3rd Gen Transmission Fluid level Check

My Trd OR 2wd does it. Definitely not right man.

 

hmm. Wonder why its an add on pay item in Canada. There is no extra cost for it here. I didnt pay any extra for it

 

Pulling the jumper cable is the step I was missing in the process. When I did that the D indicator on the dash came on after it warmed up. The tran eventually took ~24oz. of fluid before it started to run out of the overflow. Another example of a tran with low fluid. Mine is a TRD OR with tow package.

 

Don't know if this is the right tread for this but .... my SR5 4x4 Access Cab finally arrived at my dealer and I told the salesman before I pick it up I wanted the transmission fluid checked & the U joints checked for grease to which he said no problem. On the way today to pick it up I get a call from my salesman and he said the service people told him "the Tacoma transmission are a sealed unit and don't need to be checked". My response was WTF they are BSing you and proceeded to give him a short lecture on the Tacoma automatic transmission. To his credit he said if you want to wait a day or two I'll take back to the service department but I said no if the gears turn to molten metal now or 100,000 miles from now the repair will be on your dime!

After Coming home and doing some mod work on the truck the more I thought about this the more PO'ed I got. So I composed a email saying I requested this service which you are paid to do by Toyota as part of the PDI, pre-delivery inspection, and you failed to do it. That I'm sure they are more then aware of the problems that some Tacoma's have had due to low transmission fluid from the factor. That it's a bald face lie to tell your salesman and me the transmission fluid lever can't be checked because it's a sealed unit. That if they need further enlightenment I added the url to this thread for their reading enjoyment. Lastly I told them they are on notice and liable for any transmission damage that may develop now and or in the future and at minimum when my 5000 mile check up rolls around I expect them to check the fluid level in the transmission and the grease in the U joints as they should of before I picked the vehicle up.

Sent my warm note off to the head of their service department and my so called service 'consultant'. It will be interesting to see what and when they reply if at all and if don't oh well their is always the dealership owner that I can send this email to since I saved it!

 

I asked my dealer to check the atf level in my 2016 OR one day when i was there to have some accessories put on. Im not sure they actually did. Salesman said that it wasnt full to the very top, but was good to go. I have the R-D hang up, holding a lower gear after pulling a grade, and the 3-4 shift is almost always early and results in going back into 3rd. Took it to another dealer today with that info and they said that's just how it is; the computer did not throw any codes. Said they drove another truck from their lot and it was the same, and their familiarization courses said the new trans would do these things, all this after telling the service writer and manager about all the tow package trucks having these symptoms and often times being significantly low on atf. Guess I have to top it off myself, jesus I didn't think it would be this hard.

 

I think the following line is indication they did not as I don't see how one could make this determination on this type of transmission "Salesman said that it wasnt full to the very top, but was good to go." It is either to the proper level or it is not.

 

Dear Toyota... simplify life and bring back the dip stick.

 

Is everyone that checked their own trans fluid replacing the gasket, and oring on the fill plug, and check plug? If so what are the part numbers for those? Going to check my own fluid this next weekend. Not really having any trans problems but need the piece of mind that its full.

 

Thanks, i had even already looked over that to verify that the diff, and transfer case gaskets were the same as the 2nd gen.

 

Ok thanks ill call the local dealer tomorrow to verify they have them in stock and if not trdparts has them but they want $7 to ship two gaskets

 

I assume this is the thermostat that needs to be pinned? And does the interior of the check plug appear to be cracked? Also do i need to pin the thermostat prior to entering the trans temp mode or after it has entered that mode? Does it heat up soo quickly that you only have a few minutes to do the check before having to let it cool down? Sorry to ask sooo many questions.

 

That is an accurate statement in the USA all NEW Toyota's have 2yrs 25000 miles Toyota care

 

I pinned mine and loosened the fill and check plugs where I could get them out without a wrench. Worked great especially with the exhaust there. Some guys add a 1/2-1 quart and then just pull the check plug until it drips/dribbles. It really only takes a few minutes to check if you get prepared. Not sure how fast it goes out of range, but I watch for the D and jump out as soon as it comes on, spent 2-4 minutes under there and still had time. Put a fan on the pan to cool it much quicker if you have to do it more than once.

 

One last question lol what is everyone using for the jumper wire ?

 

Checking transmission fluid on Tacoma's

 

Ha, but believe it or not most cars are like this now.

 

Well i grew a pair and cut a wire and got my truck into trans check mode just to make sure i understood how to do it. For those of you that put a quart or more in and then checked it did you add the quart prior to warming up the truck? This sounds like a great idea being able to avoid dodging the hot exhaust but also seems like it could build pressure in the system being overfilled prior to pulling the check plug? I like to do all my own maintenance, but also dont like to mess things up. Appreciate all the help.

 

Ok thanks thats probibly the route ill go so you did not pin the thermostat? Or are you just stating that the toyota in instructions dont tell yout to do so

 

I'd suggest you pin it... isn't that the whole idea.....to get the fluid circulating throughout the system...??? If you don't pin, you may still be low, if there is any air in there..?? Just saying. When I do mine, I'll pin it for sure.

 

I believe Gearcruncher said something like the stat will NOT open under normal operating temps.....He says it opens only when the tranny is near 200deg.?? Not sure on the temp.