3rd Gen Transmission Fluid level Check

I'm dropping mine off at the dealer now. They are giving me a Tundra as a loaner. We'll see how this goes.

 

The way Toyota is rollin these days, I wouldn't be surprised to see the dip stick return as an 'option'.

 

Thanks. I knew that, regarding Tacomas, from your previous posts.

My question was @baron55 said "All Toyota AT these days require the same type of fluid check procedures (no dip stick)". To me that's all models. Camry's, Corollas, etc.

May be true, just wondering when it went into effect? We know (like your post says) some drivelines within the same model were different. So I was just wondering when the 'all' took affect.

If this is true, it's another reason I like my '13 4 banger.

 

Many auto manufactures are going away from dip sticks. Reasoning, transmission fluid "doesn't need to be checked until 100,000 miles" according to them and the cost savings on the dip stick not being there. also forces the consumer to take the vehicle to the dealer for maintenance. DYI maintenance has exponentially grown over the last 30 years cutting into the dealer profits on service. By making things less serviceable for DYI, it makes them more attractive for maintenance.

 

Most cars do not come with a trans dipstick anymore, there's quite a few cars that don't come with a oil dipstick either. All relies on sensors and the computer.

BTW, I checked my trans fluid this morning using the factory procedure and pinning the trans thermostat and low and behold it was 3/4 quart low. Shifts much smoother now and I have piece of mind knowing it was done correctly.

 

Would be interested to see the break down of Mfg locations of the vehicles having issues, maybe as was stated it maybe just a Texas build issue do to a metric system confusion.

 

There you go , You were not feeling any symptoms yet when you did a proper fluid level check , you found the transmission to be low by 3/4
You did the rite thing by taking it to the dealer first , unfortunately all they did was connect to the computer rather than doing the complete check
The low fluid issue may not effect all trucks , but why take a chance .
Had you continued to drive your truck , you could have done some serious damage
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...be-low-on-fluid-directly-from-factory.405642/


Could you guys list the dealers that have heard about the low fluid problem ?
It might help other members get their fluid checked without a battle

 

Got mine back from the dealer today. They said it was about a quart low. Heard this verbally, they didn't specify the amount on the paperwork. I haven't noticed a real difference yet, but will pay attention.

 

I wouldn't be shocked by that line of thinking from Corporate at all. I'm a serious doubter of their 100,000 mile B.S. I don't believe any auto goes 100k without some fluid added. My old '95 Runner used some Tranny fluid over time, and I added it accordingly by the faithful dipstick. To me there is no excuse for you guys buying a 2016 that has low fluid. That's complete bullshit. Like I stated earlier, I just had my fluid drained and filled on my 2006 Taco and it has only 60K on it. It shifts smooth as silk now. My trusted mechanic told me the fluid was right on the edge of needing changed, and a little low, but not critical. I'm glad I didn't wait until 100K.

 

Just got my truck back from the dealer and it was covered under warranty. I only had 1125 miles when I felt my Trans slip. And this is what the invoice said

 

Went to get breakfast this morning, truck went right into drive and took off nicely - no delays. Thanks for the heads up on this one guys!

 

Toyota changed their fluid service interval from 100k down to 60K on the older trucks 2005- 2015
Why did they reduce the fluid change interval ?
Too many warranty issues .

I can see the same thing happening for the 2016 models .
100k is far too long using the same WS fluid
The 100k statement is just a ploy so Toyota could avoid hefty environmental fees when they sell you the truck . No transmission fluid can go 100k in this day and age
Here is the proof
Normal fluid temperature in transmission to be 175 deg. F.

Rate of oxidation to double for each temperature increase of 20 deg F above normal (175 deg F). As oxidation rate doubles, useful life of fluid is cut in half.

At 175 deg F life is 100,000 miles
At 195 deg F (20 deg above 175) life is 50k miles
At 215 life is 25k miles
At 235 life is 12k
At 255 life is 6,250
At 275 life is 3,000
At 295 life is 1500
At 315 life is 750

At temperatures much above 300 deg F the metals in the transmission will tend to warp, twist etc. high temperatures causes the formation of varnish deposits which impair or pre vent transmission operation. This is when your transmission temp light illuminates

At a fluid temperature of 415 deg F fluid life is 30 minutes!

Source: Empire Lubricants Inc.

Again , you can read the latest information on the low fluid issue here
The first post is all you have to read
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...be-low-on-fluid-directly-from-factory.405642/

 

Are any of you all getting kickback from the dealers in regards to this issue?

 

My dealer doesn't want to check the fluid unless they can confirm the slipping. It's at their shop until Tuesday.

 

Um ...
Rather ... interesting ... question.

If you read some of the many posts about this problem, you would have learned that the dealers really do not want to check the ATF ... at least, not using the correct procedure(s). So far, I have seen NO reports that a dealer admitted to the problem before performing the test. They all seem to say, "I have never heard of that".

Their problem might be their concern with payment. It takes time to do the test correctly. For instance, my dealer was reticent to do the test, but ... lets say ... there were ways of convincing the maintenance folks to do it. Since the ATF was low, they were able to bill Toyota Corporate for the time and materials. But, what if a truck's ATF is not low, or they merely checked the (nonexistent) dip stick? Then, who pays for the time?

You might have noticed some posts wherein the TW member offered the dealership an option ... something like "check it, and if it is not low, I'll pay". Then, watch them check it (from an OSHA-safe vantage point) . That could be one option. There are other ways to help assure cooperation, as well

 

They hooked it to the computer and test drove it, according to them the slippage was within the limits, they never actually confirmed the level of the fluid. After doing the check and topping it off to the proper level myself I can tell a big difference in the shifting and smoothness of the trans.

 

Maybe I spoke too soon. Mine still had a delay today when going from rev to fwd when cold. But correct amount of fluid is in there, so that's all that matters.

 

Did you have it checked or did you do it yourself?

 

My transmission isn't necessarily slipping, but when I'm going uphill between 30-35mph I usually experience some stuttering in the low RPMs. The sensation can be compared to switching into a higher gear too early on a manual transmission. Could low transmission fluid be the cause of this? Anyone experience a similar issue?

 

Just as suspected, my 2016 DCSB w/ tow package was between 3/4 to 1 quart low.