carguy07

I think you just need to drive around a little bit before checking it. "Cold" means the tranny is not heated all the way up, but not stone cold not driven at all. 5-10 minute drive would be cold, 30 minutes should be up to full temp. I think you are not getting the fluid circulated around and are seeing the same thing if you we to check it cold with the engine off.

trips1

I am looking for some clarification
After using the car for 30 minutes :
- Should the reading be taken while the car is running and in Neutral?
- Or can the car be turned off and keep it in P and then take the reading.

Thanks,
Trips

jbl-1985

Checked it today after a 45 minute drive and while level, in park and in neutral, was just above the hot mark on the dipstick. I'm overthinking this more than it deserves...

hypervish

Yeah, honestly you are over thinking it. Who cares, what it measures when cold. It doesn't matter, as long as you get the proper reading when warmed up.

The proper procedure is to check it after driving for 15-20 minutes, with the engine on and in park, on a level surface.

carguy07

Reading should be taken with the car running and in P. If you turn the car off it will start draining back into the pan and show that it's overfilled.

jbl-1985

Agreed...then, why is the COLD notch WAY below the HOT one on the dipstick? You say who cares? I'm all for "who cares" as long as I know why something is what it is. In fact, your opinion is just that.

Bottom line is this: Why when the car is COLD and in PARK does the fluid level read WAY beyond the HOT level, which is WAY beyond the COLD level as marked on the dipstick?

Or the better question is: Why does Toyota say that the cold level should look nearly EMPTY on the dipstick, when IN FACT it is WAY OVER the HOT level?

hypervish

That's something I don't think anyone of us can answer. I'd contact Lexus corporate, by shooting them an email. And, see if they can offer an explanation. I agree it doesn't make sense, but we don't know what they were thinking.

carguy07

You're not getting the fluid pumped around the way you are checking it, that's why it looks overfilled when it's cold. Drive it around a little before checking and the dipstick will make sense.