Dealer indicates 16 Tacomas w/tow pkg often have low trans fluid

make sure you put the vehicle in tranny check mode.

 

Could you explain this "tranny check mode" please?

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/how-to-drain-refill-automatic-transmission.63851/

This is the drain/fill for the 2nd gen which gives you the details for properly checking level. Not exactly the same for 3rd gen, but very similar. The 3rd gen manual says that the 'D' shift indicator lights up instead of the AT TEMP light. Also, once you get into temp check mode the jumper should be removed from the OBD. The temp range for proper level check is 95 to 113 degF fluid temp (at least for the AC60E transmission). Don't do this unless you are confident you can properly get into temp check mode, and get under the vehicle and pull the overflow plug before you get out of range. As talked about in the linked write-up, recommend practicing getting into temp check mode before you attempt anything, and make sure you know which bolt is which. Realize that if you remove the overflow plug with fluid temp too high, you will drain fluid from the transmission and create a low level. And if you add fluid because you though it was low, when in fact the fluid was too cold when you checked, you will overfill it. The fluid is at the correct level when flow from the overflow plug slows and only drips come out when in the proper temp range. But be aware that there will be some fluid in the overflow pipe from the last time you drove it and heated it up that will come out even if it is low, do not mistake that for flow slowing to a drip. Make sense?

 

auto transmissions should be checked afaik at operating temps?, is it normal dextron or some weird stuff

 

Not sure what your first question is. The required ATF fluid is Toyota ATF WS.

 

Another reason to buy a manual transmission.

 

I bought a 2015 at auction last November. Only had 5000 miles on it. It had been in a mild front end collision and popped all the air bags. They had done all the body work but left the airbags out. Retail quote for replacing all the airbags was $10K.
Got it cheap ($17K) and found a cheap source for air bags ($2200) and put it all back together. Very happy, screaming deal, but stepping on the brakes approaching a stoplight, off the brakes and on the gas without stopping and it was like being hit in the back with a sledge hammer. No tranny slippage at all from a dead start.
Did my research on this site and found out that many of the V6 tow package models ended up with low transmission fluid. Put the shop foreman in the passenger seat and showed him what was happening, told him I thought it was low on transmission fluid. He said he had never seen that problem, but agreed to check it.
Damned if it wasn't just over a quart low on fluid. He topped it off and we took it out for another test drive. No more whiplash from stop and go driving.
Just wanted to thank everyone in the forum for being a great source of community knowledge on Tacomas.
Put me down as another satisfied customer of Tacoma World.

Andrew

 

Great post.

 

is the truck running during this procedure?

 

had dealer check mine today (took 1.5 hours), it was fine. I have tow package, sport 4x4 V6

 

You would trust your life on a $2200 set of air bags? Are they the Takata ones?

 

Could very well be stolen too.

 

I had my trans fluid checked yesterday and they said it was exactly where it was supposed to be. They said the fluid level varies with temperature so the correct procedure needs to be followed or you will get a false level reading. (I think everyone knows this, but I figured I'd re-state what I was told).

 

About $36,000. In my eyes, it's all part of the price of admission. This type of oversight is damn near inexcusable, and even sadder since there is no dipstick to verify the fluid level in an auto trans. Doesn't affect me personally, since I ordered a three pedal truck but it's an oversight that should have never happened.

 

when I mentioned this issue to my dealer, they said "and the internet never lies" and wouldn't check the level (under Toyota care...I'm sure they would if I paid. I woulda done that but they said their computer/internet was down and they didn't know how to do it.) Said it was a sealed unit from the factory and you have to trust the factory. If it isn't leaking it's serviced correctly. Meanwhile, I still have shifting issues.

 

after telling Toyota that I was willing to pay for the labor to check the tranny fluid, my dealer service guy must have had a change of heart and wrote down on the repair ticket that the tranny had "clunking/shifting issues" and needed to have the tranny fluid level checked out (he lied for me, that way Toyota would pay the labor to have it checked out under warranty). I guess he was nice to me

 

Good point. I was up-front with my dealer that I wanted it checked because the internet said so. But I also tossed him a bone and said that it was shifting strange, especially when cold (which is true, but not something I was that worried about). He really didn't protest even though I offered to wait until the 5k service (I was in for an alignment at 3k, so not too long to wait). He had them check (it was fine) and also grease the U-joints (because the internet said so).

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...be-low-on-fluid-directly-from-factory.405642/
I suggest going back to the dealer and this time make sure they check the fluid level properly .
Read the above link for proof

 

They came from a big outfit in Arkansas,
Five Star Air Bags
2201 N. Redmond Rd
Jacksonville, AR 72076
888-378-2629

They claim they are OEM overstock bags. I had them professionally installed locally and the tech said they looked like brand new Toyota stock bags.
They sell airbags, seat belts and modules.

Andrew