3rd Gen Transmission Fluid level Check

The tranny was slipping on my truck since the night I brought it home. "January 23". Saleman told me on Jan. 25 when I talked with him. Told me the transmission was in learning mode and this was normal. Yyyyyaaaaaa.

Finally got a chance to deal with this today after reading what others on this sight have been saying. So I started by calling the dealer I purchased the truck from. They would be able to get it in late next week or the following week. That won't work.

So I began calling dealers in Arkansas and Missouri and asking for the service advisor. Then asking if they have had any problems with low fluid level in tranny. After calling the 8th dealer which was 3 hours away, Bingo. Yes we have had two customers report this. I asked if they could check my truck out today. They said sure no problem bring it on up. So 3 hours later........

The dealer let me watch the tech do the check and it was over 1 quart low. He also reset the transmission computer. I watched him do this also along with checking the u joints which were fine. Truck drives great now. Just hope the low fluid doesnt hurt tranny. Mine had 2478 on it this morning and now has 6 hours worth of driving on it today. Will put 900 miles on it Sunday night into Monday when going to work. Hopefully this is all done now. 3 weeks later my truck finally is driving like it should.

Here is a picture of the work done. Dealership is Joe Machens in Columbia Missouri. Didn't even buy the truck there and they were more helpful than the dealer I purchased my truck from.

By the way my bill was ZERO for them to check the tranny fluid and fill. Hope this helps.

 

I have a Subaru Crosstrek 13. After my service of 15,000 miles, the service advisor mentioned about replacing the differential fluid next time I come in. Thought it was odd, so I went online saw where guys were finding out their front differentials were short a quart. So I changed it and sure enough I was short a quart of differential fluid. I'm guesting when the manufacturer is doing thousands of these, you save quite of bit $$$ by short changing a couple of ounces of fluid. Sad you pay thousands for a new car/truck and they try to save a couple of pennies!

 

One other thing you can do if the dealer doesn't check your fluid is. Go and buy factory fluid atleast two quartz. Take it to another shop like amco or whatever you choose pay them to check your fluid. Now if it is low have them install how ever much is needed . and have the tech add good notes for what he found. Save all your receipts and take them to the service manager and tell him what you have been complaining about yet nothing has happened when you brought your vehicle to Toyota. Let him see what the receipts say. Tell him you want Toyota to pay for all this. I know people have done it before when I worked for Toyota. But also make sure it solved the problem lol.

 

This is mostly repetition .
All the information can be found in my low fluid poll
I am trying my best to keep the information as relevant and accurate as possible .
There are soo many low on fluid posts scattered throughout Tacoma World to read , I have a hard time keeping up.
If you have new information that may help others , please post at the link below .
I update this thread daily just as I did with the low fluid poll for the 2nd gen trucks

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...be-low-on-fluid-directly-from-factory.405642/

 

It may be repetition but, if it helps someone get their truck fixed and not cost them anything. As it should since its under warranty. I feel its worth it.

I really wanted a 1 ton Dodge diesel but, bought another Tacoma because the local Dodge dealer cant seem to fix my wifes car. They told my wife there's nothing wrong. BS.

Same Dealer.
A buddy of mine took his Dodge to the same dealer for transmission problems and was told there's nothing wrong. Left the service department to trade it in on another car. When evaluating his trade and taking it on a test drive. Dealer said the transmission is slipping. Buddy said, Your service dept. says theirs nothing wrong! Just an example.

I've bought atleast a dozen new cars and trucks. Some are great and some are POS.

Atleast with this site I was able to figure out what was wrong with my new truck. Thanks to Tacoma World!

 

So many Sealership Service Depts blow you off. Then after the warranty is up, they want to charge you just to look at.

 

billybob50 Your exactly right!

 

I did mine today and mine was about 3/4 of a quart low. I originally put half a quart in, but when I checked it the first time, nothing came out of the overflow, so I had to pump more fluid in.

My observations with regards to putting the 3rd gen in temp mode. The day before I drove the truck around, and when I got home I practiced putting the truck in temp mode. When I did, the "D" indicator on the dash came on, and kept flashing (because the fluid was to warm and out of range).

When I put the truck in temp mode this morning when it was cold, the "D" appeared for 2 seconds then disappeared. I put it in park and the the dash did not show a "P". After the truck idled for a while, the "D" appeared and stayed on.

So I'm assuming, if the "D" comes on, and then goes away, the transmission fluid is below temp, and if the "D" comes one, and flashes, then the fluid is above temp.

The truck drives a lot better. It doesn't clunk into gear anymore and the truck drives a lot smoother.

 

Official Toyota procedures are here: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...rocedure-for-2016.415389/page-2#post-11808217

 

I took my 2016 to Buena Park Auto nation for the trans acting up, down shift from 3rd to 2nd gear with quite a jolt, specially when hot in stop and go traffic.
Their response: "could not replicate complaint"
The advisor re assured me they checked the fluid level...
But purchased 2 Qts of fluid while I was there anyway.

I checked it myself this morning and ended up adding nearly a quart before the "check" opening begun to drip...

I know I'm not returning to that dealer again.

-Oz

 

I am also experiencing similar issue with mine. So the SA re-assured you that the tranny fluid was checked, and he didn't tell you it was low? Man, these dealership...they are unbelievable. I am planning on taking mine to AutoNation Toyota in Cerritos this coming weekend.

So after you checked and added the tranny fluid yourself, did you notice the difference in the rough downshift when coming to a stop in stop-and-go traffic?

Thanks!

 

So far I have not been able to replicate the issue, but the real test will be in my commute to/from work, Orange Co. 405FWY...
I'll post the end result.
By the way the cost of the fluid is over $10 a quart. No big deal in the big picture, but I already paid $34K for my TRD...
-Oz

 

Yes, please keep us posted. I will bring mine in to have the dealership check this weekend. Hopefully, they would check it.

 

Taking mine in tomorrow morning. I worked there and the advisor is a great friend of mine and I know the tech that will work on it. He and I worked together at Toyota. So hopefully I'll Know more by the afternoon.

 

My truck came today fresh off the truck I was told to come on down by the time I get there it would be ready for delivery upon getting to the dealer they say sorry sir but your truck has to have a transmission computer update before we can let you to take it was told I could get my truck on Thursday also they checked the ATF and it was 1.5 quarts low glad they didn't let me drive it away damage would almost certainly accured what's a few more days to have it preform as intended

 

Just curious what dealership are you talking about?

 

I find it interesting in that most have been <1 QT. low on fluid, in my case .7 QT
If this makes the difference, to what tolerances are they designing this transmissions.
In the old days, you could be a full quart low; not recommended but the trans wouldn't act up.
As an engineer I like to design with as much margin for error as I can; err on the safe side w/o overdesign.

 

Modesto Toyota

 

If you get an ATF software update can you please try to get a TSB or update number?

 

The only one I'm aware of relates to trucks with the 4-cyl engine. Here's the TSB.