Low transmission fluid level

This has got to be the case, truck wouldn't move with 1/4 of the capacity in it if just being a little low affects shifting.

 

You have not looked very hard...there are several

here's one https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/3rd-gen-transmission-fluid-level-check.410615/page-13

 

I had mine checked at 500miles because of shifting strange and slow R-D and mine was 2qt low and now it shifts better and drives better but on cold starts there still is a delay from R-D so i dont know if its just the way the trans acts or what

 

FYI if the transmission was only 1/4 full the vehicle wouldn't move. That isn't enough fluid to bring it up to pressure to operate. I agree with the above that they likely drained the pan only.

 

I don't have a 2016 nor am I buying one in the near future but the thing that gets me is it seems Toyota has not notified the dealers of this issue. There has been many threads on here about members having to make a point of letting salesman or service dept know about this problem.

 

Pretty much just a salesman. I've only known on person who moved from being a line mechanic to service mananger to sales manager. Never known another GM with a wrench background other than hobbyist (which ain't all bad, better than pure sales)

Glad that worked out for you. Also, if he follows through with the 'all on the lot and all incoming', that will be good for their customers. And maybe you can encourage him to stir the pot at corporate.

 

Wonder who's responsible for filling these things at the factory, might be a disgruntled employee and Toyota hater, or some competitor auto company sent them to destroy...The legend of TACOMA

Or a rogue robot.

 

Mine has a delay but it's the slipping that worries me from 1-2 and sometimes 2-3

 

Good job OP - now get them to lube it for you! That may not have been done properly at the factory either.

 

I would just park outside the plant in my new truck with a big sign on the back that says "TOYOTA KILLS."

 

Damn, I need more lead time man.... It'll take me more than 4 days to get there..... that is IF my tranny lasts that long..!!

 

OK got the truck today! Drives great! I made them give me the paper work on it, it says it was a quart low. I plan on greasing the U joints myself over the weekend. 1/4 filled may have been BS? Just glad they got it handled for me, and I have documentation on it.

 

Where are these transmissions made? There is a plant near me that makes 2GR-FE engines and 6-speed transmissions

 

Not buying any of this B/S. First of all, service managers don't personally check anything unless there's a serious problem like a law suit or there's corporate involvement on a particular vehicle. Second, a 1/4 full, the transmission would whine and/or not get out of its own way.
Having said that, good luck pulling my other leg lol!

 

Having the same issue. Had checked twice

 

Cost savings for Toyota?

 

After reading all about the 3rd Gen transmission fill issues, as well as dealer push back to diagnose the problem....I jumped into it today.

I'm not sure if I would have noticed the transmission problems if it were not for this board. I probably would have just figured, this is how the new engine and tranny are....live with it. All the while doing certain damage to my vehicle. I prepared my story to maximize my potential for success getting the dealer to do the work. I just purchased my vehicle 3 weeks ago, a TRD Sport with tow package and a 5-vin, South Texas build.

With my story practiced, I started with the sales guy who sold me the vehicle. He was very helpful and energetic. I want to get this guy working for me and skip right to the service manager with my concern. It worked, we both walk into the service area and he flags down the manager. He assures me they will take care of the problem. 90 minutes go by and they tell me they are unable to duplicate the problems mentioned and I figure I am in for a fight. Next the man tells me the temp of the AT fluid is 180 and too hot to test but if I can give him the time to let it cool, he will check it the correct way. Excellent news. 5 hours later.....damn....he brings me the results. I was 1.5 quarts low!! He's pretty shocked but I tell him this is not unusual based on reports I found after researching the problem. With just over 700 miles on the truck, I'm confident I did not harm the vehicle, but I'm still going to call Toyota and voice my concern.

It was a wasted day off but I'm happy the problem was found and the dealer did not just blow off my concern and did the job right.

Big thanks to Charles Maund Toyota in Austin....very pleased I chose this dealership.
Maybe it's the placebo effect, but ride home did seem a bit smoother and less noticeable shifting.

If you have the Tow Package, I would get your vehicle checked ASAP!!

 

good to hear dealerships are finally falling in line with this particular issue.

 

Be prepared that the issues will continue. I still have all the same issues after mine was filled properly. IMO it's an engine, tranny mismatch. My dad has a 4banger no tow and notices all the same issues as me.

 

Please update us on any response that you get from Toyota. I've noticed the gear "hunting" on my 16 which I did not have on my 13 with 2nd gen engine/transmission. When I got the survey from Toyota to review my purchase, I did mention my concern about the engine/trans pairing and in particular my concern with transmission durability and wear over time. I've got around 3K on mine and have not gone to the dealership to request them to check the fluid. I am dreading the fight that it will surely take to get it done.

Thanks for posting this