15,000 mile maintenance on 3Gen

Hello TW,
(I promise I searched threads first)
My 2016 is due for 15,000 mile maint. It has the AT. I scheduled a spot with the dealer next week.
My understanding is that they'll check the trans fluid via computer diagnostics as opposed to manually looking at a dip stick. Is this correct? Should I request that they check it manually? TW posters have me all afraid that my transmission will stop functioning?
Also probably worthy of note, my AT has given me zero problems to date and I live on the hilly-as-hell San Francisco Peninsula.
Thanks for your time.

 

no problems with mine. If you really want them to check the fluid, you will have to leave it as it needs to cool down for a proper check.
Have you checked your vehicle for recalls? There are 2 recalls on the third gen as of today, and you might want to check into this beforehand. Some members have had their vehicles taken by the dealership due to leaking rear differential.

 

Thanks, and yes, I checked my vin against both recalls. I'm not on either list.

 

Also, they HAVE to check it with a computer since Toyota didn't give us a dipstick, because they're dipsticks.

 

Ugh I know I don't have one either

 

If you are not experiencing problems, why are you wanting them to check it? They won't check it for free. They'll charge you $120+ to perform the procedure and you'll have to leave the truck overnight. I am sympathetic towards your concerns however as many of these new Tacomas are having problems.

 

They checked mine for free at my 5K service and in the same day (2 hour procedure), and 15K is still under warranty. Why would they charge?

 

They probably just hooked it up to tech stream and told you the "system" shows the transmission fluid is fine. The ACTUAL procedure to check a "sealed" transmission requires the truck is cooled, then heated up to a specific temp range, almost every case I've seen on here where a dealer REALLY checked it required the customer to leave the truck overnight for this reason. There is a 1 to 2 hour process and the dealer charges by the hour. They will not check it just because you ask, because they need to essentially have a warranty type issue to charge and get reimbursed for the time it takes to execute the procedure.

 

Hmmm, think there is any way I can get the info on what was done? They fixed other various stuff (including the trans reprogram, had issue with the cold start flare-up), so I told them I wanted the level checked and he said it'd take a while if they did (and said 2 hr.) I also got there at 6:45 AM on a Saturday and they had it until noon.

 

Don't complain about not having a tranny dipstick. Porsche doesn't even have an engine dipstick. Unless I've forgotten, the last few Toyotas I've owned didn't have tranny dipsticks either.

 

That doesn't make it OK just because others have done it. Mechanical check is always preferred to a sensor that can fail.

 

I didn't realize that there wasn't a dipstick at all. I though it was just something that required a bit more effort than simply getting under the hood.
I'll just take a xanax or 3 and leave the rest to the dealership.

 

No way to really tell now that it's in the past. When the 2016s were noted to be coming LOW on fluid from factory a lot of guys were recommending WATCHING the dealer perform the check to ensure they were actually doing it. We saw some instances of them LYING about actually performing the check and then later the forum members found they actually DID have low fluid!

 

#savethedipsticks #dipsticksmatter

(my 2.7 has a dipstick )

 

Might as well get used to it. all manufacturers are making it harder and harder for anyone to do anything to vehicles. Even a simple oil change is a PITA now with the skid plates in the way and the element type filter access.

 

I changed her oil today and enjoyed every minute of my "bonding" with my sweetheart........ She was nice and let me grease her nipples while her fluid was draining ..... Then I blew in her tires and made her happy...!! She even let me torque her nuts on her rear end...!!

I think she will take me out to British Columbia and back now that I've given her a little luvin'..........

 

This one. If you aren't experiencing any issues then I wouldn't bother with it. And you wouldn't be giving the dealership a solid reason to do a full check. It takes about 4 hours to cool down and check which they need to justify for a warranty claim. Honestly even if it was a little low, it's too late now and it probably won't matter.

 

That should be enough time to cool for a proper temp mode atf level check.
Does your work order have ATF fluid on it?

You can use Techstream or jumper the obd port to access the temp check mode for a manual check.
When they use Techstream only and no manual check, they are looking at the thermal degradation count.

 

Yeah expect them to charge you. In fact it may be as cost effective to have it dumped and refilled to the correct level. My service advisor did manually check it for free, but I am pretty sure this is not the norm. Like smitty said, be prepared to have to pay for it.

 

Thanks for everyone's input.
I do have a follow up question:
Is it common to see the AT fluid sensors malfunction?
While I prefer the dipstick approach, I'll also put my trust into an electronic sensor.