3rd Gen Transmission Fluid level Check

It's specified as a .6 quart; it's actually closer to 1.1 quart.
How little came out? You might still be low.
Pinning the thermostat makes no difference.

 

I get this out of the 2016 manual in 9-1 Specifications page 575

Vehicles without towing package:10.5 qt. (9.9 L, 8.7 Imp.qt.)

Vehicles with towing package:10.7 qt. (10.1 L, 8.9 Imp.qt.)

Where do you see the .6 qt.
Is the real volume of a trans cooling system .6 qt ?



Also would pinning make a difference if a trans cooling system was added after the trans was put in a truck frame on the assembly line and was never run ? I question when the fluid is added to the trans , pre or post adding the cooling system .
In other words , they pre fill a trans and it is ready to put in a truck frame during assembly , and have to add more later if they add an empty trans cooling system with the towing package creating a change in the level once the trans thermostat opens for the first time .

On my check , I saw trans fluid dripping off his hand , and he put the plug back in .
seemed like 1/2 of a shot glass at most ? Again my trans may never have been to the point of the trans thermostat opening before the checking of its level and maybe the cooling system never filled it self because it was not pinned open or had opened for the first time ?
I hope this is understandable .

 

I can't recall on the spec. capacity; I might be mistaken.
I checked mine unpinned and then pinned; same results. I was low 36 oz.
Then the dealer finally checked it; said it was gtg.
They relented when I asked for a memory reset.

 

Test drive the vehicle carefully BEFORE you sign anything!

 

I had hoped to be able to issue a report on my truck's transmission issues (occasional hard shifting and R-to-D engagement issues), as well as a 'below 30 m.p.h. "rumble strip" issue', by the end of today. It appears, however, it may take a little longer than I anticipated.

The selling dealership's lackadaisical response to my truck's issues, along with the untruthful PDI, convinced me to write a letter to the president of Toyota Motor Sales, USA. Soon after, I received immediate attention in reference to my truck. I outlined the issues with my truck in the letter, but did so again for the Toyota Executive Analyst that contacted me in reference to my letter.

After discussing my issues with the analyst an appointment was made to leave my truck at a local dealership (NOT the selling dealership, I am done with their . . . method of conducting business). I left the truck yesterday and anticipated it being returned today with explanations/repairs to the transmission issues and the rumbling issue. I called the dealership at 3 p.m. (central time) and received a return call at 4 p.m. The service advisor stated my truck was not even at their service center. Apparently Toyota took the truck at 9 a.m. this morning and hasn't been in contact with the dealership since (I, also, have not been contacted). The service advisor told me I would be contacted as soon as they heard anything.

I'm not sure if no news is good or bad. At least Toyota provided me free transportation, even though it's not a truck.

I will give a full report if/when my TRD OR DCSB 4x4 is returned.

 

I guess the best thing for me to do have some fluid on hand and recheck mine myself. I wonder if an airlock such as in a engine cooling system is what the whole problem with this trans . Like Toyota needs to find a way to burp the system so to speak such as like after changing antifreeze systems . When there was a dipstick there was a inlet for air ?

 

Damn! I'm impressed and I would say from all indication its very GOOD news for you! Since Toyota Corporation took your vehicle and you have a free ride just sit back and enjoy and see what the corporate service boys and girls come up with on your problem. Where did you find the name and address for the Toyota America President and their Executive Analyst? Your post just may show the power of the USPS and a written letter over a phone call or email to Toyota.

 

The saga just gets better and better.

I received a telephone call from the service advisor and was told the Toyota field specialist had returned my truck and it was ready to be picked up. I asked if the issues had been resolved and the service advisor stated the field specialist made notes, on an issue sheet I had typed up and taken in with my truck.

The service advisor did not mention the transmission issues, but stated the Toyota field technician had written that the "rumble" below 30 m.p.h. was a "characteristic" of the truck. I advised the service advisor that I would not drive my truck until the rumble issue was corrected and eliminated. I asked why Toyota would issue a TSB (T-SB-0026-15) for the exact same rumble issue on 2004-2015 Gen2 Tacomas, but then call it a normal characteristic for the Gen3 Tacoma. The service advisor stated the field technician didn't say it was "normal", just that it was a "characteristic", and that Toyota had not released any repairs for the issue. WTF!? It's a "characteristic" AND it's also an "issue."

The service advisor was going to attempt to contact the Toyota field specialist so I could speak to him directly. The dealership, understandably, wants their loaner vehicle back, but I stated I was not going to exchange it for my truck until all the issues were resolved.

I called Toyota corporate, in California, and they agreed to let me continue to use the loaner until all issues were resolved. The corporate analyst I spoke with agreed that a "characteristic" implies a normality and agreed it is actually a problem if there was a TSB disseminated for the same issue for 2004-2015 Gen2 Tacomas.

