Just checking fluids before the first roadtrip, only had the truck a couple weeks so far and although it's an ignorant question I have to ask.

How do you guys CORRECTLY check your fluid level?

I believe the FSM says get it up to operating temp (10 min drive?) shift through all the gears and check.

Correct?

If it is my level is OFF the charts, no like seriously 10 inches higher than it should be. Can someone confirm the correct process before I pull the plug and drain some fluid.

 

Trans should be in nuetral when you check it....not in park.

 

before you checked it did you wipe of the stick then put it back in? this will give you a better reading on the level.

 

Duh... moron, I warmed it up but then shut it off while checking. back to the garage!

 

Yes it should be running and in nuetral.......set the E-brake.

 

Actually, it should be fully warmed up, running, and in park, not neutral. And go through the gears slowly before putting it in park the final time. Oh, and make sure you're on a level surface.

 

Might be right ^. I'm going to double check. Now that you say that I don't remember exactly what I did on my wifes 4runner. Sometimes I work on so many veichles that I forget what is what.

 

its more of a hot cold check, the auto trans on the lux has a wet sump so the oil drains to the bottom of the gearbox when not running so do a cold check first ie first thing in the morning, then warm up to operating temp then slowly work your way through the gears front to back front to back on the shifter this makes the oil from the sump go through all the valves and through the gearbox when runnig this is your warm check, the level should be half up the dip stick or close to warm once you have warmed the engine up, if its closer to cold on the dipstick on the warm check you need to add more atf fluid, fill it in small 0.5 ltrs chunks or risk over filling.

 

Hot, running in Park, having run through all the gears is how I have checked ATF fluid for 20 years.

For the 4 Runner, my reads about 1/4" from the lower HOT hashmark. Shifts fine.

 

What would happen if it was slightly overfilled? Say 1/4 qt or so. Would it shoot out of the dipstick hole or something?

 

if its very slightly above the mark it shouldnt be anything to worry about if its a lot over the mark you could blow all the seals in the gearbox damage valves and the internals of the gearbox, if your worried then drop some fluid out of the gearbox to be safe same sort of task as dropping your engine oil. if your going to drop the lot then you will need to bleed to the auto box back up once the new fluid is in.

 

J2F42C is exactly correct per the FSM. Engine running, in park after cycling through the gears. If you want to be REALLY anal the fluid temp should be 165* F +/- 10*.

Like the thread started my fluid was off the charts high. Drove and shifted but not well. I've slowly been flushing (drain 4qt, dilute add 4) and the difference is amazing. Proper levels and Valvoline Dex/Merc III Max Life and it sometimes shifts now without me even feeling it. Here's to another 170K mi, just hoping there wasn't too much damage by the over filled levels.