3rd Gen Transmission Fluid level Check

3rd dealer I went to checked mine,found out about them on this forum.They told me that they were aware of the issue from a call with Toyota and gave me no trouble at all.I find it hard to believe that these other dealers wouldn't know about it, I think they are all lying when they say they don't. could have checked myself but I wanted it documented for the future.

 

FWIW here is a snapshot of what I did with this issue.

I was encountering transmission slipping issues, and after reading multiple reports on tacomaworld.com I decided to go straight to corporate and advise them of my transmission shifting issues. I was given a TSB by the nationwide Toyota representative (I subsequently discovered she had provided me the TSB for the 4-cylinder ) so I made an appointment to have the TSB performed by the selling dealership.

I took the truck in and they "noted a slight flare between gears", but found the TSB I had been provided was only applicable to 4-cylinder engines so they did not perform it.

I took my truck in two days later because the transmission was still slipping, and I told them to manually check the ATF fluid. On the invoice, the service center states, "No 6-cylinder update for ECM is available at this time. Toyota is working on remedy." I was also advised, verbally, by the service advisor that my ATF fluid level had been checked, and it was good.

I then made an appointment at a different dealership and told them to check the ATF correctly and if it was full I would pay for the ATF level check out of pocket, but if the level was low then I wouldn't pay for it, and I would be having more discussions with Toyota corporate.

Shocker! When it was actually checked they found it to be low. So now I have one of two dealerships outright lying to me about the transmission fluid level.

I'm not telling anyone what they should do, I'm just sharing what I did, but I was going to pay out of pocket for an actual ATF level check. To me, $100 would be worth the piece of mind knowing your ATF level is correct. My guess is that if you have a different dealership perform the manual check you will find your ATF low. Just a guess.

Also . . . if you do go through with an ATF level check, DEMAND, to be allowed to observe when the drain plug is removed.

Funny how quiet Toyota is on the "remedy" the first dealer mentioned on my invoice.

I think the TW members that have pointed out the check requirements in the Warranty and Maintenance manual that states, "inspect and adjust all [emphasis added] fluid levels", have a very good point, and it may end up putting Toyota into some hot legal water for not properly following their own manual when servicing is performed at a dealer service center.

Sorry so long.

That is my 2¢.

 

I offered to pay. They said they checked and it was normal but later I found out they never actually checked it at all. So I recommend describing the symptoms you're having...maybe even if not having all of them then tell service advisor you want it checked due to those symptoms. If they refuse to check call corporate and request to open a case. Don't reference the forums because dealers just scoff at them. Corporate will twist their arm to make them check the level. Then also I would demand to watch them check it

 

I agree, $100 for piece of mind is worth every penny

 

Anyone got an update on the latest build date ?
As far as the forums go , the Tacoma is " STILL " sent to dealerships low on fluid
The last update i did to the poll was March 15 /2016
Thats 2 months ago . Who has a newer truck than this with proper fluid levels ?

 

I can't believe dealerships are still are balking at a simple check (after the truck cools down of course).

 

Really mine is a little rough from P to D and vice versa and going to R is bit rough, but other than that it is fine how rough is yours

 

Mine has some wierd gear shifts, thought everything was fixed with the fluid added, and the learn mode re started, almost 28,000mi now.
Probably going to push the issue when I get the 30k service done...

 

So that means i get a loaner car every time I leave my truck for a 5000 mile service. That's gotta cost them. Lol

 

Hey I get what your saying. But shame on Toyota for taking away our dip stick, and not having their hoards of attorneys look over the document they issue to all new buyers. Don't mean to date myself but I remember working at the "service" station after getting out of class in high school, pumping gas and washing windows. When I was promoted up to doing oil changes, checking ATF was part of the service just like checking tire pressure every oil change. I know it's a sealed system now and unless you blow a seal or a line you will probably be good for the life of the truck, providing you don't overheat the fluid. Just saying its a document Toyota gave to me and they put a disclaimer in it that if you don't follow the recommended service they may not honor the warranty. Page 30. My annual salary it probably 1/4 what one of their corporate attorneys make. Shame on them for not doing their job. If a dealer refused to check the ATF at the service interval, I want that in writing. I know the court system well enough to know. If it isn't in writing it never happened.
Wow that was way to long of a post for this. I'll hop off my soapbox now.

