Low transmission fluid level

Anytime, was nice meeting you, nice truck!
And if any other members need checking, or any work, install, etc...hit me up!

 

Finally got my fluid checked for real!

Went to a different dealership, explained my frustration with my previous experience, they wrote it up for me and actually checked it, no charge. Turns out I was good to go regardless.

This is what my check plug looked like before any dealer touched it:

and after the first try, when the first dealer said they just "cleaned it up really thoroughly so I couldn't tell"


When I picked it up from dealer #2:

Hey look, evidence of work! It smelled a little of ATF, and I could even see that the witness mark was still partially on the bolt but completely gone from the pan.

I guess I shouldn't be so elated that a dealership did work as requested, but hey, I can finally put this to bed.

 

They just read the forums here so they cleaned it off and claimed they checked it. Lol

 

If they did that, I'm impressed by the level of theatrics that went into it...

 

I had asked to have my atf checked at toyota of clovis on tuesday. I left it overnight and when i got it back, i didn't see on the receipt of either atf checked or adjusted. It just read "all fluids inspected and topped off". I didn't have enough time to discuss because i was on my way to work. Will like to have it checked with dealer #2.

 

I wanted to update everyone on my progress..
Dropped the truck off to Charles Maund Toyota of Austin TWICE to have them look at the ATF. Specifically asked them to do it... they didn't.

One visit to Round Rock Toyota and they have it taken care of noting that it was 1.1 low.

No more clunking when shifting I'm a happy guy.

Pics below

Visit 1... low fluid suspicion



visit 2 low fluid and 5k service they said they could replicate it... I'd also like to mention their test drive was about 2 miles long


Visit 3 at another dealer and it gets taken care of post haste.

 

Had my truck stall out on me today on an off ramp, turns out the tranny fluid was low 2 quarts. Yes 2 QUARTS! Filled me up, checked her out, no fuss, no muss. Awesome service at my dealership.

 

A tech at my local dealer here in western Massachusetts told me about this today. He even showed me a seal... Suggested it could be happening during assembly.

 

Alright, we need to talk! I bought mine at Charles Maund. That concerns me. Just got mine, so far no issues. I got better deal at Maund than RR.

 

Is there any logic is warming up the vehicle and with a IR Thermometer shooting the Transmission pan to get to the 104-113 testing range to see if my fluid is low? Anyone try this?

 

Will be picking up my 2017 TRD sport sometime next week. When they call me to come pick it up, will they check the ATF for me if I ask?

 

Not likely. Not the full procedure required to check a sealed trans. It's a couple hours process. They'll probably tell you they checked it because they'll just hook it up to their little diagnostic computer and it will say the level Is normal. However that's not the most appropriate method

 

I see. I guess my best bet would be to wait and see if I experience any problems or possibly just ask them to check at my 5k service.

 

Have you read up on the Low Transmission Fluid thread by GearCruncher? The very first post has attachments for the transmissions and the PDF document showing the proper procedure for checking the fluid level. He also goes into great detail on how to get them to check it, why it's important to have it checked, as well as his personal and professional experience with this stuff. Dude is a transmission guru and we're lucky folks like him take the time to share their knowledge here with us. If you want the link or cannot find it on your own, I will search for it and post it here. Let me know.

 

When you test drive it check and see if there is a lag in the transmission when shifting from reverse to drive. If there is then there is a problem that needs to be checked out. If you tell them you won't take delievery until the check the fluid due to this issue and the known issue with other Tacomas, I think they will check it right away!

 

If you haven't signed final delivery paperwork yet, I'd tell them as part of the delivery you will require them to perform the transmission fluid inspection in accordance the the Toyota Procedure (which you can print and bring with you) also I would tell them you want to watch them perform the procedure. If you are nice about it, but tell them this is a concern of yours and so it's very important to you, it's really no skin off their back to appease you. They're already making money off of you. Make them give you what you want...

 

Excellent idea...putting the sales department on the offensive to work for you! Love it!

 

Question for those that have done the proper transmission fluid check. Can you just add like 2 or 3 quarts of Transmission fluid and leave the overflow drain plug open. Do the internal temp check and let the car warm up to the right temperature. What ever drains out by the time it warms should be the right amount of transmission fluid? Does that seem easier to do?

 

Yeah, that would work, but it would kinda be a waste of fluid.

Also be aware that the truck needs to be running when you open the drain plug because a running transmission sucks up some into the passageways, yadda yadda.

 

This post isn't necessarily in direct response to Jin's post, but a response for all TW readers. After my experience with Toyota and their customer service, or lack thereof, in response to my former 2016 Tacoma's myriad of issues, I have owned my last Toyota for the foreseeable future. That being said, if I knew someone that was going to purchase a new Tacoma I would STRONGLY urge them to demand the selling dealership perform an actual manual check of the ATF level before they signed any final paperwork.

The 2016 Tacoma I owned for 8,500 short miles exhibited transmission issues, among many other issues, and the selling dealership would not check the ATF level. So I went to a different dealership and told them to check it, and if it was full I would pay for the fluid level check. Low and behold, it was low and I have a service receipt as proof. I drove from that dealership directly to the selling dealership and procured a copy of the Pre-Delivery Inspection Sheet that clearly indicates the truck's "ATM" fluid level (This paperwork uses a different acronym for the transmission fluid. Just another way for Toyota to deny they have an issue with the "ATF" fluid level in any of their vehicles) was OK.

The fact is easily understood and clear. Either the dealership that discovered the transmission fluid was low lied, or the selling dealership lied when they stated the ATM fluid level was ok on the sell date. Not to mention a Service Advisor at the selling dealership stated my fluid level was "OK" when I accepted the truck back following a service appointment on 03/14/2016.

Apparently the truck developed a leak between 03/14/2016 and 03/28/2016, when the transmission fluid level was determined to be low.

At any rate, I STRONGLY suggest anyone . . . of the mindset they must have a new Tacoma . . . to NOT do so until it is proven the transmission is not low on transmission fluid.