Transmission 2016-2023- 6 SPEED AUTOMATICS COULD BE LOW ON FLUID DIRECTLY FROM FACTORY

There are anti drain back valves inside the transmission to prevent fluid from draining back into the transmission pan .This is how your torque converter remains full of fluid .On average 4-5 quarts are held in the converter .
If this fluid leaked into the pan , it would take forever for the vehicle to move on start up . It takes a long time for the converter to charge with oil
When you turn your truck off , the transmission pump also stops turning which prevents oil from draining out of your cooling lines back into the pan .
The top cooling line on the side of the transmission dumps fluid from the hottest point within the transmission which is your torque converter .
The bottom cooling line is for cooled fluid returning from the cooling system back into your transmission pan .
The transmission pump needs to turn in order for fluid to flow .When the pump stops turning an air lock is created preventing the return line from leaking back into the pan . If you have ever removed the bottom cooling line on a transmission , it will start leaking immediately because you are essentially breaking the air lock .
Hope this helps

 

You caught me.
Now I'm trying to square the;
- .6 quart difference in tow pkg. vs no tow pkg.
-what I was low, unpinned, 1-1/8 quart
-what others are reporting, pinned at the dealership
-1/4 quart(aaprox.) difference you mention

Out of curiosity, what is normal operating temp. and at what temp. does the thermostat open?
Why wouldn't detection mode automatically open it?
Does Toyota acknowledge this procedure with the Tundra?

I'll probably try it this weekend, with thermostat pinned.
Where's it located and at what point in the procedure do you pin it?

Thanks for all your help and expertise.

 

How do you pin the thermostat?

 

Thanks GC. This answers my question. Once the truck hits optimal temp to check, I am going to assume I should shut off the truck and then check to create this air lock? It doesn't really make it clear in the check fluid PDF if after it reaches optimal temp to shut it off or leave it on...

 

Right at the thermostat housing there is a button type of thing that has a shroud over it, with two small holes. You can then put a paper clip through it keeping it open.

 

Here is a copy and paste from my transmission cooler page . It will answer a bunch of questions for you guys

Lets have a peek at what transmission coolers do
TRANSMISSION COOLERS
If you do not have a transmission cooler on your truck and you plan to tow or haul heavy loads or you are in heavy stop and go traffic and use 4X4 low a lot , consider purchasing a cooler . The cooler thats built into your rad is designed to cool the transmission with the weight of just the truck by itself .When you are in 4x4 low , your torque converter is usually in the stall stage and creates a tonne of additional heat .
160 - 200 are considered normal temps providing your engine radiator is functioning properly . If your engine overheats , your transmission will also overheat
Normal fluid temperature in transmission to be 175 deg. F.

Rate of oxidation to double for each temperature increase of 20 deg F above normal (175 deg F). As oxidation rate doubles, useful life of fluid is cut in half.

At 175 deg F life is 100,000 miles
At 195 deg F (20 deg above 175) life is 50k miles
At 215 life is 25k miles
At 235 life is 12k
At 255 life is 6,250
At 275 life is 3,000
At 295 life is 1500
At 315 life is 750

At temperatures much above 300 deg F the metals in the transmission will tend to warp, twist etc. high temperatures causes the formation of varnish deposits which impair or pre vent transmission operation. This is when your trans temp light comes on . Do not let that light pop up ever !

At a fluid temperature of 415 deg F fluid life is 30 minutes!

Source: Empire Lubricants Inc.
Consider a scan guage http://www.amazon.com/ScanGauge-Comp.../dp/B000AAMY86
Here is the best information for the scan guage http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd...-pressure.html

Ultraguage is now offering transmission temps http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/318340-ultragauge-transmission-temp.html

You could also use the Torque app with an Android phone as a cheap alternative to watch your temps http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/per...d2-reader.html

This is how Low Pressure Drop technology works::
When Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) is cold it is viscous. The unique Tru-Cool design allows the colder, thicker ATF to flow more efficiently through two open bypass channels positioned at the top of the cooler. As operating temperatures increase, the ATF becomes hotter and thinner, It's then directed through the core where it is cooled. Tru-Cool's highly efficient cooling technology combines improved protection against lube failure with optimal heat transfer.
http://www.amazon.com/Long-Tru-Cool-.../dp/B005XZXB1M
Long Tru-Cool Oil Coolers offer advanced cooling protection for many towing applications. The advanced technology out performs TUBE & FIN Designs, Delivers up to 15 times less flow restrictions, 30% more cooling delivers maximum heat transfer, Self-Regulating for maximum lube flow protection through start-up, varied temperatures and driving conditions, heavy loads and towing.

