it and add 1 gallon.

It’s been so consistent I don’t even bother with the dip stick anymore.


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Yup I am running it back up to P, just poor explaining in my end lol

Appreciate you chiming in since that could be overlooked 👍🏽

Perfection isn't necessary as I have the same problem. Jumps around and looks overfilled one time, then the next time it looks underfilled when cold. You have the procedure right, the part most people get wrong is parking on a sloped driveway and then trying to fill and measure.

at least we can check our fluid. my sons 2016 there is no way to check. i dont know what year that started for yota. just makes it a shop job....or a dealer job

That is so frustrating. Or the the dipstick won’t go in or it gets stuck…..


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