need help tranny fluid 06 v8
- Thread starter hokiec5
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This thread describes a similar situation, with the somewhat complicated instructions for checking the fluid level.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=7686
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=7686
TheBlueWave
New member
Add a little back in. If you think you lost two quarts, add one quart and go through the complicated process of checking the fluid level. Then top it off. I respect the decision not to use a dipstick so people can't mess with the tranny as much and invite dirt and moisture, but for things like this its a real POA IMO.
TechWrench
Senior Member
TheBlueWave said:
I would have to disagree with that one. Any well designed dipstick and tube should have a rubber seal at the top of the dipstick with a metal tube cover so dirt and moiiture shouldn't be a problem. IMHO, this is just another example of manufacturers 'dumbing' down their products to protect idiots against themselves. We have all heard the 'nightmare' idiot stories where someone puts brake fluid in the power steering pump, fills the engine with oil up to the fill cap, or puts engine oil in the trans filler tube. You can't protect those people from themselves! So they remove the easily used means of checking fluid condition, and level from those of us who actually know what we are doing to protect the few idiots from doing dumb things. Not to mention the additional cost now required to have an 'expert' in a dealer check it for you. This is, of course, assuming that 'expert' in the dealership who was washing cars last week, knows how to perform the procedure correctly. This whole trend toward 'lifetime' lubrication, and dealer only servicable components annoys the s#*t outa me.
RANT over........:soapbox:
TheBlueWave
New member
Your perspective makes perfect sense, but what about those who feel the need to check the fluid all the time? Auto transmissions don't need to be checked at every single stop for gas. If the dipstick is removed repeatedly, can't dirt and moisture make its way in when the dipstick is removed? Not saying it gets in there otherwise, but if it is out once per week moisture could invade the transmission, whereas engines can handle the moisture (PCV system) transmissions can't as well.
Oh well, mostly speculation on my part. I'm no mechanic, just an engineer who doesn't design or build cars but is trying to learn.:help:
Oh well, mostly speculation on my part. I'm no mechanic, just an engineer who doesn't design or build cars but is trying to learn.:help:
TechWrench
Senior Member
TheBlueWave said:
Yeah, I suppose one could obsess on checking the trans fluid, but I don't see the need. As for the slight amount of moisture that could possibly gain entrance via the fill tube, I don't think it would be an issue. 1st, the transmission already has at least one vent to air built into the trans to allow for internal pressure to equalize as it heats and cools. Even the so called 'sealed' units have to be able to equalize internal air pressure, so they aren't truely 'sealed'. 2nd, the normal operating temp of the trans is hot enough turn any small amount of moisture to vapor which would be vented. IMHO, the chance of serious contamination simply by checking the fluid level is too minimal to be an issue, unless someone is completely oblivious to the normal precautions one should take while performing the check. And, I would bet that anyone like that probably wouldn't bother to check the fluid in the first place.
TheBlueWave
New member
Your'e right, I forgot about the breather. I do agree there should be a dipstick, but at least the way to check the fluid condition on the "sealed" units could be easier. Anyway, thanks for the info and opinions, Tech.
Sac State
New member
Unless you tow a 7000lb trailer, live in the arizona heat and tow a trailer or drive through deep rivers in the Congo, most owners of a 4Runner do not need to check the transmission fluid.
Giving the general Q public a dipstick will just open the opportunity for something to get introduced into the tranny that shouldn't be there.
Why do you think the term 'dipstick' is used as a negative slang? It is used to describe somebody who screwed up or is a screw up.
I can't wait until they come out with a 'lifetime' engine oil set-up.
I've spent so much money over the years in keeping all of my oils 'fresh' only to trade the vehicle in before any long term advantage can be recognized. Personally, my 4th generation has a dipstick in the 5spd tranny, wish it was dipstick free.
Giving the general Q public a dipstick will just open the opportunity for something to get introduced into the tranny that shouldn't be there.
Why do you think the term 'dipstick' is used as a negative slang? It is used to describe somebody who screwed up or is a screw up.
I can't wait until they come out with a 'lifetime' engine oil set-up.
I've spent so much money over the years in keeping all of my oils 'fresh' only to trade the vehicle in before any long term advantage can be recognized. Personally, my 4th generation has a dipstick in the 5spd tranny, wish it was dipstick free.
Sac State
New member
Unless you tow a 7000lb trailer, live in the arizona heat and tow a trailer or drive through deep rivers in the Congo, most owners of a 4Runner do not need to check the transmission fluid.
Giving the general Q public a dipstick will just open the opportunity for something to get introduced into the tranny that shouldn't be there.
Why do you think the term 'dipstick' is used as a negative slang?
I can't wait until they come out with a 'lifetime' engine oil set-up.
I've spent so much money over the years in keeping all of my oils 'fresh' only to trade the vehicle in before any long term advantage can be recognized. Personally, my 4th generation has a dipstick in the 5spd tranny, wish it was dipstick free.
Giving the general Q public a dipstick will just open the opportunity for something to get introduced into the tranny that shouldn't be there.
Why do you think the term 'dipstick' is used as a negative slang?
I can't wait until they come out with a 'lifetime' engine oil set-up.
I've spent so much money over the years in keeping all of my oils 'fresh' only to trade the vehicle in before any long term advantage can be recognized. Personally, my 4th generation has a dipstick in the 5spd tranny, wish it was dipstick free.
bonedoctor
New member
TechWrench said:
Hey, are you talking about my friend waaay back in college? He was doing something under the hood, taking a really long time. Asked what he was doing when he came in and he said, "I was adding some oil, but the hole was really little and it took a long time". Puzzled, I asked again. He had been trying to put the oil in through the little hole in the end of the dipstick! Predictably, most ended up on the ground. This is also the same guy who painted his car with a brush. It was a POS, but come on! What a mow-ron!
TechWrench
Senior Member
bonedoctor said:
One of the 'bonehead' moves I mentioned above happened to a neighbor on my block years ago. He went out of town on a business trip, and left car with wife. Told her to check the oil regularly because of a valve cover leak he didn't have time to fix before he left. He showed her how to check oil, and told her he had a case of oil in the garage if it needed more. He forgot to show her how to add more oil.............
She comes walking down our block and asks me to check it for her, because , she had found it low, filled it up, and now couldn't start it. As you can probably guess, when I checked the dipstick, it was full to the top. When I asked her how much she put in, she showed me a pile of empty cans in the garage. She then showed me how she removed the oil fill cap on top of the engine, and filled it until it reached the brim...............Engine was hydro-locked and wouldn't turn. Had to drain about 22 quarts of oil from the engine and refill it to get it to run. She was pissed at her husband for not showing her how to fill it properly, and begged me to not tell him what she did.
bonedoctor
New member
TechWrench said:
I'm always amazed how people are ignorant of even the most basic of skills of owning a vehicle. My elderly mom had a friend of hers put some air in a tire on her Camry that was a little low. I came home and immediately noticed that the ride was horrible, rock hard. She mentioned the air thing, I checked, and the guy had put something like 70 psig in the tire!
Twenty two quarts! Hope it wasn't synthetic, 'cause that'd be some $$$. At least she found the correct "hole" to put it in, unlike my friend.
greasefingers
New member
I have actually changed my tranny fluid twice. Once at 30,000 and then again at 60,000 miles. I drained the aft and replace the atf. Then on the following weekend I repeat the process. That way I get most of the fluid replaced by dilution. I have a 2003 so I have a dipstick. It would drive me crazy to not be able to change the ATF!
I replace the coolant in the same manor (twice over two weekends) It
I replace the coolant in the same manor (twice over two weekends) It
