2016 Transmission Update and Fluid Levels

Same here but could be placebo lol. Feels smoother between 5th and 6th

 

Biggest issue I was having was "getting stuck in the mud," I'm guessing somewhere around 4th/5th gear when I slowed down and tried to accelerate again (stop-and-go traffic and in some turns). Was driving me nuts. Feels quicker to respond to those downshifting needs.

 

Im wondering if ALL r coming with low ATF or if its just the ones coming out of a certain plant.? Maybe the ones that have been confirmed low post what there first digit in the vin is so we can see if there is a pattern..

Honestly guys mine is fine. Yeah at first the tranny was confused...but after some very aggressive driving it has become perfect.

Not sure why so many are saying the taco is sluggish? Is it a 400hp hemi? No. Its a small atkinson yoyo jap motor. This motor will scream after 4000rpms...it wants to rev and once u start making it rev the ecu seems to understand thats where i want to be and its getting better everyday as far as being sporty. Kinda reminds me of my old 2-stroke blaster.... These motors are happier " on the pipe" .

Btw mine is not TRD. just Sr5 4x4. I DO have towing package with trans cooler also.

Drivers lean is a real issue though.......

 

I added the manufacturer question to the poll . I doubt you will get guys posting where the truck was built . Its hard enough to get them to go outside and check the vin # , then come back here and click 1 button
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...be-low-on-fluid-directly-from-factory.405642/
At this time , it does look like both USA and Mexico are underfilling
Are we dealing with a metric conversion issue ?
Are we dealing with an unpinned thermostat ?
Are we dealing with the complete cooling system " not " being filled ?
Are we dealing with assembly technicians who were not trained to fill your truck properly ?
A lot of variables . It shouldn't be up to us to figure out the problem . Its Toyotas fault these trucks are low . Its up to the dealer to check Your new truck before its sold to you

 

I have been looking at this website almost everyday since buying my tacoma had it for a few days 2016 doublecab longbed in black its the sport with the tech and tow package. I asked them to check the fluid of the transmission and it was actually low. The mechanic commented it shifted hard and advised a check that they did and found the problem and filled the fluid. Just about to drive it around to see how it feels. Really begs to question the validity of this multipoint inspection from the factory. And what if there is something else i should be concerned they skimped on.......any engine savy peoples with this truck could make a list?

Vin starts with a 3.....

 

Sounds like a nice truck .
Welcome to the club . lol
I have a question for you . Did they lubricate the universal joints ?

 

Inspections are only as good as the person doing it. Just too easy to check the boxes. The factory is pushing hard to get the trucks out ASAP, so the employees are probably being pushed hard to get the trucks out resulting in poor quality control.

 

No clue not sure if i could check?

 

You would have to slide under the truck with a flashlight and look for fresh traces of grease on the zerks . As others have mentioned , its extremely common for trucks going out the door without lubing the drive line .The grease installed at the factory is only used for assembly .
I will edit this so you guys know how important it is to keep your drive line lubricated.
I believe Spicer is still the manufacturer of the drive line for the Tacoma .
These drive lines need to be greased at every oil change
Here is the proof
Read what Spicer has to say about greasing your driveline
http://www2.dana.com/pdf/J3299-2-DSSP.PDF

 

Are there photos of these?

 

You Bet
Not sure if there are photos of the 2016 but the driveline is similar on all the double cabs
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/greasing-entire-drive-shaft-u-joints-5-zerks-total.56976/

I believe the 4 cylinder has the polypropylene universal joints with no grease zerks at all . The polypropylene universal joints are designed to last 50,000 miles . When the polypropylene universal joint fails , Its common for guys to replace them with a grease-able universal joint

 

There you go . No signs of lubrication when it was at the dealer .
Those grease zerks should have been covered in fresh grease .
The trunnion caps should have been covered in fresh grease
The pictures justify it . They are as dry as a bone .
Your drive line was not lubricated
I have already added this issue to the bottom of the poll to keep you guys aware
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...be-low-on-fluid-directly-from-factory.405642/

 

You should be able to see the lube? What else should I be looking for ? I was going to drive it into the mountains tomorrow

 

Should be ok for a 1000 miles .
If you read the driveshaft greasing link i posted , I suggest you purchase your own grease gun .
Some of those grease zerks are easy to get at and some of them are very difficult to get at
Look into a needle greaser

 

Yes , there would be a little grease all around the end caps and signs that the driveline was greased . You know about the drive shaft issue now . Get it lubed up when you come back from the mountains . Its not going to fall apart on one trip . You are good to go

 

Gearcruncher...Thank you for all the time and energy you put into our forum. Awesome stuff!!

I just went out to inspect my entire driveshaft for grease zerks. My shaft looks exactly the same as post #108 above. I do NOT have a single zerk fitting on the entire driveshaft. Any thoughts?

On another note...With the all the help and guidance from you, I was able to check the transmission fluid on my 2016 Limited with Towing Package (VIN starts with a #3). It took about 20 minutes total, in my driveway, to find that I was almost a quart low.

Thanks again,
Ed

 

Hi Ed
Glad you managed to top off the fluid .
It sure has been a battle for some of these members at the dealer .

If you cant see any grease zerks , you've got polypropylene universal joints . They are designed for 50,000 trouble free miles according to the seminars I have trained at .

 

Trouble free still means i should grease the joints there or maybe its to spec?

 

You have greaseable universal joints on your truck judging by your pictures .
Ed has polypropylene universal joints on his .
Sometimes those grease zerks are difficult to see without spinning the driveshaft