2018 Tacoma suspected low tranny fluid

Hi! New Tacoma owner here. I’ve always been lurking and finally decided to make an account... I just barely bought a Tacoma 2018 model about a month ago. After reading about the bugs and tiny issues the 2016 and 17’s would get I decided to wait for the 18’s thinking it would be squared away. Ever since I bought it I’ve noticed the R to D delay. And it would also hunts for gears around 4K Rpm... very randomly kick like a horse. I had already tried taking it to the local dealer on a suspicion of low tranny fluid 2 times. And they could not replicate the symptoms and sent me home after saying the techstream showed no issues etc.... anyway since they were no help as excepted I decided to add 1 quart of fluid myself while the engine was at operating temperature. And disconnected the battery after for good measure reset whatever it can. I know it was not a very good idea since I didn’t really know what was going on. But since the dealer didn’t want to help what other choice do I have?...I ran the truck for 1000 miles like this and just recently added the fluid and now I don’t have the gears hunting anymore. And the R to D seems to have gotten a lot better the gears shift a lot faster and smoother. Idk if it’s a placebo affect or what. Point of the thread is I seemed to have gotten a low tranny fluid 2018 Tacoma. For any new buyers just make sure you grill the dealer and have them manually check the fluid BEFORE you buy it. Because after they have there money they’ll tell you to kick rocks.

 

Do you have a Mexico or Texas truck? My 18 hadn't shown these symptoms yet.

 

It was born in Mexico.

 

do only mexican trucks have low trans fluids?

 

Nope. Just trying to establish if there was a difference. My 18 Mexico built doesn't have the same symptoms.

 

Mine is at dealer right now for the exact symptoms ironically. Will update. Mine is Texas born.

 

Off topic lol. But I’m changing tHe rear diff fluid right now . With mobile 1. 75w90 and I didn’t take a darn picture of it. But the magnetic bolt got a lot of metallic tiny flakes on it. That’s normal since the truck now has 1000 miles and is broken in. But good idea to change out the fluid early just to get rid of the flakes. Peace at mind. Doing the transfer case and front diff after. Just a FYI ABOUT 4 quarts came out of the rear diff...

 

The flakes on the drain plug are normal. 75w-85 is the correct spec for the Diffs and the Transfer Case is Toyota Spec 75.

 

Your right I’ve read that 75w85 is the correct one but it’s hard to find anywhere. And I’ve read a lot of people have used 75w90 with no problems... I just finished doingn the rear diff. And 4 quarts came out... I just refilled it and it took almost 4.8 quarts to refill... until it started to trickle out.... weird. I thought it was only 4 quarts... any chance it was low from factory? It’s a 2018 DCSB 4x4 off road. I believe tow package.

 

So....without knowing if it was full or not....you just added a qt of oil???????

 

Pretty much yea. If your refrencing the transmission. It had low fluid symtoms the dealer told me to screw off 2 times. 2 different appointments said I’m fine and that I worry to much and said worst case I have warranty. . Since they didn’t help I added 1 quart and now all my symtoms went away. The tranny runs smoother now a lot smoother. So idk

 

Hope you filed a written complaint against dealer with Regional and Corporate. Additional complaint with BBB, bad review on yelp, bad review on Google reviews.

 

Just got my truck back. Said they can't replicate the symptoms...

 

Tbh I’d recommend checking it yourself even if a dealer has said that they’ve “checked it” without you actually physically witnessing it. The problem has been so widespread that it’s worth the time and effort for that assurance that it’s filled properly.

 

It's not as easy as grabbing a dip stick. Pretty involved.

 

Manual trans FTW!

 

I wouldn’t say it’s that hard either, especially if you use an IR gun. I was able to do it without lifting my truck off the ground either.

 

What the process here? I have a thermal gun, just not sure where exactly to shoot.. and how long to wait etc. If you know the process I'd love to give it a try. I've been curious about the level knowing all the issues on prior years. Thanks

 

The problem with using the IR gun is that the pans temperature will be different than the actual fluid. Once the pan reaches the "optimal" temp, the fluid is probably above the ideal range. Or so others have said.

If it were me I would ballpark it, check the overflow, add as necessary, and call it a day

 

I think its a pretty dumb way Toyota made the check procedure...

How bout a cold fill hole next time ya bunch of arseholes...