Radiator Replacement, ATF top up needed?

[leadfoot6]

Thanks for the info. I have only had the car for a couple years so i don't know what ATF is currently being used. I assume its safe to mix different brands as long as its the correct type?

Can i just put the fluid that comes out back in? Or better to put new stuff?

Also when i check the dip stick it looks as if its above the 2 notches, i told the mechanic that it appears over filled but they said the levels were correct.

Yes, it is generally OK to mix the fluids, providing it is the correct type.

If you were scrupulous in ensuring that no foreign material got in the drained fluid, you would also be OK to use that to refill.

But just in case, spend the $18 or so and have a 1 litre bottle on hand just in case.

Despite years and years and years of trying, I always seem to have trouble taking a measure from the dipstick and getting it accurate, so I will not comment on your individual situation in this respect.

No matter what I do, and how much advice is given from different quarters, I will admit that I have some inexplicable difficulty with this in many instances.

I tend to rely on measuring the amount that has come out when doing a drain and fill, and replacing it with the EXACT same amount as the replacement.

That way, I can never be too far wrong, assuming that the starting amount was roughly correct.

I feel less inadequate when I see that I am not the only one who has difficulty, e.g.:

Anybody else having problems measuring proper transmission fluid level?

https://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/...uid-level.html

[metzger]

Okay, i will get a fresh bottle of the Castrol stuff to use. I will measure how much ATF comes out and put back in that same amount.