Dealer indicates 16 Tacomas w/tow pkg often have low trans fluid

Took my truck to the dealer today for the 10K service and during the routine checks they were required to add 5/8 of a quart of transmission fluid in order to bring the transmission fluid level to a full condition. 10.7 qt capacity on a V6 w/tow pkg.

Technician indicates that he has serviced several new Tacomas with the tow package that required a 1/2 qt. "topping off" of the transmission fluid level. No leaks of any kind and the transmission has been shifting fine.

I paid my $11 upcharge for using Mobil 1 instead of Toyota synthetic oil and I was on my way in 45 minutes.

 

There are only a few different brands of 0-20W in the US available now, you quite possibly would have gotten Mobil 1 even if you didn't buy the upcharge. Mobil 1, Pennezoil, and Castrol are the ones I know of readily available. Was the transmission topped off as part of ToyotaCare?

 

The Trans fluid would topped off as part of warranty

 

Top off was part of ToyotaCare. The local dealer checks the transmission level as part of the 10K service.

The local dealer uses bottled OEM Toyota brand synthetic 0-20 at no cost, but does offer a Mobil 1 upgrade for $11.

 

Isn't catching and correcting this kind of problem what the dealer is supposed to do for you in that pile-'o-bucks you pay called 'dealer prep'?

 

This could be because trucks with the towing package have the transmission fluid cooler which would require slightly more fluid to fill than a truck without it.

 

What he's saying is you maybe paid $11 more for a Mobil 1 label on a bottle of Mobil 1 oil, when it could've easily been Mobil 1 oil in a bottle with a Toyota label on it.

Toyota doesn't make oil, and from his post you had a 33% chance of getting Mobil 1 to begin with, without paying extra for the label.

 

Will check mine in the morning!

 

Everyone does know that the trans needs to be checked when it warm, wight? The fluid does expand.

 

Yes and the towing package equipped tacoma has over 10 quarts of ATF.

 

How much did you pay for dealer prep? LOL

 

How are you going to do that?

 

They should be adding the right amount for trucks with the tranny cooler... TOYOTA!!!

 

1. How can you check your transmission level in an Automatic.?

 

Mine was low.

 

- Transmission fluid check is not part of Toyota PDI
- No charge in Texas for Toyota PDI

 

I realize there's no dipstick to yank, suppose that's why? Meaning differentials aren't checked either?

No charge? Or just not a line item on the billing? Hard to imagine a dealer missing an opportunity to collect a fee for something they have a entry level worker doing.

 

No charge for dealer PDI per state law. A PDI charge can be included as part of manufacturers MSRP, but dealers are not allowed to tack on PDI. It was a big rip off item here for years. State law also dictates the title/documentation "handling" fee allowed by a dealer as well.

 

Another reason why not to live in nj.

 

tranny has to be at operating temp then with the truck sitting level remove the FILL plug, if fluid starts to come out put it back on , is ok. if nothing comes out use you finger as a dip stick thru the fill hole and see how low it is, fill until it comes out...done. make sure you fill with the correct type fluid....