how far should you drive the car before checking for an accurate fluid level at the HOT mark ? Would 12 > 14 miles be too much ? Would check it when other half gets home from work , giving it plenty of time to reach operating temperature . Thanks
A.T.F. level check : HOT LEVEL : how long and ...
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12-14 miles should be more than enough.
For the most accurate level I check when hot. But some cars I have not been able to read the stick when sizzeling hot.
I had to let them cool some before I could get a good reading.
If you want to be super sure of the level check it when cold, then do it when hot. This will show the expansion of fluid.
Normally it will be on the lower side when cold and towards the higher side when hot. If you can't by chance get a good reading while very hot, let it cool some then check it again.
You should be good to go.
For the most accurate level I check when hot. But some cars I have not been able to read the stick when sizzeling hot.
I had to let them cool some before I could get a good reading.
If you want to be super sure of the level check it when cold, then do it when hot. This will show the expansion of fluid.
Normally it will be on the lower side when cold and towards the higher side when hot. If you can't by chance get a good reading while very hot, let it cool some then check it again.
You should be good to go.
I really struggle to get any kind of reading in my camry... when hot and running after going through all the gears, ATF is splashed up all along the dipstick, and whether its cold, hot, running or not, it always stays at the "hot" level (if i can read it). really bugs me. I can't say how much is in there!!
Glad I'm not the only one this happens to...
In both of my Toyotas it is difficult to get a good reading on where the ATF level is whether hot or cold.
this is a '08 TOYOTA Yaris , the transmission sometimes shifts rather abruptly from 1st > 2nd and 3rd > 4th . So , was thinking not enough A.T. fluid was installed from factory in JAPAN , figures it'll be a bit of a hassle to read the stick .
I have a 08 Yaris 4AT, no issues with the shifting, now sure why it came from the factory low, but my fluid level was just below the low point for both Hot and Cold, and it took 250ml to bring it to the 3/4 mark of the low and high point of the markings.
Originally Posted By: smokey1
this is a '08 TOYOTA Yaris , the transmission sometimes shifts rather abruptly from 1st > 2nd and 3rd > 4th . So , was thinking not enough A.T. fluid was installed from factory in JAPAN , figures it'll be a bit of a hassle to read the stick .
Originally Posted By: smokey1
this is a '08 TOYOTA Yaris , the transmission sometimes shifts rather abruptly from 1st > 2nd and 3rd > 4th . So , was thinking not enough A.T. fluid was installed from factory in JAPAN , figures it'll be a bit of a hassle to read the stick .
what I did with my vibe, I made a mental note where the level was from the factory when trans fully cold. drain and filled leveled to the same spot. manual said drain and filter change was 3.2 qts. I got 3.0 qts in with just drain and fill. 0.2 qts must have been left in the filter.
A couple of points:
Even if you drive 15 miles to warm it up, you need to be sure to go into R for 10 seconds before you measure it.
It seems many transmissions have the dipstick curve around a bend and thus you will get some wiping of ATF. So in that case you want to look at the side of the dipstick on the outside of the bend. Also with a bend, there seems to be smearing of ATF, so if you try and pull and insert the dipstick many times in a few minutes, you will not get good results after the first few.
Even if you drive 15 miles to warm it up, you need to be sure to go into R for 10 seconds before you measure it.
It seems many transmissions have the dipstick curve around a bend and thus you will get some wiping of ATF. So in that case you want to look at the side of the dipstick on the outside of the bend. Also with a bend, there seems to be smearing of ATF, so if you try and pull and insert the dipstick many times in a few minutes, you will not get good results after the first few.
called a freind that's been a mechanic for over 30 years and told of my dilemma and said to drive car for over 30 miles to get accurate read . So , drove over 30 miles on interstate and some city driving . Got home , the woman went through all the gears for about 5 seconds each , put into park . I then wiped dipstick clean , left in for few seconds , removed it , and sure enough a little above the first notch of the HOT mark . Even rechecked and still the same . May try it again after we go for a pleasure cruise . Apparently the 14 mile trip wasn't enough to get the A.T.fluid warm enough for an accurate read , that showed level below the HOT mark . Sure is a hassle .
Donald you make some valid points. I look at both sides of the stick. After a few times you're done.
Now get a cold reading and you can do the check when cold instead of burning thru the gas.
Now get a cold reading and you can do the check when cold instead of burning thru the gas.
I am convinced by transmission is overfilled. Parked overnight when I pull the dipstick it shows 1cm above the hot notch. When checking it while it is running, small bubbles are on the dipstick.
When i do my drain/refill in a couple of weeks I am going to replace only 90% of what drains out to see if that makes it better. any advice?
When i do my drain/refill in a couple of weeks I am going to replace only 90% of what drains out to see if that makes it better. any advice?
Originally Posted By: Donald
A couple of points:
Even if you drive 15 miles to warm it up, you need to be sure to go into R for 10 seconds before you measure it.
