Definitive correct method to check transmission fluid on 8 speeds?

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J

j404

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Dec 24, 2023
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Maybe my google/youtube-fu is lacking but I am having trouble finding the absolute "correct" method to check transmission fluid level for the newer 8 speed transmissions? Any suggestions?


Thanks
 
I've watched the various videos by "The Car Care Nut" and others on how to do full and partial exchanges of ATF. Doing the exchange the "Official Toyota Way" without a "Scan Tool" per "The Car Care Nut" ( @ 7:39) is to jumper the OBD connector etc... This is a total non-starter for me.

My question is about TechStream and how it's used to measure temperature during a transmission fluid exchange. Using TechStream one of the steps is to "Connect the TC and TEI.ON".
REF: ( @ 7:30)

What does this step do?
Is it an electronic analog to jumpering the OBD port?

If I actually attempt this myself I'm inclined to measure temperature using my own OBDLink dongle to measure "A/T Oil 1"
 
Sandroad said:
Here is the FSM procedure.
Click to expand...
This is the fluid level adjustment.. there is another to perform the replacement (drain and fill)..
 

Attachments

FrazzledHunter said:
I've watched the various videos by "The Car Care Nut" and others on how to do full and partial exchanges of ATF. Doing the exchange the "Official Toyota Way" without a "Scan Tool" per "The Car Care Nut" ( @ 7:39) is to jumper the OBD connector etc... This is a total non-starter for me.

My question is about TechStream and how it's used to measure temperature during a transmission fluid exchange. Using TechStream one of the steps is to "Connect the TC and TEI.ON".
REF: ( @ 7:30)

What does this step do?
Is it an electronic analog to jumpering the OBD port?

If I actually attempt this myself I'm inclined to measure temperature using my own OBDLink dongle to measure "A/T Oil 1"
Click to expand...

The second video is correct for the 8 speed. the first video, car nut talked about it (e.g. the 5mm hex nut with the level tube) but IMO he is incorrect about the one drain and fill. The TIS, the AE80F replacement procedure calls for a total of 3 drain and fills followed by the checking level procedure... I have attached the 2 procedures below. I used an OB2 tool to check if the ATF temp was correct...
 

Attachments

@IslandCruiser23 many thanks!

I'm going back and forth over whether to do:
  • a series of partial changes or a full change
  • this myself or get a mechanic.
The only mechanic I talked to about it said my 2018 LC was "just like a Tundra" which it isn't.
Not quite anyway.

In any event I want to TOTALLY understand the process.

I'm considering this because I tow a lot.
 
Blackwater said:
What's the current "best" obd2 tool you guys would recommend?
Click to expand...
I have the OBDLink MX+ and really like it and the OBDLink software. It's capable of making great displays and the logging/mapping feature is great for storing info.

I leave the dongle on the OBD port all the time.
My only complaint, and it's a very minor one, is that it can take a minute to reconnect the app on the phone to the dongle after you've stopped. Most of the time the connect time is very fast but sometimes not. Dunno why.

OBDLink MX+ - https://www.obdlink.com/products/obdlink-mxp/
 
FrazzledHunter said:
@IslandCruiser23 many thanks!

I'm going back and forth over whether to do:
  • a series of partial changes or a full change
  • this myself or get a mechanic.
The only mechanic I talked to about it said my 2018 LC was "just like a Tundra" which it isn't.
Not quite anyway.

In any event I want to TOTALLY understand the process.

I'm considering this because I tow a lot.
Click to expand...
I considered taking it to a japanese mechanic (Greg's in Seattle)) but they were not as familiar with the AE80F as I would have hoped when talking on the phone. So I did the service myself... it was not that hard...

Probably because the AE80F was only used in the following vehicles
After reading the procedure I did create a easier to follow process to perform the service based onTIS...
 

Attachments

Last edited:
FrazzledHunter said:
I have the OBDLink MX+ and really like it and the OBDLink software. It's capable of making great displays and the logging/mapping feature is great for storing info.

I leave the dongle on the OBD port all the time.
My only complaint, and it's a very minor one, is that it can take a minute to reconnect the app on the phone to the dongle after you've stopped. Most of the time the connect time is very fast but sometimes not. Dunno why.

OBDLink MX+ - https://www.obdlink.com/products/obdlink-mxp/
Click to expand...
I have this dongle and it is what I used when checking the level on the final drain and fill when I did my tranny fluid. I have a graduated automotive pitcher thing that I drained the fluid into, I then dumped that fluid and replaced the same amount with new fluid. Filled it up, started vehicle and shifted through the gears while not moving and still on my ramps, shut off vehicle and drained and filled, repeated this 3 times. Final fill I replaced the overflow pipe (buy a couple extra because the threads are fragile) added half an extra quart of fluid, started cruiser and laid underneath with my phone and the OBD fusion app. Once I hit the temp threshold I remove the drain plug and waited until it trickles out and replaced the drain plug (having an extra drain plug with a new gasket ready to reinstall is a pro level move here). You’re done.

The toughest part is getting the dust cover off of the side of the tranny to access the fill plug. Second tough part is routing the hose into that fill hole. I preferred to route the hose to the engine bay and hang the funnel from the hood.

Like any other repair, there are more than one way to skin a cat.

This guy’s video is pretty straightforward, no fluff, and easy to understand.