As it stands now, I will continue to drive the loaner (Corolla), until at least Monday. Pretty bummed, but I will not take possession of my too-expensive-for-what-it-can-do truck, until all issues with it are resolved.

 

Toyota's corporate address was easy enough to find on the Internet. From there, if I recall correctly, I simply went to the corporate website and searched the CEOs for the individual I thought I needed. I then wrote him a letter. I mailed it certified, return receipt, so I would have a record. In case this scenario escalates into the legal arena.

 

Wow, dropping off your truck and not taking it back was brave. I am also impressed! I too got the "This is a characteristic of the truck" run around. I escalated it to corporate and had them open up a "Buy back" claim/case. just submitted all the paperwork that they requested, now I have to wait what Corporate says... Really hoping I don't have to get my attorney involved, although he is chomping at the bit! LOL

 

I hope it doesn't escalate to that point with my truck. That is one reason I am documenting EVERYTHING. Claiming "characteristic" on an established problem that prompted a TSB on the same vehicles previous model is just plain . . . not smart, imo.

 

One word .... Smart!

Now do us all a favor since you have blazed the trail and post the CEO address and their Executive Analyst or anyone else you think might help another list member expedite their troubles they are having on their new Tacco.

 

Could be air...
Could be not enough fluid for the temp sensors. It might explain the stubbornness of some transmissions to upshift out of 4th on grades.

 

I appreciate the sentiment you express. I am surprised you view me as blazing a trail and if that is the impression I have given with my posts, I apologize. I'm in no way trying to indicate, insinuate, advise, or otherwise give the impression, that the actions I have taken, in regard to the problems with my truck, are the actions others should take. That being said, I am not walking back any action or statement I have taken.

As far as providing the proper names for the individuals at Toyota I have spoken with or written to, that isn't going to happen. One should be very careful before carelessly throwing around proper names. It might evolve into a legal matter, and not a good one for the name disseminator.

My posts are to share the actions I have taken in response to problems with my new truck, and the results obtained from those actions. I will help out any Tacoma owner any way I can, but your request for proper names is a line I'm not willing to cross. Sorry.

 

I have to throw a huge thanks out to everyone in this post. 2016 4x4 DbLb. At 2600 it started sticking between reverse and drive in the cold. Took it to the dealers. They didn't even want to look at it until it was super cold. Talked to them specifically about I wanted the AT fluid checked. 1 at low!!!. Drives way better. Thanks everyone.

 

Got mine checked last thursday. 5600 miles. I hadn't had any issues with it but I didn't like the anxiety of wondering whether or not my brand new truck was low on fluid. Dealer covered it without any real issue. The service advisor did get his manager involved when I got there but I think he was just new. He thought I was there for 5k service but I wanted my trans fluid checked, wind noise looked at, and leaf springs checked out.

They had the truck all day 8am to 4pm. Couldn't replicate any shifting issues but checked the fluid and 'topped it off'. I didn't insist on asking the tech how much he had to add. It may be my imagination but I swear it drives better.

Also, they are replacing my leaf springs because they are noisy. Really thought they were just going to spray some graphite in there or something but I'm not going to argue with new (free) springs. And the manager said they are coming out with a fix to the highway speed kazoo wind noise 'soon'.

 

There is an animation somewhere in one of the transmission issue threads that clearly shows how the trans fluid expands as it reaches the optimum level check temp. The fluid continues to expand as it gets even warmer.

What isn't always immediately clear to most owners (and apparently some Toyota service techs) is that in actual operation the fluid contracts and expands, is sloshed around in use and the "level check" tube inside the pan will retain fluid after the truck is shut off and the fluid cools. So, when the tech pulled the check plug from your truck, he assumed that was an indication that the fluid level was slightly above full and he had drained it off to the correct level.

That is completely wrong. Even if the trans was at the proper temperature for checking the level, all he proved was that it wasn't over filled. Unless fluid is added (while in the correct temp range) until it starts to run out the overflow drain hole, you have not checked the fluid level.

 

Good to know. Makes me feel better about hearing service say they topped it off instead of just checking like the salesman claimed they did. Salesman assured me that they check all the fluids in all their vehicles before they sell them, including the transmission, even though it's not a 'serviceable item'.
Me: Even the differential?
Mr toyota: "Yup, all fluids. Heck, we even top off the gas."
Yeah ok...I should have asked if they check the DEF just to see what he'd say

 

I can dig where your coming from and understand your reasoning for not wanting to give out names and addresses. I hope you understand my request for you to provide such information is only to help others that maybe experiencing the same frustrations and problems as you are experiencing now.

 

I completely understand. I know I would want the names of the people I have spoken to if I were someone else. Unfortunately, just isn't going to happen. I WILL assist any other owner with these issues in any way I can . . . other than providing exact names of course.