was just told at the dealer you have to heat transmision fluid when changing

[NEALD]

I would believe that the only instance you would measure the old fluid is for a pan drop service. So even if the vehicle has been warmed and driven before the service, why not just let the old fluid drained cool down to the temperature of the new fluid about to go in. That way they will measure accurately. Heating a gallon of of turns fluid to the exact temp as the fluid removed is not only ludicrous but very hard I would think. Much easier to take a break and let them both cool to the same temp. Just my thoughts

[wevudo]

I think you also have to pour it with your left hand, do a counterclockwise spin after each bottle, and say chicken fart as loud as you can when you are done

[NEALD]

Lol! actually I believe that they have a process to fill the transmission until fluid just starts to come out of the top site plug hole, and since checking transmission fluid is done while at operating temperature the new fluid has to be at operating temperature as well. I'm sure the dealer must have a heated fluid dispenser of some type to perform the job, or else it would be more labor intensive then just filling with a known amount and then checking while at operating temperature and capping off if needed.

[ibpromos]

BTW (before asking my question), the transaxle dipstick is marked for cool-level checking also, so the whole heat thing sounds kinda silly. And I seriously doubt a quarter-quart up or down will create long-term issues. Which brings me to my recently purchased '08 Limited 2.4: It was actually reading about 1.5 quarts OVERFILLED. I did consider that a problem given the 3.7 quart recommended fluid level. So I got under it this weekend and loosened the plug to drain out the excess. Now I have trans fluid drips under the car. Am I looking at a full drain and plug washer replacement to get this stopped?

[newyota]

I had two dealers tell me the same thing about heating up the fluid.They said the synthetic fluid is good for 100k and no need to do a change every 30k or so.

[Hans Moleman]

Originally Posted by ibpromos

BTW (before asking my question), the transaxle dipstick is marked for cool-level checking also, so the whole heat thing sounds kinda silly. And I seriously doubt a quarter-quart up or down will create long-term issues. Which brings me to my recently purchased '08 Limited 2.4: It was actually reading about 1.5 quarts OVERFILLED. I did consider that a problem given the 3.7 quart recommended fluid level. So I got under it this weekend and loosened the plug to drain out the excess. Now I have trans fluid drips under the car. Am I looking at a full drain and plug washer replacement to get this stopped?

I used the old washer and torqued the drain plug to 35ft-lbs. No leaks.

[Hans Moleman]

Originally Posted by newyota

I had two dealers tell me the same thing about heating up the fluid.They said the synthetic fluid is good for 100k and no need to do a change every 30k or so.

I changed my fluid at 48k and it was black. I should have changed it at 30k.

[pepepeter]

Originally Posted by Hans Moleman

I changed my fluid at 48k and it was black. I should have changed it at 30k.

did you tow alot??

[ashtonybb]

Originally Posted by Billiam

Maybe they meant warm the transmission before draining the fluid. That I can see.

This make sense. But if you are just going to drain/flush the fluid, you can also
do it when its cold (better when its warm, for easy flow).

Then put necessary ATF fluid type WS and capacity 3.5-3.6L DRAIN & REFILL and run it.

Run the car. Make sure your car is parked in levelled position.

Shift your gear stick from Park down to Low and back to Park. To distribute
the fluid.

For you to make sure, you need to check the dipstick whilst the car is running. Then it is not on HOT range, you need to add more fluid until it is
levelled on hot.

[vanib]

I will not wait until 100k to the ATF fluid change. Actually, I am not planning to do a flush. I will do my drain/refill this month at 38k miles. 2 more drain/refuills at 15k intervals. After that I am not touching the ATF again. The fluid is almost new at the point in time and I will surely sell the rav by the time I am done with the 3rd drain-refill.