Your new 2010 - 2015 truck -Auto transmission could be low on fluid directly from factory

Hey folks .
I try and assist with most transmission related questions at TW .
I wasnt sure how to word the post so all of you guys catch wind of the issue so hopefully the way its worded will attract your attention .

This post covers ALL YEARS of the 4 LITRE ENGINE WITH NO TRANSMISSION DIPSTICK
EDIT : UPDATE - DEALERS DO NOT CHECK THE FLUID WHEN THEY SELL YOU THE TRUCK

What I am finding as well as many others here at TW ,is 99 percent of the transmission complaints are caused by a low fluid condition . Shudders , delays , torque converter failure, solenoid codes caused by friction clutch sediment and premature transmission failure .
Some of you are lucky enough and the problems occur within the factory warranty timeline but others are finding out far too late and end up having to pay for a transmission overhaul . From what some of the members here have gathered , your brand new truck is possibly low on transmission fluid .

Toyota calls WS fluid a lifetime fluid and doesnt need to be checked .Its not a lifetime fluid . No fluid is lifetime . The only reason they called World Standard transmission fluid a lifetime fluid good for 100K was to get away from enviromental tax fees . Other manufacturers recommend changing their fluid much sooner and have to pay an enviromental fee for every vehicle they sell to the public . Sell a million cars and trucks and the enviromental fees add up quick . Toyota comes up with a lifetime fluid that is good for 100k and saves millions . They did not create a quality transmission fluid , they simply worded it to save enviromental fees . WS is no better than anything you get off the shelf in Walmart in fact even at Walmart you can purchase better quality transmission fluid than WS . Why did Toyota recently decide to change their transmission fluid replacement from 100k down to 60k ? .....far too many warranty issues

At this point in time we are not positive as to why your transmission is low on fluid or what YEARS are involved but can guarantee after reading this , some of you will find a low fluid condition .This post / poll is to make you aware that there is a problem with the transmission fluid level .

The transmission is built by Aisn Warner and considered a sealed unit meaning " NO FILL TUBE WITH LEVEL INDICATOR UNDER THE HOOD " its filled with enough transmission fluid and dyno tested to make sure it functions properly before it is shipped to Toyota for installation . Once at the Toyota factory , the transmission is then installed and additional components are added such as transfer cases for the 4 wheel drive version and transmission coolers for the towing package . Some take more fluid , some take less but Toyota has to follow a temperature fill guideline using the vehicle ECM and their Techstream scan tool .Not sure whats being overlooked here but some members are finding after a dealer transmission service , their transmission is "still " low on fluid when they perform a fluid check using the trucks on board diagnostic system at home .

Fortech created an excellent write up on how to properly check the fluid at home . If you are interested to see if your truck is low , click the link below and Remember that the engine has to be running when you check your fluid .
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/63851-how-drain-refill-automatic-transmission.html

Here is the PDF from Toyota showing how to fill / check the fluid . Scroll down to page 18 for the details http://www.toyotatundraforum.com/pdf/A750E.pdf

And then read here http://www.purefjcruiser.com/docs/2...ion/Automatic Transmission Fluid/01600210.pdf

And for heavens sakes , DONT DO THIS https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/halp.33318/


All we are looking for in the poll is to verify the condition and to possibly save the members here a few bucks .
Its unfortunate that you can only add to the poll for a week before it closes . Many many members are finding their fluid very low when checked using the two guidlines noted above . Some guys are reporting that their fluid level is fine and others are reporting the fluid level low . With this said , its hit or miss as things stand now .

 

Went back in my records and it looks like the dealer did service my transmission . Went outside and followed the fluid check guide . Sure enough I am 3 quarts low on fluid .
Topped up the trans with Max life fluid and it shifts much better .
The torque converter shudder at 45 is completely gone .
Check your fluid level people . Do not trust your dealers
Thanks for the write up Foretech .
My vote is in


EDIT : Sorry if i didnt post a poll with your choice . Maybe your fluid level is fine etc etc
What fluid did you use ?
how,s the transmission been working ?

 

I might need to check mine, it doesn't always shift as smoothly as it should.

 

I'll look into this

 

I shall look into it on my 3 month old 2013 taco...

 

My neighbour also has a 2011 TRD off road with 26K. Just went through the home check fluid process with his truck and he was a quart low .
He,s not a member so I cant vote for him but was very thankfull .

 

Checked the dipstick on mine and it is spot on.

 

Well that's nice. And I'm guessing if its brought to their attention they're not taking responsibility for it. God forbid anyone take responsibility for their actions. Yea. Instead of trusting them, put it this way. I checked my trans fluid level. Its low. It came that way. Top it off please. I will check again when I get home and be back if its not properly done. Thank you.

 

My fluid was flushed with the "drain the pan and add more fluid" method 2 or 3 separate times at the dealership before I bought my truck, according to the service history forms I got with it. I was planning to do a full flush soon when I decide which ATF I want to use. I'll check the level with the procedure before I start the flush and get my vote in.

 

Lucky guy . You have a dipstick .
Us unlucky owners have to crawl under the truck and remove a stupid plug , then spend the time to put the ECM into temperature mode .

 

Could we not simply add transmission fluid cool until dripping out of the overflow, then run the truck for a few miles until the transmission temp was up to normal operating temperature and then remove the overflow (not drain) plug until no more hot fluid came out? To me, that would be the proper level; hot to the top. Then no need to jump circuits to get the ECM into some special temp mode.

 

Just FYI....I blew up my 2013 transmission after losing only a little bit (a couple ounces at most)of fluid after I ruptured a line offroading. I trail fixed it and limped it back to camp and lost all of my gears/boom (zero warning lights). Toyota refused to back their warranty due to my suspension modifications...I will be starting a neutral 3rd party arbitration soon due to the AT temp sensor not flipping on and toyota blaming it on my suspension.

 

There's an ATF dipstick ?

 

what

 

Its a good idea King . Should at least get your fluid level into the ball park range should it be low but according to the proper procedure , the trans has to be between 46°C (115°F) and 56°C (130°F) to accurately check the fluid level. Its possible the temp during factory fill could be the issue as to why sooo many guys are having slipping / shuddering issues and premature trans failure .

Edit : Your idea of cold and my idea of cold are two different temps . Transmission fluid does expand and so do the alluminum /steel parts within the trans . If we follow what Toyota specifies , we know the level will be adjusted according to manufacturers specs .

At least we know there is an issue and hopefully find the problem soon

 

^^

I'm serious , is there an ATF dipstick on my 2009 ?

 

Hey OZ . fairly certain on the 4 bangers there is a filler tube with level indicator .
If you got some spare cash , order one up and modify to fit the 4 litre

This means OZ hasnt checked his transmission fluid and he owns a 2009

 

Thanks