3rd Gen Transmission Fluid level Check

Man...!!!!

You win the contest...unless you cheated and drained some before going to the dealer....!!

You are now the "King"..."Numero uno" ... Here's your trophy.... can anyone beat this...???

 

Crazy! What arrogance to expect that fluid levels and such be checked so that everything with your truck be fully functional.

 

I was not expecting it to go as well as it did when I brought it up. Let's be honest, I don't want some guy following me around watching me do my job either... so I was expecting some kind of kick back.

But - the sales person, service manager and service tech I had were all super understanding and willing to work with me to make sure I was satisfied with the integrity of the truck before it left the dealership. Yes, of course they were being extra understanding because I had yet to put a dime down on the truck and they wanted to sell a vehicle, but with that aside, everyone involved (minus the sales manager) was incredibly professional and understanding. Shout out to Koons Toyota of Annapolis.

I'm very satisfied with my purchase. And so far, the truck is running great. My only complaint is that it shudders a bit while braking from about 20-10mph. Smooth from 60-20, then shudders a bit, then smooths out as it comes to a full stop. No idea what that is about... working on figuring it out.

 

Not sure if you meant should instead.

Either way, I highly recommend you contact TC so you can have it all documented. This was another reason why I didn't check it on my own right away; although I was prepared to resort to it. My tranny feels good now and hope there was no premature wear from the low fluid.

 

So I am having some of the same issues in my 16. I am dropping it off tomorrow night to be checked in the morning and I cannot be there. I have seen some suggest to paint the overflow cap underneath the tranny. I assume this means just making sure that there is a bead of paint somewhere where the cap connects so I can tell if it has at least been unscrewed. Am I right? Any other ideas to tell if they actually do it? I also have another issue where when I stop I get a jolt which feels like I was rear ended slightly, sometimes not so slightly. Are you guys thinking that is a transmission issue also?

 

My granny is missing her overflow cap

 

Gotta keep Granny well lubed at her old age. Edited original post. Just got a new phone. I'm off to change my auto correct settings.

 

My '16 does the same thing (assuming we're talking about the same thing). It's the transmission downshifting to assist with braking.

 

Glad to know there is at least one decent dealer. I remember the first Koon's dealership which was a Ford in Seven Corners, VA near Arlington, that was a few years ago and then some!

Hmmm ..... that maybe some words of wisdom to follow.

 

Finally had mine checked properly at the 3rd dealer I went to Thursday before last.Little over a quart low,after that it had been great ,or so I thought.Reverse to drive hesitation was gone,cruise control worked much better.This morning I had the worst r to d hesitation I had ever experienced,solid 4 to 5 seconds.Been driving Toyotas since 1986,still have my 16 yr old Tundra in the barn,this is really bumming me out.

 

Still having issues after dealer topped off fluid ?
4 to 5 seconds is still too long . 2 seconds minimum on a cold transmission going from reverse to drive with your foot on the brake while you move the shifter . Too many people on this site do not come to a complete stop before selecting forward or reverse . A serious no no .
have you read through the poll ? Can you answer that the dealer checked the fluid properly .
How many miles on your truck before they topped the transmission fluid off ?
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...be-low-on-fluid-directly-from-factory.405642/

 

Just weighing in here. Thank you, thank you, to all who posted information and knowledge on this issue!
2016 DCSBOR non-tow package 3500 miles.
Having cold soak R-D hesitation which actually feels like a double trans bump at engagement about a second apart. Shuddering or nibbling around 34-45. Constant downshifts at highway speed double downshifts even. Cruise will not normally re-engage 6th. Banging up shifts, banging downshifts, the 2nd to 3rd flare, but not as bad as some I've seen posted. And the feeling of driveline slack in traffic is pretty aggressive.

Checked my fluid tonight using the jumper, shift sequence and a 5mm Allen wrench. I got a max of 5 drips. Then nothing. From what I understand, drips are residual in the tube. I should have a steady trickle if it's filled correctly.
Please stop me if I'm wrong on that part.

Next part of the questions. I'm going to the dealership in the morning. Do I play it all out front that I checked and it's low, or keep cards close to the vest and see if they'll just go ahead and check it? I took video of me removing the plug and getting nothing. And of the trans shift indications showing I was in the temp range.
Again, thank you all.

 

Hey there Mr Gus .
Great information and diagnostic wording . Almost sounds like you are a transmission tech lol .
Judging by your explanation , I am going to agree that you are low on fluid .
You could always smear some paint on the oveflow plug to justify they removed it .

 

Here's an update on my situation...Called an independent shop explaining my woes of dealing with the dealerships who don't want to help, or can't trust them. Indie shop said that was ridiculous and would feel bad taking my money to check the trans fluid on a brand new truck and gave me a contact that he was friends with at a Toyota dealership. Called that guy and he ended up being the service manager. Calmly explained my frustration and symptoms I'm experiencing. He said it was the darnedest thing because one of his employees just bought a '16 Tacoma and was just that morning complaining to him that the transmission just wasn't right, and the symptoms he was describing were almost identical. Based on that he told me to bring the truck in first thing Tuesday and he would for sure check the trans fluid both diagnostically and physically. I'm also going to request they reset the ECU. Hoping this will be the end of this fiasco.

 

Yeah thanks. I was never a trans tech but I've wrenched a bit and worked in the auto industry. I am most certainly going to paint-pen all my fluid check points. I read your post with the survey. I've called corporate, but now I'm going to call again. We've got 2 dealerships nearby, so if the closer one runs me around I'm hitting the other as well.

 

correct!!! now add fluid until a steady trickle ..

 

Truck is in the shop again for tranny issues and rebooting radio when raining. I have two or more cases open now and the service manager just bought one and is having the same issues plus the howling sound. Said he will be following my case personally. They asked to keep it overnight again.

 

Just posted a new thread.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/transmission-only-1-4-filled-from-factory.425507/#post-12178861

 

The service manager at a dealership is also personally handling my transmission issues as well after one of his employees started having the same issues with his new '16.

 

The best thing to come out of all this is it forced me to shop around for a dealership willing to help. After talking to three different service managers, I had a clear winner for all of my future service needs.

I was 1.5 quarts low and the technician admitted to me that every single one with a tow package are low. He expects to see a bulletin soon.