Check transmission oil level?

paraordnance

paraordnance

New member
May be a stupid question but I only own a 4R for 2 weeks. Looked under a hood last night and couldn't find it :confused: Engine V8. The thing is, I have a occasional thump when slowing down to full stop or remove my foot off the bracke to start accelerate. Nothing major, but enoying for 2004 with only 60k on it. When bought 4R dealer told me they just replaced tranny fluid so may be its low
 
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Congrats on the new ride:D

This thread will cover servicing the trans fluid level. All servicing of the V8 sealed trans is the same as the V6 sealed trans. There's nothing V8/V6 specific about the process.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=36489

The sealed transmissions require a 'special' fluid from Toyota dubbed WS. There's also a sticky in the problems and warranty section about a known driveshaft thump that can be minimilized with proper greasing. Notice I didn't use the word eliminated...

:cheers:
 
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The transmission on an 04 is a sealed unit and it doesn't have a dipstick to check the fluid level.

That thump you are feeling is actually quite common to 4Runners, and the only real thing to fix it is to pump the grease fitting on the driveshaft full of grease.

edit: ^ he beat me to it, that thread will cover everything
 
thanks for reply guys! I read about the shaft greasing problem but I never thought that could be it. My 4R has comprehensive Toyota 3-year extensive warranty so I don't really worry for now :)
 
Just a friendly suggestion.....
If your 4Runner came with it's owner's manual you might want to take the time to sit down and read through it.

There are a whole host of features that your 4Runner has that you might not be aware of. The owner's manual will give you that information.

Right after I purchased my 4Runner I actually read the manual. A few weeks later I was forced to perform a maneuver to avoid a head-on crash.
During that maneuver some of the 4Runner's traction systems started flashing and beeping when they kicked in.
Since I had read the owner's manual, the flashing and beeping did not distract me because I knew what it was.
I also knew why certain wheels were braking while others were receiving power as the 4Runner was trying to help me maintain control
(weird feeling the first time one feels that).

Congrats on your 4Runner purchase. It is a great vehicle, enjoy it.
 
charlier180 said:
...If your 4Runner came with it's owner's manual you might want to take the time to sit down and read through it.

Right after I purchased my 4Runner I actually read the manual. A few weeks later I was forced to perform a maneuver to avoid a head-on crash.
During that maneuver some of the 4Runner's traction systems started flashing and beeping when they kicked in.
Since I had read the owner's manual, the flashing and beeping did not distract me because I knew what it was.
I also knew why certain wheels were braking while others were receiving power as the 4Runner was trying to help me maintain control
(weird feeling the first time one feels that).
Click to expand...

That's great advice and the reason given is 100% correct!


:cheers:
 
charlier180 said:
Just a friendly suggestion.....
If your 4Runner came with it's owner's manual you might want to take the time to sit down and read through it.

There are a whole host of features that your 4Runner has that you might not be aware of. The owner's manual will give you that information.

Right after I purchased my 4Runner I actually read the manual. A few weeks later I was forced to perform a maneuver to avoid a head-on crash.
During that maneuver some of the 4Runner's traction systems started flashing and beeping when they kicked in.
Since I had read the owner's manual, the flashing and beeping did not distract me because I knew what it was.
I also knew why certain wheels were braking while others were receiving power as the 4Runner was trying to help me maintain control
(weird feeling the first time one feels that).

Congrats on your 4Runner purchase. It is a great vehicle, enjoy it.
Click to expand...


You were able to feel some wheels received power and others braking?
 
I need advice...

I did a drain and fill on my 04 V6 4Runner. The tranny fluid level now shows high when it's cold and low when it's hot. WTH? After the truck sits overnight, the level shows high on the dipstick, way above the cold range and just above the HOT range. After driving 40+ miles the level is below the HOT range, pretty much right between the HOT and COLD range.

That brings me to another question. Shouldn't the level show higher when cool when the fluid drains back to the pan and lower when hot when the fluid is up in the transmission? The dipstick shows the COLD range at the lower end of the dipstick and the HOT range higher up the dipstick, closer to the handle.

I don't want to trash my tranny. WTH?
 
Guerini said:
I need advice...

I did a drain and fill on my 04 V6 4Runner. The tranny fluid level now shows high when it's cold and low when it's hot. WTH? After the truck sits overnight, the level shows high on the dipstick, way above the cold range and just above the HOT range. After driving 40+ miles the level is below the HOT range, pretty much right between the HOT and COLD range.

That brings me to another question. Shouldn't the level show higher when cool when the fluid drains back to the pan and lower when hot when the fluid is up in the transmission? The dipstick shows the COLD range at the lower end of the dipstick and the HOT range higher up the dipstick, closer to the handle.

I don't want to trash my tranny. WTH?
Click to expand...

The hot level is most important because that is what is 'operational'.
 
Jasonredwood said:
Dipstick?
Click to expand...

Yes 2003 and 2004 T4Rs with the V6 engine have the older style 4 speed transmission and have a dipstick to check the fluid level, the V8 engines and the 2005 and later models with both the V6 and V8 engines have the newer sealed 5 speed transmission.
 
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