Dealer refused to check fluid

Just finished up my 5k service. The service writer said that they checked and adjusted ALL fluids. I asked if they checked the transmission fluid. He told me it was a sealed transmission and could not be checked. I questioned him about it and he eventually said that they could check it but would require that I wait for 4 hours and would cost me $400. I will not ever do business with New Country Toyota again.

 

another reason to buy a 2.7l engine reliability and a dip stick for the auto transmission

 

They will charge you $400 to check your tranny fluid? You can tell them to suck it. I suggest you try check your fluid at home. Not really hard. Do a search on here on how to do it.

 

If i recall correctly there was a certain procedure for checking it, has to be a certain temperatures thus the 4 hour wait.

 

For reference, I just had the "sealed transmission" in my Camry flushed. 6+ quarts and labor was under $100.00.
30 minute job.

 

Stealerships!!

 

It only takes like maybe 10 mins to get to operating temperature so you can check it

 

Checking the transmission level isn’t part of the 5k service. Did you or do you have a specific transmission related complaint about the truck that would have required them to check the fluid level under warranty? Or did you just read things on the internet and expect the techs to work for free to check something that’s probably not an issue?

 

My complaint is that as the temps get colder here the truck seems to be more hesitant while cold. Also I have a problem with being told that they checked "ALL" fluids, when they seem to overlook a major one simply because the manufacturer made it dificdiff to check.

 

It has to be colder when checked thus the longer wait time

 

It only takes around 10 minutes if you start it from cold. If you have been driving it for more than 10 minutes you have to let it cool for quite a while before it comes down to the proper temperature. There is a detailed write up on how to confirm the proper temperature for the trans fluid.

 

Are 3rd gens different? My 2nd gen has to be at normal operating temp before you can check it. I have done it several times

 

I think most other ATs with dipsticks have a cold or hot reading on them, I dunno though I have a manual lol. But I've read on here numerous times that people have had to wait to get theirs looked at because the temp has to be cool and not hot.

 

You taking about diff or trans fluid?

 

Check this thread for info on how to do it. If you can change your own engine oil you can do this too. Took me less than an hour to do and it was my first time doing it. Buy the fluid and crush washers from the dealer and save the money by doing it yourself. Either way, no way I could see them charging $400 for this job though!

 

I see but these don’t have a dipstick. They have a check plug. When you have the right amount of fluid at normal operating temp it starts to seep out.

Kind of like checking diff fluid you just add until it starts coming out

 

Did you really think they were going to check the transmission fluid during a 5k service? When they say "check all fluids" during my free service visits I never once took it literally. I took it to mean oil, washer fluid, maybe brake fluid but that's it.
If you took them literally you should also be pissed they didn't check your diff fluids

 

Transmission fluid expands the hotter it gets. It’s going to have more volume at 100 degrees than at 30