Low transmission fluid levels in trucks with tow package

I Thought I'd start a thread to see if others have experienced this issue.
I've been having some wierd intermittent shift issues with my truck for some time, finally followed up on this with a warranty complaint at the dealer yesterday.
On my test drive with the tech, he informed me the trans was almost a quart low, which in my experience can cause these issues, as well as a shorter life span for the trans.
I believe the problem stems from several factors, the first one being the added trans cooler, which coincedently holds just under a quart of fluid.
The other factor, I believe is the difficulty of checking the trans fluid level, I don't think it's being checked during the dealer prep.

Since having the fluid level checked and topped up, the truck seems to shift better, and I haven't experienced the wierd shifting problem.

Anybody else have an experience with low trans fluid with a tow package?

 

Lots of folks across second and third gen.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...is-low-on-fluid-directly-from-factory.312718/


https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/dealer-indicates-16-tacomas-w-tow-pkg-often-have-low-transfluid.407484/#post-11444503

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/transmission-slipping-when-cold-and-after-reverse.408895/

 

Thanks James!
IMHO Toyota should put out a tsb on this issue!
I worked as a dealer tech years ago, rebuilding trans, and heavy line work.
Running a trans low on fluid causes premature wear, and obviously other issues as well!

 

Agreed.

Maybe in 10 years.

 

4th Gen

 

Well folks. Just had my 2016 TRD 4x4 fluid checked. 1.5 quarts low. See if the transmission quirks end. No excuse for this! Make sure you keep a copy of the work order for your records in case the tranny fails in the future.

 

Did you have to leave your truck overnight ?@Old School

I have asked my local dealer a couple times during other Tsb work/oil changes and the trans temp was never low enough for them to check it.

I also have tow package, and only sometimes have some rough shifting.

 

Have an appt to have my checked tomorrow with my 10k service. Going to ask them to address the excessive wind noise coming through my door seal.

 

Mine shifts harder than i like it. Since she has to go in for some body repair I am going to ask if they will check it while its there.

 

Well my 2015 seems to hesitate a little after I am moving and when the AT goes to shift. It's just a slight pause and then it shifts. It may be normal and just me from reading post like this. Anyway next time I go in for my last free oil change I'm going to have them check.

 

My 2005 was low by a little less than a quart when I flushed the transmission. It was not shifting bad before the flush, but it definitely was smoother afterwards with fresh fluid at the correct level.

 

I have a 2014 with tow package. After reading about all this, and as I was shopping for the trailer I ultimately bought couple months ago, I decided to go through the process of checking it. Got a quart of Toyota ATF, pump, and did the whole process of setting a jumper wire and warming up the transmission to proper check temp. I wound up adding just around 1/3 quart. I think it's shifting a little smoother, used to get a little clunk sometimes when it shifted from 1st to 2nd when accelerating only moderately. But it's nice to have the peace of mind knowing that it's right, now that I'm regularly flogging it by hauling a ton and a half trailer up and over Colorado mountain passes.

 

I had almost the exact same experience. My 2014 DCSB with tow package was low by about 1/3 quart when I did a drain/refill at 30,000 miles. Now slightly better shifting but no dramatic changes. I use my Taco to tow an old 18 foot ski boat and a small pop-up trailer.

 

I just checked mine today with the warmer weather we have been having. 2012 Sport with OEM Towing Package, I was a little over 3/4qt low. On the short test drive I went on it seems to shift smoother and I don't notice the vibration at 40mph anymore. So far so good.

 

I also have a question for you guys, do any of you have issues on cold starts where the truck revs up but doesn't want to move right away? Its only when its cold and it feels like the torque converter is not locking up.

 

When I bought my 2013 used I had the transmission fluid levels checked. They were fine. Car Fax doesn't say there was a problem with the prior owner either which is good.

I have had no issues with the transmission lagging before the truck warms up, but I also don't drive very aggressively.

 

@PackCon do you have the towing package? I bought mine used with 57k so I'm due for a fluid change anyways, I just wanted to check the level and add some in the meantime before I can do a full replacement.

 

Yes I do. When it was checked at about 30-32k miles the fluid was perfectly pink, so I don't plan on flushing it until 100K. I don't tow though. If I do I'm using my beast not the Taco.

 

My 2015 Off Road with towing package was 1/2 quart low. Shifted a little rough before (might have been my imagination though), but smooth as glass now. Luckily I only had 5000 miles on the odo before correcting the level. Thanks TW for cluing me in on this issue. Shame on Toyota.

 

Ok, even after getting the fluid topped off, I still had shifting issues.
It wasn't until the tech reset my Trans learn mode, that my truck actually started to shift better.
So I advise anyone who has shift issues, get the fluid topped off, and get the learn mode reset, that should take care of this problem.
Learn mode needs to be reset with the techstream, at the dealer.