I have a auto 98SC300. The owners manual says nothing about the proper procedure to check the auto tranny fluid level, which strikes me as a bit strange. Of course the auto tranny dipstick has "cold" markings as well as "hot" markings. Are you supposed to check for an accurate level with the engine running or shut down? Then use the "cold" markings on first start-up and "hot" after the engine has warmed up, with engine running? Seems to be a bit of conflicting info on this. Anyone know the proper Lexus procedure?
Lead Lap
usually you check the tranny after the car is warmed up..
however like you said theres a hot and cold part on the dipstick..which like you assumed i did as well..cold = car off hot = car warmed up
could be wrong since im assuming and we know what happens when we do that but i dont see what else it could mean?
however like you said theres a hot and cold part on the dipstick..which like you assumed i did as well..cold = car off hot = car warmed up
could be wrong since im assuming and we know what happens when we do that but i dont see what else it could mean?
Advanced
For cold just start the car, run the shifter down through drive and reverse a couple times, put back in park, check fluid.
Advanced
Quote:
correct....Originally Posted by dwebb99
I assume while the car is still running....?
Lexus Champion
You can do yours after a days worth of driving. You park at a leveled ground let the car idle and check the level.
Get the transmission to normal operating temperature and check the fluid level with the engine on. Don't go by the 'cold' because it's not what you want.
Lexus Test Driver
As was mentioned before (but for cold), you should also do this when it's warmed up too (it actually a pretty standard operating procedure for checking most any tranny fluid); you always:
Hold the brake down firmly
Let engine idle
Slowly cycle the shifter through all the gears a few times
Stop it in the neutral position
Set the parking brake
Get out and pull/wipe/re-check the fluid level at the stick
Refer to the appropriate cold/hot mark depending on transmission temp.
btw, it IS the transmission fluid temp that determines hot vs. cold, NOT the engine temp. Basically, you can't come out in the morning, start your car, let the engine warm up and then check it with assumption that it's hot; IT'S NOT, it's cold! That being said, checking cold is less accurate, even when going by the cold mark.
Hold the brake down firmly
Let engine idle
Slowly cycle the shifter through all the gears a few times
Stop it in the neutral position
Set the parking brake
Get out and pull/wipe/re-check the fluid level at the stick
Refer to the appropriate cold/hot mark depending on transmission temp.
btw, it IS the transmission fluid temp that determines hot vs. cold, NOT the engine temp. Basically, you can't come out in the morning, start your car, let the engine warm up and then check it with assumption that it's hot; IT'S NOT, it's cold! That being said, checking cold is less accurate, even when going by the cold mark.
O.K. thanks big time for the info. This clears things up for me and I'm sure others as well!
