Your new 2010 - 2015 truck -Auto transmission could be low on fluid directly from factory

Maybe one of you guys with a scan guage can clear something up ?
Check your transmission fluid at the proper temperature using the scan guage and then check it again after it has cooled using the jumper wire procedure .

The jumper wire procedure takes longer to get the transmission up to operating temperature , but I believe following this procedure will get you a more accurate result because The jumper wire procedure guarantees all parameters of the fluid check cycle have been met .http://www.purefjcruiser.com/docs/2007%20Toyota%20FJ%20Cruiser%20Repair%20Manual/A750E%20Automatic%20Transmission/Automatic%20Transmission%20Fluid/01600210.pdf
For you guys with the tow package , this may mean that fluid has to cycle through your transmission cooler at least once in order to illuminate the TEMP light at 115f .
If you are using a scan guage or scanner , there is a possibility this step of the fluid check cycle could be skipped . With this said , using a scan guage might give you the required temperature and you may believe your transmission is topped up properly , but you would be short the amount of fluid needed to fill your transmission lines and cooler . I will even go as far as saying that the dealer does the same thing by just checking the temp on the scanner rather than going through the procedure . If they do it this way at the factory , it may explain the low fluid condition a lot of us are having

 

Not sure about the taking longer with a jumper to get the light lit than with a Scan Gauge. Ran mine down to the corner and back (about a mile rt) and still had to let it sit for about 15 minutes at idle to get up to temp. Ran it through the gears once again and then put it in Park and checked it. I would think the trans temp light is using the same signal as the Scan Gauge so would assume both would work the same way.

 

You are correct that both the scanner and the trucks ecm may use the same signal to read the temperature however , There are two temp sensors on this critter . I am trying to figure out if skipping the jumper wire sequence gets you the same result . The thermostat in the transmission cooler is a mechanical poppit valve . It is possible that using the jumper wire sequence looks for a signal at both temp sensor readings and engine operating temp before illuminating the Temp light . I could be beating a dead horse because both temp sensors are located in the valve body and should read approximate values . Both readings are available on the scan guage .
Page 31 of this pdf shows the sensors http://www.toyotatundraforum.com/pdf/A750E.pdf

 

I dont think our trucks have thermostat on transmission ( I know my 2007 does not)
That document is for Sequoia and Tundra. They come with thermostats because they dont route transmission fluid through radiator like our trucks do.
I used Scanguage on Sequoia and it got to operating temp very quickly with thermostat fully open in the lock position.
Did not try wire because its way too much work but I would guess it should be the same temperature.
Edit: when you changing fluid in Sequoia you need to open thermostat ahead of time and lock it with piece of wire.

 

Hey Blue .

You are correct about the document .It is for a Sequoia . They use the identical transmission and same check fluid process as the Tacoma . If you have the a750 series transmission in your truck , there is a transmission temp sensor in your pan . The temp sensor is crucial to proper operation of the transmission . The thermostat is on the tow package
I have never seen a vehicle come from factory without routing transmission cooling lines through the engine radiator . What a horrible design !!! Thanks for the info

 

Ok, I got news. I took my 2015 Taco in for an early first service. (I couldn't get the old "break-in oil" advice out of my head) I had 1500 miles on the first dyno oil, and wanted to change to Mobyl 1. Having read of the many trannies come up low on fluid, and knowing of the hassle to check the level, I played the game and reported a shifting disfunction to allow the service dept. to do a write-up to get reimbursed from Toyota for the fluid check. The service manager did his part, I left it overnight to get a cold start warmup to temp, and the level was right up there where it should be. A relief to my mind of course, but I'm still miffed at not being able to check it myself in the future.

There being two assembly plants for the US, for the record, my Taco was assembled in Baja, if anyone wants to chime in with full/low reports from Texas/Mexico?

 

HEY


my auto tranny was not low on fluid from factory, but it was a 'rough shifter'

I went and got T-SB 0044-14 done because I do get excessive pings in hot weather.

BUT

that TSB completely reworked the logic on my tranny ECU

and this truck now drives smooth everywhere, around town, on hills, stomping the gas, on highway, cruise control, everything is smooth as butter now and the torque converter lockup/unlock response is immediate based on throttle input. It used to be just a little harsh and took a lot more foot pressure on go-pedal to make it drop out of lockup when I needed to scoot around a bit faster, or get up a hill. It now drives like it should have from the get go.


