How to tell tranny fluid level?

[KainDrag]

As title states? Dipstick says cool and hot, I just installed my transmission cooler and lost about 1/4 at fluid, i know im supposed to refill it through the dipstick port but how do i tell its at the right level?

 

[calimobber]

Start the engine and leave it running. move the shift through some gears then put back into park. leave the car running and pull the dip stick and check. you can add a little at a time through the fill station but I didnt even need any since you use so little.

 

[KainDrag]

Yes but where is it actually supposed to be at optimal temps?

 

[babowc]

I'd like to know this as well... are there any more reliable ways to measure?

 

[MStudt]

Yes but where is it actually supposed to be at optimal temps?

It tells you on the dip stick. The transmission fluid dip stick has a hot and cold level mark on it. After driving is should be at the hot level mark, first thing in the morning it should be at the cold level mark. There really isn't an optimal running temp since our all run at different temps depending on the area we drive.

 

[I-4x4]

I've heard some people say to drive around the block, park, and shift through the gears for the cold mark. I prefer to check it after commuting a ways when I know it's good and hot.

Maybe add a little on the cold mark process and check it again when it's hot.

 

[KainDrag]

It tells you on the dip stick. The transmission fluid dip stick has a hot and cold level mark on it. After driving is should be at the hot level mark, first thing in the morning it should be at the cold level mark. There really isn't an optimal running temp since our all run at different temps depending on the area we drive.

Hmmm ok... I just installed my tranny cooler and leaked a little bit of fluid I refilled a bit of it today. I drove to the store and back about 15m highway and city and checked the dipstick, its between cool and hot maybe tomorrow more driving ill check again.

I wish I had an actual temp gauge, how hard is it to install one? i already have the ultragauge that po installed but it doesnt tell tranny temps

 

[MStudt]

Hmmm ok... I just installed my tranny cooler and leaked a little bit of fluid I refilled a bit of it today. I drove to the store and back about 15m highway and city and checked the dipstick, its between cool and hot maybe tomorrow more driving ill check again.

I wish I had an actual temp gauge, how hard is it to install one? i already have the ultragauge that po installed but it doesnt tell tranny temps

Not very hard. You'll need to cut the hose, install a t adapter, a couple hose barbs, and run the sensor for the gauge. I'm doing the exact some thing right now during my transmission swap. I'm going to use a Glow Shift gauge with extended wire harness.

 

[KainDrag]

Not very hard. You'll need to cut the hose, install a t adapter, a couple hose barbs, and run the sensor for the gauge. I'm doing the exact some thing right now during my transmission swap. I'm going to use a Glow Shift gauge with extended wire harness.

After I posted I searched that youtube of them doing it on a RAM... I guess it's not to bad, Im guessing the 4runner doesnt have a service port we can use like the Ram?

and my truck is mostly a DD highway cruiser, but I am hoping to go overlanding in a couple of weeks to Montana, so hoping to get everything done before I leave.

 

[MStudt]

After I posted I searched that youtube of them doing it on a RAM... I guess it's not to bad, Im guessing the 4runner doesnt have a service port we can use like the Ram?

and my truck is mostly a DD highway cruiser, but I am hoping to go overlanding in a couple of weeks to Montana, so hoping to get everything done before I leave.

There's a grommet on the driver side that enters the cab pretty high up on the firewall. You'll see it, and it's easy to fish a wire through. I made a small slit in it, fished the wires, and then sealed it back up with liquid tape.

 

[csp]

You're making way too much out of this. If it's at operating temp and somewhere between the hot and cold marks you're good to go.

The fluid level in the pan moves more as you go up and down hills than the distance is between those marks. As long as the pump isn't starved or too full to the point of foaming it's fine.

 

[KainDrag]

You're making way too much out of this. If it's at operating temp and somewhere between the hot and cold marks you're good to go.

The fluid level in the pan moves more as you go up and down hills than the distance is between those marks. As long as the pump isn't starved or too full to the point of foaming it's fine.

Haha Thats what I wanted to hear :happy: