2016 Transmission T-SB-0077-16 Shift Feeling Enhancments (PDF)

Without dipsticks, checking the fluid when the vehicle is warm is very time consuming. There is now an SST that requires the fluid to be 90 degrees and idling, you then install the tool and measure the fluid accordingly.

People keep saying the fluid is low, but its possible the shop is only checking at 40 degrees. It's frustrating from a tech stand point. Especially internet warriors that come in demanding everything be checked that was listed on a forum.

The TSB however is simple, the complaint simply needs to match the TSB and you reprogram the truck and warranty pays accordingly.

That said, if I can confirm an issue or the issue is outside a TSB I will always check fluid, and often reset the trans memory after.

 

What is this "SST"..? And where can I get a copy of it..??

 

I hate to say it but I like hovering around 1000-1200 rpm at 30-40 mph because the mpg's are so good that way. The problem is as SilverSkyTRD said that the lag in power just getting to 30-40 mph. I would say the first 900 miles post TSB shifting reacted somewhere between the expected norm and the ECT mode. Pep as I needed it. It has now transitioned back to pre-TSB low speed lag through 3rd or 4th gear. It is peppy when I jump on it but I shouldn't need to floor it, or be in ECT, to get a little power in the correct downshifted gear. I believe Toyota still has some homework to do to get a permanent fix. I still have plenty of warranty and a case number so not sweating it. The TSB did fix a good share of issues. It could be as simple as needing to tune the valve body flow or modifying the fluid level 1/2 quart above the current full requirement. It just shifted so much better than new after the TSB. Its obvious the engineers are addressing the correct area. There are too many Tacoma owners for them to not get this resolved. They don't want us trading these in on 2017 or 2018 Rangers or Colorados when our warranty runs out. I look at the commitment they made in replacing 1st gen frames. My 2000 had a complete new frame with 1/4" thick quality undercoating. Would not see that in a Chevy or Ram. Still happier since TSB and very hopeful for the next TSB to be longer lasting.

 

We have 196 members at Tacoma World that voted their transmission fluid was low https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...be-low-on-fluid-directly-from-factory.405642/

Out of those 196 members , lets say 50 % were found to be low (even though we know this number is higher) at the dealership using the genuine Toyota fill procedure checking the fluid at the required temperature . I believe that should be concrete evidence that there truly is a low fluid issue with our trucks .

NEXT :Toyota releases a tsb to fix up the Squawk control parameters thinking the dealership did a proper pdi and the transmission should be filled properly at the time of sale .

I was the guy who started all this low fluid crap at Tacoma world back in 2012 and I am sticking to it with rock solid evidence
I am not an internet warrior lol ,but I do believe a PDI should be completed properly and Toyota techs doing the pdi are justly paid for their time.
I have been in your shoes as well and understand your side of this story .
In the link provided above , there is a pdf file listing the genuine Toyota pdi . We provided the file to fellow T.W. members so they could read what Toyota does during a pdi .
The list you are speaking of from this forum is the genuine Toyota PDI
It was very clear from the poll I started that some of these procedures were being skipped .
I dont blame fellow Tacoma World members for taking their trucks back for a double check

 

No issues after the reflashing for me, but the 3-4 flair is still there after it sits for awhile and I take off. Only does it just once then it's fine till it sits for awhile again.

 

The PDS forms are very broad, they haven't changed in ages, that same list is on the form for a 2005 Camry (with dipstick). It intends us to check all fluid levels, but a sealed transmission is not to be disturbed without issue. It's not truly for the public to see that form either.

I understand what you are getting at and its obviously a problem dependent on where you are, I just have yet to see any issues. We see more issues after the fluid level is set incorrectly after service (tundras with the trailer package especially)

I haven't serviced a 16 trans yet, but the 2nd gen taco's were really consistent for fluid exchanges for me, 2-2.5 liters would come out, we'd put 4 in and let 1.5-2 out the check plug.

My original point is that from a dealership stand point if the techs see the complaint, and can't verify it and there is a specific bulletin they likely complete the bulletin prior to checking fluid level. (lets assume the tech knows nothing of this complaint on TW) The customer has every right to ask for the fluid to be inspected, it's just frustrating when its as difficult as Toyota made it for these vehicles.

 

I had my fluid checked today at my 5000 mile! I waited over five hours for the temp to come down. Ended up it was perfect, just a little drizzled out like is supposed to. They didn't charge me anything. Very nice people at Heiser Toyota in Milwaukee! They were probably happy to see me go after 5 hours of putting up with me pointing out all the issues people are having and the proper way to visually check the fluid. Lol. Now for a set of Nitro 4.88 next weekend and hopefully I'll be good to go!

