No transmission dipstick?

[BIG]

Purchasing a used 2008 SR5/V6 and couldn't find the transmission dipstick to check fluid level. I assume it doesn't exist but didn't study the owner's manual long enough to verify. Can someone confirm?

I service my vehicles myself including the trans fluid/filter. How can I do this with no dipstick tube to fill the tranny?

Thanks for any comments.

 

[toto]

That's correct. Toyota went to a "sealed" tranny a few years ago. A search would have turned up this thread, a sticky in the Maintenance section.

 

[BIG]

Thanks toto. I'm scared to guess what it will cost me to get my trans serviced at the dealer...

 

[DC Dude]

I have an '03 T4R and I have a transmission fluid dipstick.

 

[Redstone8]

I have an '03 T4R and I have a transmission fluid dipstick.

That has been changed since then. I have an 05 and it doesn't have one. Perhaps they made the change in either 04 or 05.

 

[hamiltonj2w1]

04 they made the change

 

[DC Dude]

That has been changed since then. I have an 05 and it doesn't have one. Perhaps they made the change in either 04 or 05.

Geez, what's the benefit of not having one? I assume there's at least a port to add fluid?

 

[eskimochaos]

Geez, what's the benefit of not having one? I assume there's at least a port to add fluid?

Yes there is.

V6 lost dipstick in 05, V8 in 04.

Its sealed, they did this when the went from type IV to WS fluid.

Cost me ~$450 for a complete 17qt fluid exchange (note not flush) on my 100.

 

[BIG]

$450 for a transmission service!!! Good gracious that's upsurd. I assume it's recommended not to service it until 100k miles?

 

[T4RBoarder]

$80 for a drain and fill for me

 

[camdz]

$80 for a drain and fill for me

On your 05? How many quarts of fluid?

 

[eskimochaos]

On your 05? How many quarts of fluid?

Like 2-3.

Does nothing for the fluid in the torque converter though.

 

[T4RBoarder]

On your 05? How many quarts of fluid?

Not very much but I'm going to do it again after my next oil change, should get some more old fluid out. Never been a big fan of flushes or fluid exchanges

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using Tapatalk

 

[riverider]

Not very much but I'm going to do it again after my next oil change, should get some more old fluid out. Never been a big fan of flushes or fluid exchanges

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using Tapatalk

Flushing is a really good way to get dirt and metal shavings where they will damage, both engines and transmissions.

Dealership dis-service Dept.s AKA "stealerships" just push the flushing deal, for one (1) reason to make them money.:AK47:

 

[eskimochaos]

For clarification mine was not flushed, they used a fluid exchange machine.

15k miles later and 0 issue.

 

[jmledwell]

you guys are mis-informed

A fluid exchange and a flush are the same.......you with the 17qts.....your trans does not take 17qts.....17qts is used to flush out the system.....shops recommend them because your car needs it...some of you are saying you don't believe in this service....do you change your oil.....how come? I wonder.....you think your oil needs to be changed but your other fluids magically last forever. A drain and fill on your transmission is the worst thing you can do. Trans fluid has so many detergents in it. when you drain and fill. you leave your transmission half full of dirty fluid and the clean fluid fights the dirty fluid . The flush is the best thing other than dropping the pan changing the filter and then filling and flushing afterwards.....but most of you wont spend that money on your car so your best option is the flush ....have any of you actually used a BG transmission flush machine....I did not think so ...so keep quiet.

 

[oljedi11950]

Nice 1st post ! Do you do this professionally ? If so do you have some sort of reasoning for this , I'm just asking serious question , not ballbusting you .

 

[WXman]

A member here who I believe is a Toyota technician said the the manufacturer of the flush machine specifically told them NOT to use it on vehicles with over 90,000 miles becuase it will cause more harm than good.

I'm doing the pan drain and refill method to take the safe route...but I understand that it will take multiple drains/refills to get most of the old fluid out. I'm fine with that because my trans. shifts great so I feel like I have plenty of time to gradually introduce fresh fluid to the entire system over the coming years.

 

[jmledwell]

yes ...and depends

yes I do this professionally and cause its fun and good money.....and the Toyota guy is kind of right.....its not that you shouldn't do it after 90k.....its if you have never done it and then do it a 90 k depending on the condition you can create problems. If you check your fluid and you have debris floating in it. this is your clutch material and when you flush it out....you know longer have it and your transmission has nothing left to grab with. this service should be done every 30k .

 

[Gecko123]

A fluid exchange and a flush are the same.......you with the 17qts.....your trans does not take 17qts.....17qts is used to flush out the system.....shops recommend them because your car needs it...some of you are saying you don't believe in this service....do you change your oil.....how come? I wonder.....you think your oil needs to be changed but your other fluids magically last forever. A drain and fill on your transmission is the worst thing you can do. Trans fluid has so many detergents in it. when you drain and fill. you leave your transmission half full of dirty fluid and the clean fluid fights the dirty fluid . The flush is the best thing other than dropping the pan changing the filter and then filling and flushing afterwards.....but most of you wont spend that money on your car so your best option is the flush ....have any of you actually used a BG transmission flush machine....I did not think so ...so keep quiet.

I dont completely agree a drain and fill is bad if you do it on a regular basis and not let the fluid get too dirty.