how to measure amount of ATF drained?

[sky]

Hi guys, I'm about to drain/reill my automatic 2005 Scion tC with fluid in about a couple of weeks. I'm just going to drain through the pan and then fill. I have a couple of questions. Car has about 30k miles and will be using Toyota T-IV transmission fluid

1. Do/Should i take the pan off to "inspect" it?

2. How do I measure the amount of fluid that come out? (Drain into a beaker or something?)

3. I can fill it through the dipstick correct?

Sorry for all the questions as this is my first car and I am learning bit by bit. thank you.

 

[Rhymingmechanic]

I dump my drained fluid into an empty 5-quart oil jug. Most of those have each quart marked. Then I fine tune by warming up the trans and checking the dipstick. I can't speak on the specifics of a Scion, though.

 

[unDummy]

No need to inspect pan at 30k miles. But, I would consider a more frequent ATF interval. A partial change at 30k, IMHO, isn't enough. Use the drainplug and don't bother with pan removal until ~100k miles. Check your owners manual to see if it has a drain/refill capacity vs full transmission capacity.

Am I the only one that doesn't worry about what ATF quantity comes out if it has a dipstick? Simply pour your old fluid into a known container size. Toyotas aren't known for large sump capacities and are easy to overfill.

Refill, start it up, and check fluid level cold. It should be about ~1" below the full fluid mark. Some dipsticks have a cold/hot markings which makes initial cold fill easy. Take it for a ride to warm up and recheck level.

 

[Titan]

I pour it into a clean jug, mark the side, pour the old stuff into a collection jug to take to the recyclers. Fill the original jug to the mark and pour that amount back in. It's foolproof if you don't spill any!

 

[Tones]

Yeah, just do it right after an oil change and use the oil containers to measure with. Be careful pouring it.

 

[oilyriser]

Write down how much it takes to refill, so you won't have to use the dipstick next time.

 

[Quickbeam]

Drain it hot, you'll get more out that way. Also let it drain overnight if you can. Measure what was removed by any convienent method or just wing it as undummy says. After refilling cycle through the shift positions to make sure everything (valve body, converter, ect) is full and adjust level as needed. Check it again in a day or so. Consider adding a filter such as the Magnafine or a true bypass. Fwiw I feel the Trasko works well in auto transmission applications. A cooler would be nice too.

 

[fixit301]

I use the plastic party cups. I count the Full cups and leave any partial cup untouched. I then use a new cup and same thing.... I count the cups of fresh fluid and then use the partial cup to measure the last. Kinda a side by side comparison of old and new on the partial cup..
FWIW, The cups I use....2 full cups equal an even quart. Works for me.

 

[The Critic]

For a tC with the U241E transmission, remove the drain bolt embedded in the transmission pan, and drain the fluid. Reinstall the plug, and add 3.5 quarts of T-IV type fluid. Idle the engine for 15 minutes, shifting through the gears every several minutes. Adjust the fluid level until it is in between the low and full marks. Take it for a five to ten mile drive on the highway before adjusting the fluid level to "MAX/FULL."

Don't ask me how I know this.

 

[sky]

alright thatnks a lot guys! this makes it seem easier than an oil change! =]

 

[gtx510]

Pull off the ATF cooler return line from the radiator and start the engine for a "complete" fluid change. Shut off engine when ATF stops spraying. Add 2-3qts and restart engine, shut it off when new ATF comes out. You've now flushed all your ATF and made a huge mess...


Can't he also use Redline D4 ATF?

 

[sky]

I'm not sure. I'm just going to stick with the Toyota stuff. How else would I fill it without using the dipstick? I saw someone mention it that if I know the measured amount I can just fill it. I found the drain plug, i'm guessing there is a fill plug that I can pour the fluid back in as well? Or should I just stick with filling via the dipstick? Thanks.

 

[Kestas]

For some cars the method of measuring the level is very complicated and requires special equipment and techniques (e.g., the New Beetle). For those cars it is very important to capture all the fluid and measure how much fluid is drained. I use empty quart bottles that have markings on the side. Don't forget to estimate the clingage loss.

 

[The Critic]

Quote:

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I'm not sure. I'm just going to stick with the Toyota stuff. How else would I fill it without using the dipstick? I saw someone mention it that if I know the measured amount I can just fill it. I found the drain plug, i'm guessing there is a fill plug that I can pour the fluid back in as well? Or should I just stick with filling via the dipstick? Thanks.

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The dipstick is the only way to fill this unit.

 

[sky]

thank you very much!

 

[doitmyself]

For what it's worth.........if you use a tight fitting funnel in the dipstick hole, be aware that sometimes an "air pocket" of sorts might form while replacing the fluid and the transmission might "burp", sending some transmission fluid out of the funnel and onto your engine. Keep rags on hand.

 

[sky]

alright.. another question as I got under my car today to try and find the drain plug... my oil drain plug is on the right hand side of my car and the drain plug is a "socket" as it sticks out.

I try and find my transmission plug and the only thing I can find is on the left side and it is "indented". Is this it? I don't want to drain anything and would pictures help?

 

[sky]

hey! you said it's embedded correct? so what i have found is the correct drain plug then?

 

[neo3]

I just bought a Mightyvac pump, worked great really easy and no mess, and the side of the container is marked (in liters).

 

[The Critic]

Quote:

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alright.. another question as I got under my car today to try and find the drain plug... my oil drain plug is on the right hand side of my car and the drain plug is a "socket" as it sticks out.

I try and find my transmission plug and the only thing I can find is on the left side and it is "indented". Is this it? I don't want to drain anything and would pictures help?

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Have you found the transmission pan? It's usually black and either rectangular or square in shape. Look for a drain bolt that is installed on the surface of the transmission pan. If you have a camera, perhaps you could post some pictures of what you found.