Low transmission fluid level

That is for the 4 cylinder trucks only.

 

Yea but it's something.

 

I went in for my 5k this morning. Picked a dealership that was close to me, relatively new. The "guy" discredited my statements about the transmission and said if there isn't a TSB they can't do anything about it. He then talked to me like I was an uninformed uneducated motorist. I left it with them all day...I have a feeling we are going to have an issue. My question is. How does a TSB ever get created if these dealerships refuse to check the fluid levels?

 

It was issued in September of 2015 10 months ago. So not really a big deal since most trucks had this done before the customer ever took delivery.

 

that is specifically for 2nd to 3rd shift problems

not the same, not at all, as 'check for low fluid'

this low fluid check has to be a PDI update which will only go to dealers and (do PDI's show up on techinfo ? I forgot)

 

Took mine in today and the dealer insisted that I leave it over night so that can check it a the proper temperature, not with just the computer (said they have had a few 2016 tacoma come in with low ATF). I'll let everyone know my results tomorrow.

 

I don't get how the computer can check it, all docs about aisin and checking level I ever saw , say

build and install transmisson, fill it till it comes out check hole, close check hole

run it, get to temp, then open check hole and let the hot fluid pour out until it just weeps. done

 

I'll say it again...
BUT...what problem does topping off 1/2 quart solve? With very few exceptions (some report slipping, etc.), it seems that adding +/- 1 quart does nothing to improve the most common issue...the delayed R-D engagement.

I agree that a new truck should have the right amount, and I agree that one feels more confident about the life of the transmission knowing it is full. But why is everyone so fixated on adding that last 5% of fluid volume (1/2 q in 10), even when there are no symptoms?
"Once that extra 12 oz was added, boy could I sleep well at night!"

Focusing on the numerical level of the fluid seems like a distraction from the real issue, which for me is the R-D delay. Topping off the fluid did nothing to improve that. I hope the fix will be in the form of an eventual software update, if there is ever any fix at all.

 

Exactly what everyone has experienced happened to me. The stupid mechanically DEclined service writer wrote my concerns off and discredited other peoples experiences from the forums. They didn't physically check the fluid. They lazily plugged in the computer saw "no codes" and closed the case. They haven't heard the last from me. I told the guy that the second it happened again he'd see me again. Ending with "So I will see you tomorrow." I wrote a complaint to Toyota corporate and then emailed the Service manager Cc'ing the GM. I refuse to be written off. Even if nothing is wrong, I expect them to do their best to address my concerns.

Vent session concluded.

 

Shame you're having so much trouble. I understand service departments have a shitload of other things to juggle, but in this case they're only shooting themselves in the foot because you're just going to keep asking. Dealing with you is going to take more time than the check would in the first place! (no offense intended BTW, it's just funny that dealers will spend hours blowing off a customer over 1 hour of work)

Anyways I have a service appt coming up at the dealer where I bought my Taco. When I drop it off I'm going to politely (but firmly) tell them that they need to physically check the level, not hook it up to the code reader. They'll have it all day anyways.

I actually (as part of my purchase process) asked to speak to the service manager before I bought the truck. He seemed like a reasonable dude, so if I have any issues I will go directly to him.

 

You know every time I read a post like this it just pisses me off more! Not at the poster I quoted but at this asshole dealerships that say you have to leave your truck over night so the transmission fluid can "cool" down before its checked. What the hell is this magical fluid that they put in our transmission that holds so much heat for so many hours that the dealership has to have it overnight, much less two hours or more hours? If this fluid holds so much heat I want the magic formula so I can sell it to Trane or Carrier to put in their heat pumps which will sell like hotcakes! If I'm not wrong the transmission fluid needs to be around 150 degrees Fahrenheit when they check not 150 degrees BELOW Fahrenheit! Give me a break! I can see waiting two, three or four hours maybe just to piss you off and waste another day but anything more is ridicules.

