How do I check the transmission fluid in my 2018 4Runner TRD

Hello All -

This is my first Toyota vehicle and I can't find the transmission fluid dip stick in my 2018 4Runner to check it. Where is it? I looked in the manual and couldn't find any mention of it. Thanks for the help.

 

Its a sealed transmission

 

There’s no dipstick....it’s sealed. Get a subscription to the tfs manual, it will detail how to check. If it’s like the the 3rd gen Tacoma, it’s a pain to do.

 

ya this is a PITA ..

this is how I do it ................

I have a scan gauge II programed to read tranny temps.. there are 2 temp sensors.. torque converter and the pan .. use the pan sensor...

with the tranny temp in the 107-113F temp range it should be at the fill hole level.. some should flow out..

setup requires the pan to be level so I level the truck using a level on the pan...first run vehicle around the block a few times in 60-80F air temps .. then do the leveling ..start engine ... open fill plug wait till the scan gauge shows 110F fluid temp.. some fluid should come out .. if not have the pump bottle ready and shoot some in..

many have had problems if its too hot out temp rises to quickly ..

also when parked engine on the torque converter and pan should be the same temp.. because it is not creating heat in the converter..

I monitor these temps when I drive it ..temps are 175F most all the time in summer...

 

Next oil change I am going to try the drain and fill method with Amsoil going in. Whatever amount I drain out will be replaced with an equal amount. Just ridiculous they make this such a pain in the @$#

 

here's the 2016-2019 FSM.

 

I would only recommend Toyota WS Transmission oil. BTW I do a transmission drain and fill every 15k miles, on the first time I always do it cold, I drain the fluid in a container then marked it, then filled the container to the marked level and put it back into the transmission. I also did this with FJ for over 10 years and over 200k miles, never a problem or shutter!

 

I do the same drain and fill as out-lined above around every 30k miles. I use Ravenol T-WS a full synthetic fluid, made in Germany. It is a certified WS Aisin approved fluid that is formulated with a Group III/PAO Synthetic base oil. As such it is a bit more expensive vs Toyota ATFWS. But it is much better in cold weather performance, and excels in hot temperatures and extended drain intervals. Toyota ATFWS is made by Exxon/Mobil and is a semi synthetic base fluid, with a proprietary additive package.

https://www.ravenolamerica.com/transmission-fluid/atf-fluid-ravenol-t-ws-lifetime-fluid/

 

Yeah, but your transmission will last longer. After my previous Jeep dramarama with the transmission, I'm taking no chances with my 4Runner.

 

That's a Jeep problem.

Not a maintenance problem.

 

Exactly. I've had 3 Jeeps and at around 130,000 miles no matter how well I maintained the transmissions, all started having problems. One of the main reasons I now own a Toyota.

 

I changed out the oil (a flush, actually) with a buddy on my 2007 FJ. Surprisingly easy. Oil was black as coal and after 11 or so litres, bright red.
Checking the level is easy peasy as was mentioned above. Remove the inspection plug, run it till the tranny is at about 110*F and fluid has dribbled out and then reinstall the plug.
As well, the moderator on the FJ site runs Amsoil National. Used to be a tech and rose thru the ranks. He definitely recommends OEM tranny for the Toyota tranny and nothing else, though that statement was made around5-7 yrs ago.

I had no issues with the tranny but it actually felt better afterwards. OEM oil had around 70k miles on it