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

My 2014 was assembled in San Antonio. Auto, tow package. 21K miles, I'm first owner.

I went ahead with this yesterday. Started by pumping as much of a quart into the tranny as possible (my pump would only get about 28 of the 32 oz). Then I went into AT Temp mode, got it warmed up, let what was overflow drain back into the ATF bottle. At the end I had whatever was in the pump that I couldn't clear, a couple small drips on the floor/pan, and 20 oz in the bottle. So figure it was a quarter to a third of a quart low. I probably wouldn't have been worried enough about that much that I would have spent an hour messing with it, but happy to be able to know that it's topped off as the truck is just starting its career as a towing vehicle.

 

NO

 

What's the verdict?

I got my 2015 with tow pkg new last October, must have been among the very last batch of the second gens. Wondering if Toyota caught on and adjusted or just kept pumping them out as usual. I do have rough shifts so will be taking it in for a check tmw. Truck has 6k kms on it now. I also notice a forward nudge when stopped at a light sometimes. With my foot on the brakes it feels like I got a little bump from behind. (First time it happened I actually thought the car behind me didn't stop in time.) is this related to the low ATF?

Edit: just read up on all the 3rd gens still rolling out low on ATF. And all the BS the dealer is dishing out. I'll get a read on my dealers attitude towards this first thing tmw, but I think the only real peace of mind I'll get is when I check it myself.

 

My dealer was actually great to deal with. Told them I had an occasional "hard" shift and they got it in on warranty no problem. Turns out it was a half quart low. I believe the common theme here is those with the factory tow package and auxiliary trans fluid cooler are delivered to the dealerships low on fluid. The aux cooler holds about a quart of ATF on its own, so that could be the issue. I just can't believe Toyota would allow that to happen and even after they know about the issue, still do nothing to address (even with the 3rd gens). It shifts great now, but how many thousands of Tacomas are being driven countless miles with low ATF levels?

 

The "forward nudge" when you are stopped at a light -- does it occur when the AC is ON?

 

No. And its not consistent either.

 

Did you mention the possibility of low fluid or just left it up to them to check the tranny?

 

That nudge on the back is normal. Consensus over a years is that Its Transmission downshifting to 1st. A750 does not downshift to first until you are fully stopped it keeps 2nd for most of the time.
So when it downshifts to 1st and take off, extra torque makes it feel like you got bumped.
I had that since new, and 9 years later still there.

 

Yes, I brought up to them all the discussion here about the low tranny fluid levels and how it is more often than not occurring on trucks with the towing package from the factory (which mine has). I think by stating that it was "shifting hard" they could back charge Toyota rather than eating the cost.

 

Good to know thanks.

 

Sub'd

Asked the dealer to check my tranny fluid level last time I was in for an oil change.
Wanted to have it looked at, thought it was simple. They gave me a bunch of shit how it's a sealed unit and whatnot. Will have to do it myself I suppose...

 

Update: dropped it off to have the ATF level checked. They said they will check under warranty. Got a call later saying they checked it using the tech stream and read out was within spec. I asked them to check it from the overflow valve, he said the tech stream is "the way we check it according to protocol"
I insisted they check it manually, the advisor said he will ask the foreman and let me know.
Can the read out from the tech stream be trusted? EDIT: he called back and said he was misinformed on the way they checked it. Foreman said they used the tech stream as part of the procedure and they did physically remove the overflow bolt, nothing came out. As soon as they added more fluid it came out so they concluded it was at the proper level.

 

Who knows if Techstream can be trusted. Only the person who designed the interface can answer for sure.

You, however, can do the OBD jumper procedure and check yourself at home. It isn't as difficult as it seems and the peace of mind is priceless.

 

Agree. The dealership I deal with "seem" legit. Maybe they actually checked it from the bolt. Maybe they just told me what I wanted to hear. My bad for not marking the bolt. I will likely check it myself when I get a chance. Thanks

 

I forgot to mention the advisor also mentioned that the shop foreman is aware of the Tacoma World thread regarding this issue on the 2016s but not the 2010-2015.

 

So for those who purchased the proper version of Ultra Gauge can't they use their UG to measure the Transmission fluid temps?

I didn't get the right version... so I'm asking.

Wish these things had a dip stick. Now I'm worried about whether my fluid level is full. I've never had any shifting issues on my AT but still. Have the factory tow package and about 14k miles on the truck so far.

 

Back in the day when I started my journey at TW , there were a lot of delayed shifting complaints .
It didnt take long to clearly see that our trucks (2010 - 2015 ) were low on fluid but we didnt know why . Now we know why
You should have seen the flack !!!! I got for posting such a bold statement lol .
As soon as the 2016,s were released the problem continued and is why I started the 2016 post https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...be-low-on-fluid-directly-from-factory.405642/.

 

Thanks for taking the time

 

You..theoretically...should be able to use a UG or SG to check the trans temps. The caveat with using a readout for the temp is there is no way to jump the OBD AND use a gauge at the same time to confirm if the AT TEMP check light comes on at 115*F and starts blinking after 130*F. The best knowledge we have says it should, based on the factory service manual.

I see you have a 2015. I also have a 2015 and when I checked my trans fluid level, it was about 12oz low when checked with the AT TEMP light just coming on (not at the middle or top of the range). Not a detrimental amount since the system capacity is almost 12 quarts. 12 ounces out of 384 ounces (12 quarts x 32) is 3% low.

However, nobody can say that every truck is underfilled the same amount. I would recommend jumping the OBD connector and using AT TEMP check mode. It's not hard to do.

 

I may be wrong, but they probably use the Techstream to get the tranny temp, then pull the plug.