Thoughts on trans oil

So this weekend I'm getting ready to check the trans oil per the Tacoma guideline. Im basically 100% sure it's going to be low as it's showing all the tell tale symptoms. The only question I have is, should I top it myself? Which I'm completely comfortable with and prefer to do because I don't want the techs even service my engine oil. Or take it to the dealer w nail polish on the fill/drain plugs and force em to check it. The reason I ask is because I wanna call corporate for the warranty extension and have a gut feeling that simply telling them I added a quart wouldn't be proof enough for the extension. Any thoughts are appreciated. Thank you in advance you bad ass TW members.

 

The best thing would be to call and schedule a service. Describe the symptoms, you will probably need to take someone on a ride to verify, then plan on leaving it overnight or sitting and waiting for several hours since the procedure requires specific temps. Don’t let them blow you off, go thru service mgr, or higher to get things checked out. Those of us lucky early ones with these symptoms were able to get an extended warranty, but that has pretty much stopped, but you can always try. Just stay firm, but pleasant to deal with. At least going thru the dealer will provide some protection should the tranny take a dump due to low fluid. Hope this helps.

 

Oh damn, I didn't know Toyota put the kabash on the extended warranties. That sucks. Alright, schedule a service and paint the plugs is the going plan for now. We'll see what others chime in as well. Thank you

 

Have them check it...then do it again, yourself.

 

Oh I definitely plan on checking their work. Thanks for recommendation.

 

@Skydvrr , Where are you taking your Truck for service? I am in Tempe as well and about to take mine in for 5K service. I am similar issues where I am confident Tran fluid is low.

 

@Mslide i haven't decided yet. I bought it from autonation Tempe on Elliot but there is another dealer much closer on Dobson and Rio Salado (I live close to Scottsdale road and red mountain 202). I'm going to try them first probably.

 

what sort of symptoms are you guys having? i don't thin my 17 is acting up, but id like to know incase i start to feel anything.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...be-low-on-fluid-directly-from-factory.405642/

Unfortunately , the thread above is still valid . An old thread but continues to grow

 

Delay and clunk when going to drive in the cold in the am, clunk in reverse when cold. Slight slipping around corners. Again when cold.

 

hmmm. i get a clunk when going to r and d. but i feel like its from my drive shaft. don't get any clunking or slipping on corners.

 

I scoured that thread endlessly but didn't see any info about this. What do you think the best course of action is @gearcruncher ? Dealer with witness marks and call corporate and hope to get lucky?

 

Considering when you started your thread , you indicated you are expieriencing all the tell tale signs of low fluid .
With this said , I posted a link to the low fluid poll .
The sympotms you are describing indicate a low fluid issue . If you spent endless hours reading through the low fluid thread ,and hanvt come to a conclusion yet , I suggest a visit to the dealer for a manual fluid inspection making sure you video everything .
I beleive all the information in the low fluid thread is well explained . In the very first post ,the thread explains what to do if you are trying to obtain additional warranty for Toyota,s mistake
Yes , I started that thread , but members here at Tacoma World are the guys who built it .
Maybe another read through before you take the truck to the dealer ?

 

So you reposted that for the poll?

 

That thread helped me when I checked and had to top off my trans fluid.

 

So I have an appointment next week for them to check it. From what I understand, they hear it up and let it cool, then plug in a computer to check. Is that the procedure that needs to happen? The first time I went they told me there is no way to manually check it because it’s a sealed system.

 

There is most certainly a way. Read up in that post gearcruncher posted above, someone posted a PDF that you can download and save which outlines the exact way to manually check the oil level. Hooking the techstream up (the computer) may not give the most accurate fluid level, from what I understand.

 

They lied. It has to get to a certain temp, then remove drain bolt and depending on fluid level will drip. If no drip, low fluid, fluid gets added until a steady drip, then it’s correct. If too hot or too cold it won’t measure correctly. This is why they dont like to manually check it, it’s easier but not as accurate to hook up the computer. Mine was found to be 2 quarts low, others too had significant low levels.

 

Hmm. I got the extended warranty when I purchased it. They were eager to take my money.

 

He was referring to getting an extended warranty from corporate, for free, from problems with low tranny fluid from the factory. Not the purchase, you can purchase anytime before standard warranty is up.