Transmission fluid - amount to replace

[Dave]

Alphard G - 2006, 2.4, front wheel drive

 

I've just drained my transmission fluid through the sump plug (I've had a suspicion that there might not be enough in there and was curious to see what came out).

 

Just under 2 litres has come out.  From other discussions here I gather that there might be 4L remaining in the torque converter (but how would anyone know?  Perhaps this is low, too).

 

I'm proposing to add 4L but as above, this might not be enough.  Any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

Thanks

Dave

[Geralt]

On 6/17/2023 at 11:28 AM, Dave said:

I've had a suspicion that there might not be enough in there

Doesn't it have a dipstick to check the level?

[Dave]

3 hours ago, Geralt said:

Doesn't it have a dipstick to check the level?

 

It had a leak from the cooler pipes which is why I thought the level might be low.  I've found the dipstick to be hard to interpret as it has always shown the same level whether the engine is hot or cold.  This makes no sense to me but I've been unable to get to the bottom of it.

 

The whole thing is very frustrating.  All I want to do is to put the right amount of fluid in and naturally I'm worried about overfilling due to what I've read in other conversations here.

 

[Geralt]

I'm amazed the volume change with temperature is noticeable.

 

What is your transmission code? Mine starts with a U. Maybe Google that for maintenance info.

Edited June 18, 2023 by Geralt

[PaulE]

This is off the Toyota Club Net- hope it helps. 

 

Toyota-Club.Net - Fluids & capacities - Alphard 10 (2002-2008)

 

 

Quote

 

 

[Dave]

I've been meaning to post this update for the last year having finally got to the bottom of what the dipstick was telling me:

 

This is how to interpret/take the transmission dipstick readings (2 dipstick marks, 3 scenarios):

 

1.  Engine running but not warmed up:  dipstick should read cold

 

2. Engine running and warm:  dipstick should read warm

 

3. Engine cold and not running: dipstick should read above the warm mark

 

Confusion arose from my initial belief that the cold mark on the dipstick meant scenario 3, above.  (Leaving aside other oddities caused by the leak and low levels).  I couldn't understand why a cold, non-running engine was giving a reading of hotter than warm.   

[Catweazle]

How much did you put in Dave?

If there's supposed to be around 8 litres and you removed 2, did it need 6?

[Gamith]

I thought I would check the levels of the two dipsticks today, both on a cold engine, and, while I am happy with the engine oil level the other one (gearbox I assume) is a bit more difficult to read. 

 

Engine dipstick - engine cold.

 

Transmission dipstick - cold.

There are 4 marks, two at the 'low' and two at the 'full'

 

I take it for granted that I should have warmed up both (then leaving for at least 5 mins) before taking the reading but my question is more about what I should expect. Strangely I can't find any info in the manual for this dipstick.

 

Thanking you in anticipation.

[BigNev]

Hi @Gamith

Did you know that the engine has to be running when checking the auto transmission fluid level?

Run though all gear positions, slowly, a couple of times, then check the level. The two dip stick marks are minimun and maximum, for hot and cold, same as for engine oil. 

The accurate one is the hot one.

Yes there is that much expansion when it's hot!!

Cheers fellas!

[Gamith]

>Did you know that the engine has to be running when checking the auto transmission fluid leve

No, but I assumed it was a little more complicated so I was fishing for some help - thank you Neville

 

So am I correct in assuming that:

    when cold the level should be no less than (1) and no greater than (3)

    when hot the level should be no less than (2) and no greater than (4)

----v---v------------------------------v---v--------------------------

|      1    2                                                  3     4                                       handle -->

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

?

And what is considered a good 'run' to get the transmission up to temperature? I am hoping that 10 to 20 mins of fairly 'on the level' driving would be enough, but I would be interested in hearing peoples opinions.

 

Cheers all.

[BigNev]

Hi Paul!

You're absolutely welcome!

It is strange the way it's done, bemused me when I first discovered it many moons ago!

On the later versions it is indeed far more difficult, involving reading fluid temperatures and an "overflow" fluid height tube in the bottom of the transmission pan, bit of an unnecessary change in my grumpy opinion!

But on a traditional one, way better!

 

The COLD level reads between 1 and 2 for min / max, and HOT is between 3 and 4 for min / max again.

 

Yep, I would agree with you that a 20 minute drive, at this time of year and ambient temperature, should have the fluid up to normal working temperature.

Cheers, Nev