 

sorry just one more thing. It seems that there are dealership service centers that are checking the ATF and doing it correctly. I hate to generalize. I commend those service centers and their techs for not letting good customer service die. "Hold the pickle, hold the lettuce, special orders don't upset us"
Finished!

 

Not sure how many people think that the shuttering/shuddering is engine related and not transmission, but feels to me like its the engine. My experience is this: I could most every time produce the stutter when i cruise at approx 30mph, while rpm is about 1200 and its likely in 4th or 5th gear. When i would slowly accelerate, not really pushing the accelerator enough to downshift, my truck would stutter and hesitate. The feeling is much like an older vehicle that has fuel related issues, like weak fuel pump or dirty fuel filter. I see in many threads that people are experiencing this, so i think its inherent and NOT a mechanical problem that can be fixed so i havent had my dealer start digging. Im assuming that this sensation has something to do with the low torque while in atkinson cycle. I have found something that seams to fix the problem. When i use generic fuel, i can easily produce this sensation, but when i fill with chevron supreme, my truck seams to be much more responsive. While running the "good" fuel, as i attempt to reproduce the effect, my truck quickly downshifts instead of staying in that high gear and stuttering. Im completely satisfied with the responsive feel and quick downshift that disables the stutter. Im interested to see if anyone else can correct this problem with a full tank of Chevron supreme. (yes i do understand that this seems absurd, but i love this truck and do expect that it be perfect so since i assumed it was fuel related, ive tried every brand, octane level and even non ethanol. This is the only one that has corrected the problem)

 

Good point I'll get it in there monday. And not say any thing except to check u-bolts on the SR. I can't afford to leave it over night to check tranz.

 

i have the sr 4x4 4 cyl when i reverse its loud anyone else have that issue?

 

Many of us have run into the exact same issue. Most dealers are too lazy to
do it the right way and with it not being covered under warranty there's no money
in it for them and retaining a customer or having a long lasting customer relationship
is a thing of the past for many dealerships - once the sale is made....fuk you!

 

I'm not so sure actually checking the ATF level isn't a covered under warranty, especially since all new Toyotas come with ToyotaCare.

To quote from Toyota,

"Peace Of Mind Comes Standard
As part of the Toyota family, your exceptional ownership experience starts with ToyotaCare, [1] a no cost service plan with 24‑hour roadside assistance. [2] The ToyotaCare plan covers normal factory scheduled service for 2 years or 25,000 miles, whichever comes first. 24‑hour roadside assistance is also included for 2 years and unlimited miles."

The Warranty and Maintenance Manual states, in the Using the Maintenance Log Charts on page 35,

"Documenting Your Investment
To help you verify that you’ve invested in proper maintenance, each maintenance checklist includes space for your Toyota dealership to certify that you obtained Genuine Toyota Service for your vehicle. The dealership may mark the dealer service verification area with the following stamp (which may be customized with the dealership’s name):"

A Toyota seal then follows this statement. I am going to have dealers begin stamping my service log since they have not been doing so.

The Warranty and Maintenance Manual states, in the Maintenance Log on page 38, what is to be serviced at the 5,000 mile/6 months; 10,000 mile/12 months; 15,000 miles/18 months; 20,000 miles/24 months; and 25,000/30 months service. As part of this, 2 years or 25,000 miles, FREE service the service shall include the checking and adjusting of all fluid levels.

Checking these fluid levels WILL be at NO cost the first 2 years. And unless the ATF fluid level is being checked and adjusted by osmosis then a manual check would be required to perform this service.

I have another tentative discussion scheduled with Toyota corporate tomorrow and I hope to receive better responses than I've received to this point, otherwise I will be forced to spend money on legal assistance I would rather not spend.

 

I smell a class action suit.

 

Who wants to start one...??.. And where do we sign up..??

 

Count me in..

 

Try ActOfFutility.org