Toyota said they cannot advise a dealership to check transmission fluid level on my truck...

I'm thankfully not experiencing any issues - yet (4.5k), but plan to leverage ToyotaCare verbiage when I go in at 5k. There it clearly states "Inspect and adjust all fluid levels" as part of the routine 5k maintenance. They might push back, but it can't hurt.

 

1st gens had a dipstick tube coming from the trans pan...

 

Seems like a sensor is needed.

 

Sub'd for outcome for OP

 

Let me know how that goes because I'd probably do the same... I'm a contracts guy by profession so verbiage can be key.

 

UPDATE:

Was told they checked the trans fluid...and it was fine. They told me they first removed the overflow cap and fluid leaked out. They added the fluid back in that had leaked out during the check and then checked it with the diagnostic tool at the proper operating temp and said it was fine. Did a full diagnostic check on the entire truck and no fault/error codes.

Now, am I bummed they could find or replicate my problems? Of course, but I have to say I am not made at this dealership at all. They were incredibly accommodating, they got me in at the last second, didn't make me sit there all day and really seemed genuine, which is way more than I can say for the first dealership. Do I feel like a smacked ass for not being able to replicate the problem? Yep, a little! I also expressed my thanks for them taking the time to perform the check. I told them I know it's a bit of a timely process and during the time they were checking my truck they could have been generating revenue by servicing someone else's vehicle, and also told them I 100% understand that because they cannot replicate the issue they really don't have a starting point to fix the problem, and I thanked them for their time. They agrees that at least now there is a paper trail, in fact two occurrences where I have mentioned the problem, so if the transmission were to fail or have issues, even outside of warranty Toyota would have to cover it. We'll see, and since I have a 7year/100k extended warranty on the truck, I'd like to have the transmission fail before that time if in fact there is a real issue with it.

Now, one could speculate that they didn't check it at all, or they checked it, it really was low, and added fluid and didn't tell me, but in all honesty I don't see this dealership doing that. The Service Manager I dealt with was incredibly present and not shying away from speaking to me directly several times during my visit (unlike the Service Manager at the other dealership who seems to be in endless meetings when I was there and when I tried several times to speak to him on the phone!) and just got an overall genuine feeling from them, which is really all I can ask for. I'll be taking my truck to this dealership for the rest of my covered schedule maintenance that's for sure, and have no hesitation riffing anyone to them in the future, and at at the same time will definitely NOT recommend the first dealership to anyone.

 

Service managers don't own the dealership they have to answer to someone. Toyota doesn't own the dealership either. They can apply leverage but can't make them do anything. Talk to the manager or owner of the dealership.

 

I just got my truck last Saturday. I got the Sales Mgr to state in writing "we owe buyer" that Service Dept check auto trans fluid level per Toyota procedure and document it on service invoice, at my request w/in 100 days of purchase. Truck drives great. No shifting anomalies so far. Would you go ahead and do it now or not? Taking a new truck to Service Dept not really knowing what will happen involved some risks but sooner or later I will. So if operating properly should I take it now on their dime?

 

I think the new dealership understood the op,s frustration .
In the next few days keep an eye on how your transmission performs and let us know if things have changed .

 

Gearcruncher, see my post right above yours. If you were me would you get dealer to check fluid level on new truck not exhibiting symptoms? At their cost?

And are they supposed to install new washers on fill plug and overflow plug to avoid leaks?

 

The dealership is required to check the fluid level before the truck goes out the door as far as I am concerned
Did you read the poll ? https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...be-low-on-fluid-directly-from-factory.405642/
The best info I can come up with is within that thread .
Personally , I have never replaced washers on the plugs but thats me . I do believe it is requested within Toyotas guideline to replace the washers . I use to add a light coat of pipe dope to the thread . I have never had a leak from plugs doing it this way .
If you are NOT feeling the symptoms , there is a good chance you will make it to the 5K fluid check .

 

I'm having the exact same issues with the tranny and corporate. Corporate has been no help at all but I finally found a dealer who's had several trucks in for this issue. I met with the GM & the head service guy yesterday and both were extremely helpful. The GM told me to leave me truck and gave me a loaner car and said don't worry about the bill,this will cost you nothing.

As luck would have it they drove my truck this morning and it wouldn't replicate the problem. Said they'd try it again at the end of the day and still nothing. They're going to try again in the morning but guaranteed me they will check the fluid level tomorrow. I do believe these guys,they've gone out of their way to do everything a dealer should and contacted me several times throughout the day. I'll know the verdict tomorrow but either way at least now I'm positive everything that could've been done was.

 

Sorry to hear you're experiencing the same issues, but also it's a little nice to know I'm not crazy!

 

These posts have generated a lot of interest over the past week . I can imagine Toyota Corporate,s phone has been ringing off the hook .
This is a good thing . Maybe we are finally getting somewhere after 4 years of low fluid .
I am glad Desert Dawg finally found a dealership that has performed the fluid level check on several other trucks . This means the learning curve for the technician is over and he knows how to check the fluid correctly .
There has been all kinds of discrepancies in how to perform a proper fluid check and soo many unhappy owners after the fluid has been checked at the dealership . This is why I am pushing you guys to learn how to do it yourself .
If I owned a 2016 , there would already be a nice long write up full of HD pictures and a step by step to get you guys through this crap

 

No dealership doing a PDI checks the tranny fluid. Especially if it's an "sealed" unit.

 

Might be a bad idea but here it goes...

Why not just add 3/4 of quart of fluid if your transmission is demonstrating low fluid symptoms?

 

Which az dealer?

 

Is there ANY risk in connecting terminals #4 and #13 and shorting something and damaging the electrical system? I would try it if I was positive I wouldn't damage my new truck. Not being a Tech I am a little scared to do something for first time and risking losing my warranty. When I read some of these PDFs I am unsure if it is applicable to Gen 2 or Gen 3? Are the terminals the same for both? 4 and 13?

 

Because what if you add the fluid and it really wasn't low, then the transmission fails, and somehow they determine that the transmission was tampered with? then you're SOL. I figure since I have a 100k warranty I might as well go by the book. The way I see it, if it really is a problem, it will rear it's head eventually and fail. No way a transmission 3/4-1 quart low on fluid that tows and hauls stuff will last 100k before falling apart.

 

Has anyone on here with a 2016 tried the self check procedure using the dash ATF light (copper wire between slot 4 and 13) and got thru it correctly? Did you have any difficulty getting a socket wrench on the fill plug (marked WS)? Looks real tight up there.