How to check the level and condition of my 2013 Takoma TDR?

I'm reading it right now.

 

Ok. I read the instruction. So, what I'm going to do is: Connect the Autel scanner to the vehicle port. Start the truck. Wait until the temperature rich 97-115 F. Go under the truck. Open the overflow plug. If nothing goes out add 0.400 liter of Toyota fluid or until fluid goes out from the overflow plug... All these must be done with the engine running on the idle park.
Is that correct?

 

yes

 

The fluid went out from the overflow plug. Not a lot just about 10 drops but it definitely went out. Also, the truck is parked on the driveway and there is a small level up where the engine is. But the color is not really red. The truck has 135k mi. I believe that the previous owner didn't change the transmission fluid ever.
I'm having had this Tacoma for a couple of months already. The truck runs well. The reason to start this check is that the truck has some vibration when accelerating the speed between 35 and 45mph. the vibration then disappears. I had expect much more smooth running and fast acceleration. This 6-cylinder 4-wheel drive.

 

no, you won't know until you unscrew the fluid check plug while the trans. pan temp. is in the correct range.

 

Well, is there anybody to help me to understand what is the condition of this transmission fluid level? As I said when the fluid temperature riched 115 degrees I opened the overflow plug with the engine running and there were about 10 drops out of the hole. Do I need to add any fluid? Or this level is ok? Just wondering...

 

Probably should add a bit, it should trickle out of the check hole if it's full. You will always get a few drops when you take the plug out because it accumulates in the tube when the truck is off.

 

Thanks, Dm93! Do I need to do a full change of the transmission fluid? It's dark. How do you look at this full fluid replacement of the fluid with a vacuum pump? The local dealership offers this service. Is it safe? The truck has 135k mi.
Thanks!!

 

If done correctly a full fluid evacuation will not harm the truck.
Correctly being the key word.
I’d recommend a pan drop, filter replacement, and refill the fluid.
Then another drain and fill @175k and each 50k-60k there after.

A simple drain and fill would ok if the transmission is running fine.
But I’d prefer the filter be replaced at least every 100k or sooner.

 

Thanks, ThShooter! I don't have any information about the quality of the work that these guys here are performing. So, I'll go to pan drop and filter replacement. Is the filter visual after the pan is removed?

 

If you plan on going that route, read this thread here. This describes the work and parts needed to drop the pan and replace the filter/ strainer. Temp check procedure is the exact same after you are done the work.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...e-2nd-gen-transmission-pan-and-filter.726329/

It is worth noting your 35-45mph vibrations are probably not caused by the transmission. Personally I would suspect a worn out carrier bearing first.

 

Yes. It it is visible.
See the link @SR-71A provoded above.

BE CAREFUL when reinstalling the filter bolts. It is INCH lbs.

 

Well, I think it is not the carrier bearing, because when I'm driving on the hiway and move the stick to Neutral the vibration is gone. It appears only with the gas pedal pressed. So, it is trany or engine(my poor opinion)

 

Yes, I was wondering. Is it 84 inch/lbs?

 

Correct 84 Inch lbs. or 7 ft/lbs.
Unless you have a good quality 1/4” torque wrench, you might be better of going by hand.
Cheap(er) quality INCH lbs wrenches are notorious for being inaccurate. Breaking a bolt off, or worse stripping the threads, is not something you want to do inside the transmission.

Wipe the threads CLEAN of any fluid before reinstalling the bolts.
Oil/transmission fluid will change to torque value.

 

Well, I used just one cheap wrench. Bought it from China Freight
Finished all jobs today. Wasn't easy to work under the truck in front of my house...Instead, to clean the filter I bought a kit from Advance Auto Parts - filter, pan gasket, and o-ring for $65. Installed new gasket and new filter. Was able to drain about 4qts. of the old fluid - it was really dark! Refilled with 5qts. Toyota ws. It took me about 4 hrs to do it including the temperature level check. This time the fluid streamed down from the overfill plug, not a lot but not just drops like last time.
But the vibration remains the same. It looks like the engine is suffering. Wondering if some spark plug is defective. It happens only when I press the gas pedal and accelerate the speed. In the idle position, the engine runs smoothly.
Is it possible to check that with Autel 806 scanner? I don't have an Owner Manual book for this scanner. Is there anybody with experience with this device?
Thanks for any help!!

 

That could be one of your u joints going. Might want to check them as well for play.

 

35 mph seems a bit lower for it to converter related.
But try driving in 4th, see if the problem is still there.
These trucks have issues with the torque converter going bad.

 

Do you mean on 4th speed like about 60mph?
Or, do you have in mind 4 wheel drive position?

 

Does it still have a vibration in 4th gear.
Put the shifter in 4 position.