Checking Transmission fluid during the summer---Got it!

Trying to figure out how to check my level / drain and fill during the summer in Louisiana... I let the dealership do a drain and fill a few thousand miles ago.

It didn't shift right afterwards, so I sent it back to check the level... It was a smidge low they said, so they added a little bit and did a relearn. It is smoothing out but still shifts off when cold. Shifts what I would consider normal when warmed up.

Ruggybuggy suggested sending it back to the dealership to let them check it again if I suspected it is low. (I do respect Ruggybuggy's advice/opinion) However, I really don't want to take it back to the dealership.

 

I have a obd2 scanner and by the time I try to get it into check mode in the morning it is already over the min check temp.

Could I damage the transmission by just adding half a quart until we get some cooler weather down here and I can attempt to do another drain and fill and check it properly?

Any advice is appreciated.

I broke my thread up into 2 posts because I am ADD and can't make it through a long one... LOL

 

Define "didn't shift right"?

 

Follow the level check procedure.

1. Get your transmission pan level (front to back and side to side)
2. Start your truck cold. Monitor transmission pan temp with an OBD reader
3. Once transmission pan temp hits 105ºF, open the level check plug.
4. Let it drain until it is a trickle. To me, this is when a solid stream starts to become broken up into (not quite) drips.

If nothing comes out, it is under-filled. If it starts at a trickle, I’d add a half quart and call it good

 

TCCN's trickle is more than my idea of a trickle. What till he gets older and starts having prostate problems.

 

A delayed or harder than normal shift.

 

From what I've read you are supposed to put it check mode by jumpering 2 pins and running through the gears in a certain sequence. This is supposed to set the RPMs at a constant speed. By the time I can do all that it's already too hot. I may just have to wait til we get some cooler weather.

 

You’re right—I forgot to mention cycling through the gears. Once I hit 99-100°F, I start cycling through all the gears. Mine takes a very long time to warmup. This usually gives me a few minutes to cycle through gears at least. Then I crack open that level-check plug @ 105°F-ish. As long as it stays under 113°F, you’re good.

 

My 21 doesn't have the pins to jumper so I have a very narrow window of time between the engine idling down and the transmission temps to be in range. If you have an external trans cooler you have to pin the thermostat open too. I don't so one less step for me.

 

When I plugged in my reader the fluid was already in the 90s this morning... (with the truck off after sitting all night) it's been frigging hot down here. This was a little after 6am.

That is why I was wondering if just adding half a quart would hurt anything until it cools off down here.

 

Well, I went ahead and did a drain and fill following the method where you measure what you get out and attempt to put the same amount in. I bought a 4 quart measurement bucket from home depot.

I then drained it and weighed the fluid minus the container. I got approximately 5 quarts out and that is the amount I purchased. So I put all 5 quarts in and did not spill any, I weighed the new and subtracted the weight of the containers.

If my math is correct I ended up adding 2-3 ounces extra. I still plan on checking the level per the proper procedure, but I need to get a new check plug prior.

It looks like the techs that did the drain and fill buggered it up. They also omitted the crush washer for the drain plug and it was barely tight. At this point I am glad I did the drain and fill and do need to check the level as I have lost confidence in the dealer I went to.

Now I am wondering if I am slightly overfilled. Maybe my transmission is just warm natured.

 

I think you are way overthinking this. If your ambient temp hits 100, put some extra fluid in, start it up, pull the plug and let it go to a trickle. Put the plug back in and drive it.

 

Finally got a break from the heat this morning. Pulled my wife's car out of the garage and my tundra in, turned it off and got setup to do the fluid check. Let it sit for a bit while I got all my tools out. I followed the Toyota check procedure by jumpering the 4 and 13 pins and following the shift sequence. I then plugged in my veepeak and conneted to odb fushionn and headed under the truck. I pulled the check plug a nd replaced the crush washer, no fluid was coming out. Hit th 99° mark and no fluid, at approx 101° a trickle started. I promptly installed the plug. I am now confident I have a good level.

 

I will do another drain and fill in the fall and call it good for awhile. I saved some money doing it myself. I ended up breaking my phone camera screen and my screen protector and had to buy a few tools, but next time I will only need the fluid.

Time to start over analazing / worrying about some thing else...

 

The ab60 can handle being overfilled up to a quart with no issues. Sometimes an extra 1/2 quart can help with an early p2757 code.