Tranny fluid question

[epojr]

I just drained the original tranny fluid from my 03 Corolla @ 55K miles. The fluid had no dregs at all but was a bit darker than the new fluid (T-IV) . However, it drained out 3-3/4 guarts of old fluid and the owner manual says it should only take 3.2 qts for a refill. The manual also warns that serious damage can happen if the tranny is overfilled, so I only put in the 3.2 qts of new fluid as the manual says it should take. But if the fluid is actually low, will I do any harm by driving it a few miles to warm up the fluid so I can check the dipstick reading? The old lady whose estate I bought it from took it in to the Toyota dealer at the regular maintenance intervals, so the fluid level should have been correct. Nothing in the owner's service records shows a fluid change, so I am assuming the 3-3/4 quarts that drained out is what the factory put in. But since in my previous experience Toyotas usually come from the factory in almost perfect condition that assumption may not be correct. In other words, I'm thoroughly confused.

[mikered30]

Fluid has to be checked warm. Drive for 20 min on the.highway and check it while the engine is still running on a flat surface and add what is necessary.

[epojr]

Thanks for the info, I'll do that and see what the dipstick says. With a cold tranny and engine the dipstick is reading a little above full on the "cool" notch. If it reads full on the "hot" notch after driving around a while in this unusual 88 degree heat we're having today I'm going to assume it's good to go even though it drained out about a pint more of the old fluid than the book calls for.

[invader]

Was the engine (+tranny) fully warmed up when you drained transmission fluid? The hotter it is, the more will come out... As long as your level is good now, you're fine.

[epojr]

Not fully warmed up, but not stone cold either. Just one trip out to the mailbox and back. I live on a gravel road 1/2 mile from the county road, so I usually drive out to get the paper and mail if the weather is hot, cold, or wet and it's really hot today (88 degrees). Anyway, for some odd reason the manual says to not put fluid in when the tranny is hot, so I let the fluid drain for about 1/2 hour or more since it was just warm not hot, and it was down to a very slow drip by the time I put the plug back in. I put in 3.2 quarts just like the book said, and now that the fluid is hot after 1/4 hour of hot weather highway driving the dipstick level shows full on the "hot" notch. Seems like my little problem child is gonna be OK now, and I want to say thanks to all who replied or may yet reply to my question.

This is a very good forum, and it also has a side benefit for Toyota owners in the Coweta county GA area, (Alan Jackson's home town). When I bought the T-IV fluid at the Newnan Toyota dealer I mentioned that I had registered on this forum a week or so ago, and the girl in the parts dept gave me a 33% discount on the sale without me even asking. Of course at the highly inflated prices that all car dealerships charge for every item you can't get anywhere else, I'm sure that even the discounted price still made a good profit.

[mikered30]

Your tranny fluid was still stone cold (ambient) after 1 mile and so was your motor oil.. It takes about 20 min for your oil to get to operating temp.

As far as Newnan Toyota, I get all of my mail order parts from him so I never have to step foot in a stealership again. I deal with Gary, he is really good.