Checking trans fluid

My 16 is acting like it is low on fluid. I took it in to get it checked and was told that it had to be under 96 degrees to check it so I would have to leave it over night. Is this true or is my dealer blowing smoke. If true, it's an idiotic design. It's bad enough that I can't check it myself...

 

it has to between 93-113 degrees.

 

They are not blowing smoke in order to properly check the fluid level the ATF temperature must be within the temperature range of 46°C (115°F) and 56°C (130°F). Refer to these threads so you can learn more about it:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/3rd-gen-transmission-fluid-level-check.410615/unread

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/how-to-drain-refill-automatic-transmission.63851/

 

It's the truth.

Be happy you found a dealer that actually knows how to
properly check it and is willing to do so.

 

I was going to have the tech check mine next Monday but I think I'll tell him not to bother. After all I bought a Toyota Tacoma for there reliability.

If it goes out I'll buy a Honda Accord.

 

It is interesting that there are literally 100 threads on auto tranny fluid being low. 1/2 quart is NOT really low; not when it holds 10.7 quarts with towing package and 10.5 quarts without.

I would always want my tranny to have the proper level, but I have yet to have a Toyota engineer verify that 1/2 quart low affects performance and longevity. I have the crazy tranny shifting above 65 mph, and my fluid level is full.

I am getting roughly 16 - 18 mpg on my TRD OR Auto at under 70 mph at 11,000 miles. I know many people are getting over 20 mpg on theirs. I just checked and my oil level is 1/2 quart low; if I top it off should I then get over 20 mpg?

 

Some dealers have the vacuum gear to test a hot transmission.... I found one near me that does so I'll be going there instead of waiting for the shit to cool down.

 

No way dude, it's a real problem. Lol. Especially if it is checked at the wrong temp you won't get a correct reading. I find it so funny that people on here complain about the shift points, have dealer add 1 or a 1/2 quart, BOOM so much better. That damn ECU gets pissed if you short him, circuit boards don't work if you're short on trans oil. Fact.

 

Thanks for the input folks. I will be trying to figure out what a dongle is so I can check my own. I hate owning stuff I can't even perform minor maintenance on...

 

This is interesting. The initial thought was that ones with tow package were low because the factory was not accounting for the cooler, however, if those are real world numbers (10.7 and 10.5), I don't see how that could be the issue. 2 tenths should not cause any problems at all. So, I am with you on this, 1/2 a quart does not seem like much when you look at the volume it holds.
But, there has been so many that say it drives and acts so much better once it has been topped off, how can this be explained?

Sorry OP, didn't mean to derail your thread, but, yes, it does need to be at the proper temp. and you should feel confident in that service dept. because it sounds like they know what they are doing, unlike other have experienced.

 

Placebo

 

Explain to everyone what this vacuum gear is to test these transmissions when they are hot???

 

There are also guys on here who swear that their K&N air filter makes their trucks faster, or running 91 octane their truck turned into a porsche, or that after an oil change their MPG increased 20%.

All the above and having a half quart added to the tranny speaks to placebo and nothing else.

 

dongle? just get a piece of wire or a paper clip, follow the directions that
are posted all over the place here and check it. Other than the proper ATF
to fill it should it be low, you don't need anything special.

 

literally works the same way for our Tacos

 

This. My truck has been at two different dealers twice this week. The first one couldn't replicate my problem (transmission acts up, truck shuts down). If the second dealer can't replicate the problem. I'm going back to an Accord.

 

You must have missed the part where this only applies to front wheel drive transaxles. If this would work for RWD Transmissions, I'm sure he would've clarified that, but he specifically noted Front wheel drive.

Do what you gotta do though..

 

Yep missed that ha

 

I wonder if some dealerships are clearing the short term memory on the tranny when they top it off? I was offered that service when they checked mine and it was full. I drive the same route almost everyday and the shifts are really ONLY happening when over 70 mph and on CRUISE.

Can you tell me how the ECU measures the amount of oil in the tranny? I would think an engineer would have some "reserve" oil just in case. If .2 of a quart makes the shift points and functioning change; it does not sound like an optimal solution.

 

The tech reset my trans ECU when they filled mine. low on 2qt so it would relearn