Transmission Fluid Refill - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

vairpack77 · 11-10-2005, 05:33 PM

Hi everyone,
I have been asking many questions regarding my 98 avalon that I recently purchased. I love the car and I am a fanatic on servicing my vehicle. I read one of the threads about the amount of fluid that will drain upon removal of the transmission drain plug. I believe 4 to 5 quarts was mentioned. I only drained a little over 2 quarts from my transmission. I added two back which I will drain again before I drop the pan to help flush out some of the old fluid. When I checked the level after adding the 2 quarts it appeared to be overfilled or I could not get a good reading after I warmed up the transmission. What do you think.
I really do appreciate hearing from all of you with your help and suggestions. I want to learn all that I can about my Avalon.
Thanks,
Mark

Dave's · 11-10-2005, 06:08 PM

My Camry takes forever to get a good reading after filling. Stick looks like it's way over-filled.

BadChicken · 11-12-2005, 07:42 PM

Did you check the level with the car running? if not the fluid will read high.
It should take something like 3-4 quarts on a drain and fill depending on how long you let it drain and if you removed the pan or not.
But put in 3 quarts, start the car, run it through all the gears a couple of times and then let it run for a couple minutes and check the level. It takes a while for all the fluid to run down into the tranny. Then add fluid until its full

vairpack77 · 11-14-2005, 09:08 PM

Thanks for the reply, I checked the fluid with the car hot and running and still cannot get a good reading. Originally I drained the transmission from the drain plug and captured 2.5 quarts of fluid. I repeated this three times running the car between refills in order to circulate fluid in an effort to cycle out most of the old fluid. Then the last drain I dropped the pan and changed the filter and gasket & added 2.5 quarts again.
If anyone has any thoughts on this, I welcome them. Thanks again !

MG

4EVERCooL · 11-14-2005, 09:41 PM

My question too. The probe says I should fill the transmission with Dexron II (1995 Avalon). Some say it should be Dexron III, some say it should be Type IV. So which type is it on Avalons? Mine is made in Japan btw. The fluid now in there is red (Type IV is yellow, if I'm not mistaken). And does the transmission use a differential that needs to be filled separately from the trans box? Thanks in advance.

Dave's · 11-15-2005, 04:31 AM

From what I understand they don't make Dexron II anymore (or it's hard to find). Use Dexron III. It's supposed to be fully compatible. For my Camry, pulling drain plug results in about 2.5 quarts (or 3 if you let it drain overnite). If you pull the pan and change screen/filter its more like 4.5-5. The stick looks like it's over-filled for quite some time after adding even a little bit. Think this is due to fluid sticking to tube. Mine bends almost a right angle on the way down. Eventually it will indicate correctly. Heard you don't want to drive it over-filled tho. Can really damage the tranny. The older Camry '92-'96? has a separate diff drain and fill. The fill is acccomplished by a hose ran from the opening up thru engine compartment (probably two people needed) or a force-feed tool. Like a large syringe-type device. Think the older Avalons are the same but not sure. Hope this helps.

yotatech603 · 11-17-2005, 04:38 PM

You actually are able to fill the trans through the dipstick tube just get a long and narrow funnel which works quite well. And ya it takes about 2.5-3 quarts for just a drain and fill. Type tIV is still red but it has diffrent temp ranges and is not compatible with dexron 3,I may be wrong but i also believe it may be synthetic.