Should I drain or add some?

[nissanh]

After my tranny cooler installation, I added about 450 mL (1/2 qt) of trans fluid. Since the installed trans cooler was somewhat bigger than what I removed I though it may take about 1/2 qt.

It is hard to get to warm level with the winter weather and the cooler. So, the temperature of the fluid is always cold no matter how much I drive. Did 10 miles at 70+ miles and the temperaure reached barely warm.

I just check the level after driving 3 miles (fluid is not even warm, I checked with my fingers) and the picture shows the level. Is this too much or low?

 

[jgue467]

Can't tell "Warm"

Well even though some on this site say the Low markings are not accurate, I check mine that way all the time.

Bottom line, toyota engineers designed the trans fluid dipstick to be read as the names imply either Hot or Cold, not 'warm'. So pick one temp and check it consistently that way on Level (really level - this is Important) ground.

Luck and enjoy. :cowboy:

 

[thegipper]

You need to drive it around town for at least 20 minutes (stop and go, not highway) to get it actually "hot", then check it.

At this point it should be at the top of the hot mark. If not, add until it is.

Enjoy

 

[thegipper]

PS

I don't have a tranny cooler but I do have a tranny temp gauge. Right now with the temps being about 40 degree's, if I drive on the highway, my tranny temps go down to about 120. If I drive around town for about 20 minutes, it will get up to about 165.

Good luck

 

[shahsmerdis]

what temp did you measure?

sounds like it could be hot, but just low.... without putting at operating temp range, then your readings are meaningless

 

[nissanh]

Thanks for the replies guys!

I'll do a city driving tomorrow and get it to the operating temperature. My IR thermometer needs new batteries.... always like this, whenI need it, it is dead!!

 

[mtbtim]

Dude, do you have a way to monitor your trans temp, Scan Gauage, Torque Pro, or other type of gauge? If so, the FSM suggests checking the trans level when the temp is between 158-176. At this temp, the dipstick level should read in the hot range. From what myself and several others on the forum have discovered is filling to the cold range is just to get you into the ballpark of the proper fluid level. Filling to the upper cold range after changing your fluid and then bringing your trans to operating temp, you'll find you'll need to add a little to get it to the upper hot range. Trans fluid continues to expand the hotter it gets. I checked one time after climbing a long hill and my trans temp was near 200 F. The level on the dipstick was over the upper hot range. So, what I'm trying to say is it's not an exact science. I'd personally rather be a tad high than low. Before I knew about the ability to monitor trans temps, I'd just drive down the freeway 5 miles, drive back home and then check to see where I was at and would add accordingly to the upper hot range. You just don't want to be way high or way low.

Now I know you are in Texas and Texas can be VERY flat from what I've heard. If you have any hills in your area, this is what I'd do. Drive the hill and keep overdrive on. This will be your best bet to get your trans to operating temperature in cold weather. If you don't have a hill you can drive, drive at least 10 miles on the highway. When you get back onto surface streets, your trans temp will start to climb close to operating temp. Pull off somewhere where it's flat, run your trans through all the gears and then Park. Now check your level. You should be in the hot range or very near.

Here's a couple pics from the FSM that discusses checking the trans fluid level:

 

[Rwhockey29]

Now I know you are in Texas and Texas can be VERY flat from what I've heard. If you have any hills in your area, this is what I'd do. Drive the hill and keep overdrive on. This will be your best bet to get your trans to operating temperature in cold weather.

I live in Dallas, where its generally pretty flat. Took the 4runner down to Austin to watch the Le Mans series, and my trans temp was about 20 degrees higher than in Dallas because of all the hills.

 

[amalik]

in the best situation, you drive around like 20 minutes (oh, and shift through all the gears) and you are at the top hot mark or just a hair above it.

its pretty hard to get it that perfect, but its possible.

 

[alumarine]

I'd drive it for 20 minutes in warm weather and try and get the level to low hot.
Then sometime when I knew it was hot I'd shoot for the high hot mark.

I've done this a number of times and it works out well.

 

[nissanh]

Back with numbers.

I did city driving for about 20 minutes and checked the level (environment is at 15 C or 60 F). It was still at the same location as my 1st picture and the temperature of the fluid was 25 Celsius (77 Fahrenheit).

I then let it to cool with the hood open for about 1 hour at 15 C (60 F). Started the truck and went through all the gears and checked again. This time the temperature of the fluid was at 17 C (63 F) and the level stayed between the LOW and MAX in the COLD range.

The temperature was measured with an IR thermometer directly at the fluid on the dipstick.

 

[thegipper]

You may not be able to get an accurate "hot" reading until next year when it warms up. I would keep it where it is and just keep an eye on it. If for some reason, you are in some major traffic for like an hour, check it then.