It seems many transmissions have the dipstick curve around a bend and thus you will get some wiping of ATF. So in that case you want to look at the side of the dipstick on the outside of the bend. Also with a bend, there seems to be smearing of ATF, so if you try and pull and insert the dipstick many times in a few minutes, you will not get good results after the first few.
there's at least two bends one in either direction for me... really no good
A couple of points:
Even if you drive 15 miles to warm it up, you need to be sure to go into R for 10 seconds before you measure it.
It seems many transmissions have the dipstick curve around a bend and thus you will get some wiping of ATF. So in that case you want to look at the side of the dipstick on the outside of the bend. Also with a bend, there seems to be smearing of ATF, so if you try and pull and insert the dipstick many times in a few minutes, you will not get good results after the first few.
there's at least two bends one in either direction for me... really no good
Originally Posted By: Cutehumor
wow, 30 miles. that's $3 in gas. was it worth it?
yup , worth it . Nearest TOYOTA service center we trust is over 70 miles away . Plus , the car is in the break-in period . Currently getting 43 m.p.g. . Therefore , cheaper to do 30 mile run compared to a 140 mile round trip , plus the cost of dining out , and a 3 hour wait to get A.T. fluid checked under warranty . That's my veiw on it .
wow, 30 miles. that's $3 in gas. was it worth it?
yup , worth it . Nearest TOYOTA service center we trust is over 70 miles away . Plus , the car is in the break-in period . Currently getting 43 m.p.g. . Therefore , cheaper to do 30 mile run compared to a 140 mile round trip , plus the cost of dining out , and a 3 hour wait to get A.T. fluid checked under warranty . That's my veiw on it .
Forgot , while on interstate majority of people passed us going 70 m.p.h. and beyond in their S.U.V.s , sports cars , pickups , R.V.s , tractor trailers , and even economy cars . Our average speed was arond 55 in the slow lane due to owners manual saying to drive different speeds and not excessive speeds during 1st 1,000 miles of break in period .
Originally Posted By: oilboy123
Donald you make some valid points. I look at both sides of the stick. After a few times you're done.
Now get a cold reading and you can do the check when cold instead of burning thru the gas.
looked at both sides of stick .
Donald you make some valid points. I look at both sides of the stick. After a few times you're done.
Now get a cold reading and you can do the check when cold instead of burning thru the gas.
looked at both sides of stick .
Originally Posted By: crinkles
I am convinced by transmission is overfilled. Parked overnight when I pull the dipstick it shows 1cm above the hot notch. When checking it while it is running, small bubbles are on the dipstick.
When i do my drain/refill in a couple of weeks I am going to replace only 90% of what drains out to see if that makes it better. any advice?
Yeah, skip the drain re-fill on a new vehicle until at least 15,000-30,000 miles. If you are worried its overfilled suck some fluid out of the dipstick tube with a fluid extractor and top it off yourself. You are probably talking about a pint of fluid which makes no difference anyway.
I am convinced by transmission is overfilled. Parked overnight when I pull the dipstick it shows 1cm above the hot notch. When checking it while it is running, small bubbles are on the dipstick.
When i do my drain/refill in a couple of weeks I am going to replace only 90% of what drains out to see if that makes it better. any advice?
Yeah, skip the drain re-fill on a new vehicle until at least 15,000-30,000 miles. If you are worried its overfilled suck some fluid out of the dipstick tube with a fluid extractor and top it off yourself. You are probably talking about a pint of fluid which makes no difference anyway.
Originally Posted By: PT1
Originally Posted By: crinkles
I am convinced by transmission is overfilled. Parked overnight when I pull the dipstick it shows 1cm above the hot notch. When checking it while it is running, small bubbles are on the dipstick.
When i do my drain/refill in a couple of weeks I am going to replace only 90% of what drains out to see if that makes it better. any advice?
Yeah, skip the drain re-fill on a new vehicle until at least 15,000-30,000 miles. If you are worried its overfilled suck some fluid out of the dipstick tube with a fluid extractor and top it off yourself. You are probably talking about a pint of fluid which makes no difference anyway.
mine is coming up to 55,000 km (34,000 miles) so its first atf drain and fill is just about due in my opinion. owner's manual does not have any ATF maintenance, only an insepection at 60,000 miles. I don't buy it!
Originally Posted By: crinkles
I am convinced by transmission is overfilled. Parked overnight when I pull the dipstick it shows 1cm above the hot notch. When checking it while it is running, small bubbles are on the dipstick.
When i do my drain/refill in a couple of weeks I am going to replace only 90% of what drains out to see if that makes it better. any advice?
Yeah, skip the drain re-fill on a new vehicle until at least 15,000-30,000 miles. If you are worried its overfilled suck some fluid out of the dipstick tube with a fluid extractor and top it off yourself. You are probably talking about a pint of fluid which makes no difference anyway.
mine is coming up to 55,000 km (34,000 miles) so its first atf drain and fill is just about due in my opinion. owner's manual does not have any ATF maintenance, only an insepection at 60,000 miles. I don't buy it!
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