This is the automotive kool-aide pitcher I have.
 
Last edited:
Artie said:
I have this dongle and it is what I used when checking the level on the final drain and fill when I did my tranny fluid. I have a graduated automotive pitcher thing that I drained the fluid into, I then dumped that fluid and replaced the same amount with new fluid. Filled it up, started vehicle and shifted through the gears while not moving and still on my ramps, shut off vehicle and drained and filled, repeated this 3 times. Final fill I replaced the overflow pipe (buy a couple extra because the threads are fragile) added half an extra quart of fluid, started cruiser and laid underneath with my phone and the OBD fusion app. Once I hit the temp threshold I remove the drain plug and waited until it trickles out and replaced the drain plug (having an extra drain plug with a new gasket ready to reinstall is a pro level move here). You’re done.

The toughest part is getting the dust cover off of the side of the tranny to access the fill plug. Second tough part is routing the hose into that fill hole. I preferred to route the hose to the engine bay and hang the funnel from the hood.

Like any other repair, there are more than one way to skin a cat.

This guy’s video is pretty straightforward, no fluff, and easy to understand.

This is the automotive kool-aide pitcher I have.
Click to expand...
No charge for the guy's sheckshe voice-over....it helps with motivation.
 
So I’m looking at the “AE80F (AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION / TRANSAXLE): AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID: REPLACEMENT; 2016 – 2020”

I’m probably being totally dense but I’m confused by one of the steps for the first drain. 😕
The step I don’t get is 4(i) [*9] where it says to add 2.9 US qts.
See REF below.
The refill tube was temporarily replaced at step 4(d) [*4] and fluid was filled to overflowing the refill tube at step 4(f) [*6].
Are we to add ANOTHER 2.9 US qts. at step 4(i) [*9]?
If so, WHY?
Again sorry if I'm being an idiot. 😵‍💫

REF:
4. REPLACE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID
(a) Lift the vehicle. [*1]
(b) Using a 5 mm hexagon socket wrench, remove the overflow plug and gasket from the automatic transmission assembly and drain the automatic transmission fluid. [*2]
(c) Using a 5 mm hexagon socket wrench, remove the transmission oil pan tube from the automatic transmission assembly and drain the automatic transmission fluid. [*3]
(d) Using a 5 mm hexagon socket wrench, temporarily install the transmission oil pan tube to the automatic transmission assembly. [*4] Torque: 0.8 N·m {8 kgf·cm, 7 in·lbf}
(e) Remove the refill plug and O-ring from the automatic transmission assembly. [*5]
(f) Add automatic transmission fluid to the refill hole until it flows out of the overflow hole. [*6]
(g) Wait until the automatic transmission fluid flow slows and only drips come out. [*7]
(h) Using a 5 mm hexagon socket wrench, temporarily install the gasket and overflow plug to the automatic transmission assembly. [*8]
(i) Add the amount of automatic transmission fluid specified for removal and installation of the automatic transmission oil pan sub-assembly to the refill hole. [*9] Specified Amount of Fluid: 2.7 liters (2.9 US qts, 2.4 Imp. qts)
 
FrazzledHunter said:
So I’m looking at the “AE80F (AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION / TRANSAXLE): AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID: REPLACEMENT; 2016 – 2020”

I’m probably being totally dense but I’m confused by one of the steps for the first drain. 😕
The step I don’t get is 4(i) [*9] where it says to add 2.9 US qts.
See REF below.
The refill tube was temporarily replaced at step 4(d) [*4] and fluid was filled to overflowing the refill tube at step 4(f) [*6].
Are we to add ANOTHER 2.9 US qts. at step 4(i) [*9]?
If so, WHY?
Again sorry if I'm being an idiot. 😵‍💫

REF:
4. REPLACE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID
(a) Lift the vehicle. [*1]
(b) Using a 5 mm hexagon socket wrench, remove the overflow plug and gasket from the automatic transmission assembly and drain the automatic transmission fluid. [*2]
(c) Using a 5 mm hexagon socket wrench, remove the transmission oil pan tube from the automatic transmission assembly and drain the automatic transmission fluid. [*3]
(d) Using a 5 mm hexagon socket wrench, temporarily install the transmission oil pan tube to the automatic transmission assembly. [*4] Torque: 0.8 N·m {8 kgf·cm, 7 in·lbf}
(e) Remove the refill plug and O-ring from the automatic transmission assembly. [*5]
(f) Add automatic transmission fluid to the refill hole until it flows out of the overflow hole. [*6]
(g) Wait until the automatic transmission fluid flow slows and only drips come out. [*7]
(h) Using a 5 mm hexagon socket wrench, temporarily install the gasket and overflow plug to the automatic transmission assembly. [*8]
(i) Add the amount of automatic transmission fluid specified for removal and installation of the automatic transmission oil pan sub-assembly to the refill hole. [*9] Specified Amount of Fluid: 2.7 liters (2.9 US qts, 2.4 Imp. qts)
Click to expand...
Try reading the simplified procedure I uploaded 4 posts prior... that may help... it was confusing when I read the first couple of times....

I used 2 gallons of red line trans fluid for 4 drain and refill cycles... the first drain was close to 2.9 and the last drains were a little less, probably because I was running TLC to cycle the fluids after every fill... the las fill you run till you get to temp and then set the level by removing the drain plug only
 
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