The last two days have seen hard shift take place in my Tacoma when I allow it to ship up when reduing the load from 2nd to 3rd on th autotransmission.

The ATF is low, how do you add more?

 

Through the tranny fluid dipstick tube. Take out the dipstick, grab a funnel and add it slowly in there.

 

I can't believe how far out of touch I am, haven't owned an autmatic transmission since about 1973, an English Triumph 2000 of 1967 vintage, my best recollections was that it had a seperate fill point.

Thanks for the input.

 

Hello, I just bought my first toyota tacoma ... 2004. I admit I made a mistake when I changed the oild for the first time when I drained the ATF. It looked like an oil pan to me. Aside from that I need to replace the ATF. mY manual says 2.1qt fro drain and fill. I did this with the recommended T-IV fluid. Now when I run the truck unitl it is up to temp and check the fluid it shows the level slightly below the "cold" double notch. I have since added another quart so I am now at 3.1qt added after my drain and fill.

Can someone please tell me the correct way to check the ATF? Does it need to be checked "cold" and "hot"?
Engine running?
in park, L1, L2 or drive?
hot or cold?

Thanks in advance for any help as I do not sleep well at night thinking that I may be screwing my tansmission up.

 

I don't think you've added enough fluid yet. All I can give you is a little support as I have a Tundra, and the automatic transmission may or may not be different. There should be some writing on the dipstick that will tell you how to check the fluid - I'm pretty sure you want the fluid hot (driven 10 miles) and the transmission in park when you check the fluid level. If you emptied the entire pan I would guess you drained out between 4 to 6 quarts. Get the transmission fluid hot and just keep adding until the fluid reads where it should, while on fairly level ground. On the Tundra if you remove the pan you'll dump 5.5 quarts, if you use the drain plug you'll dump 4.5 quarts - this is with the vehicle on ramps, which wouldn't cause the 5.5-quart figure to change but on level ground the 4.5 quarts might drop to 4 quarts.

 

Yup, engine running. Only think I'll add is when checking the fluid start engine, foot on brake put in Drive, reverse, then Park and check the level (still running).

 

Can anyone tell me if I can use Synchromesh in my 1990 5-speed pickup? It says not for use in all transmissions and that it is for GM and Chrysler. This is probably a dumb question I just dont want to mess anything up.

 

I wouldn't take the risk if it says it's only for GM and Chrysler.

 

To check auto tranny fluid:

Run vehicle for about 10-15 minutes to get tranny to normal operating temperature. No high speed driving just normal cruising speeds.

Park vehicle on LEVEL spot.

Place parking brake on and while vehicle is idling shift from park slowly to 1. Then go from 1 to park again.

Leave the vehicle idling and all accessories off.

Pull the tranny dipstick out and wipe with clean cloth. Reinsert dipstick and pull back out to verify that reading is between the hot range.

If the level is low add more fluid through the dipstick hole and keep checking until the level is correct.

Do not overfill!