All,

I have had the local Toyota dealership drain and fill the trans on my 99 RX last time (last August) and the levels on the dipstick before and after that change was always slightly above the "hot" range, indicating a slight overfill. Also, it didn't matter if the car was warmed up or cold, the level was always the same.

I decided to put some fresh T-IV in yesterday myself, and what came out was not perfectly cherry red but not all that bad either. In any case, exactly 4 quarts drained out of the pan. Now this is interesting since from what I read when you do a drain and fill, only 75% of the 4.1 quart capacity comes out. Well this was more than 75%.

In keeping consistent with some of the things I have read, I refilled exactly 4 quarts as this is what came out. Now the levels are at the same place as they always have been on the dipstick, slightly above the hot range, whether the engine is cool or not.

The car drives like a dream - I just turned 47k on it yesterday and after the fill dare I say it shifts even smoother. Am trying to do the simple things to prevent possible failure in the future.

The question I have is this thing overfilled with the dipstick readings I am getting?? Questions and comments always appreciated - I hope this makes sense.

JBL

 

The transmission capacity is much higher than what you mentioned, what vehicle do you have AWD or FWD?

 

I have the AWD version...Now I am confused...the capacity of the transmission is 4.1 quarts as per the owners manual??

 

That is the capacity for the drain and fill only, if i recall, the transmission is about 16 quarts. But it will only drain 4.1 quarts at a time. So that is why you do multiple drain and fills to replenish the fluid.

 

Here are the numbers I have in the service manual:

U140E (FWD)
Dry fill: 8.25 liters (8.72 US quarts)
Drain and refill: 3.5 liters (3.7 US quarts)

U140F (AWD)
Dry fill: 9.15 liters (9.67 US quarts)
Drain and refill: 4.1 liters (4.3 US quarts)

 

Well you learn something new everyday...thanks guys for your input as always.

While I am at it, Lexmex, thanks for all of your contributions to this board. I have used a few of your DIY's and have saved several hundred bucks by doing some of these things my self and not taking it to the dealership.

JBL

 

It takes about 14-16 quarts to flush the transmission thoroughly....... but we don't do that any more, do we.............

 

Thanks, it's something I had to by habit south of the border, but now with the economy the way it is, I think we have to do as much DIY as possible.

 

The only time I did it was a little over 7 years ago at a Lexus dealer and that was to flush out some very silvery/pinkish fluid. Tranny ran amazingly smooth after that, but I realized that a drain and filling wouldn't accomplish getting rid of that ugly fluid and a flush was needed, that's the only time I could contemplate it.

 

I'm curious to hear long time owner's experiences regarding the overfill question... I'm a new owner and recently did my first drain and fill about three weeks ago replacing the exact amount that came out only to have have it read about 1/3 of an inch above the top hot mark. It was bothering me knowing that so this weekend I drained enough out to get within the hot marks. (loosened plug and let fluid drip out) Was this necessary?

 

I should have answered this (forgot). I have had my tranny level at or above the HOT level (when the tranny is cool) for years. I haven't had an issue with this at all, but I'm certainly not going to tell you its correct to keep it above the hot level either.

 

Based on what have heard, I don't intend to drain anything out. My level is right where you describe yours as, and I also read where for it to be any problem, you would have to be overfilled by as much as a quart, and we are not there.

 

Agreed. FWIW... I'm guessing I drained about 8 to 12 ounces to get within the hot marks.

 

I have been unsuccessful in getting a good read. I always get a smear on the dipstick.

The engine should be idling and transmission in Park.

I read the specification 3.7 qts as nominal and not as Max or Min. Next time I drain, I will try to measure the pan only drain amount. Ah the pursuit or precision.

Salim

 

For me the key to getting a good reading was not checking it shortly after adding fluid. When you add fluid it coats the dipstick tube and I can never get a decent reading. To be honest I don't worry about how much I put back in too much anymore. It seems to take the exact same 4.25 quarts every time (2001 AWD). I just add 4 quarts and a splash of a 5th and it is very close every time.