JohnOlson

Greetings all,

Tranny fluid level '97 ES300

I am wondering how the '97 ES300 I bought used might have what looks to be way too much fluid in the transmission, especially since all the maintenance on this car has always been done at the dealer. I am going to post a pic of the dipstick and you maybe can't tell so I am holding my thumb where the level is while COLD.
I don't expect anyone can answer my "how" question, but can we agree this is way overfilled? The dipstick down at the end between those 2 notches reads COLD. And higher up between those 2 notches it reads HOT. Again; the level is at my thumb COLD.

HomerJay

To confirm you're checking the ATF on level ground with the engine on?

JohnOlson

Greetings Pole,
Level yes, running no! I suppose that's the problem!
I'm a bit confused about that because the dipstick shows a range for COLD. I figured that meant OFF.

Oro

Right-o, it's going to look overfilled if you check with the engine off.

You have a different box than mine, but on the 4es I found it impossible to get an accurate reading on mine if the car had been moved at all recently (splash effect up tube presumably). I check mine when necessary in the am before moving it and this helps a lot; reference the cold line at that time.

JohnOlson

Well I checked it while hot and running and the level was right in the hot range on the stick, below my finger in the pic. But that doesn't explain the cold range that is shown to the bottom of the stick, or how I might reference that as you suggest either.

Oro

If you checked it hot, and it was good, then tally ho.

If you want to check again cold, then just start it cold and check. But not strictly necessary if you have a good reading when hot.