ATF level high on cold...

[swampy_swimmer]

Just checked transmission fluid level and its up ar the top of hot knick on the dipstick. Truck was sitting for 2 days. Fluid looks decent red, little murky, but still translucent. Doesn't smell burnt.
What's going on? Should I change the fluid?

PS I never add or did anything with it since I bought it 45K miles ago. Now its 140K. Previous owner did everything on Toyota dealership. I have receipt. They changed it at 92K.
Is it possible that Toyota overfilled it?

 

[the walrus]

It is my understanding that you are supposed to check the trans fluid level with everything warmed up (after a drive, not just idling) and with the engine running.

Maybe try it that way and see what it reads.

 

[mtbtim]

This question is not meant to be insulting but are you checking it with the engine running?

 

[swampy_swimmer]

This question is not meant to be insulting but are you checking it with the engine running?

No...Just checked it while it's sitting cold... no insult taken. I guess that would be the answer to my question?

Will check tomorrow with the running engine. :doh:

 

[swampy_swimmer]

It is my understanding that you are supposed to check the trans fluid level with everything warmed up (after a drive, not just idling) and with the engine running.

Maybe try it that way and see what it reads.

:doh:

 

[swampy_swimmer]

I guess I just thought since it's not running and it's cold, the proper reding would be on the cold notch of the stick...?

 

[pauldub]

There's a wealth of information in the owner's manual. You can get it off the web if you don't have a hard copy.

 

[mtbtim]

I guess I just thought since it's not running and it's cold, the proper reding would be on the cold notch of the stick...?

Automatic transmission fluid has to be checked with the engine running.

With your rig on level ground, start the engine, put your foot on the brake pedal and run the transmission through all the gears and then back to park. If the transmission is cold, look to see that the level on the dipstick is in the cold range. If you've been driving it for a while and the transmission is at operating temperature, you should see it in the hot range. Transmission fluid expands as it gets hotter and that's why there's different level readings on the dipstick. If your transmission was filled properly, you could even see it above the top hot level if say you just climbed a long steep mountain road and immediately checked it because the fluid could be in the low 200's especially if you don't have an external trans cooler.

When I change my trans fluid, I make sure I'm at the top of the cold range and then I take my rig for a drive down the highway and back. I usually drive around 5 miles out, 5 miles back followed by some surface streets back to my place. The factory service manual says the normal operating temperature range is between 158-176 degrees F. If you have a scan gauge or an OBDII reader sending info to a phone app like Torque Pro, you'll know exactly what your temp is. If you don't have a way to monitor your temps, just drive it fairly aggressively with some hard accelerations kicking the transmission down into a lower gear while driving on the freeway and on the surface streets as well. By the time you get back home onto level ground, your transmission should be in the operating range or very close. Run your transmission through all the gears, put it in park and immediately get out and check the level because the temp will start dropping pretty quick. As long as your level is within the hot range you should be fine but I prefer to be closer to the upper end of the hot range of the dipstick rather than lower end of the hot range.

Hope this helps.

 

[swampy_swimmer]

Thank you. It does help.

 

[octanejunkie]

Always check trans fluid level at operating temp, typically after driving to get proper fluid level from the transmission pump.

Some people wipe the trans dipstick dry, then reinsert it and run the transmission through all the gears with their foot on the brake, then check the level on the dipstick when it's back in park.

EDIT: started this reply before [MENTION=120071]mtbtim[/MENTION] replied

 

[swampy_swimmer]

Yeah, it's normal. Thank you for schooling me...

 

[Trent4r]

Hahahaha man, I just went down the exact same rabbit hole as the OP just to find another instance of [MENTION=120071]mtbtim[/MENTION] saving the day (fluid level was fine when hot). I think its way past time I use that buy Timmy a beer link in his youtube lol. Is it still the same link for your paypal?
:thanks:

 

[mtbtim]

Hahahaha man, I just went down the exact same rabbit hole as the OP just to find another instance of [MENTION=120071]mtbtim[/MENTION] saving the day (fluid level was fine when hot). I think its way past time I use that buy Timmy a beer link in his youtube lol. Is it still the same link for your paypal?
:thanks:

Yes, still the same link. Thanks!