97 camy auto transmission fluid help.

[FishyMan]

So I've been reading my manual, and searching and I am a bit unsure with the ATF.

The DIPSTICK is pretty crappy IMO in getting a reading. Every time I pull it up, the fluid level gets kind of messed up. It seems to catch the fluid as it comes up (as it's bent shaped - by design).

My manual says for ATF , 2.5 quarts drain/refill. Does this mean that when I just loosen the nut and drain, I am draining about 2.5 quarts ? Therefore I should just put back in 2.5 quarts?

With the differential, this is different right?

I put in about 2.2 quart or so and drove it. It seems alot smoother and fine, but I am not sure if what I did was correct.

[ycartf]

The amount you drain out can depend on how level the car is sitting. On my wife's 1997 auto I4 Camry, I get 2 quarts out on average when I drain the fluid by just removing the plug, and 3 quarts out when I drop the pan. The best way to check the fluid level is get the vehicle up to operating temperature (for the transmission - more than just 10 miles) and check it in Park on level ground. I always remove the dipstick and wipe it off, let the car sit for about 2-3 minutes, then replace the dipstick and check. This minimizes the false readings due to fluid in the dipstick tube. You also have to ignore the fluid you will see along the dipstick (like on the sides of it there will be traces) unless it is solid.

[FishyMan]

Thanks.

I've read before never to flood the AT, so I just went a tad lower than 2.5 quarts. I drained at flat level. I jacked up the car, drained, then lowered it back down.

I then put in some ATF just to see and make sure it has dripped.

I suppose, Ill try your method w/ the ATF. I thought checking at COLD LEVEL would be good. It just doesn't seem accurate. The color goes pass the hot / cold indicators.

But the car shifts so much smoother. Almost as if you cannot feel it lol.

Originally Posted by ycartf

The amount you drain out can depend on how level the car is sitting. On my wife's 1997 auto I4 Camry, I get 2 quarts out on average when I drain the fluid by just removing the plug, and 3 quarts out when I drop the pan. The best way to check the fluid level is get the vehicle up to operating temperature (for the transmission - more than just 10 miles) and check it in Park on level ground. I always remove the dipstick and wipe it off, let the car sit for about 2-3 minutes, then replace the dipstick and check. This minimizes the false readings due to fluid in the dipstick tube. You also have to ignore the fluid you will see along the dipstick (like on the sides of it there will be traces) unless it is solid.

[Kep]

According to various sources you get the best reading when the fluid is up to operating temp. I have read that you should drive at highway speeds for about 20 minutes to get it to that temp. Sounds a little much but I have noticed that when the fluid was hot there was less slop on the dip stick when I took the measurement.

Get the fluid hot, bring the car to a stop on a level surface, cycle the transmission slowly through 1rst, 2nd, Drive, Reverse and finally Park. Leave the engine running, set your parking brake and check the fluid level on the stick. Usually, when there is slop it will only be on one side (I think where the stick rubs the tube). Use the lowest dry spot on the dip stick as the actual level of the fluid. The space between the two notches represents about 1 pint.

If you are changing fluid, check the level first. Then measure the amount of fluid that drains out and refill with exactly the same amount. This will reassure you that the refilled level should be back to the previously measured level. And then adjust as necessary.

Just out of curiosity, does anyone out there know why they can't just put a mark on the stick where the fluid would be when the engine is cold and off??

Kep