Hello. I have a 2004 4runner V-6 4x4 and decided to change the oil for the first time. Well, ive only had manual transmission tacomas and pickups in the past and never a auto tranny. So i went underneath and found what appeared to me to be a drain plug for the oil and proceeded to unscrew it. Well, as you can imagine, transmission fluid came out, not oil. Ooops. Wrong drain. The fluid was still very hot so i couldnt stick the plug back in and just let it drain out. Anyhow, on to my question. Approx. 4 quarts came out. I read the manual to see what kind of tranny fluid to stick back in and it said Toyota type IV fluid and 2.0 US quarts. Is this a typo??? I drained at least 4-4.2 quarts out of the tranny. So the dealership was closed and i went to the auto parts store and was recommended Valvoline MaxLife ATF DEXRONŽ III/MERCONŽ auto tranny fluid. So i bought 4 quarts and filled her up. Does anyone know the correct amount of fluid for this engine? Is the type of fluid i used ok? The manual makes it sound that if you didnt use the Toyota type IV fluid, the transmission would melt down or something. Thanks!!!

 

The Toyota type IV fluid is a synthetic fluid, and, as I remember it should not be mixed with regular Dextron type fluid. You are probably going to have to have a complete trans flush to get the mixed fluid out and replaced with type IV. Unfortunately, this is probably going to be somewhat expensive. I believe the type IV fluid is about $4.00 a quart, and you will need about 18-20 quarts for the complete flush and refill.

 

Oh crap. So do you think its okay to drive for a couple of days until its flushed? Is 4 quarts enough fluid? The manual states 2 quarts. I read somewhere this is a typo however. Thanks!

 

I can't say for sure on how long it would be safe to drive, but you might want to do a search on this topic. It seems to me that some others have had shifting problems when the wrong fluid was added. As for the amount, the figure in the manual is an estimate for draining the pan only. The entire trans holds much more, but only some drains out from the pan. The rest is held in the convertor and can only be changed by flushing or removing the entire trans.