 

They maybe have been right though got the call today around 6, truck was 1.1 quarts low on ATF. luckily i only drove about 100 miles or so.

 

Just got them to check mine... down a quart and a half and they took all day yesterday and this morning to finish it. Said they have to heat it up to a certain temp and then let it cool down and check again? Last night it was at the 3/4 low mark and again this morning they were able to add another 3/4. 4,000 miles in and I hope no damage was done.

 

I took my DCSB OR w/ tow to the dealership service dept at about 1000 miles with every single symptom associated with low ATF, along with the rumble/ vibrating at 15 to 30 mph in which is causing the brakes to vibrate when they are depressed at any speed. The dealership kept my truck all day and I asked if they would physically check the ATF. The service manager advised me that they updated the transmission software, added plugs to the lower control arms and checked the ATF.
When I picked my truck up that evening, serv mgr said that the technician could not fix the rumble/ vibrating, but had fixed everything else and that they opened a case with corporate, and that I will have to wait for corporate to come out with a TSB to address that issue.
Since getting my truck back, every issue that I brought my truck in for still exists. Delay from R to D, transmission feels like it is slipping at intermittent speeds, gears clunking when having to brake faster than normal, and the rumbling at 15 to 30 mph.
I called corporate last week Thursday and opened a case. The corporate manager said that these characteristics are not normal for the truck and that they will be arbitrating with the dealership to attempt to fix my truck.
So now I wait...

 

WTF!!!!! So many questions here. First and foremost -- "updated the transmission software" ?????????? What is this update and where did it come from because no other dealer I've spoken with has any idea of an update being available. My guess is that your dealer is full of chit!

 

Or, they just reset the memory.
Toyota's communication skills suck; but I don't need to tell you that.

 

I'm stating what was told to me. It is obvious that the software update didn't do anything for the transmission shifting issues, as I stated that every symptom with my truck still exists after getting it back from the dealer.

 

Mine is a 3-4 flair and still there after they checked and added transmission fluid after it sits for a short time, 2 hours.

 

I took mine in today to have the dealership to look at it. After about 4 hours, they called me back and said everything was fine and it was the way the truck was designed. I got down to the dealership and asked if they physically checked the transmission fluid, and they said no, they just hooked up the computer and all was fine. I pressed for them to check it physically, and they just told me that without an actual issue, they wouldn't do it. Called Toyota and they called the dealership, and the dealership told them that "no no no, we checked it physically." Toyota told me there are no other reports of the problem and that there was nothing further they could do.

On a cold start, it feels like it lunges in reverse and drive, and the gear shifting is very sluggish. It does seem better if I put it into ECT mode. Are there any videos out there that show this problem?

 

Took my TRD OR to dealer yesterday. (15,000 miles). I wanted my oil changed, tires rotated, and tranny fluid level checked. I have noticed the park, reverse, to drive delayed shift response. So I asked the service writer to have them check the tranny level physically. He turned into a smart ass and said the tranny was a sealed system with lifetime fluids! If I wanted it checked I would have to pay for it! Excuse me, I paid for the truck at their dealership, warranty work is on them!

I strongly suggested it was under warranty and they would have to check it. This went on for five minutes until I asked for the service manager. I explained the shift problem to the manager and he agreed to have it checked in the morning. I had planned to leave it over night so they would not have an excuse @ cooling time.

Well lo and behold, the tech drove it today, noticed the shift problem, he got it to temp, pulled the plug and the tranny was 3/4 of a quart low. The service manager apologized for the smart asses behavior. Key words are erratic shifting on cold start from park to reverse or drive, transmission lurching when it engages, and random gear shifts/rpm changes at certain speeds.

As a side not, the repair/proper fluid level check had to written up the for warranty reimbursement as a tranny hose replacement so they could get paid for the techies time. Go figure. The real reason for dealers not willing to do the tranny check is that Toyota has to have a reason other than low fluid levels. At least my dealership was creative enough to figure out how to do it.