MaxLife ATF and expansion when hot

[MolaKule]

Here is the way I do it:

Drain and measure. Say four liters drain out.

Refill with 3.5 Liters. Warm up to hot, even a short trip.

Replace enough fluid to bring the level to just below (about 1/4") the Hot mark.

Check later after a spirited road trip and it should show the level to the Hot mark.

 

[ltslimjim]

I like your method molakule. It seems less risky to overfill. At the very least, worth it if you didn't know the dipstick reading while fully hot or cold before the drain.

 

[JTK]

Like said by others, I try to drain ATF when cold/ambient and replace what I took out with ambient temp new stuff. Provided the level was correct from the start, and nothing stupid happened along the way, there's no way you can screw that up. Hondas are great in that you check ATF with the engine off and cold or hot.

 

[SOHCman]

Back to the fluid expansion hypothesis, if anyone is dropping ATF soon, how about dropping it hot into a metal container (plastic might expand itself with hot fluid) and mark the top of the fluid level with sharpie. Allow to cool to room temp and share some before and after pictures of the fluid level.

Any takers?

 

[barkingspider]

I never had issues when drain / fill when fluid is cold