Check for proper level of transmission fluid first

 

If the level is low could that be causing the slippage?

 

It is a 2006


Read the manual for the correct fluid

And yes, you need to check the ATF level often enough not to cause problems.

I'd drop the pan and change the filter, and refill with new ATF.

Should be youtube videos since that family of transmissions were used among multiple models

 

Check the ATF with the engine warm and running on level ground. If the level is good, I would be leery of doing a drain and fill. In general if your trans is slipping changing the ATF does not help.

 

I have done the drain and fill of the transmission fluid on my 2017 Rav4. No problems before and no problems after. I do not believe a simple drain and fill with the proper fluid would hurt a transmission. However, there have been others who have done the drain and fill and their results were not optimal.

Logically, replacing the the transmission fluid with the proper fluid and the correct amount should not hurt the transmission. But, real life doesn't always follow logic. I wish you good luck in your endeavors.

 

This is true for a working trans. Once it starts to slip, it no longer follows this logic. I have seen a few transmissions that were slipping and the ATF was changed out only to result in a trans that completely no longer functioned. All the grit that was in the ATF was actually keeping it together.

 

The “grit” in the old fluid is usually migratory clutch material. When changing the majority of the fluid, the slippage starts.

 

I've changed the majority of fluid in 1000's of transmissions and never had slippage start.

Most have no idea how clutches or fluid friction modifiers work.

A fluid change does not rebuild your transmission. This mentality is why some complain about their transmission failures after maintenance.

It doesn't help that some shops don't have a clue on what they are doing and should not be servicing transmissions.

If the transmission is blown before the service, it will still be blown after the service.

Plenty of mild issues can be addressed with a fluid change.

And yes, fresh ATF can address slippage caused by spent friction modifiers, excessive amount worn clutch/band wear floating in the fluid, seal leaks from fresh fluid seal conditions, and clean those sticking varnished binding valves solenoids.

The problem here is the thread starter has waited a year. And, what have they done?

What are you waiting for? That fluid should've been level checked last year. That filter should've been changed last year. That fluid should've been changed last year. Don't worry. You can either buy a new car or transmission and treat it the same way.

 

Evening all, so I checked the level of the trans fluid and here is the result. On a level surface, engine idling at running temp and after cycling through all the gears.
I'm finding it hard to read the level correctly. Is it where the arrow is pointing or a bit higher up. I wiped off the oil and repeated a few times but got more or less the same results.

 

Just above your red arrow, where it says "hot", there's 2 indents. I believe the level should be between those 2 indents.

 

Looks good!

 

Doesn't look good.
Tracking ATF into dipstick tube which causes iffy level check.

I'd pick up a bottle Lubegard Red(amazon australia has it), and toss the whole 10 ounces down the dipstick. I would then drive about 1600km, and then find a shop that can drop the pan, clean the magnets, change the filter, and refill with Toyota ATF or equivalent(guessing 3309 T-IV). Make sure they use a Toyota filter kit(filter/oring/pan gasket). Have them verify the level at 176F. And then, hope and pray.

When removing dipstick for check, you you to pop it about an inch, give it a few seconds to drip into pan, and then slowly remove it to prevent dragging ATF up into the tube, which smudges the reading.

Usually, if one side of the disptick doesn't read well, turn it over and look at the other side. The dipstick will drag usually on one side of its tube.

On these transmissions, the temp range is 158-176F. AT 176F, level should be at the indent near the T from the word "HOT" on the dipstick. At 158F the level need to be at or above the indent "H" from the word "HOT".

You will need a scan tool to check the ATF temperatures. Otherwise, you're doing it wrong. And, always park on level surface, keep vehicle running, cycle shifter in all positions, make sure there are no loads on the engine(HVAC/lights/radio turned off).... and then slowly remove dipstick for check.