2016 Transmission Update and Fluid Levels

This has to be intentional. The plant trying to save money on fluid expecting the dealer to top off on delivery. Why in the world would they risk the blow back to the brand when you end up with large numbers of dead trannies from the inevitable? Its either that or Toyota is that incompetent that neither the factory or the dealer can figure out how to properly build and fill a new truck.

 

probably wouldnt be as big of a deal if they didnt make it so complicated to check the fluid level in the transmission. Just seems like a long processes making the guys at the dealers not wanting to waste their time on it.

 

this is 5 speed check, for 6 speed you need to open thermostat, otherwise your check will be wrong. (fluid draws from cooler side so level is artificially higher)
So in simplest steps using Scanguage as temp reader this is how I do it.

1. Plugin Scanguage with Temp reading for transmission.
2. Set Transmission thermostat to fully open using paper clip. Bend clip over thermostat so it does not fall out on its own.
3. Start engine and while waiting for transmission temp to get to correct range, press brake, and shift your transmission to each position staying on each position atlast 30 - 60 seconds (this is to get air out passages)
4. Give another minute, and Once Transmission temperature is in range open level check and let extra fluid come out.
5. IF your transmission is above the max Temp than place garden hose with running water on your towing transmission cooler. That will cool your fluid to lower temperature.
Once you checked fluid, you can add 1/2 QT to make sure any air trapped is covered.
6. While Thermostat is still locked in fully open position take a test drive. Nothing crazy just for transmission to shift through all gears.
7. Once you come back you can remove paper clip from thermostat, or if you like me (OCD) let vehicle idle with garden hose cooling fluid, until temperature falls down to correct range (bottom temp if you can), and check level again. If nothing comes out that means you are still below level, so add another 1/2 QT until and test drive again. Do that repeat 4-7 until all air is purged and when you open level plug fluid comes out every time all the time.

 

I just made an appointment for the dealer early sat morning to drop off so it has time to cool. Let them do it first to see what they come back with. I dont want to have to pay for fluid when I shouldnt have to.

 

At 2200 miles my shifting has improved. I now can leave it in D and drive aggressively and it keeps up nice. Other then the hummmmmbuzzz at 2300rpm really havent had any issues..no sliping or R to D hesitation.

I have noticed when the motor reaches 3900- 4000 rpms it like comes alive.. Almost like its runing on 3 cylinders untill it hits that range and then surges like all 6 cylinders come on..
Could this be the whole atkinson/otto cycle they talk about?

 

Throttle mapping & software controlled shift points

 

hopefully they see its low on mine and top it off and it acts better. It seems mine never wants to get out of the 1500-2200 rpm range. I have to really give it to the gas pedal to make it get a shift point to get me more into the power band. then even then its short lived before it decides to shift back down to low rpm even lugging up a hill.

 

So, my TRD was built in Baja on Febuary 16. I ordered it 8 weeks prior to its build date. Dealer called me to pick up my Taco Febuary 25th, it was delivered to my a Dealer on the 23rd. My new Taco had ZIP transmission symptoms None what so ever, but I requested my Dealer check my Transmission fluid, took it in this morning. Ive had my Taco for 12 days since I picked it up from Dealer, btw. Service tech told me Transmission was 1.5 quarts low. Dealer did not charge me for service...

Took 4 hours to check level.

 

when the truck is turned off does the fluid in the trans cooler run back into the tranny?

 

Im taking mine in after work, I have a morning appointment. It will be cold enough for them to check. I just hope I don't get some asshat of a service writer trying to tell me a bunch of BS like its my wheels or LED lights that caused it.

 

so how you know the guys at the dealership had paid attention to these notes!

 

is your appointment for the 6 month check? if so the dealers are allotted X number of hours/minutes for the 6 month service and they are reimbursed by toyota on the basis of the time allotted. to add in a tranny fluid check because you/we request it they might have an issue that they will not get reimbursed. i know my dealer will not do it during the 6 month check, they told me they would test drive it to see if a future appointment was needed to check the fluid. odds are it will drive fine when they drive it, that's why i am going to check my own.
this whole issue is a major goat rope!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Your experience with this mirrors mine in that the dealer wanted to schedule a future appointment to diagnose and then check the tranny fluid

 

Might be a dumb question, but what would happen if you overfilled the trans fluid? As if you didnt check it and assumed it was a quart low, added a quart, which in turn caused you to be overfull. (Disclaimer: I have not done this but am just wondering).

 

Ill be picking up my 2016 dcsb sport 2wd with tow either thursday/friday or sunday. It may not be the most "ethical to me" option but I intend to bet them the cost of the check to give me peace of mind on my 40k purchase and if its low they will cover the cost. I will provide results when it comes and try and be as thorough as I can. I will bringing the the TSB 0079-15 and the procedure to manually check the transmission fluid.

I will be going to earnhardt in pheonix/mesa if anyone has had experience with their service dept. please let me know about it.

 

That TSB is for the 4 cylinder engine only and came out in September last year. So anything past that and is a 4 cylinder is fine. The issues are with the 6 cylinder and tow package

 

I know, but im hoping it will help strengthen my argument since so little is out there.

 

Got mine back from the dealer yesterday. After getting a case # from corporate they kept it overnight. They compared it to one on the lot and said the fluid level was fine and for now they consider the lag to be normal.
Mine does the r to d lag intermittently and had one harsh engagement but does seem ok now. Hoping this doesn't continue.

 

Took my truck in for the 6 mos service, mentioned to the tech I would like the transmission level checked and drive train properly greased. Tech has had that request from other owners.

They did the 6 mos service, road tested - found no issue with shifting etc.. Based on the other requests etc.. They will keep the truck over night and check the transmission fluid in the morning!

Maybe we should start a new thread listing the dealer's who will check the transmission fluid level etc.. To help others to know whom are reputable dealers with a reputable service dept.

Findlay Toyota, Henderson, NV

 

so my experience with this issue has been a tad more positive than others that ive read. walked in the dealership this morning and explained my R to D lag and awkward shifting of gears. spoke with service manager and we agreed to leave my truck until the next morning, unless they can duplicate the issue. he wanted me to be there to show them personally so that we're all on the same page and i agreed. HOWEVER, i mentioned that my buddy had the same issue and his dealership found that the ATF was almost a whole quart low. the service manager calls over the master tech and my service advisor and had them inspect the ATF first, then try to replicate the issue. he suspected that if the ATF is indeed low, it would act as such.

long story short, my truck was 0.5 quart under. they couldnt replicate the issues i had when i brought it in that morning. it seems better on my drive home. ill have to check it out tomorrow morning and give an update on the cold start R to D issue. if youre in the socal area, i took mine to Buena Park Toyota, theyre part of the AutoNation dealerships.