2018 Tacoma suspected low tranny fluid

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Anything...

 

I should have checked the temperature when I filled mine and put that 1 quart in. But I didn’t do any of that process. I simply said screw it I know it’s low I have the symtoms it’s a known issue. And the dealers tells me to kick rocks. Frustrated and annoyed. I simply ran the truck to operating temperature parked it rams the gears left it turned on and filled 1 quart of fluid with a pump. seeing as how that seems to be the average amount of being low based on all the threads I’ve read. And since then I have NOT had any gears hunting to shift. And the R to D is a lot better and engages faster... maybe I just got lucky ... idk.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/attachm...nsmission-fluid_-adjustment_2016-pdf.1548543/

This is toyota’s Document on how to check/refill the ATF. I’d read it over first, but the gist of it is you add half a quart to a quart, turn your car on and let it warm up. Constantly check the transmission oil pan with your IR gun. The Toyota manual states to open the overfill valve when the ATF is between 95F-113F. I turned my car off when my IR gun read 90F on my trans oil pan and drained it. Id assume that the oil at that point is within that temp range and it doesn’t need to be absolutely perfect. If a good amount of ATF fluid drains then you’re good, but if not much comes out then you add more until it does. There’s a ton of threads on this subject as well if you wanted to read more up on it.

 

Yeah, that's the involved process I was talking about. I thought maybe there was a simpler way.

 

Yea sucks that we have to do this on brand new trucks, but I feel like it’s worth the time for the reassurance.

 

What do the manufacturers gain by making these uncheckable transmission units?

 

Maybe because of people using them for water crossings? Just a guess

 

I think manufacturers do this to make us have to go to the local dealerships for service. If they made it simple we wouldn’t need there service anymore. Ones things for sure though is TOYOTA is top notch reliable that’s a fact. But these little issues with low tranny fluid is a thorn in the backside. Paid 40k OTD I shouldn’t have to worry about low fluids .... In other topics.... I Just got finished doing the rear diff and transfer case fluids... my rear diff took about 4.8 quarts give or take and the transfer case took 1.2 quarts before it started to trickle out .... I have yet to do the front diff I’m doing it later because the oil gave me a headache the smell it gives is something fierce. I’m planning on keeping my taco forever. So this break in maintenance at 1000 miles is good assurance it’ll last forever.

 

Phrases like "User Friendly" are not in the policies and procedures Manuel at Toyota. and is so far, a concept that seams to escape them.
The difference being, it keeps them from being the best they can be. what a shame.

 

So just finished doing the front diff fluid..it seemed to have been alil low as well. 1.4 came out and I put 1.6 back in... now 4x4 low and high engages right away. Before it would take a few try’s to engage it. Didn’t think much of it but now it’s aweosme!!... BOTTOM LINE... if you buy a brand new car. IMO break it in with 1000 miles... then change the diffs and transfer case fluids. You’ll get out the little metallic flakes from the break in. If you want maximum longevity IMO. Even if you buy it used still do this... I do not trust Toyota to have these components fully topped off anymore there quality is good but they seem to just fill the minimum amount of fluids and call it good. . Peace at mind IMO.

 

I need to do my diffs ive got 11k now on the truck. Did you do a full change and cleaning? Or just replace the fluid?

 

I’m not sure what you mean by full change and cleaning... but what I did do was run the truck to operating temperature put it into 4L and 4H to circulate the fluids so they drain easier then turned off the truck ... drain it fully until it stopped dripping and then pumped a tiny amount of fresh fluid to push any crud out and drain a little more... then I filled Them until they starting to trickle out. I used mobile 1 75w90 full synthetic. If this is the first time changing your diff fluids you’ll see mettalic flakes on the magnetic bolt. from the break in period... Even though this truck only has 1000 miles. Going into 4x4 is a lot easier now before this I would have to try a couple times to get into 4x4. And I even noticed I was alil low on diff fluid... Peace at mind... I believe if you you don’t have 4x4 you only have the rear diff to do... new to this stuff so learning as I go.

 

Thats pretty much it but i like to remove the cover and get everything a good look while im there. I will probably do exactly what you did. That way im not doing the gasket as well.

 

I used a ScanGuage II to fill my ATF. Just plug it in and wait until TF1 temp is between 115-130° and while engine is running, open the fill plug and see if anything trickles out. Mine ended up being low by only 100mL.

 

Though your issue seems to be resolved, what you did is extremely risky. If you overfill your transmission fluid you can get a build up of pressure and cause some really expensive repairs. Ide recon just checking it your self if the dealership is refusing.

 

Thanks for the link that tool looks interesting might look into that. now when you say open the fill plug and see if any fluid trickles out do you mean the actual fill plug. Or the overflow plug.. because I know traditionally in my old bmw. There is no overflow plug. Just a fill plug and drain plug. I would fill the tranny until fluid started to trickle out of the fill plug at operating temp then I would know it’s fully topped off. These 3rd gen Tacoma’s have the darn overflow plug added to let you know when your full. I wonder if just going based off the fill plug and when that starts to trickle out is good enough to know when full. VS the overflow plug. . I don’t necessarily trust the overflow plug TBH. I feel like it might cause it to be lower like to much can trickle out. I might still be low on tranny for all I know. I only added 1 quart. Scared to put any more.

 

Your 100% right I was really reluctant to fill that quart in fear of damaging it since I wasn’t certain it was low. I literally took a shot in the dark. Earlier today I opened the overflow plug to drain a tiny bit just to see if it was foamed up looking for any signs of overfilled. I saw no signs of foam.

 

Toyota engineered the whole transmission pan section with that overflow plug in mind so I'd stick with it for checking.

 

True to that. I’ll probably buy one of those tools that read temps that was mentioned down the road to get the most accurate reading. And go based off the overflow plug.

 

You do realize that you adding more if it was ok could actually cause damage right?

If you offer to pay they'll check it . They just don't want to for free. And if it's low they'll do it under warranty. If it's not you'll be out $50 but will have the peace of mind

Maybe 2018 needs transmission tsb