Low trans fluid

Took my 2016 TRD off-road with 600 miles in to dealer for transmission fluid check. Turns out it was 3/4 of a quart low according to dealer. Told me they've seen a few like this coming from the manufacturer, no answer why.

 

welcome to TW.

 

Welcome to TW, there is a high number of vehicles coming out of production that seem to have this issue, it may not be an issue at all if the great engineering minds at Toyota (insert your sarcasm here) are compensating for fluid expansion when everything heats up...

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/checking-trans-fluid.430679/

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/dealership-lied-about-tranny-fluid-check.428953/
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/3rd-gen-transmission-fluid-check.428000/

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/transmission-fluid-check-i-was-low.425872/

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...e-dealer-check-the-transmission-fluid.425812/
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...d-be-those-with-tow-package-on-tacoma.425747/
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...ing-the-trans-fluid-before-purchasing.424019/
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...luid-2016-w-tow-package-one-quart-low.421168/
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/3rd-gen-transmission-fluid-level-check.410615/

 

Welcome, good you caught it early. Head over to the new member section and introduce yourself.

 

This post should be stickied.

 

I had my TRD-OFF LB with TO physically checked and levels were spot on! I had a build date of 4/6/2016 at the Baja,MX plant.
The transmission software leaves a lot to be desired however in select mode it was near fun to drive. Got up to 100 a couple times and pulls very nicely.
The low transmission issues will be very prevelant and decernable if you actually have low fluid.

 

This is good news . Looks like maybe they started making the corrections at the factory in April . Many trucks were still sent to dealerships with low fluid in March of 2016

 

Without a larger sample size, hard to tell if there is truth to the April theory or not. Too bad Toyota isn't a bit more transparent with their customers

 

When it comes to my car I don't trust any dealer or service shop (I'm new in town and still don't know someone truth worthy)
I already did mi first oil chance at 600miles and now Im almost at 5000miles..

For now I haven't had any issue with my transmission but I've read to much about low fluid leveled that I need to check it.. This Is mi very first truck and I'm planning to keep it for a long time.. But I don't know how to check my transmission fluid level... I have a SR 4x2 6spd auto...

Have you seen a how to video???
I've been looking for hours and nothing....

If you can help me please!!!

 

I had my truck in for the 6 month check up today. Rear U-bolts were within 2 pounds of the correct torque. No grease zerts on my 2WD's U-joints. I canceled the transmission fluid check, I would not have known about the new Tacoma's some of them being low on fluid if I would not creep the pages of Tacoma World. Allot of other new Tacoma owners don't log on here and are enjoying there truck without the knowledge that there tranny fluid could be low. So I'm not losing any sleep over it either. My transmission shifts fine.

 

Till it craps out..??

 

Then I'll buy a new SR5, 4X2, Barcelona Red, Access Cab, V6. But I have ole tried and true so I'm not worried.

 

Me too! lolo!

 

The claim that the transmission is gonna take a crap for being low on fluid from the factory is without merit.
This is pure hysteria causing ppl to worry and buy $1500+ extended warranty.
There are literally millions of all makes/models vehicles with 1 qt. + low and non of them are having failures on account of it.
If they did, trust me, we, the whole world would all know about it.
Mine works fine, It’s not gonna be touched by a dealer tech to check the level unless it’s broken, or get a letter from Toyota requesting the level be checked.
By then, all their dealers will be fully trained and able to check it, and will most likely get an extended warranty for free, because they know it won’t fail from being a little low. It’s a very low risk bet for them.
Moreover, I’ll most likely trade in for a newer model before it has a chance to break after its too old and decrepit.
Of those ppl that did buy the extended warranty, they’ll most likely not needed it for the transmission, and will most likely NOT spend the full amount paid for the insurance on other repairs to their vehicle due to normal use.
But if you’re worried, have it checked and sleep well my friends
Cheers!

 

Probably been mentioned before, but how does the factory fill the transmissions? If directly with the metered pump those things are notoriously inaccurate and out of calibration. That's why I do my own oil changes. Maybe while they were pushing these trannies out so fast they didn't check calibration very often. Mine was found to be a qt low. seems like a pretty stupid mistake to me. At least there's an easy fix.

 

The claim that low transmission fluid could cause future problems with the unit carries more merit than your unsubstantiated claim that it won't. Substantiation: There is a reason they have Fill Levels for fluids on these systems. If it is not filled correctly it may cause damage and/or disrupt normal operations. There have been multiple members on TW and who knows how many others NOT on these forums with issues leading to transmission rebuilds and replacements already.