Automatic transmission fluid level

[Lamer]

Gotcha. I always set my trans fluid level hot. The cold level is to make sure you have enough fluid to operate the vehicle until the transmission is hot enough to adjust your fluid levels.

interesting. Ill add some (can always take it out) and see if there are any changes.

any idea how much volume I need to add? maybe one quart at a time?

 

[Bad Luck]

interesting. Ill add some (can always take it out) and see if there are any changes.

any idea how much volume I need to add? maybe one quart at a time?

I can't remember the distance between hot and cold, but the distance between the bottom of hot and top of hot is about a quart (some vehicles are 2 quarts but 1 quart is much more common). You can use that to guesstimate.

 

[alumarine]

I'll certainly be well over the COLD mark when the engine is cold.

Don't worry about the cold mark.
It just gets you to the dance.
It's the hot mark that's important.

I'd add half a quart at a time.

 

[mtbtim]

interesting. Ill add some (can always take it out) and see if there are any changes.

any idea how much volume I need to add? maybe one quart at a time?

You add based on what you're seeing. If your fluid is at operating temperature and you're still in the cold range on the dipstick, add a whole quart, bring it up to operating temp again and recheck the level. As you get closer to reaching the top line of the hot range on your dipstick, you want to add smaller amounts. Err on the side of adding too little and use your best judgment. As you get really close, you might only be adding around a 1/8 or 1/4 quart to dial in your fluid level.

If your trans is slipping and it wasn't doing that before, your fluid is low.

 

[phattyduck]

after having driven around for a couple days, the trans seems to shift ok (If i floor it, I can get to red line in 1st gear, then it shifts to second and drops to 3k and the 4runner feels sluggish even though I'm still flooring it- is that large a drop an indicator of too little fluid???)

when stone cold: at the lower cold mark
when at 165deg and after driving 30mins: its halfway to up the cold mark. (worrying!!!)

So is it best to add more fluid and try to reach the mark ? that's a lot more fluid! I'll certainly be well over the COLD mark when the engine is cold.

Using Valvoline Full Synthtic Max Life if that adds anything...

1st gear ratio is 2.804 and second is 1.531. RPMs should drop from 5000 rpm to 2730 rpm between 1st and 2nd. Sounds normal there. Sluggish? Well, it is a ~20 year old off-roading SUV - what did you expect?

First fill/refill when cold should be at or above the cold mark. After that, all fluid level checks should be performed with trans fluid above 160*F. (official Toyota word is 70−80°C or 158−176°F).

I think you'll find you are only short a small amount of fluid. The level on the dipstick changes a fair amount with small fluid level changes (I usually go in 0.25 or smaller increments when adding when I'm close to full).

-Charlie

 

[Lamer]

I can't remember the distance between hot and cold, but the distance between the bottom of hot and top of hot is about a quart (some vehicles are 2 quarts but 1 quart is much more common). You can use that to guesstimate.

I see, ill play around with it today. thanks.

Don't worry about the cold mark.
It just gets you to the dance.
It's the hot mark that's important.

I'd add half a quart at a time.

This is definitely becoming the consensus amongst everyone.

You add based on what you're seeing. If your fluid is at operating temperature and you're still in the cold range on the dipstick, add a whole quart, bring it up to operating temp again and recheck the level. As you get closer to reaching the top line of the hot range on your dipstick, you want to add smaller amounts. Err on the side of adding too little and use your best judgment. As you get really close, you might only be adding around a 1/8 or 1/4 quart to dial in your fluid level.

If your trans is slipping and it wasn't doing that before, your fluid is low.

It was slipping just after the shift kit install, added some (1 qrt) and it no longer slipped. but I am still well short of the HOT mark.

1st gear ratio is 2.804 and second is 1.531. RPMs should drop from 5000 rpm to 2730 rpm between 1st and 2nd. Sounds normal there. Sluggish? Well, it is a ~20 year old off-roading SUV - what did you expect?

First fill/refill when cold should be at or above the cold mark. After that, all fluid level checks should be performed with trans fluid above 160*F. (official Toyota word is 70−80°C or 158−176°F).

I think you'll find you are only short a small amount of fluid. The level on the dipstick changes a fair amount with small fluid level changes (I usually go in 0.25 or smaller increments when adding when I'm close to full).



-Charlie

I may be remembering wrong, but comparably it felt like it had more pull after it shifted into second gear before the transgo shift kit install. maybe im thinking funny. or maybe I have too little fluid and its not fully shifting or engaging (or whatever) into second gear.


Thanks to all, these responses are gold.

ill give it a test run today after having added another quart. ill keep you posted.

 

[Lamer]

So, just got back from driving, and there are some driving improvements.

before driving:
- added 1 quart, level was at the top of the COLD range

During driving:
- shifts are a little bit smoother, not as hard between 1 and 2 anymore.
- can see the temps move up and down based on driving style (it does cool off quick!)
- hottest temp was 175 reached in stop and go traffic and right after I gunned it on the freeway.
-coolest temp was 150 when cruising on the freeway.

After Driving:
- level now at the lower COLD range marker. so thats double what it was.

I think i'm going to add another half quart and go again.