Am I the only one who HATES the dipstick on the 3rd gen auto tranny?

It is so long and curves so much that it always takes me about 5 minutes of pushing, pulling, cursing, praying and fiddling to get it back in. Meaning that I've never really checked my trans fluid level because to do that right you need to take the dipstick out, wipe it off, put it back in, pull it out, check it, and put it in again. That process would probably take me 15 minutes and I don't have that much patience.

Is there a "trick" I'm missing? Some particular way to hold the dipstick to get it to go back in? As an alternative, is there a better (i.e. stiffer) dipstick I can get? Trying to put that dipstick into the tranny is like trying to push a noodle - it just flops and bends and doesn't go anywhere.

I'm sure I'm not the only one with this concern. The 4runner is only the 2nd vehicle I've ever owned that has an auto tranny and I'm trying to take good care of it by checking fluid levels, but until I can get the dipstick problem solved, it's going to be hard to do that.

Second question, what kind of services are people doing to their auto trannys. Fluid and filter changes? How often? Any signs I should be watching out for? I know there's the old "see if the fluid looks dark or smells burnt" trick but is there anything else I should be watching out for? I do NOT want to have to repair or replace the transmission on this truck!

It is a pain, for sure. They could have straightened out the filler tube a little, I think. I usually hold the dipstick on the stick itself, and work it down with my hands...leaving the handle alone. Also, there is a slight bend at the end of the stick, which should correspond with the first bend in the filler tube. It's still not a smooth process, though.

As far as maintenance goes...some say 30K, other say more. At 30K, at least drain and fill what's in the pan. It gives you an idea of the condition of the fluid. If it doesn't look bright red, time to drop the pan and replace as much fluid as you can, and the filter. Also a good time to clean the pan and the magnets inside.

Proper way to check fluid level is to drive the truck until normal operating temp (daily commute, whatever), then come to a stop on a level surface. Put the trans through all gears with your foot on the brake. End by putting it in park and leaving it running. Now pull the stick and wipe it clean. Re-insert and check the level. Should be at or very near the HOT mark. I've found that the COLD mark is useless. Many times my fluid reads above the HOT mark when the truck is cold (not running, not having been driven in days).

That dipstick is a pain in the ass. I've been doing it for years though so I've developed a little trick...hard to explain but I can show you...lol

you basically gotta start with it upside down, and as you're pushing it through, it'll correct itself

When I get really impatient with the dipstick, I just shove it in there. If it absolutely won't go, then I just pull it back out and turn it over (if that makes sense) and then shove again. It works for me and I have yet to break anything. lol

Very helpful. Especially the part about leaving it running while you check the dipstick. And good to know about the cold mark being useless. My truck also shows full at the hot mark when the truck is cold.

You have to twist it when it starts to stick.

I totally understand what your talking about, just this week my dipstick broke inside the pipe, I still havent gotten it out yet, but still trying,,, good luck,,,,,

I cannot insert it by holding the handle. I have to grab the metal part and push it down. If I tried to force it in by holding the handle I'd probably end up breaking it. Maybe that's what you did?

You might end up having to remove the tube to get the fragment out.

Quit your complaining!



I wish my trans had a dipstick, even a flawed, difficult one

Exactly. That makes sense to me, cause that's how I do mine.

You gotta feel it....give it some love and caress it down in there. So Gay

Also, it's good to know other people's read above the hot line when the truck is stone cold from not driving at all. I always wondered what the heck the cold line was for....it's pointless.

I was finally able to get out the broken piece of the dipstick ,, I had to remove the top section of the tranny pipe, and it was still lodged in there pretty good, with a few different tools, and some luck, I got it enough that I could get at it with some needle nose pliers, , so after I put it all back together, I tried the new dipstick and it was really tight again , it took me about 5 minutes of back and forth gently, but I finally got it.. Just seems strange that the rest of the truck is so well engineered, and this little piece and pipe just dont go well together,, anyways thanks for the advice on how to get it out,,take care,,,,Josef,,,,,,,

Ok, help needed.. I did the Trans Cooler addition this past weekend, and I have been peridically checking the level with the above method. I am ALWAYS just short of the "HOT" mark, even when the tranny is REALLY hot. I drove 200 miles yesterday, and stopped at a rest stop and topped it off. This morning, I crawled under the truck and there were spots all over the Diff.. which directed me to the transfer case that had fluid dripping off it. It would appear that the ATF spewed out the rear seal.

My guess is I overfilled it. Has anyone run into a situation with the trans dipstick is in between cold and hot, and spews it if you fill it higher? Just trying to verify if I am crazy or not.

PS- I hate that freaking Dipstick! But atleast they give you one, where they don't on the newer Models.

What color was the fluid? Trans fluid or gear oil?