3rd Gen Transmission Fluid level Check

Unfortunately, I have a list of issues. One of them was a howl when lifting off the gas at highway speeds. It was obviously mechanical and really easy to reproduce. Thankfully, when the service manager drove it, and he heard it right away too. I didn't ask him why the diff failed, but I wouldn't be surprised if it was caused by low fluid.

I think I'll be picking it up tomorrow. I'll update everyone and post pics of the invoice as well.

 

Add me to the list fellas. 2WD TRD offroad with tow package. Typical delay and clunk when shifting from reverse to drive first thing in the AM.

The dealer tried to tell me this was normal for these transmissions. I ignored that and showed up with the procedure printed out and a dollop of nail polish on the fill plug. The service manager convinced me they would use the full procedure and adequately described the process to me.

Low and behold, I was 0.8 quarts low.

IMPORTANT: I specifically asked him to confirm that this was covered under warranty, and he hemmed and hawed and finally said that "since I reported a problem it would be covered." I am sure that if you do not state a problem (e.g you just want it checked to make sure), you will get charged. So, make sure you state that you are having an issue and don't let them tell you this is normal.

 

Have been having issues with the 6 speed auto since I got the truck. Hard shifts, surges and maintains a higher rpm for the condition it is under. Tried to have it checked at the 5k service but the dealers internet was down so they couldn't do it. They also said it is a sealed unit and if there are no leaks, we must have faith the Mfg filled it as required. Well, finally got them to check it today. Was 3/4's quart low. Guess that answers the faith question.
Looking at trading it in for a Tundra or Ram, if the Ram is short enough to fit in the garage.

 

Just took my Tacoma in and dealership said fluid was fine, but I called BS! So I left a crap review and a week later I get a call from service advisor saying anther guy was having same issue and they was told by a Toyota rep that was in their shop there is another way to check fluid. Again calling BS! So maybe this time my transmission will be check. Just hope my truck will be fine as it has 9600 miles already.

 

I took the truck to new dealer that sold me the truck. At first the service manager was an ass so I called Toyota and he changed his tune on checking the trans. I marked all the bolts on the transmission to make sure they actually opened it up and checked the oil. They did and he found it low on oil. Some of these service managers think they know it all about every vehicle when they need to learn to listen to thier customers sometime. Especially ones that do their research to figure out why certain things are happening with their trucks or vehicles.

 

Is it proven that this issue is only present if you have the tow package? I have the SR 4x4 Access Cab (No tow package) and I swear first thing in the morning when I shift from Park to Reverse it clunks harder than it should. Also after the truck has been sitting in the driveway for a while, when I start it to pull into the garage I hold the brake, shift into drive then let off the brake and the truck doesn't move for a second or two. My driveway is about as close to flat as you can get without actually being flat. Is this the same problem you guys are talking about here with the low fluid issue?

 

It's because the tranny issues have nothing to due with low fluid.

 

You better get it checked out. I have an SR automatic and it was 3 quarts low.

 

Dealer has checked mine twice and we had a good discussion about the issue after the last check. Both times the fluid level was verified to be at proper level. Despite this, I've had poor mileage compared to average of what people have posted on TW, even feathering in all conditions except steeper hills where you have no choice but to step on it to make it up. Shuddering, and the other day I had my first transmission "slip". Just hanging in there for another 1000 miles to see if this stuff calms down. Hoping Toyota figures this all out and makes it right for all of us.

 

holy crap!! did you experience all of the issues reported?

 

My only problem was first thing in the morning when cold it would hit 4th gear hard the first time through gears and then it was alright after that. Glad I had it checked though. One third of the fluid missing.

 

REVERSE is strictly mechanical and is NOT computer controlled
I suggest he gets his fluid level checked.

The concern you are raising is after the oil level has been confirmed as full and deals with an updated flash to the ecm to prevent the transmission from feeling like a such a slushbox . Solenoids are used for the forward application ( computer control ) but reverse is still mechanical .
If the owner has a delay to reverse when cold , the transmission is low on fluid or there are mechanical valve body issues

 

I also posted this continuing saga in the "What Have You Done To Your 3rd Gen Today?" thread, so the readers over there could delight in this saga.

I took my truck, '16 TRD OR DCSB 4x4, to a dealership service center (NOT the dealership I purchased from as I will never set foot in that untruthful business again) to have the oil changed, have a 1-3 mph difference between the dial speedometer and the driver's information display, digital speedometer addressed, and have a "rumble strip" sensation when slowing below 30 mph addressed.