 

Just bought mine a few weeks ago, the build date is 7/16 (built in San Antonio), since the TSB is 7/14 my truck should already be updated - but trans behaves differently when cold vs. hot, slight delay from R to D and shifting points feel different cold vs. hot, so makes me think i could be low on fluid. My plan is to put in a temp gauge (splice it into the rubber line that goes from trans to radiator, done this before on other vehicles), this will make it easy to know the temp so I can check the level myself and peace of mind when I tow things - but wondering if I do this if the dealer will claim warranty is voided - calling the dealer service dept seems a lost cause - anyone know if installing a temp gauge voids the warranty?

 

Hate to do it but I'm going to have to echo some of the statements here. I had the TSB done, and the truck was shifting really well for a while. It seems as though the truck has learned my driving style and now has reverted back to the shifting it was doing before the update. Luckily my dealer is understanding and allowing me to drop the truck off for a day and they said they will check the fluid level.

 

Hey everyone new on here. I have a '16 sr5 with the tow package. I've had no issues with my transmission and I'm at almost 7000 miles. I haven't towed anything with it, mostly because I have nothing to tow. But I do take it off-road and have yet to have any issues. Purchased 12-15-15 and picked up with only 7 miles on it.

 

Good to here someone with no issues. I happen to love my truck. I think the 5 speed aut in my 2011 is less noticeable, but I think it's because there is obviously one less gear to incorporate. Also I think this forum while very helpful and informative, is making us all concentrate and focus on the shifting every time we drive! Kind of like worrying about going to get blood pressure checked and being focused on it so much it raises it before you get it checked!

 

I did question them several times about pinning open the valve or thermostat to the transmission cooler because I have the tow package, but got nowhere with that. Said only when changing fluid and refilling. They were adamant that they were doing it correctly for me.

 

I did mine pin and unpin same results.

 

I dropped my truck off for the TSB today, we'll see how it feels when I get it. I'll keep an eye on it re-learning the bad shifting, but I took it in to get rid of the slow engagement from Reverse to Drive that I have to deal with every morning. As far as shifting is concerned, I run in ECT almost all the time and 80% of the time I'm in "S", manually adjusting the gears as I need them to keep the truck in the power band (I live in the mountains). My other car is a manual and to me shifting is part of the driving experience, so I'm not really too worried about the short-shifting the truck tries to do on its own. But we'll see how it feels after I get it back.

 

Hey there!

This is my first post! I just bought a 17 TRD Sport 4x4. Im excited as I had an 89 sr5 4x4 in highschool and loved that thing. It always got me home!

So far this truck is awesome! (a little under powered) but fun and looks amazing. I have noticed that in a down hill while breaking that it will shift hard into 3rd. I only have 400 miles on it... Now that I am reading this forum, I'm all concerned about low fluids on my tranny. Is this prob known on the 17's? Mine was built in Mexico.

Thanks and this Forum is great so far! loving all the mods and info!

 

Welcome Aviel..! You will love this truck. Do lots of reading on here but read it like "not everything you read on the net is true"...!

 

I blindly believe everything I read on the webs.. Conspiracy should be my middle name! Im hoping that they have taken care of some of the known issues of the 16 with the 17's.

 

That gives me some more reassurance knowing you did both ways, same results. I let my buddy drive my truck today to see what he thought. He is kind of a gear head and car enthusiast. He really liked the way it drove and loves the lift and suspension. Noticed that the rpms are just to low to keep it in the higher gears without downshifting. He agrees that regearing should take care of it. I am getting use to the way this 6 speed shifts. Now what I am irritated about is that I wasn't able to get the power rear slider. I need to convert that window somehow!

 

got my tsb done a few weeks ago now... very happy now .. before tsb truck drove like total ASS BURGERS .. now drives really well.,... i thought i was gonna have to trade it in for a manual within the first year.. this time after the reflash ive been driving like i stole it so it doesnt learn to drive like a pussy . so far its been working

 

1000 miles since TSB and flash. Overall it seemed improved immediately after the flash but that performance has dwindled. I have a TRDOR4x4 and the BEST mileage I can get (on flat I-5 using cruise control for >200miles) is about 18.7MPG. It stinks. I basically now drive in S4 while in town with ECT button at all times to make it feel like a half-way reasonable truck and shift to 5th on highway. I see no reason for 6th gear in this truck unless I am cruising at 80MPH. All in all I hate the engine power curve and shifting. In 4-Low it is still decent and that suspension and 4WD system is great. It goes where I want but drives poorly in town and on highway with crappy mileage. I am convinced I have a tranny problem as it revs at times under acceleration without catching a gear if you rapidly accelerate, clunks into 1st from 2nd when stopping and overall feels like it "slips" a lot despite having the levels checked and TSB done.