 

Ah that makes much more sense. I saw hoses actually going towards the rear of the vehicle and though the tranny cooler was a standalone affair. I didn't know ours was built into the radiator.

So my last question GC would be once I hit optimal temp to check should I shut the truck off or keep it running? I'm thinking shut it off to check to ensure it doesn't give me a false reading.

 

Personally , why not leave your truck running .
This way you know the transmission pump is turning and all the circuits inside the valve body and cooling system are charged with fluid .
If you shut the truck off ,the transmission pump stops turning .... there is a risk that some fluid will drain back . Not a whole lot of fluid but some .


EDIT : check your fluid with the engine running .

 

And this is a guess , but I would open the transmission thermostat around 215 degrees . I will have to get into the manual and have a look . Not sure of the actual temp when its suppose to open .
The thermostat in your Tacoma transmission cooling system is strictly mechanical . The thermostat uses a heat spring and its designed just like the thermostat used inside your engine block to allow cool anti-freeze into the engine .There is nothing computer controlled on the thermostat .
If you guys are hitting high temps with your transmission , consider a bigger transmission cooler immediately

The next member that does a transmission fluid check , could you please pop a bunch of pictures and post them up ?
I need them for my write up .
Its going to save everybody a bunch of time if we put a write up together showing a step by step with pictures . Ive asked for this in the past . Its time we posted a complete step by step .

 

Sounds good, sir. I will leave it running. I was just worried that when the pump was cycling for the cooler it would be splashing around, etc. and give me a false reading. Now I don't have to worry. Thanks again GC.

 

Where is the transmission thermostat?

 

It's right in front of the pan. You can't miss the button.

 

Did anyone try to take a set of instructions to a non-dealer mechanic to have them properly check and fill the fluid? I want to do that but I don't want to show up with a bunch of random posts and expect them to know what to do. I'd love to send them something short and concise ahead of time and then be like "can you perform THIS service for me"? They've been great in the past as long as I did my part. Thoughts?

 

Is your transmission acting up or having issues going from reverse to drive? If yes I'd just go to your dealership. That's what I did. They knew there was an issue/concern with the 2016 Tacoma transmission's being low filled from the factory, and checked mine...sure enough, 1.25 quarts low. Still is not behaving any differently though :/ needless to say, I have a loaner and an they have my truck... so they can do some "further testing" You can bet I'll be there this morning when they do! My transmission was broke in 1.25 quarts low Fuckers! Toyota failed me twice...one at the factory, and at the dealership level as well...considering the PDI wasn't done correctly or the low transmission fluid level would have been caught!! That is absolutely inexcusable and I want a new transmission!

 

Let me know how this turns out. Mine seems better after topping off fluids but still I think it should be better. They said mine was 1qt low.

 

Absolutely! I will continue to be doing updates throughout this entire process!

 

The PDF instructions are on the first post . Print out the pdf file and you should be good to go . Other members print off the complete first post

 

Tow package, built in mexico. Both Toyota and the Dealership have been absolutely fantastic w/ this

 

Wow! That's fantastic!!! My dealership is giving me the run-around big-time!! the service manager drove my truck and multiple other ones with me inside and said they were operating close to the same and within Toyota specifications.. the funny thing is, he doesn't know shit about the truck yet he is the technical expert they go to when trying to diagnose a problem?? that is laughable!!!! told me he would call me when the regional manager comes around which could be anytime in the next few months. he said he has to make the call on that so looks like I'm stuck with a truck with a shitty Transmission until then...grrr! but good for you, that's awesome! And Yes mine was from Mexico and 1.25 quarts low on transmission fluid and after the refill it showed zero signs of improvement whatsoever...still clunks and hesitates big-time coming out of reverse into drive

 

why not drive with him and point out the issues you're talking about? he might not even know what you think is the issue and wouldn't be looking for it.