Checking transmission fluid level - 2 tips others, like me, may not have known right away

While changing my transmission fluid this time, I decided to actually read the WSM and found something out I did not know before. I know the pros here will say "duh", but for some of us DIYers, we've never seen this before. I was also told something else that I had never had to deal with before. Sharing these to help out others. All part of the fun with these cars and it's always good to know more.

#1 This was not from the WSM, but something I was told when I just got the car and did my first service myself.

When you fill the transmission up, fill it up to the full line. Then come back 30 minutes later and check the level again. It will have dropped very slowly. There is a wall between the transmission and diff sections of the transmission and very little fluid flows through this, and at a slow rate.

If you just fill it up, check the level, and am done, your transmission fluid will be low. Keep doing this until it stays at the MAX line.

#2 This is from the WSM and surprised me.

If you just check the fluid cold, it will end up being low. The WSM specifically says to fill it up to the MAX line. Then start the car and let it idle for 2 minutes. Then let it cool for 5 minutes. Then check the level right away. About 1/2 quart - 1 quart gets sucked up into the system (Depending on if you drained the lines or not) while running, so they want you to check it when that fluid is up in the system, and not just sitting in the transmission. This makes a huge difference with the amount of oil in your car. Keep doing this and filling it until after the 2 minutes and 5 minutes have passed, the fluid is right between the MAX line and MIN line.

If you just fill it up like #1 when cold until it is in between MAX and MIN, then you will not have enough fluid in your transmission.

Hope this helps someone, and for everyone else that already knew, good!

 

It had definitely been fully drained as it took me right under 3.5q to fill it up to between the MIN and MAX lines. But without running the motor for 2 minutes and cooling for 5 minutes, it already appeared to be full with just a little over 2.5q in it, so I'm glad I read the WSM. No other car I've ever owned wanted you to check the transmission fluid a specific amount of time after the car ran, so it might not be common sense for others like me.