Getting ATF level checked. Go ahead with a Toyota stealership

I can most certainly do it. Im just wondering if anyone has experience with doing something like this themselves, noticing an issue, and what the experience was when bringing it up to toyota as a warranty issue. Im just wondering if thats something toyota would deny because it wasnt done by them to check? Then Im also worried that a toyota dealership might not be completely honest about the findings. I have no idea how toyota pays dealerships for warranty claims and if its a pretty reduced rate, I could see a shop being less than honest.

Ultimately its probably just me over worrying, but I dont recall ever having experience with any warranty issues honestlly.

So even if this is mostly just a non issue, Im wondering all around what type of experience people have had dealing with warranty issues/flaw from factory, and if anyone has had issues in the past and what they'd do differently (or the same) after the experience.

 

I think you're overthinking things man. Just take it in to have the level checked. Its either low or its not. If they tell you its not, check it yourself and add the fluid. Low fluid isn't going to be some catastrophic event where they want to replace your transmission, and you're certainly not going to get any kind of extra extended warranty if it is in fact low - they're just going to top it off and send you on your way as they should.

Have them check it. If you don't like their answer, check it yourself or have your 3rd party check it. Sounds to me like you're at odds with paying for an extended warranty, but you don't trust them to do the work (if its ever even needed). If you go into them with concerns, they're going to check into it. IF it is something deserving of a warranty claim, they'll fix it. Thats what you paid for with your extended warranty plan. If its something simple like low fluid, they'll top it off. If they say they can't find an issue, it may or may not be true, and then you can worry. You're not gonna cheat the system by spending more of your time or money elsewhere when you're already paying them for the service you're not using.

 

I have just gone through this. I have a 23 Tacoma that has had a slipping torque converter since new. I checked the transmission fluid level, and nothing came out overflow port. Took it to the dealer to confirm that it was low. They checked it and it was low, but only half a quart. They could not duplicate the slipping, of course, so I'm going to have to take the tech for ride to prove it. Adding half a quart did not correct the slipping issue. I do have the paperwork showing they had to add fluid to get it to the proper level. FYI, I do not have a thump when braking.

 

Recently changed my Transmission fluid and was over a quart low. Pissed me off cause i had the dealership check it and they said it was good, probably didn’t even look. Did a drain and fill got her to the right level and it’s been a lot better honestly.

 

How do you know its slipping? What are you experiencing that makes you think it's slipping?

Torque converters will code if the lock-up clutch isn't functioning. If anything between the crankshaft and driveshaft is truly slipping they will code

You're probably just not used to the way it drives

 

Had a Toyota dealer service the automatic transmission. First time any of my vehicles work not done by me. They could not have done a worse job. I added fluid after the "service' because there was ATF all over the engine compartment and the front of the truck I was pretty sure was supposed to go in the transmission.
Do it yourself if you are physically able.

 

It would take a special level of incompetence to get ATF all over the engine bay. Maybe they went with the pour and pray method though.

 

While steady cruising at most any speed, in the lower rpm range 1500 and below it will almost constantly have a repeated jerk/slip feeling, not gear hunting because the rpms never change. Imagine an engine skipping like all the spark plugs are not firing. I believe that would definitely trigger a code. Would the check engine light appear on the gages if a code for torque converter slip was triggered?

 

That sounds like torque converter shudder, which was fairly common on higher mileage 2nd gens. It wouldn't code either until the tcc clutch really let go. I've never experienced it myself, just read about it on here

Google torque converter shudder with tacomaworld in the title and there should be some good threads that pop up

 

I have a service required soon (or whatever) message recently. Which only makes me suspicious lol. Im pretty sure changing the oil is one of the things done for the "Platinum Warranty" certification. When I made an account with Toyota for my truck no services at the dealership show up.

See, now your just giving me more thoughts of worry.
My truck doesnt shudder, but I have noticed at times a very small but perceptible, lets call it struggling. I've believed its more the shift parameters as it feels like when you start bogging down on a manual in too high a gear.

 

That comes up every 5000 miles automatically.

 

Good to know, but why didnt it pop up at 20k?

 

5000 from the last reset. RTFM.

 

A lot of people are extremely paranoid with little to no knowledge. There is a ton of info here available for those who simply wish to learn.

Knowledge will dispel these wonky ideas, thoughts and rumors. And beyond all, 1/3rd of the questions can be answered by simply reading the frockin owners manual.

 

Okay. Thats what I thought. Bought the truck at high 19k m, and light came on at mid 21k.
It just leaves me with questions like "did the tech forget to reset the trip?". But also "why isnt there a service record of it?" lol

Probably not the biggest deal anyways, but I do keep my vehicles a long time and this truck was pretty fuckin expensive (for me), so servicing/maintenance and being diligent about ware and tear is something that should pay off since I dont really plan on trading it in towards something newer.

 

Possible that the previous owner had the oil serviced out of dealer, before the light came on, so maybe whatever tech did it didn't know to reset it. Or they did it themselves and forgot to. That would explain the lack of "service record".

Why not take the truck to the dealer you use for the Camry? You clearly trust them or you wouldn't have the Camry serviced there. I doubt they would have changed the oil when inspecting it for the Platinum warranty or whatever, if it's just an inspection. Especially if the service light hadn't popped off

 

Watch this video and see if you feel comfortable doing a drain and fill yourself. Even easier if you have a scan tool that reads transmission temp.

Also, I just ignore and reset my Maintenance light. I keep records of what needs service and when. I trust myself more than my Maintenance light.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNqYpEpmUng

 

I was having the issue the OP had, coming to a stop had a clunk sound and sometimes a trans slipping... took it to a shop, (not a dealership) and surprise surprise, ATF was really really low, he changed the fluid completely, filter too while at it, problem solved, no idea why fluid was so low, it was missing like 2qts.. so yeah fellas, check your fluid level..

 

3rd Gens have been coming from the factory with low transmission fluid. My 2016 came from the factory one quart low.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...be-low-on-fluid-directly-from-factory.405642/