Does everyone check their transmission fluid level before their first drain and refill?

I usually check my rear diff, transfer case and front diff fluid levels at first oil change. I usually change my oil the first time before 1500 miles. The transmission check procedure (using the jumper wire method for temp range) really requires you to lose a little fluid thru the overflow tube to assure it’s correct when in the target temperature range. It’s really a pain but I did it on my 2016 Tacoma. The diffs and transfer case are very easy to do. If the transmission is shifting fine and no issues regarding any warning lights (ATF fluid hi temp) is it irresponsible to NOT check it until I do a drain and refill at 30,000 miles? I have no severe service driving. I was just wondering what the average 4 Runner owner here does? Thanks.

 

How would you check the level?

 

Without a TechStream handheld computer to plug into the OBDN multi pin connector (under dash near left knee) you place a wire jumper across 2 of the pins. You manipulate the transmission selector thru a specific sequence and monitor the multi-information display. After the appropriate indications , the transmission temperature is in the desired “check range”. When in this range you remove the overflow tube plug off the transmission bottom plate and watch for a steady drip. When you get the right drip, it’s filled properly. The desired temp range is about 103-115 deg F. If you have never done it before you need to watch a Utube on how to do it. I have done it and it’s doable but compared to a dipstick, it’s a pain. Watch this thread :https://www.4runners.com/threads/monitor-trans-temps-torque-pro-app-android-obd-jumper-method.25302/

You don’t need the scan tool in the link above. Follow this link starting at 5:50 and the Car Care Nut (AMD) will show you how to check the level.https://youtu.be/NUAuGmDGntY

 

I drain into a bucket and mark the level. During the flush procedure I fill with that amount and drain that amount until I see clean fluid again then use the temp procedure and check plug.

 

I have never done a “flush” procedure. Is that where you fill what was drained. Run vehicle and mix fluid thoroughly. Drain again, and repeat until the fluid drained looks new? So you are essentially diluting the old fluid partially each pass?

 

I wouldn't check the level "before" doing a "drain & fill" or a "complete fluid exchange(not to be confuse with a "flush")"...BUT I highly recommend doing the fluid level check after doing any of the above.

I have read where several people do one of the above and simply add back what was removed and never check the fluid level after...BUT what they are doing will never tell you that the fluid level was correct before they removed the old fluid so they don't know if the fluid level is correct after they finish, which IMHO is inviting an expensive problem with the transmission later on!

Definitions

Drain & Fill: Draining what fluid is in the pan and refilling with new fluid, then check fluid level.

Fluid Replacement: Removing all the fluid using the ATF line at the radiator by running the vehicle and pumping out a couple of quarts turn off vehicle and refilling 2 quarts via the return cooling or the fill hole on the transmission, keep repeat the above steps until new fluid is being pump out, then check fluid level.

Flush: Fluid being removed and replaced by a machine under pressure until all old fluid has been removed, then check fluid level.....This method is not recommend with high mileage transmissions that have not regularly had a flush done at least every 60,000 miles or less if used under severe conditions, a "Drain & Fill" would be a better choice

 

I agree completely. If you never check the factory fill, you don’t know if it was filled correctly. I had a front diff under-filled 40% from factory on a 2016 Tacoma. It happens. That’s why I check all mine fluid levels before I get many miles on it. First oil change is a good time. The diffs and transfer case are easy. The transmission almost requires losing some to see if properly filled. I guess if it is steady drip at temperature you can just close it up. Also, if refilling what was removed, you need to account for what is left in the tubing from your bottle thru the pump and up to the fill hole. If you are filling it with a hand pump and seeing the proper drip (indicating filled properly) at temperature, then it doesn’t matter what gets left in the tubing. Depending on the length and diameter of the tubing, you could easily leave 6-8 ounces in the tubing. Whatever method you use , need to know that what you put in properly filled it. I’m not comfortable going to 30,000 miles before knowing if the transmission was properly filled. So I guess I answered my original question myself. Does anyone ever wait? But if enough members had verified their transmission was properly filled from the factory, I would want to know that.

 

I use the OBDlink MX+ and it will give you realtime transmission temps and a ton of other useful info -- think I spent $139 on it off of Amazon. It's the next best thing to a Techstream if you don't want to spend the big bucks.

Bought it just so I could do a transmission drain and fill.

 

The system pulls from the pan so you’re pushing the old fluid out into the bucket when you undo the return hose. There will be some mixing but it happens without a flush machine but there’s way more mixing just draining and filling the pan because there’s about 2.5 quarts in there while there’s about 10 or 12 total in the system.

 

So you read the trans temp directly not needing to watch the flashing “D” indicator on multi info display. So you are still looking for the correct dripping thru the overflow tube at the correct temperature range.I may need to check that out. I can imagine other useful information.

 

If you were responding to what I wrote, yeah the OBDlink is awesome -- gives you Pan Temp and Torque Converter in realtime, so all you have to do is start your car after you've drained and filled, then you watch the temp climb into the test range (104 - 113) and undo the overfill screw, let the extra drain out - et voila, you're done.

I've also been driving around with it linked up so I can monitor trans temps and engine temps to make sure I didn't do something wrong or the fluid is low, since I'm extra OCD about everything.

 

The temperature measurement seems fairly straightforward and objective. I'm less certain of my ability (having not done it before) to correctly identify the right amount of dripping. What do I think is more likely, wrong level from the factory, or me misinterpreting the drip? And if I do that, how likely am I to finish the operation with the right amount of fluid in the system? Doing the procedure a few times would develop judgment, but I'd have to get it right on my first attempt.

 

Oh no for the temp readout I used to use a scangauge. Not sure how I will do it with the Runner because I sold the scangauge a while back.

 

I did mine at 30k approximately. Drain and refill. I didnt scientifically check my level because I cant recall if I had my engine on or off when I removed the stand pipe drain bolt. Nothing came out at all.

Anywho, after a drain and fill, IRC, it needed around a quart more than came out.

Very possible to have an underfilled transmission.

 

backpacker, the Car Care Nut Utube shows the correct dripping in his video. I did it on my Tacoma using the jumper wire, had my wife looking at the flashing indicator (“D”, I believe) and first time thru was slightly low (no dripping). I then added about 1/2 quart. Got the temp back into correct range, and reinstalled the overflow tube drain plug when correctly dripping. You might have to let trans cool back down some and approach temperature from below to get in right range.