u/OOPhome

I have a 2002 Highlander Ltd and am having a hard time getting an accurate reading on the dipstick.

In theory, it should be at the factory level still (Its a nice deep red but not black or brown) I take it for a ten minutes drive, park, go through each gear, and check the transmission fluid level on the dipstick and it reads three times high past the high notch mark.

The second time I go on a 5 minute drive, go through each gear, and check the transmission fluid level on the dipstick and it reads two times too high past the high notch mark.

Should I just idle until it gets to operating temperature and do the same again? Its about 100 degrees outside right now.

The user manual thoughtfully doesnt have a single direction for how to check. An archived technicians manual does which is where the above procedure comes from.

Hints? What do you do?

Or do they get frustrated as they have twenty warranty vehicles to get to, the training didnt include them, the parts are not going to be available anyway and nevermind the rust and frozen bolts.

I have a couple of early 2000's models of Honda and Toyota and was trying to estimate mechanic frustration from using the official centers.

Yes, I have heard dont go to the stealership.