Getting ATF level checked. Go ahead with a Toyota stealership

So Ive learned that many toyotas(or tacomas at least) left good ole mehheeco with incorrect/low atf levels. Ive not really had any problems, but I have had a very small but discernable "pmmpfh" or "thump" when coming to a complete stop at times.

So I need to have the actual fluid level checked. Id really like a 3rd party to do it as I think that gives more believability to the actual record.

My concern is whom I should trust to measure this? I have a local dealership that we take our camery to when need be (also where it was purchased). This is not where I purchased the Tacoma.

Obviously every dealership is different, and Ill be honest, the one I purchased the truck from is not one Id like to return to lol.

Just curious what peoples experiences have been. I've just gotten the "service vehicle soon" light come on. And since its a free oil change Im thinking about getting it done and asking for the atf level to actually be drained, inspected, and measured.

Ive also registered the vin with Toyotas site and there's no record of the "platinum inspection" from the dealership from whom I purchased the truck.

 

That thump isn't from low trans fluid. Tons of threads about it. My 2nd gen did it as well.

 

yeah, my truck shifts hard sometimes right around 30-40. i'm gonna ask them to look into it as well at my first service.

 

Well the problem Im having is theres tons of threads on all sorts of things. For example I smelt brake/clutch smell the other day (and only time)(wasnt the brakes btw . Tons of people posted about the same thing, but never really a conclusion.
And when looing at the low atf level one of the things mentioned was having a thump from rear end when stopping.

 

Im not having this issue thank god (no offense), but I do have an occasional small "thump" when coming to a stop, and it can be felt in through the drive train.

 

Mind sharing what it was for you? I dont think its axle wrap, but I have no idea what your'e implying.

 

I have the thump sometimes as well, and I just checked my own ATF fluid levels several thousand miles ago. It's super easy to do the procedure also...so if its not being done under any type of warranty, I'd just do it yourself.

 

haha, tbh im not too worried about it. Truck has 4300miles on it and if it's broken it's not my problem to fix it

 

Its still under factory warranty and has the 7 year/100k mile warranty. Could have gotten one a bit cheaper, but the warranty was worth the extra money (if they honor it).

I just worry that having a dealeship do the inspection might lead to lying on their part. I worry that having a 3rd party inspect it would give me better faith in the honesty of the report, but may lead to toyota not accepting possible findings or blame a fault on having the 3rd party do it.

 

just have the dealer do it. you sound like me, i tend to over think stuff all the time, LOL

 

Yeh man. Doing a simple chore might take me a week or so because I have to have absolutely every possibility covered lol.

Ive also learned that if I have a "feeling" or "hunch" and ignore it, its what's going to bite me in the ass.

 

I just told my granddaughter going to college, " if you are in a situation and something does not feel right about it, go with your gut and leave" "Don't try and justify it"

 

learn to do it yourself. From your comments throughout this thread, you’re not gonna trust anyone.

 

I did the fluid check myself and it was really easy. I also had the clunk after ensuring the fluid level was correct. Still have the clunk occasionally, but it seems to be less frequent every year. I don’t think the clunk is related to trans fluid level. I’d imagine gear slipping would be the first sign of low fluid anyway.

 

My taco was built in TX and it too was low from the factory. The full process is pretty straightforward… I’ve done it several times including with drain and fills and replacing the ATF filter.

And I still have that thump… I think it’s something else but not sure what… rear diff or something.

 

That bump, or thump is very common with the earlier Tacomas. It was the driveshaft slip joint.
Lack of lubrication or the improper lube was a big part of the problem.

 

It's the slip yolk clunking from axle wrap while braking. Put the truck in N and come to a stop. The thump will still happen.

 

Gotcha Will give it a go.

 

LoL. Thats very true. I guess my concern is the flip side of that. If I find something out of spec Im worried Ill be blamed or something. Im just trying to get everything lined up or planned out and am admittedly very a very skeptical person. Not by nature but through learned experience unfortunately.

 

I’m not sure how mechanically inclined you are but it would be pretty easy to check the level yourself. It’s pretty much get the temp right and remove the fill plug. If there is nothing coming out, add fluid until it starts to overflow.