Transmission Fluid Question

[adamg32]

Hey guys,

I tried searching but I think the search function is down, I get some sort of error message instead, and google wasn't much help either.

I was wondering how much transmission fluid is in my 1998 4wd Automatic 4runner. The owner's manual says that the drain and refill fluid capacity for 4wd models is up to 2.1 qt, but I drained just over 4. This is the first time that I've done this since I bought it used, so I don't know when it was last done (if at all), or who did it. Is it possible to overfill it? I neglected to check the dipstick before I drained, but I figure that if push comes to shove I'll put in 2.1 as per the manual and check the dipstick, then keep adding as necessary. I was just curious if someone here had an explanation or some thoughts.

Thanks in advance!

 

[adamg32]

Thats what I was figuring, just wanted to make sure that it wasn't overfilled or something else strange and not good for my car.

Thanks!

 

[adamg32]

Well, 2.5 quarts gets it to the upper notch of "cool" on the dipstick, so I'm doubting my original plan of replacing it all.

Anyone else had a similar experience?

 

[XJeepguy]

I changed mine last year and put in 4 liters , same truck as you . Remember , a little under is better than a little over . I find the auto trannie dipstick a ****ing ***** to pull in and out . Its sticky in that tube !!!

I poured the old fluid into a clear container and noted how much came out and followed suit on the new fluid amount.

 

[adamg32]

That's what I had been figuring all along, but I'm right where I should be on the dipstick. Do you recall being above the marks when you were finished?

 

[XJeepguy]

Slightly yep .

That's what I had been figuring all along, but I'm right where I should be on the dipstick. Do you recall being above the marks when you were finished?

 

[004Gunner]

I agree that being a little under is better than a little over. When you check the fluid level, do it after you've driven far enough to have the temp gauge in the normal operating range. I usually check my fluid level after driving to work or driving home from work so I know the fluid is hot(checking while cold or cool usually leads to overfill). If you twist the dipstick clockwise while pushing in it won't get stuck.

 

[adamg32]

I agree that being a little under is better than a little over. When you check the fluid level, do it after you've driven far enough to have the temp gauge in the normal operating range. I usually check my fluid level after driving to work or driving home from work so I know the fluid is hot(checking while cold or cool usually leads to overfill). If you twist the dipstick clockwise while pushing in it won't get stuck.

This is even with the fluid level right in the middle of the two "cool" marks on the dipstick? Owners manual says cool temp = 50 to 85 degrees, which it was today. i'll check after driving tomorrow and see if it's up between the marks on hot, hopefully it will be.

 

[kball]

You are checking it with the engine running right? That temp specification the manual is talking about is not the ambient temp, it's the fluid temp. If you drained 4+ out, put 4+ back in. The manual is wrong. It takes 4-4.5 quarts when doing a drain and fill.

 

[adamg32]

So if the engine is idiling, should I still be checking the cool marks? I'm assuming that the hot marks are for after driving some amount?

 

[kball]

Technically yes, if the engine/trans is cold the fluid should be within the cold marks but... a lot of people have mentioned on here that whether cold or hot, the level doesn't change. I would get it hot and then get the fluid to within the hot marks. When you are driving it the fluid is hot so you might as well make the level correct when the fluid is up to operating temp. Like I was saying before, your trans has gone this long and performed fine (?) with those 4 quarts in it, so you should just put the same thing back in.

 

[adamg32]

Alright, thanks a million. I really appreciate the help.

 

[mongo161]

FWIW.....I usually just replace what I have drained out of the transmission. I'll refill with Dextron III from Walmart and leave it in for 1K miles. Then I will drain it one more time and refill with Dextron III.

The reason for the second drain is to try and get all the fluid I missed that was held in the Torque Converter during the first draining.

I too wish the dip stick were a lot better in these 3rd gen T4R's. Otherwise, I would love to do a drain the transmission first and replace the plug. Then flush out the system completely from the return line to the transmission and into a receptacle until the fluid turned nice and clean. While flushing the transmission I would just keep replacing the fluid through the downspout on the transmission and when nice and clean shut off the engine, check the fluid level and adjust accordingly. With the Toyota dipstick it makes it virtually impossible to determine if you have enough fluid in the transmission.

 

[004Gunner]

Technically yes, if the engine/trans is cold the fluid should be within the cold marks but... a lot of people have mentioned on here that whether cold or hot, the level doesn't change. I would get it hot and then get the fluid to within the hot marks. When you are driving it the fluid is hot so you might as well make the level correct when the fluid is up to operating temp. Like I was saying before, your trans has gone this long and performed fine (?) with those 4 quarts in it, so you should just put the same thing back in.

Right, the cold marks don't matter, you should only be concerned with the fluid level at the hot mark while the trans fluid is hot. Again, the best way to check the fluid is after driving a distance that will get the trans to normal operating temp, park on a level surface, leave the engine idling, shift through all the gears a few times, then check the fluid level. If you do this, you will get the most accurate reading.

 

[Qyota]

Right, the cold marks don't matter, you should only be concerned with the fluid level at the hot mark while the trans fluid is hot. Again, the best way to check the fluid is after driving a distance that will get the trans to normal operating temp, park on a level surface, leave the engine idling, shift through all the gears a few times, then check the fluid level. If you do this, you will get the most accurate reading.

X2. Don't rely on "cold" measuring. Hot is the only sure way.

 

[adamg32]

Sounds good guys. I'll take the long way home from work tomorrow and see what the dipstick says. I really appreciate all the help, last minute auto care before the drive down to school is always a bad idea in retrospect!

 

[NegroTundra]

I know this is an old thread.....but this helped me out. I have one of the 4runners mentioned earlier in this thread that the fluid level doesnt seem to change, cold or hot. For a while Ive been running it in the "cold" marks and it always shifted rough. Saw this and filled it to "hot" mark and it seems much smoother. Hopefully I didnt damage it, been running it a cold level for only about 1,000 miles though.

Thanks!:cheers:

 

[mtbtim]

I know this is an old thread.....but this helped me out. I have one of the 4runners mentioned earlier in this thread that the fluid level doesnt seem to change, cold or hot. For a while Ive been running it in the "cold" marks and it always shifted rough. Saw this and filled it to "hot" mark and it seems much smoother. Hopefully I didnt damage it, been running it a cold level for only about 1,000 miles though.

Thanks!:cheers:

You'll find with our 3rd Gens that the cold level reading are off. If you did a drain and refill of the trans pan and then filled the system based off the cold marks, you'd end up a little low. I use the cold level as a ballpark value and then take the truck for a decent drive on the highway, around 10 miles, and then come back to my garage (which is on level ground) and check where it's at on the dipstick. I'll add until I'm up to the top hot mark. If you have a scan gauge or OBDII bluetooth reader with a phone app and you have a 99-02 rig that has a trans temp sensor you can get info from, it takes the guesswork out of what temp your trans is at. The FSM says normal operating temp is 158-176.

Just be sure when checking trans fluid that the engine is running, you're on level ground, shift through all the gears and then back into park. Then check the level on the dipstick. Don't be fooled by partial readings on the dipstick. You're looking for the point where the complete wetness ends. You'll see partial wetness on the dipstick, especially if you just added some. If you want, just wait a little after adding so most of the fluid have drained out of the dipstick so you get a more accurate reading.

Some people are confused when checking the cold level. Cold doesn't mean with the engine off. The engine always has to be running to check trans fluid. Also, a warm engine doesn't correspond to a warm transmission. You could sit there idling and warm up your engine and your trans will be completely cold. You have to drive to get your trans up to operating temps.