oyerbl

Thanks for the numerous and informative DIYs on the forum. I have recently purchased a 2000 RX300 AWD with 131k. I wanted to change all the fluids to have a solid maintenance baseline. Yesterday I changed both front and rear differentials, engine oil/filter, power steering flush as well as the transmission/ extra transmission plug ( I am still not convinced about the correct name for that as the transfer case is the front housing which utilizes gear oil and transfers rotation from one axis to another). Coolant and spark plugs soon to follow.
Question:
I drained just over 4 quarts of ATF by pulling both plugs, dropping the pan and changed the transmission filter. I added about 4.25 quarts of ATF back after closing everything up. The level in my transmission is in between the cold and hot marks on the dipstick while cold and slightly (~1") above the hot mark on the dipstick when hot. Does anyone have any experience with how much fluid changes level on the dipstick? It seems like I added exactly what I took out, maybe a very little bit more (.1qt?) but the level seems to be really high. Could this just be residual on the dipstick tube? Any thoughts?

Baetke

Allways check transmission fluid level with the engine running and the transmission in Park.
Cycle transmission through each gear (pausing for about 5-10 seconds) in each gear before putting in Park.
The difference between low and high marks (for both hot and cold) is about 8 oz. of fluid.

carguy07

I would guess that you are just seeing residual on the tube. It's best to check after a good drive to warm it up and let the residual make it's way down the tube. I'm dead on with 4 1/4 quarts every time draining from both plugs, but not dropping the pan/filter. If anything, I would think that dropping the pan/filter would take a splash more.