If Anyone is Still Interested in Transmission Level Threads...

I got my transmission fluid level checked today on my automatic at the dealership. I'm currently at only 1,000km on the odometer.

To be honest, if I had never come on this forum I never would have even thought there was anything to complain about with the transmission. But, seeing so many people complain I wanted to get it checked as a precaution. I haven't noticed any real problems other than the delay shifting from R to D when cold.

I started by writing an email to the service manager saying that I don't really have any big problems, I've just read online that a lot of people do. He told me to bring it in the next day, no charge to check it. He even detailed to me that they would bring it to the correct temp and then pull the overflow plug (not a diagnostic scan).

So they checked it, and it was one liter low, and then topped it up.

Short test drive home and I am amazed how much of a difference that liter made. At normal acceleration, I can hear it shift, I can see the needle move, but I can barely even feel it.

Dealer write up for info....

 

I am, unfortunately. Took mine in due to hesitation from r to d. They added some fluid or said they did. Thought it was better, but it's not. On my way now for second visit. First time I went with two issues and had to wait for a part. So whatever.

I am dropping off overnight so hopefully the late engagement can be "recreated." Today after work I swear it didn't fully engage into drive until it rolled 10 ft.

I really hope this gets resolved or I am going to be upset. It's ok if no one is around, but when backing out downtown into moving traffic it is unacceptable.

 

Your tranny fluid is low. Make sure when you drop it off that they do the reverse to forward in the morning, insist on it!

 

Please add to the poll . I try to keep up with all the low fluid posts and update the first page on the post as fresh information comes in . There are at minimum , 7 new low fluid posts per week on average . Makes it difficult to keep up
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...be-low-on-fluid-directly-from-factory.405642/

 

Tech only got paid .5 when it pays .7 or 1.0 depended on what op code it used. No wonder nobody wants to check fluid at the dealer

 

Added to the poll. Didn't know the numbers were that high, 60% seems excessive.

 

0.5 isn't worth pulling it in when I have stacks of RO's that actually pay.. But Im just another asshole tech. Manufacturers really need to take a look at how they pay.

 

Not to put down a tech, but why is it that the tech's are dictating what is covered on our vehicles? I bought my truck from the dealership, whom represents Toyota. I tried to get my fluid checked and the tech refused because he wouldn't get paid. I'm not condoning he work for free, but that is something the dealership needs to own and make right. I ended having to add fluid to both diffs and my tranny - on my dime

 

Are they checking them as part of PDI now?

 

No way would I have done that. I would take it all the way to the GM at the dealer if need be.

 

What do you do for a living? How about you work for an hour or more and I'll pay you for a 1/2 hour of your time.

 

This is interesting. Never really thought about it, but I agree with you. The manufacturers should pay the same as a customer would pay if this was an out of warranty issue.

So as I understand it the manufacturer is paying the tech too little for the job or the customer is paying too much? Or is it like most things where the answer lies somewhere in the middle?

 

It depends on MFR, but they usually pay 30-60% of whatever the customer pay labor time is. Customer pay time is pretty close to as long as a job will take with the proper skill set. So techs basically lose money working on warranty work.

Don't get me wrong, I can see the customer point of view. They bought a truck, it has warranty, and they want it fixed.

I just like to play devil advocate on the side of the tech's since I seem to be the only one on these forums.

 

Example: we are doing valve cover recalls on 98-04 GM 3.8l's. Customer pay time is 1.5 hours. They are paying us 0.5 hours to do them. And I had to buy a $50 socket just to get them done efficiently on top of the $500+ in tools the job requires to make time.

 

This is all news to me, I've always just operated on the assumption that techs get paid for the hours they actually work.

Nice to hear from the other side for once for some perspective.

 

all dealer techs should quit and then watch the forums cry. until you sign my check, I'll prioritize however I want. Don't like it, go to the next dealer.

 

Learn something new everyday. I was for sure under the impression techs got paid by the hour. No wonder they are frustrated by people bringing intermittent problems that can't be duplicated. I had heard that people had trouble getting warranty work done but I never really knew why.

Would the techs be happier if the manufacturer paid the book time? Seems like it, and it seems that the dealer wouldn't loose money either.

Of course Toyota or other manufacturers would lose some coin. Hmm...

 

Does it help if customers with low fluid call corporate and open a case ? Seems to me that this would be the proper channel to follow ?

 

I've spent the last 25 years working in the technical support (IT) business. Currently, I manage a service relationship between my company and others that pay millions of dollars a year for service. I routinely have to bridge what customers expect/want vs what our organization is able to deliver against; not to mention contractually obligated. I also have to get involved when we drop the ball. Toyota corporate is on our list of customers. I'm not suggesting you work for free, but the system itself is broken. The dealership (and Toyota) has the responsibility to ensure customers are properly taken care of, and they have that same responsibility to their staff. I'm sure you're an honest, hard working individual that needs to take care of himself and possibly a family. Behavior is influenced by how an individual is compensated - it's human nature. Toyota needs to rethink their method such that the outcome facilitates customer and employee satisfaction

 

Looks like you need to tip, or bribe your tech to take your truck for transmission fluid check.