Do you guys have trouble putting the dipstick back in the transmission tube? It's like it is dragging against something in the tube.

 

Rarely if ever. You might want to try warming, or cooling down, the transmission and motor. This may slightly alter the position where the dipstick seats properly.

 

It the same when hot or cold

 

Normal. I did ask my mechanic regarding this prior to purchase. He says normal. I use 2 hands to gently shove it in.

 

Thanks good to know it's normal. Then mine is really over full. I thought maybe something was wrong with the dipstick is why it showed over full.

 

Hence when I bought the SC, I drained and filled the right amount, doing this I am sure it has the right amount.

 

Yes, it is a pain to remove and insert the transmission dipstick. I have medium sized hands and I was still barely able to do it. You'll be well served to use gloves when you do check it though, otherwise you are highly likely to follow my lead and burn your hands on the block. (I didn't have kind thoughts of the design engineer at that point in time!)

You do need to check it while the engine is running, though I didn't because I was trying my best to not burn my hands, to no avail.

 

Is it on Toyota's and Lexus' that you need to check tranny fluid level while engine is running?

 

Yes, this is the procedure for 5-speed SC430 AT:
1. Drive the vehicle until operating temperature is reached.
2. Check the fluid at temperatures between 158 and 176 degrees F.
3. Park the vehicle on a level surface and set parking brake.
4. With the engine idling and brake pedal depressed, shift through all ranges from P to L and back to P again.
5. Pull out the dipstick and wipe it clean.
6. Push the dipstick completely back into the tube.
7. Pull it out and check that the fluid is in the “HOT” range.

 

Great thanks. Have to do this check. Gotta be careful on the manifold.

 

My Acura (and Honda) measures tranny when engine is off. I will check in my manual. Toyota-Lexus, engine at idle.

 

If you do check it not running, most vehicles show that it is over full. Then when you get scared that it's over filled, you will then check it the right way and discover that all is well. It could look likes it's a quart or more over full. At least that has been my experience.

 

I specified that the procedure was for the 5-speed SC430 in my post (#9) primarily to differentiate from the 6-speed. Obviously there's a transmission fluid level check procedure for the 6-speed (no dipstick) as well, but it is a bit more involved and probably best done with a lift.

 

Mine was a quart and a quarter over full. The problem thou was it showed the same level on the dipstick whether the engine was running or not OR cold or hot!?? Thats why I thought I was getting a wrong reading because it was hard to push down the tube and it was showing the same level all the time. I don't get that one. I just drove the car to heat the oil then sucked out 1.25 qts till it was in the HOT range. Now looks right.

 

A mechanic friend says that an overfilled tranny is a worse situation than underfilled. Overfilled causes overheating. This comes from a Toyota certified ASE mechanic.