Trans fluif dipstick question

Probably the one feature that I dislike the most about the Tacomas is no trans fluid dipstick. To me, it’s like a leap of faith that the unit is truly filled when the truck rolls off of the assembly line.

Has anyone located an aftermarket trans dipstick kit for the V6 auto Tacomas?

 

Trans is not sealed, you can still add fluid, there is still a drain plug - just no dipstick.

 

You know, that was the first thing I noticed when I went to buy mine (private seller). I went to check fluids and no stick. Drove to my mechanic and he told me that if you take the drain plug off and no fluid comes out, you add till it does then put the plug in.

Does anyone know the recommended mileage to change out the fluid. I'm sure you can just take the pan off, put a new filter and gasket back on and add fluid and be done but whats the recommended mileage to do that ? 60K ??

 

unfortunately its not as simple as your mechanic says it is.
there is a very detailed procedure that has been written up already. search the forums and you will find it, i believe it is in the mods and tutorials section. pretty sure the interval was recently changed from 100k to 60k.

 

My '10 was 1/2 quart low from the factory. I made them check it when it was shifting weird even after they did the tranny re-flash twice. I hate the not having a dipstick also. Actually I hate this transmission all together in this truck. The only time I like it is when it is in 4th gear mode. The "D" mode is just plain stupid the way it shifts IMO.

 

Yes it is a little more predictable now. It seems to engage each gear promptly now but it still is IMO electronically confused in the "D" OD mode especially at low traffic speeds in town. Weird how it is not confused in the 4th gear mode. I attribute the weird, confused "D" mode as a failed attempt by Toyota to maximize the fuel mileage on this thing.

 

^It is a bit funky in "D" with the torque converter locking up and unlocking. It is a bit annoying at slow speeds too. I do like how it learns your behavior and hangs on to a gear when you're climbing a hill though. I've come to like this trans quite a bit, honestly. But I'm usually shifting through the gears myself.

 

Mine has this one spot on a long down hill after a slow speed left hand turn where it holds 4th gear for ever I still cannot figure out what it thinks it is doing in this situation. So it has not learned enough about my driving habit.

 

You didn't say the AT was referred to as a "sealed unit". You said there is no such dipstick addition available because "the trans is sealed" - as in nothing goes in, and nothing comes out.

That's term is nothing more than slang that someone started using once when they couldn't find a dipstick, likely originating from a dealership that didn't know the difference - but it gives a false impression. The term seems to have caught on for some reason on the internet, despite the "sealed" transmission having more refill and drain holes than previous transmissions.

 

I changed my ATF. Procedure is super simple.

 

note to rb11701- If it was super simple, can you give us the run down in 20 words or less? I know how I think it should be done. Did you drop the pan and replace the filter or just replace the ATF? Thanks

 

Here's the procedure for the full flush...

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/68462-diy-full-flush-automatic-transmission.html

And here's the link for doing just a drain and refill...

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/63851-how-drain-refill-automatic-transmission.html

 

drop pan,replace filter, install pan.add fluid to fill plug till fluid comes out check hole with the engine running @ operating temperature.thats 24 words,close as i can get.

 

FALSE.

Don't drop the pan, the filter isn't replaceable. There is a drain plug in the pan.

 

Make sure you have all your tools. Open fill plug, drain ATF. Once drained, replace drain plug. Torque to spec. Fill with 3.5 qts ATF via fill plug (will need a bottle pump). Replace fill plug, tighten loosely. Start truck and move shifter through the gears. Turn off truckl. Jump the OBD as written in DIY. Turn on and set into check mode as the DIY states. Once ATF has reached check temp, open up check plug. Let drain out until a very slight trickle comes out. Replace check plug, tighten all plugs to spec. Call it a day. If no ATF comes out, you would need more. But with 3.5 qts, you should not need to add any more. Just wait till the ATF is at the right check temp.

Just make sure you are level. Also, use a small gauge wire to jump the OBD. I used a old PC fan wire.

 

Identifix a service repair shops use to look up all kinds of good information on any make, model, and yr says for the 2nd gen. Tacoma only to inspect Trans. fluids every 30k miles. But depending on the driving done, like stop and go, or open road driving for periods of time, I would change the fluids when get discolored (dark, or have burnt odor or both) from original fluid color. So every 30k to 45k miles I would think is not unreasonable interval of change to preserve quality of performance from the transmission, for instance in this situation. After all my philosophy is prevent maint. services go a long way to keep you from having major repair expenses on things like trans., differentials, cooling system, and hydraulic fluid components. (i.e.: brake fluids, and even power steering.)

 

Resurrected a 9 year old thread. Welcome to TW.