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Does anyone have an issue with your transmission not going into 5th gear on the highway?

Sometimes I'll notice when driving around 70mph, my tach will be reading 3000rpm. I can usually accelerate to 75 and get it to shift, or manually shift into 4 then back to D and it upshifts.

It's not really an issue, but I'm sure it has cost me gas money.

 

If it actually isn't shifting into 5th gear without you making it, something isn't working correctly.

 

Check to make sure there's enough fluid in the transmission.

 

That is a huge operation. I tried to get the dealer to do it, and they wouldn't without charging me, A lot!!

I'll try to review the procedure again and see if I can figure it out.

 

Uh, pull the fill plug. If no fluid drains out, fill until it does. Replace fill plug. Am I missing something?

 

Unfortunately there is a bit of a process in checking fluid levels in the tranny.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/how-to-drain-refill-automatic-transmission.63851/

 

I only skimmed it, but it seems like you can just pull the fill plug if you're only checking fluid level and topping it off.

Sorry for my ignorance. I have a man trans, and this is how it's done with those.

 

The tranny fluid has to be a specific temperature to check the level. Which is indicated on the dash when you jumper an electrical connector. Then you check at the overfill plug. Filler plug is just a filler plug. If the temperature gets too warm you must turn the vehicle off and restart.

 

If only Toyota, or some other car manufacturer, could create some sort of a "stick" that could be lowered, or "dipped" into the fluid thus giving the owner or technician an accurate idea of the fluid level... until then, we can only dream I suppose.

 

Ain't that the truth

 

Worth the effort if the fluid might be low.

 

I'm going to pick up a quart of fluid today. I'll check it when it cools. Hopefully, it's just a little low.

 

And even more cunning: they could put the marks on the stick that could be read when the vehicle's fluid is cold and not require some difficult process to measure. Engineering is hard though...

 

That's too much of common sense idea...won't work with toyota.

 

Try backing off on acceleration instead of racking it. My truck does the same thing on occasion. If I'm goosing it getting on the freeway and it wont shift into OD, just a slight back off on the gas pedal and it goes right in.

 

Even worse are the new cars that don't even have an engine oil dipstick. Your supposed to rely on a light that says your low.

 

I guess the reason Toyota didnt put a dipstick in is because it was suppose to be a 'lifetime' sealed transmsission. They changed the fluid change interval after a while though and now it's just a pain in the ass.

 

Well don't talk about it too much guys! I am planning to make millions on this novel idea, would hate for someone to beat me to it.