3rd Gen Transmission Fluid level Check

Exactly, and as we have also seen, some service centers checked the fluid no problem and put in the documentation that they (did indeed see the problem) so they could be authorized to work on the car and get credited the warranty work. These guys are smart because repeat business is important.

 

When you're running an assembly line, if you can put one less quart in each transmission that's quite a bit of savings! Without a dipstick who's going to know? My Subaru Crosstrek in which Toyota ownes 15%. On the Subaru forum owners are finding out the front differential has 13 ounces less than it should have it. How do I know, cause when I changed it I measure it. The bean counters are truly hard at work!

 

Just be sure the fluid is between 95'F and 113'F.

 

It really does not take very long.

 

At least my wife's Forester has a little dip stick in the front diff.

 

i communicate with my service department by e-mail. i want to request that they check the ATF fluid when they do my 5K check. i would like to give them some reference material on the issue, guess i could include a link to this thread? anyone have any better suggestions? if i just ask without any backup references i know they will not do it. want to get out ahead of it before i take it in.

 

I think you should go in and ask besides them doing a free 140 point safety inspection. Tell them you want them to do their jobs and top off all the FUCKING FLUIDS including differential and transmission.

 

Based on all the reports here, in TW, I asked my salesguy to check the ATF when the truck arrives from Houston. At first, he said "I have not heard of that problem", so I cited the 67% "low fluid" numbers reported here.

Just got an email, stating he will assure the ATF is checked. I am trying to believe him (he was the better of two salesguys I talked to, at a dealership with 666 salesguys, a coffee machine cleaner, and a crowded restroom). Maybe, just maybe, "the word" is getting to the dealerships.

Planning on taking a long trip soon, using Texas interstates with 75-80 MPH limits. "The book" tells us not to drive fast for a 1000 miles. Won't be able to get to 1000 miles before scheduled trip, unless I drive around the block A LOT! Hopefully the Tacoma will not object to the high speeds so early in its life.

Anybody have experience with the effects of long duration, high speeds under 1000 miles?

 

I'd crawl under it when you get it back and look for evidence that they even touched it.

 

Don't listen to anybody, look at the manufacturer owner's manual as far as break in.

 

Look up ring and pinion break-in procedures.

 

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i traded my 2012 TRD OR because of vibration and I believe it was the drive line angles.

So, I was waiting on a 2016 and was hoping Toyota would fix driveline angles and add a transmission dipstick back on the truck too.

I won't buy another Tacoma if I have to do all that "hocus-pocus" weird stuff again just to check transmission fluid.
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My new Tacoma arrived a day early, so I spent several hours at the dealership, late Wednesday. The salesguy informed me that he told the maintenance crew to check the ATF. The maintenance guys did, and (supposedly) were surprised to find it was nearly 1 1/2 quarts low! Supposedly, nobody there heard of the problem, until I told several people of it, several times. They documented it, and will send me copies of the documentation (and maybe some pictures) later. (My odometer showed 20 miles or so, and the truck was received with 2 miles, so they did some driving, as well).

The Pre Delivery Service (PDS) form was checkmarked in all the appropriate places ... but, guess what? The sales guy said something like "there is no transmission dipstick, so they may have just checked it off on earlier deliveries". Sound familiar?

Salesguy also told me that the dealership is informing Toyota (San Antonio) of the low ATF problem, and the dealership will follow up when the trainer / engineer shows up later this year. They also promised to check ALL incoming Tacomas, since the problem was verified after checking my truck!

My initial testing showed NO jump into gear, when shifting from Reverse to Drive, while still slowly rolling backwards.

No steering wheel vibration, no steering arm wind howl at speed, but some wind howl from the driver side pillar (maybe). Anyway, that is the topic of a different thread.

So, maybe Toyota will do something about the low ATF ... you might want to get it checked before the 5000 mile visit. (The salesguy told me to come in around 2500 miles, and they would check the U-joints and other possible problem areas that I mentioned were described in Toyota World.

 

Just upgraded the first page in the low fluid poll .
All you have to read is the very first post .
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...d-directly-from-factory.405642/#post-11356671

 

It's not just the 3rd gens, I had trans issues with my 2015, it was at least 3/4 qt low!
Took 3 trips to dealer to get the level checked, this issue is so unnecessary!
The missing dipstick strikes again!

 

That is a good one. Really good.

 

I just took my '06 to my trusted mechanic yesterday, and had them drain and refill. I didn't want to be eating Tums all day for heartburn. Best $97 bucks I've spent in a while. It shifts great.

 

As promised, here is an image of part of the dealer's invoice, provided to me when I accepted delivery of my new Tacoma.



I am still awaiting some more data from the dealer ... I was supposed to get pictures (or something) from the techs that did the work. However .... who knows?

Given the number of TW members who have provided written documentation that their ATF was low, it might behoove more members to go back for further checks, particularly if they are having what seems to be transmission related problems. Don't forget to post your findings here!

When I quoted some of the other problem areas mentioned in TW, my salesguy told me to come in after 2,500 miles (rather than 5,000), and get my first "free" inspection (no oil change) then. I have started a list of problems I noticed (only one item on it so far).

 

I just took mine in the other day to have it checked (200 miles on it) and they said it was hooked up the Toyota tech stream and it read it was full, even test drove it with the computer attached and all shift points were within spec. How well do I trust that, not 100% but at least it's documented and I'll have it checked again at the 5000 mile service.

 

Gathering information from the post above yours , I see Toyota hasnt rectified the problem from the factory.
Old Timer,s truck was recently built and the dealer had to add fluid .
Judging by your explanation , you are not having any of the issues or symptoms of a low fluid condition so you should be good to 5000k .
The symptoms are listed on the first page of the poll thread .
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...be-low-on-fluid-directly-from-factory.405642/
Was the transmission warm when your dealer had the computer connected and test drove your truck ?
Did they actually check the fluid using the proper check fluid level procedure ?