2015 SIenna 3.5L LE FWD transmission fluid Change, ODD amount 1.2 QTs?

1040 Views 11 Replies 9 Participants Last post by Grizzman, 2 mo ago

fordseedco

Discussion Starter · 2 mo ago

After changing the ATF fluid at 130K, just a drain and fill, I noticed it only took roughly 1.2 QTS, I added 3, drove around for 20 minutes, drained it to the top of the red stem, emptied the catch pan, then drained the pan again, pulled the red stem, drained, measured it and it was barely over 1 QT?. So I filled it again on level ground with 2QTS, drove around, drained it down to the red stem, put the plug in, let it idle for 30 mins. I then again dumped it, and it was barely over 1 quart again. I feel like i'm going crazy.

Is this normal?, I have drained and filled this machine 1X prior to this and recall it taking over 2Qts up to that red stem. But i dn't recall measuring it back at 65K.

Any feed back would sooth the nerves.

Thanks,

Dan

Save

1 - 12 of 12 Posts

sbihue

· #2 · 2 mo ago

That's about right and lines up with what i got out of my tranny, on 4 drain/refills over 3 days,on my 12 XLE on a cold engines.
I have seen posts reporting 2+ and 3+ quarts drained out and i think that the tranny was either overfilled or the tranny was warm/hot.
In my case i used the tranny temp as my measure to ensure correct fluid level.

Save

slothman

· #3 · 2 mo ago

it is necessary to have the car level, on 4 jacks, front and rear.

it is also best to read the ATF temp with a scanner. You can also use the heat gun method.

Save

E350

· #4 · 2 mo ago

Personally, I think this is the best video. (FYI, I bought the Scanguage3 to do the job and will install it in a diesel vehicle of ours to monitor real time info.)

Save

OnTheRoadAgain

· #5 · 2 mo ago

I got about 1.5, so pretty normal to me when I drained it. I filled 2 , with the straw method, I drained about 1/2 back out so, 1.5 for me.

Save

OnTheRoadAgain

· #6 · 2 mo ago

slothman said:
it is necessary to have the car level, on 4 jacks, front and rear.

it is also best to read the ATF temp with a scanner. You can also use the heat gun method.

You don't need to jack it, I had plenty of room as is in my garage.

Just turn your wheel left must to access the bolt/fill hole with a long funnel.

Save

slothman

· #7 · 2 mo ago

OnTheRoadAgain said:
You don't need to jack it, I had plenty of room as is in my garage.

Just turn your wheel left must to access the bolt/fill hole with a long funnel.

maybe, for a skinny body

... I like having the extra room draining it underneath

Save

slothman

· #8 · 2 mo ago

OnTheRoadAgain said:
I got about 1.5, so pretty normal to me when I drained it. I filled 2 , with the straw method, I drained about 1/2 back out so, 1.5 for me.

my AWD was damn near 2 qts, probably 1.8-1.9

Save

dcb

· #9 · 2 mo ago

I believe the difference in quoted volumes occur when you remove the pan and filter. When I did this there was quiet a lot of fluid in the pan even after draining. The other thing to remember is to fill with the enginee running so it is pumping fluid into the "gear box" I id not realize this first time around and drained too much out resulting in some slipping on steep inclines under load.

Save

jseyfert3

· #10 · 2 mo ago

fordseedco said:
After changing the ATF fluid at 130K, just a drain and fill, I noticed it only took roughly 1.2 QTS, I added 3, drove around for 20 minutes, drained it to the top of the red stem, emptied the catch pan, then drained the pan again, pulled the red stem, drained, measured it and it was barely over 1 QT?. So I filled it again on level ground with 2QTS, drove around, drained it down to the red stem, put the plug in, let it idle for 30 mins. I then again dumped it, and it was barely over 1 quart again. I feel like i'm going crazy.

Is this normal?, I have drained and filled this machine 1X prior to this and recall it taking over 2Qts up to that red stem. But i dn't recall measuring it back at 65K.

Any feed back would sooth the nerves.

Thanks,

Dan

"Driving around for 20 minutes" is not the appropriate way to warm up the transmission for setting fluid level after a fill. The transmission temp is very important, as the fluid (like most things) expands as it gets hot. If the fluid is too hot, you'll drain more than you should when you remove the plug with the stem installed. The fluid must be between 104 and 113 °F to set with the straw/stem method. (Toyota does have a method of setting fluid at any temp, but you'll need to pay hundreds of dollars for the special service tool required, plus purchase a vacuum pump. Weber Automotive has a video on how to perform this method if you're curious)

From the Toyota FSM, the procedure for setting the fluid level with the straw/stem, for not using Techstream, and assuming the transmission is already cold (below 104 °F):

Connect pins 4 & 13 of OBD connector.
Depress brake pedal and start engine.
Slowly move shift lever from P to D, then back to P (slowly, to circulate the fluid through each part of the transmission).
While watching gearshift indicator, move shift lever from D to N and back at 1.5 second intervals for 6 seconds or more. This will cause vehicle to enter fluid temp detection mode.
Check that the D shift indicator comes on for 2 seconds.
Move shift lever from N to P.
Release brake pedal.
Remove jumper from OBD connector. Removing jumper activates engine idle speed control
Allow engine to idle until the D shift indicator comes on again
1. Below temp the D indicator is off
2. At temp (104 to 113 °F) the D indicator is on
3. Above temp the D indicator is blinking
Remove the overflow plug
If fluid overflows
1. Wait until fluid slows and only drips come out
2. Remove fluid fill plug
If fluid does not overflow
1. Remove fluid fill plug
2. Add fluid through refill until fluid comes out of the overflow plug hole
3. Wait until fluid slows and only drips come out
Install overflow plug
Install refill plug
Turn off engine

In step 9.3, you are above temp and you need to stop and let things cool down before trying again.

See less See more

Save

uncleiro

· #11 · 2 mo ago

Mine is a 2013. I did my first change not long ago at around 65K miles. While I did this in my driveway, I used a bubble level to make sure the van itself was level. The removed fluid was very dark and about 1.7 qts came out. I refilled it with the straw method, put 2 quarts in. When warmed up, approximately .3 quarts came out. I had read it should have been more like 3 quarts, so I was a bit worried that I did something wrong. As I drove it around, everything seemed fine, so OK, job done. It stlll worries me though that the fluid was dark, and had a little glitter in it. At my next engine oil change, I am going to also remove the transmission pan and change the filter and get more fluid changed.

Save

Reactions: 1

Grizzman

· #12 · 2 mo ago

uncleiro said:
Mine is a 2013. I did my first change not long ago at around 65K miles. While I did this in my driveway, I used a bubble level to make sure the van itself was level. The removed fluid was very dark and about 1.7 qts came out. I refilled it with the straw method, put 2 quarts in. When warmed up, approximately .3 quarts came out. I had read it should have been more like 3 quarts, so I was a bit worried that I did something wrong. As I drove it around, everything seemed fine, so OK, job done. It stlll worries me though that the fluid was dark, and had a little glitter in it. At my next engine oil change, I am going to also remove the transmission pan and change the filter and get more fluid changed.

I'd be a little careful going over board on the fluid changes especially since you see particulates in the fluid. If you get that fluid too clean at this point you may start to get slipping from the disc's. I just do a drain and fill every 30k, same experience as everyone else, little less than 2 quarts. If you don't have a scanner you must use a temp gun to set the fluid level correct.

Save

1 - 12 of 12 Posts

Top Contributors this Month