Transmission Plug vs Oil Plug V6

I had a weird feeling when I was changing my oil last night (something I have done numerous times) because the "oil" had a reddish tint. I am now convinced that I somehow completely forgot how to change my oil since the last time I did it and I actually drained all of my transmission fluid out and have 11 quarts of oil (old and new) in my engine block now. Just to confirm my idiocy... this plug here is the transmission fluid plug, correct? I've already driven my car to work in the current condition. Assuming my suspicions are correct. What now? Would I be OK driving it back home to fix the problem if I add some transmission fluid or should I have it towed?

 

This again..? There's threads on it

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/drained-my-transmission-fluid-by-accident-what-now.382151/

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/help-accidentally-drained-trans-fluid.652235/

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/help-2006-auto-transmission.755532/#post-26927232

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/accidentally-drained-trans-fluid.622770/

https://www.toyotanation.com/threads/accidently-drained-transmission-instead-of-oil.177385/

https://www.reddit.com/r/auto/comments/iu5vdv/i_accidentally_drained_transmission_fluid_instead/

https://www.justanswer.com/toyota/bj2nu-drained-transmission-fluid-mistake-tacoma.html

 

Yes, that’s the Transmission Drain Plug.

I’d refrain from driving the truck until you have the correct amount of fluid in both the Engine and Transmission.

 

I do not understand how someone can crawl under a truck and not be able to tell the difference between a transmission and an engine block. Blows my mind.

 

I wouldn't even start the truck let alone drive it until you get the fluid situation sorted out. You may be lucky that you caught it early enough and didn't cook the transmission.

Here's the procedure for verifying the correct amount of fluid is in the transmission.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/how-to-drain-refill-automatic-transmission.63851/

 

Just don't put the Red/Pink fluid in the other Pink Fluid under the hood.

 

did you correct the engine oil level? If not do not turn it on. Get it towed

 

Definitely don't drive it until you correct the transmission fluid level unless you want to be buying a transmission because you will kill it in short order driving it low on fluid.

 

I think I was just tired/rushing through it, because yes that pan is obviously underneath he tranny. That being said, I could easily see how someone would do this (it appears to happen a lot). The transmission drain plug is more easily seen and accessible and I have no idea why Toyota doesn't at least mark them in some way.

 

No vehicle ever marks them. The transmission drain plug is in the transmission and the engine oil drain plug is in the engine.

 

The engine will hold 11 quarts of oil without overflowing? That blows my mind.

Also, how did you not catch this after checking oil level at the end?

 

That’s my method to identify what NOT to drain if I’m changing my oil .

Good luck, I hope it all works out for you.

 

If you somehow drove on 11 quarts of oil and didn't hydrolock it then sir, go buy a lottery ticket.

 

OP don’t take the criticism above too hard. It’s happened many times. Others have don’t the same thing. And even driven just as you did. The worst part of the whole situation will be getting the transmission fluid to the correct level.
If going off prior post from others that did the same thing. You probably didn’t damage anything yet. Just don’t drive it any further if you can.

And for all those wondering how it holds 11 qts. Well, the 3.4 in the first Gen will too. This isn’t a new phenomenon, it’s been happening since the 1st Gen Tacoma came out.

I don’t venture over the the 3rd gen section much, but I guess it happened there as well?

 

I have driven it 9 miles. Nothing felt weird. No lights came on, or anything. But I am positive the thing had all tranny fluid drained and had an additional 5.5 quarts added. I don't know but it's at the shop now and they are going to assess my stupidity.

 

I didn't mean to come across harsh. I understand that mistakes can happen to any of us at any time. It's just a lesson to slow down, take the extra 20 seconds and pay attention to what piece of the vehicle you are working on and this can be prevented. I hope all turns out okay for OP. I would hate to destroy my truck over something like this.

 

It will be fine. If any thing. I bet you won’t make that mistake again.

 

I hope everything turns out okay for you. It's a hard lesson learned but one I bet you never repeat!

 

You could get a fumoto valve installed for draining oil and no matter what you’ll never mistake that for the tranny plug.

 

You did not drain the full trans, only the pan. While terribly low, not empty. Your 9 miles may not have created much harm. At this point a proper fill with the right fluid and 'wait and see' is the practical assessment.

Engine overfilled isnt good, but again only 9 miles is your salvation. A drain/refill is really all to be done at this point.