Am I checking the Tranny Fluid level correctly????

[mareakin]

Just did a drain/refill (also dropped the pan and cleaned and replace the transmission filter)--- I refilled with 3.5 quarts

I got a general idea about how much I needed to add based on how much was drained out (I did a rough measure of it by the old ATF into empty quart bottles).

So, I took the car out for a spin on the highway for about 10 minutes, reaching a Pathmark Supermarket parking lot, I checked the transmission fluid level by shifting from P to R to N to D to 2 to L and then back (per the instructional manual.) Then with the engine on, I pulled the dipstick and checked the level: It seemed LOW! It was halfway along the Cold reading line.

So, I proceeded to add another half quart. Then drove another 10 minutes on the highway and checked again: This time, I seemed to have OVERFILLED??? The level read, slightly above the HOT FULL line.

Drove another 10 minutes. Then checked again, this time it read right on the HOT LOW line....

Drove another 10 minutes, again, then checked again, it seemed to be exactly on the HOT FULL line.

What am I doing wrong? Why is the reading so erratic and is it ok to have overfilled slightly???

thanks.

 

[crinkles]

is it a toyota?

 

[Billy_D]

Dude, you overfilled you transmission. After you drained the old fluid, you should have filled it with 3.2 Qts of ATF.

 

[hate2work]

I'm not sure you're doing anything wrong, except maybe shifting through all the gears before checking the level, as I've never done that. I just get the car hot, put it in park and check it.

You can also check the level cold, you might try that. I find that easier because the engine doesn't have to be running.

Basically, it sounds like you're OK from what you wrote. Just don't keep adding fluid, make sure you really are low before adding any more.

What car, btw?

 

[Billy_D]

To check the level, you need to drive the vehicle 20 miles (30 km) or until it reaches normal operating temperature.Then park the vehicle on a level surface to check the fluid level

 

[mareakin]

The car is a 2007 Corolla CE.

Fluid: Type T-IV.

---------------------------

the manual does call for 3.2 quarts....

yet the fluid that came out of the car filled more than 3.2 quarts... I think it was about 4, I think..

So i'm not sure about that.

What about over-filling, is that a really terrible thing?

If so, I might have to drain it out again and do another fill, this time, not overfilling ... hopefully

thx

 

[crinkles]

toyota's are known for not giving very good readings especially when the fluid is hot. I found that I can check reliably only when cold with my camry (U241E transmission), i.e. on first start up and read of the cold-H and -L marks. mine is slightly overfilled because I played the same game chasing my own tail when i did a drain and fill. 3.5L came out and I put 4 in. I am not sweating it.

Check it cold next time to see.

I check by starting engine, then R for 10 sec, then D for 10 sec, 2, L, then D for 10 sec, then N, R for 10 sec, then P, and check while idling.

 

[Billy_D]

You may have overfilled by half a quart, or you may have filled it with the right amount.

The owner’s manual probably lists the fluid capacity without changing the filter. Since you have changed your filter, trust the dipstick and your owner’s manual. You maybe ok, just double check that you have the right amount of ATF by reading the ATF level on the dipstick.

 

[oldmaninsc]

Originally Posted By: hate2work

I'm not sure you're doing anything wrong, except maybe shifting through all the gears before checking the level, as I've never done that. I just get the car hot, put it in park and check it.



Actually many car makers recommend checking the fluid AFTER you shift through all the gears. It's called read the owner's manual. I'm not familiar with what Toyota recommends, but most of my vehicles (GM and Ford) tell you to check the fluid hot.
I would wonder if the vehicle was level every time he checked the fluid.

 

[adamg]

Are Toyotas checked running? I know my Honda has to be checked warm, but within 60-90 seconds of turning the engine off.

You probably already know this, but just to be sure, are you going with the lowest level on the stick? You know how sometimes when checking you don't see the same amount of oil on both sides of the stick? Go with the lowest level as your reading.

 

[mechtech2]

ATF and transmission internals expand a lot. So does the cooler tank in the radiator, which is often overlooked in the equation.
Be consistent. No need to go through the gears. Drive it warm or hot, and check it right away, on level ground.
Really hot in Summer will show the fluid at the upper level mark, and maybe a hair above.
Warm should be in between the low and full, and will vary.

 

[Donald]

My 94 Camry should be checked with transmission warm, shifted into all gears, level and running.

 

[JTK]

Originally Posted By: Donald
My 94 Camry should be checked with transmission warm, shifted into all gears, level and running.


Yep, as far as I know, any conventional planetary gear set AT needs to be checked that way. Honda and some Saturn ATs with sliding gear sets need to be checked engine off. Anyhoo... only 3.5qts with a pan drop!?! eeek. Makes me like the 4T45E in my econo-car with a system capacity of over 13qts.

Joel