Automatic Transmission Fluid Level

[BradW]

2006 Toyota - Am I supposed to check the fluid level with the motor running or off? I assumed off, but someone told me today the motor should be running.

Thanks for any help,
Brad

[transamz9]

wilber1 wrote:

enblethen wrote:
It should not matter whether it is park or neutral. Probably manual says park so it doesn't roll away or get bumped into drive and run over you.

Quite possibly but it can make a difference depending on whether the pump fills the torque converter while in park. Not all transmissions do or anyways did.

X2

My 05 Ram does not pump fluid in park.

[BradW]

Thanks for all the responses. They generally confirm what I just learned the other day that the motor should be running and the tranny in neutral.

What pissses me off about this is that it is NOT written on the tranny dipstick. The dipstick only has a Hot & Cold mark and then the type of tranny fluid: Toyota T-IV. The dipstick handle has a label that says the fluid “never needs changing under normal conditions”. And the +300 page owner’s manual barely mentions the tranny. It only tells the type of fluid and the drain capacity. It never mentions when or how to check it.

This is a 2006 Camry which we bought new. It’s been a great car but I think I have been driving it a qt low for 165,000 miles.

Thanks,
Brad

[Mike_LeClair]

Well, at least you can check it. On my brothers 2010 Tundra there is no way to check the trans fluid yourself. Yup, it is a dealer only item. There is no dipstick for the trans. We checked with Toyota and they confirmed it. Just another way for the OEM to force you to their shop even for the most mundane maintenance issue.

On another note, on our RAM diesel the truck MUST be in neutral to properly check the trans fluid level. Checking it in park will give a false reading.

Cheers All!

Mike

[wilber1]

enblethen wrote:
It should not matter whether it is park or neutral. Probably manual says park so it doesn't roll away or get bumped into drive and run over you.

Quite possibly but it can make a difference depending on whether the pump fills the torque converter while in park. Not all transmissions do or anyways did.

[enblethen]

It should not matter whether it is park or neutral. Probably manual says park so it doesn't roll away or get bumped into drive and run over you.

[ScottG]

Look at the dipstick itself - it will usually tell you.

[wilber1]

What does your manual say? I've always checked other transmissions while running in neutral but the manual for my 2011 Ram says to check it running in Park.

[45Ricochet]

enblethen wrote:
Should be running, warmed to normal operating temperature, checked with transmission in neutral.

X2

[MARK_VANDERBENT]

Always at idle. So yes it should be running. It will say that on dip stick.

[enblethen]

Should be running, warmed to normal operating temperature, checked with transmission in neutral.