SO..........just pasting this here in case anyone is not liking their 2012-2014 auto tranny shifting performance, this TSB was -magic- for all driving circumstances

 

Thanks, I have a few TSB's to bring to their attention when I go in for service.

 

I checked the fluid today on my 2009. I had the transmission flushed at the toyota dealership at 70k, I'm now at 90k and have began to notice some slipping when first driving the truck in the morning. I figured it couldn't hurt to check the fluid and make sure the correct amount was put in when it was flushed. I had just driven home from work (only 1/2 mile drive) when I put her into Temp check mode. Apparently it was just the right temperature already. The AT temp light came on her a few seconds after the 6 N to D, then when I shifted to park it went out, then immediately came back on and stayed solid. When I pulled the check bolt there seemed to be a bit more than what I would call a "small amount" coming out. I let in drain for maybe 20 seconds, until it was a slower trickle. The amount that came out was minimal, didnt even cover the bottom of my drain pan. I'm sure it would be been fine if I just left it in there.

I then let her idle for another 15 minutes or so just out of curiousity to see the AT temp light start flashing so I knew I had it properly in Temp check mode and the fluid was now over 130, but it never did. Oh well, I'm pretty sure it was at the right temp. Just thought I would share.

 

UPDATE 5/27/2015

2014 TRD Sport 4-d 4x4, 9800 miles

Picked up two quarts of Toy ATF from dealer ($8 each) and a nice bottle pump made by sta-lube...fits qts, 1/2 gal, and gallons; $10 at local auto shop. Worked great.

Followed all of the directions in Fortech's write-up...everything went great. From 56° outside temp, cold engine, it took 22 minutes to reach temp (AT TEMP LIGHT) on...

Pulled overflow and two drips came out.
Stopped engine, removed fill plug, pumped in 8 oz of fluid.
Put the engine back into tranny temp mode (went right into temp).
Pulled overflow and about 6/7 oz. came out = low 1 to 2 oz.

So, not really low from factory but now I have piece of mind. Thanks to all who helped with this topic.

 

Sub'd

 

I just checked mine and probably just under 1/2 quart low.

 

I've had no issues with my transmission. I have over 80,000 miles on my 2011.

Are all of you certain that you checked your transmission fluid level at the right temperature? If not you're getting inaccurate results.

ATF expands as its temperature increases.
If you check it at too low of a temperature nothing will dribble out (it would appear low but actually isn't). If you check it too hot it would appear over filled but it actually isn't.

If you don't check it in the proper temperature range some of you are possibly adding too much fluid to your transmission...

 

Lol, that's what I was thinking. I would bet, a few now have to much fluid in there transmissions.

 

I'm rather certain that many people have over filled their transmissions. Lots of new weekend warrior mechanics on here who are just learning the ropes on an oil change. That's a bad combination when coupled with our transmissions.

 

My 2015 Off Road with towing package is at the local dealership service center now getting the fluid level checked. It is on their nickle so I thought I would go along with it. I made sure to adequately address my concerns with the service manager and even marked the fill bolt on the transmission to make sure it actually gets opened. I even went so far as to say I would check the level myself after they were done as I had printed out the checking procedure from this forum and had it in hand. Hopefully that is enough to convince them to do a thorough investigation. I'll post results later today.

 

I posted earlier in this thread, and a while back took my truck in bc it had a little rough shift, turns out it was low..

Last week I took it back bc it had been shifting a little rougher, at 74k had the fluid about 80% flushed.. It seems like it helped shifting and smoothed it out a little.. I was back there when he did it, the fluid that was coming out was really dark so looked like it needed it. The tech told me Toyota says the fluid is good for 100k plus, but we both agreed it should be done sooner. I think I'd have it flushed at 30k-and 60kish.

 

yeah that fluid does not last
30k maybe overkill, 60k should be right on the money.

 

1/2 quart low... Sum bitch. I could expect it on a Chrysler vehicle, but not Toyota. oh well, still happy with my truck and plan on keeping it a long time.

 

Possibly, but couldn't hurt.
My thought with 30 is, the whole break in etc. Figured it'd be good measure, keep everything clean etc.