how to check transmission fluid

[royv]

No instructions in the manual on how to check tranny fluid

Here is how I know.............please confirm

leave car running, move shifter to every gear and then
back to park.

Check fluid while car is running.

Here is where i have an issue.

the fluid is at cold marking ...........what does that mean.

What does hot marking mean on dip stick.

Should I add fluid at cold?

[ballenm04]

what year is it cause I have the same problem on my 03 camry.

[rum runner]

I usually drive my Camry about 10 minutes to get the transmission warm and check it at the hot level. Yes, check it idling in park. Use the proper ATF for your year model. Do not overfill.

[royv]

It is a 98 Camry

[Strider327]

Just make sure it looks like kool-aid red. Like a bright red, if its a different color, change it out. Drain and fill, if it doesn't look that bad. If it's a different color overall do a complete tranny flush.

[royv]

NEVER i mean never do a transmission flush.
You are guaranteed your tranny will be dead in few months after.

The tranny has very critical parts, and the flush allows those critical metal parts to get exposed bare, and even few seconds of the metal surface exposure can damage the transmission.

Drain and fill only

[Strider327]

Originally Posted by Strider327

Just make sure it looks like kool-aid red. Like a bright red, if its a different color, change it out. Drain and fill, if it doesn't look that bad. If it's a different color overall do a complete tranny flush.

A flush does not hurt the tranny. If your tranny is already screwed then of course its not safe to do it. The way you can tell is if you see small little metal scraps floating around or on the tranny stick when you check the fluid. Put it this way, if its already too late I wouldn't recommended meaning if you see metal scraps. But if you don't I don't see why not. I have a 1994 Camry 5sfe with about 144K on it already, did the tranny flush 2 times. Nothing wrong, as a matter of fact shifts much smoother and runs a lot better.

[ProMan]

Originally Posted by royv

NEVER i mean never do a transmission flush.
You are guaranteed your tranny will be dead in few months after.

The tranny has very critical parts, and the flush allows those critical metal parts to get exposed bare, and even few seconds of the metal surface exposure can damage the transmission.

Drain and fill only

I don't know where you get this idea, but this is totally false info. Trans flush may be un-necessary, but will never hurt the transmission, unless the mechanic doesnt' do it right. For the metal surface exposure you mentioned, what kind of material is it? I have never heard any metal used on car has that property. Where did you learn that?

I have couple vehicles and I never did tranny flush, not because it will hurt the tranny, but I know it's not necessary. The transmission is a very complicated yet durable mechanism. It's nothing more than an ordinary gear box with auto clutches. As long as you maintain proper fluid level and replace the fluid regularly (30k miles), the mechanical part of the tranny should be very healthy. I have a 88 camry with 190k, never have tranny problem. I remember once I even replaced the fluid at about 7 years/70k, no problem at all.

Also, tiny metal debries in the tranny is absolutely normal. That doesn't mean your tranny is going down. Most tranny fluid pans have magnets, the purpose is to collect the metal debris/powder. It's a good idea to clean the magnets up when you replace the fluid.

Trans flush will not make your tranny shifts more smooth. It can only be done by adjusting the shift cables (a 5 minutes job). But most shops will make you believe it's due to the expensive flush.

[Strider327]

The purpose of doing a full flush is to get rid of all fluids pertaining in the pan and the especially the torque convertor. A simple drain and fill will not get rid of the 3-4 quarts of fluid in the torque convertor. You will only be draining out the pan. As for the metal pieces, that is due to wear and tear of the auto clutch and gears when fluid has not been changed for some time. Basically if you don't maintain it, then its gonna eat away your tranny. But obviously a tranny flush is not necessary unless you have not done regular drain and fills at proper times where it needs to be done.

[yoji6365]

Originally Posted by royv

No instructions in the manual on how to check tranny fluid

Here is how I know.............please confirm

leave car running, move shifter to every gear and then
back to park.

Check fluid while car is running.

Here is where i have an issue.

the fluid is at cold marking ...........what does that mean.

What does hot marking mean on dip stick.

Should I add fluid at cold?

Id check the fluid after around a 10 mile drive. If its in the cold, you need to add some, it should be in the hot zone.
Dont check it after a real long drive because it wont give an accurate reading.

I think there are a few meaning to the term flush.
A drain and fill is straightforward. But Ive noticed a few differnt techniques for the flush.

I drained the pan and differential first. Refilled it with new ATF. Then took the hose off the radiator and changed out the fluid that way.
Its safe because you arent doing anything different from just idling the car. It takes awhile to do it right but its nice to see the new liquid finally come out of the hose.

[don24mac]

Dont check it after a real long drive because it wont give an accurate reading.

Could you expand on this statement a little? If the engine (and tranny fluid) is warmed up, I believe it should read within the hot area regardless of how long you've driven. For my 2000 Camry, I just drained and replaced the fluid. I checked afer about ten miles and it read just below the lower marking on the "hot" part of the stick. But the fluid only felt luke warm so I left it.

After driving over 100 miles to another state, I checked it again. The fluid still didn't seem that hot to touch, and it still read just below the lower "hot" line on the dipstick. I then added some to make it read half way between the "hot" markings on the dipstick.

Tranny seems to be working OK, but didn't see any difference in my case between a short drive and a long drive in the readings.

[datpimp1]

i was told buy a professional certified in transmissions, it is true that if your transmission is bad bieng dirty dosent neccisarily means its bad but metal , burned trans fluid smell could indicate this , than you shouldn't do anything to the trans no flush no drain nothin its only gonna make the trans bad quicker than it was if it hadn't been changed,if u know its a good trans, clean fluid etc its fine to do