24 GEARS January/February 2014

Stop that Dipstick!

Once upon a time, transmis-sion maintenance included periodically checking the transmission fluid level by pulling a metal dipstick from a tube alongside the engine.

Well, those days are rapidly com-ing to an end. Most new vehicles are doing away with transmission dipsticks and easily accessible tubes for adding fluid to your car’s transmission.

Have you ever wondered why? Was it the price of the stick and tube? Was it to prevent you from taking care of your car and forcing you to bring it back to the dealer? A lot of people think so.

Here’s the real reason for the change: vehicle owners can damage transmissions by overfilling or using the wrong fluid. How many times have you heard this? “I checked my trans-mission fluid and it was a quart low, so I added a quart and now I have a leak.”

Most backyard mechanics don’t realize that the difference between the “add” mark to the “full” mark is only 1 pint. So, if you check the transmission fluid when it’s cold, it’ll be at the add mark; this is normal. If you recheck it hot, it’ll read full.

But if you added a quart when you checked it cold, the transmission will be a quart overfilled. When the transmission gets hot the level rises and

reaches the moving parts in the trans-mission. This aerates the oil, allowing it to expand even more.

This is where the problem starts: the expanded transmission fluid starts blowing out the vent. If you’re lucky, all you end up with is a mess, but if the fluid leaks onto the exhaust it can catch fire! Just by adding too much transmis-sion fluid.

Transmission fluid isn’t a generic item any more. Manufacturers are using fluids with specific formulas to provide the precise match for lubricating and operating the internal components of today’s transmissions. Using the wrong fluid can cause a variety of problems: harsh shifts, slide-bumps, shudder dur-ing converter clutch lockup… it can

even cause the transmission to fail long before the car’s warranty expires.

Manufacturers generally don’t like replacing transmissions under warranty. It’s expensive. But proving the owner damaged the transmission and voided the warranty by using the wrong fluid is difficult and often more expensive than replacing the transmission.

That’s why manufacturers are mak-ing it difficult to service transmissions: to protect themselves. They’re extend-ing recommended service intervals and, in some cases, are offering prepaid maintenance when you buy a new car.

Let’s take a look at what’s involved in servicing the transmission on a 2008 Tundra with an AB60E. This transmis-sion requires Toyota Genuine ATF WS

reaches the moving parts in the trans- even cause the transmission to fail long

Figure 1A

STREET SMART

by Mike Brownmembers.atra.com

Stop that Dipstick!

Fill PlugFill Plug

1mike114.indd 24 1/7/14 11:42 AM

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26 GEARS January/February 2014

Stop that Dipstick!

transmission fluid. After servicing the transmission, make sure the vehicle remains level while adjusting the fluid level.

• Remove the refill plug and over-flow plug (figure 1).

• Fill the transmission through the refill hole with the amount of fluid listed in the capacity chart.

• Reinstall the overflow plug.

Transmission Fill with Trailer Towing System (with Thermostat):

• Use compressed air to blow dust off of the thermostat cap to clean it.

• Using a screwdriver, push the shaft of the thermostat until the screwdriver contacts the step inside the cap (figure 2).

• With the shaft of the thermostat pressed, push a pin (diameter: 1.0–1.8 mm [0.039”–0.070”]) into the hole on the side of the thermostat cap. Slide the pin in until it passes through the hole on the other side of the thermo-stat cap to fix the shaft in place.

Stop that Dipstick!

transmission fluid. After servicing the

Figure 1B

Overflow PlugOverflow PlugOverflow Plug

Thermostatcontrol cooler

Drain plug

• Fill the transmission with the amount of fluid listed in the table.• Reinstall the refill plug to prevent the fluid from splashing.

Standard Capacity If you can’t add the listed amount of fluid, try this:

• Install the refill plug.• Allow the engine to idle with the air conditioning off.• Move the shift lever through the entire gear range, one range at a time, to

allow the fluid to circulate.• Wait for 30 seconds with the engine idling.• Stop the engine.• Remove the refill plug and add fluid.• Reinstall the refill plug.

Fluid Temperature CheckWhen not using the Techstream (using indicator light):

• Connect a jumper between terminals 13 (TC) and 4 (CG) of the diagnostic link connector (figure 3).

