Transmission fluid level

[touringcamry]

I just flushed my transmission myself today following Kocho's writeup I found on this board.
I never flushed a transmission before...

After I finished, I drove about 5 miles on my car and checked the fluid level. I pulled out the dipstick and wiped off and put it back and pulled it back out again. On the cold measurement on the dipstick, the transmission fluid covered the entire width of tthe dipstick, but above that, it gradually moved toward the side that was not notched. It stopped at the high mark for hot fluid, but there was no fluid at the notch, only at the opposite side of the notch.

Looked sorta like the drawing below. Is this ok?

[Hajoca]

I think that you can try and keep the dipstick flat as soon as possible, it looks like the fluid has dripped...

I would look at the level in the center of the width, so it reads on the low side of H notch.

Also. Overfilling is bad. the trans cannot vent properly and may push fluid out of the seals... and possibly foam, and the air can cause cavitation and air pocket wear.

[touringcamry]

I just checked after the car has been sitting for about 3 hours outside in the parking lot. Ambient temperature is about 85 deg F. After I wipe the dipstick put it back in and take it out, the dipstick is wet all the way up to the high mark for H and the rest of the dipstick is dry. The top is perpendicular to the length of the dipstick as expected.

So, I think I put too much fluid in. Hajoca stated the fluid can foam if over full, perhaps that is the cause for the wierd readings previously. It probably foamed up the tube or something. I dunno. I've driven 20 miles since I did that flush so hopefully I haven't done too much damage. I guess I just try to avoid driving until I fix this problem.

What is the better way to remove the excess. Use the transmission pan drain bolt, or remove the hose from the radiator and let the car pump the fluid out.

How much excess fluid should I remove? 1qt to 2 qt?

[Hajoca]

Before you do so, if the fluid is not above the high of Hot mark, you are close enough to the right level.

If it was bubbly on the dip stick, then you got foaming.

[touringcamry]

The car had not been on for more than 3 hours when I checked it and it was at the top of the hot high mark.

Now it has been 6 hours since the car was last turned on and it is slightly below where it was previously, about 4/5 full on the hot reading. Ambient temperature is approx 70deg F. Since the car hasn't been running for 6 hours, shouldn't the reading be at the cold part of the dipstick? Or does that mean cold like freezing temperatures?

As for foaming, woud I expect to see little bubbles on the dip stick like those I would find in a cup of Pepsi?

[amerikim]

Dude, the readings are taken with the engine running not off.

[touringcamry]

So then why is there different readings for hot and cold?

[OEMonkey]

because the fluid expands when its hot. thats why theres a hot reading and cold reading on the dipstick. and amerikim is correct, check the level w/ the engine on and after going through all the gears and back to P again.

[touringcamry]

Ok, I drove 7 mi and then check the level again. The result I get is the same as the pic I have in my OP. However, I notice that 1/3 of the dipstick is wet w/ fluid in various places also which I guess I did not notice before.

Is that normal?

[Noah Zark]

Originally Posted by OEMonkey

. . . and amerikim is correct, check the level w/ the engine on and after going through all the gears and back to P again.

Neither manual for my 01 Highlander or 01 Solara says ANYTHING about how to properly check the fluid level -- running and warm after moving through all the gears, or shut off and warm.

In fact, the HL manual and dipstick label say "No need to change the oil" unless used in severe duty. That's a new one. Sounds to this born cynic as if it's a planned revenue enhancement for the dealer after 50K to 80K.

So I should treat them like any other AT, check the fluid hot, running and after selecting all the gears?

Thanks,

Noah