3rd Gen Transmission Fluid level Check

Hey everyone, first post but long time lurker. I have a '16 TRD OR DCSB 4x4 with 1200mi and just checked my transmission fluid using the PDF and jumper method, it was 3/4qt low. I did not have any symptoms I've been reading about. If you are on the fence or think you should wait, I wouldn't. It didn't take long, but be careful working with the full plug. I got a few small burns from the exhaust pipes you have to work in between. This forum is awesome, also topped off front and rear diffs, both about 1/4qt low. And torqued Ubolts to 52, they were around 30ish.

This forum is awesome!

 

Hello everyone this is my first post. I just took delivery of my 16 TRD DCOR with TOW package on 4/29 which I ordered. The build date was approx. 4/18ish from the texas plant. I had the transmission checked by the dealer the day I took delivery (4/29) which they documented and said is was to specification. I of course did not fully trust them so I pinned the thermostat and did the check procedure on 5/8 and of course NO fluid came out when I unscrewed the overflow bolt. My question could the dealer have preformed the check correctly by not pinning the thermostat and gotten a good fluid check bc no where can I find that it is required. And then by me pinning the thermostat I got a low fluid check. Does anyone know for for sure if you absolutely have to pin the transmission thermostat to get a accurate fluid level. I have called toyota corporate and Aisin to verify to no avail. I did not fill the trans so I have no idea how low it currently is bc i want the dealer to do it so I can make a case for a extended warranty. Thanks

 

Even if they didn't do what they say they did that doesn't mean Corp. will just
give you an extended warranty. Many of us have gone through the same and
were offered nothing other than a "go back to the dealer and have them check
it again" response from Toyota. The most they said they'd off me was to make
the call to the dealer for me.

 

Since the dealer claimed they checked it during the PDS (and obviously did not) I would not trust them a second time. IMO you are better off to top it off yourself.

 

Im really trying to determine whether or not it is a recommended/required procedure from Toyota/Aisin to pin the thermostat before checking the fluid. Im quite sure they checked it because the tech described the procedure to me. But I'm also quite sure they did not pin the thermostat.

 

I've done it both ways.
It doesn't make a difference.

 

Last I checked, the Toyota manual does NOT mention pinning the stat. I did not pin mine.

 

I too have checked my fluid level both pinned and unpinned and determined that it does not make a difference. I can also confirm that the official Toyota procedure does not mention pinning the thermostat.

HOWEVER, someone pointed out that it MAY BE POSSIBLE that if the transmission is checked upon arrival at the dealership, before the transmission ever gets heated up to the point where fluid flows past the thermostat and fills up the lines and cooler, you could get a false reading of the fluid level being OK. It seems unlikely to me, but it is theoretically possible. I know there are some types of thermostats that have small bypass holes, but I have no clue about the one used for the Tacoma fluid cooler. Also, there has been discussion about the difference in capacity between trucks that have the cooler and ones that do not. If I remember right, somebody found the chart that shows the capacity difference is not enough to matter.

 

I wanted to share my experience with this issue, I purchased my truck 31 March and had the 5k service on Thursday. I asked them to check the transmission fluid (kept the truck over night and gave me a loaner at no cost ), which they did and found it to be 1.5 quarts low. I expected it to be low but not that much. Note: Over the last 5000 miles I only noticed a slip once while towing but aside from that there have been no other symptoms.

Also, shout out Allen Toyota in Gulfport, MS for being extremely accommodating and great to work with (no hassle, no questions, they were more than happy to work with me on resolving the issues). In addition, they were surprised to learn about this being a common issue. I suppose not all the dealers are aware of how prominent this has been.

 

So I tried to get my transmission fluid checked for the second time (Miller Toyota of Anaheim) with no luck. The issue I'm having is up to a 5 second delay from R to D. Even after letting my truck warm up about a minute, the truck just jolts during the shift but does not actually start moving until up to 5 seconds later (even when my foot is on the gas, it's still hesitant to move). I found that leaving my foot on the brake for a few seconds after shifting helps, but it's not normal from my experience driving other cars.

The first time I took it in, the tech could not replicate my problem. The second time, I was given an explanation of how this issue was normal and it was "brake shifting". But I still left my truck there overnight since it was my 5k visit and they could not replicate the problem once again. I highly doubt that the tech even tried to replicate my problem nor did he rotate my tires. The tech documented that he filled up my tires to 35PSI but when I got home and checked the pressure after they have cooled down, they were still underinflated like when I dropped it off the night before. I should have marked a tire to see if he really did rotate them.

Has anyone had any luck getting their transmission fluid checked and adjusted at a dealership in the OC/ LA county area?

 

you can see the comments I made, mine was the 3rd Tacoma they had with this issue and they didnt even give a fuss on checking the transmission fluid. seems to shift better and smoother now compared to before. haven't had time to check highway driving.

 

Took my truck in to dealer for 5000 mile service. When making the appointment, I specifically said that I wanted the transmission fluid physically checked as it does seem to be slipping. Service adviser said that would be checked.
Took it in, service adviser now says there isn't a qualified tech available to check the fluid level. Then proceeded to tell me they have to drain the transmission. I left after hearing that...I'll have to find another dealer.
I went to technical high school a decade ago for mechanics, I'm not an idiot.
I'd do the check myself, but 1. I don't feel like doing it/have time to do it, and 2. I want them to do it as it's their fault. 3. I don't want to pay for the fluid. I paid for a brand new truck, it should come full.

 

I am taking my TRD Sport in tomorrow to replace the transmission. They first replaced the torque converter, but it still slips and all in all drives horribly. Only has 5K, what a shame.

 

You need to have it documented as "low", through a dealer, if you are to have any future recourse.

 

For those in Southern California go to Penske in Downey. They were the only ones to do it right and didn't charge for the rental

 

Who was the service advisor that helped you?

 

Sheila Vazquez service manager.

 

I took my TRD Sport to Servo Motor Imports. I didn't have a problem with the service writer checking the ATF level. He knew everyone on the forum was saying their ATF was low.

The service came back saying it was 3/4 qt low. I hope they actually checked and filled it up and did not give me some BS to put my mind at ease.

 

What exactly is yours doing? Mine shudders really bad under light acceleration.

 

Frontier Toyota in California did the check today after my complaint of the usual stuff with the transmission and it was 1.5 quarts low at just 1,022 miles on a TRD OR with a tow package. Much improved now. I also painted the check and fill plugs to be sure that a tool was at least taken to them. If anyone lives nearby see the service writer named Brian. He is up to speed and will get it checked out the right way. Also, the zerks were about 5 pumps each and the Ubolts were under torqued in my opinion.