• Start the engine.• Turn all accessories off, such as the air conditioning, audio system,

and lighting.

Repair Fill AmountTransmission Pan and Drainplug Removal 2.1 Liters (2.2 US qts, 1.9 Imp. qts)

Transmission Valve Body Removal 4.7 Liters (5.0 US qts, 4.1 Imp. qts)Torque Converter Removal 5.4 Liters (5.7 US qts, 4.8 Imp. qts)

1mike114.indd 26 1/7/14 11:43 AM

GEARS January/February 2014 27

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• The indicator lights of the meter blink to output DTCs when ter-minals TC and CG are connected.

• Slowly move the shift lever from P to S, and change the gears from

1st to 6th. Then return the shift lever to P to circulate the fluid through each part of the transmis-sion.

• Move the shift lever to D, then

quickly move it back and forth between N and D (once every 1.5 seconds) for at least six seconds. This will activate the fluid tem-perature detection mode.

• The indicator lights of the meter 1stst to 6st to 6st thth. Then return the shift quickly move it back and forth

Figure 2

Push in With Screw Driver

Insert the Pin Until it Passes Through the Hole

on the Other Side

Insert the Pin Until it Insert the Pin Until it

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28 GEARS January/February 2014

Stop that Dipstick!

Standard condition: Indicator light (D) remains lit for two seconds and then turns off (figure 4).

• Return the shift lever to P and disconnect terminals 13 (TC) and 4 (CG) at the diagnostic link con-nector.

• Allow the engine to idle until the fluid temperature reaches 46ºC to 56ºC (115ºF to 133ºF).

The indicator (D) will come on again when the fluid temperature reach-es 46ºC (115ºF) and will blink when it exceeds 56ºC (133ºF).

Indication of ATF Temperature

NOTE: Perform the fluid level inspection while the indicator light is on.

Fluid Level Check• Start the engine and let it idle.• Remove the overflow plug and

the refill plug.• Fluid should dribble out the over-

flow tube. • If no fluid comes out, add fluid

through the refill hole until it starts to dribble out the overflow tube.

• If fluid runs out, let it continue to drain until it’s just a trickle.

• Reinstall the overflow plug and the refill plug.

• Shut the engine off.• Remove the pin from the ther-

mostat.• Make sure the thermostat shaft is

protruding from the hole of the cap (figure 2).

• Make sure there’s no ATF leaking from the cap hole.

Job complete! As you can see, this is no job for the do-it-yourselfer.

Transmission fluids still break down. Transmissions still develop leaks and they still need to be serviced. Failure to maintain a transmission through routine service will shorten the

transmission life. But from the manufacturer’s point

of view, a transmission that fails out-side warranty isn’t their problem. And since most people who purchase new cars don’t keep them longer than five years, they probably won’t have to do anything other than routine mainte-nance.

So what should you do? Experienced mechanics change the transmission fluid on their vehicles every 40,000 to 50,000 miles. They want their vehicles to last and they understand the importance of mainte-nance.

If your customer plans on keeping his car for 200,000 miles, recommend

that he allow you to change the trans-mission fluid level occasionally, and to check the level between changes.

It’s no longer a simple matter of lifting the hood and pulling out the dip-stick to check the fluid level on newer style transmissions. It’s an involved process that demands the professional’s touch.

That’s where you come in. Fluid level is still critical to your customers and their cars. You have the equipment and the know-how to perform those checks reliably.

And that’s not just smart… that’s street smart!

transmission life. that he allow you to change the trans-

Figure 4

Figure 3

Below Proper Temperature Proper Temperature Above Proper TemperatureData List [ATF Temperature 1]37°C (99°F) or less

Data List [ATF Temperature 1]37°C – 44°C (99°F – 111°F)

Data List [ATF Temperature 1]44°C (111°F) or Higher

Indicator Light (D) Off Indicator Light (D) On Indicator Light (D) Blinking

16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9

8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

CG

TC Jump Pins #13 & #4

Will Light When Temp Reaches

99°F

Will Light When

1mike114.indd 28 1/7/14 11:43 AM

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