I read at least one other report of a Gen 3 owner encountering the "rumble strip" problem. That member has not been able to get the problem rectified. Knowing that I did not approach this service center appointment with an expectation the issue would be resolved. I was correct in that feeling.

I was at the dealership for 3+20 hours. When I was finally collected to accept the invoice I was advised by the SA (nice fellow, I have no issues with this service center) that the tech did notice the rumble issue, but they only had a TRD Sport to compare against and not a TRD OR. The SA then began to tell me the kevlar tires of the OR accentuate any "feelings" the truck might have during driving. I stopped him there and advised him the rumble (easily felt through the floorboard and the steering wheel) are not normal.

I explained I previously owned a 4x4 with Mickey Thompson Baja tires and one 4x4 with Mickey Thompson Baja HP tires and neither one of the aggressively treaded tires exhibited a "rumble strip" feeling while driving.

The SA stated he knew it was an issue, but the service center could not absolve it and Toyota had not issued a TSB for it so I was told I would just have to wait.

THAT is something I guarantee won't happen. He also stated Toyota is aware of the problem and he advised I could open a case on the issue if I so desired. The SA even wrote the Toyota National Customer Assistance number on my receipt.

I was so disillusioned at this rumble issue that I forgot to ask how they addressed the speedometer problem. My guess is they didn't as the two speedometers were still not synchronized.

My next move is to call the national customer assistance number (I have already filed a complaint on this "rumble strip" issue) to ascertain what Toyota is going to do to make this right.

I am envious of all the satisfied Gen 3 owners. I wish I was, but I must say the Gen 3 I bought is a POS.

 

After reading the above post I thought I've about heard it all and then some with these dealership and their service centers not doing their jobs. It must be endemic with these dealerships to teach their service reps and manager to get the customer in and out without dealing with the issue. I complained to my dealership management on their complete failure to do a pre-delivery inspection, with such things as checking any of the fluid levels. When their "nice" service manager called me and tried to razzle dazzle me that I didn't know squat on the new Tacoma transmission I called out his BS immediately. Told him its fine by me to let this service check, your were paid for by Toyota and didn't do, to wait until my first 5000 mile check or heck how about 10,000 miles because if my transmission melts down your going to be getting me a new one. Needless to say on my first service up he promised to check the transmission fluid. Of course they said it would take a couple hours for the transmission to cool down before they can check it, again BS, but I said okay is there a bar near by and when he said yes I said fine you drive me over to it and pick me up when your done!

Yes, it was enlightening read but the wrong thread to post it in. See if you can isolate which wheel is causing the problem because it might be something as simple as a broken ply belt in your tire if the rumble comes from one wheel only. I know new tire, but hey stranger things have happened.

 

Just wanted to report on my experience with fluid levels. I call dealer today because i have had shifting issue especially from park to drive when truck is first warming up. He said this is a well known problem and toyota does have a bulliten out that all dealers should know this is a problem and should do the warranty work with no bs! They are fixing mine friday. I will report back on how it turns out.

 

Strange, I just entered my VIN on the Toyota recall website and there are no bulletins posted.

 

I was at my dealer yesterday having the wife's 4runner serviced. I asked about the fluid issues. After reading some dealers responses, I was waiting on an argument. But the guy is cool as he'll. Said his cyst friend bought one and had talked to him about it. He is a member on here so he go on a read about it. He is also a tacoma owner. He tells me it's no biggie, when I bring mine In for the 5k service he will take care of it. I'm at 4400 miles now so a couple weeks and we should know

 

Thanks for mentioning it, but it actually isn't the wrong post to post in. I was following up to post #805 by Kenstar_66, who in turn was responding to some correspondences between myself and gearcruncher. Kenstar_66 mentioned the "'rumble strip' vibration" in his post and I was following up since my truck does have that vibration.
Thanks for playing though.

 

I'm still waiting on mine, they are working out an issue somewhere in the back end.

BUTTT, I was told that a Toyota field rep came and they flashed the ecm to fix shifting issues. Maybe that's the beginning of a TSB /ecm fix for these issues?

 

The rumble strip issue was one of my many issues.

Then service manager said he fixed an issue with the alignment toe out/in being -12° which is technically just inside the specs but not great. They rotated the tires and did the alignment and he said that sorted out the rumble strip on braking issue.

Caveat: it's still in the shop for other issues so I haven't verified anything personally. As always, I'll keep you posted.