Transmission 2016-2023- 6 SPEED AUTOMATICS COULD BE LOW ON FLUID DIRECTLY FROM FACTORY

n7narcosis · Jul 31, 2018

Hey everyone,

I just picked up my new 2018 Tacoma TRD OFF-ROAD (Texas built) on July 21st 2018 with 7KM on it (Canadians Eh).

Here's my fluid report thus far:
- Rear diff, LOW
- Transfer case, OK
- Front diff, LOWER than the rear, to the point where my pinky was shoved in to the point of almost not getting it back only just barely touched fluid...

I will be picking up some diff fluid tomorrow... I will not be putting it in 4WD until the diff is brought back up...

The drive shaft from transfer case to rear diff DOES NOT have serviceable zerks.

The drive shaft from transfer case to front diff has zerks - was DRY as a bone, it took a good 6-7 squeezes on my grease gun to see life...

I have a Saturday appointment with the Toyota dealership for them to check the transmission. They of course "have NRVER heard of this issue" including "and I've been a Toyota service tech since the mid-eighties" --- It makes me wonder how this will go...

As for the u-bolts... They were at about 35-45ish ft\lbs I brought them up to 50-55ish.

Curious to know your thoughts as I was hoping after all of this chatter, Toyota would have sorted their **** out by now...

Is there anything else I should be checking???

casey2012 · Aug 2, 2018

gearcruncher[OP] initial post: ↑

GET THE FLUID CHECKED . TOYOTA HAS MADE A MASSIVE MISTAKE
Your 2016 / 17 / 18 could be low . Once you know for sure , cast your vote so other members know how serious this problem is. For the guests reading this , Join up and vote . Tacoma World has all the info you could ever need about your Tacoma . We need all the help we can get . The poll for the 2nd gen truck showed 75% in favor of low fluid .

This " FIRST " post is updated/edited almost every day(MAR 26/ 2018 ) with the latest information on the low fluid issue on the first page .There is " NO " technical service bulletin for this problem " yet " but call corporate as soon as you recognize the symptoms explained below .
This post should save you some time from reading through a bunch of low fluid threads unless you find them interesting .This post is getting to be a long read but there is a lot of vital information within the first post . Read through it carefully

Hundreds of members on this site are finding out their fluid is low or they are simply driving around with a low fluid condition which does all kinds of damage to Your new transmission . Some guys argue that a quart low is no big deal . Trust me , that is absolutely incorrect . Your transmission is new ,everything is tight and within specification .
Do not wait for a check engine light to pop up
Do not wait for the transmission temp light to illuminate . That light comes on when the transmission temperature goes above 300 degrees . You will in fact have literally fried all your transmission fluid by then .
If you are experiencing any symptoms mentioned below , get your fluid level checked as soon as you can .
This is where you call Toyota corporate immediately and request extended warranty on your transmission " Documenting all communication ".
I suggest calling Toyota corporate and explaining your issue before you go to the dealer . This way you have a leg to stand on when the dealer cant reproduce the problem or they say its " Normal "
If you call corporate first , the dealer gets paid to check your fluid and it provides a track record in the hopes that Toyota will release a TSB .
It also protects you as the owner after warranty is expired .
We know Toyota Corporate reads these posts . These posts are also pointed out to dealerships every day . Its how they find out they have a problem and it didnt cost them a penny to do the research . After 4 years of low fluid in the automatic transmission( Tacoma World has the proof ), its time Toyota stepped up and addressed the issue

Drive around for a while with a low fluid condition and its going to catch up with you , this I promise . Don't believe me ? check out the 2nd gen forum for transmission concerns during and after warranty .You wouldn't believe how many torque converters cooked because of this problem . The same darn thing also happened to our new trucks and it took us a very long time to figure out why . We knew this problem was going to show itself . Look at the date the post was created December 13/2015.
You can read about the 5 speed issues here https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...th-pics-for-second-gen-4-liter-trucks.289913/
You can read about Your new 6 speed here https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...omatic-in-the-2016-write-up-with-pics.361114/
You can download your own repair manual directly from Toyota within this link or send me a pm and I will supply you with a manual if and only if you are a contributing member
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...omatic-in-the-2016-write-up-with-pics.361114/

The advantage you guys with the 2016/ 17 have is the fact we already know what the problem is . Some of us plowed the way for you with our 2 gen trucks
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Hey folks .
As a transmission mechanic / shop owner , I try and assist with most transmission related questions at TW .
I wasnt sure how to word the post so all of you guys catch wind of the issue so hopefully the way its worded will attract your attention .
Why would I waste my time and yours creating a new post with such a bold statement ?
What I am finding as well as many others here at TW ,is 99 percent of the transmission complaints are caused by a low fluid condition . Shudders , delays , torque converter failure, solenoid codes caused by friction clutch sediment and premature transmission failure .

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WHY IS THIS HAPPENING ?
We blame the dealer as they are the last line of defense before the truck leaves their parking lot when its sold to you as the buyer. They are required to check it before your truck leaves the parking lot .
It takes too long for the technician to perform a pre delivery inspection (PDI)
Techs are not given enough time when the truck is sold to you so they skip the fluid check procedure hoping the transmission fluid is full, but the technician still checks off that the fluid was inspected ??????

Here is what a couple of Toyota technicians said .When dealerships do PDS's (PDI) the tranny level is "NEVER " checked . The procedure requires the use of the techstream and about a half hour of time. Technicians are only allowed about 2 hours to PDS on a new vehicle and this includes installing a block heater (Canada) and the test drive. Most would be amazed at the amount of work in doing a proper PDS.
With this said , your truck is going out the door possibly low on fluid . Not all of you have a low fluid condition , however , some of you do !
This post was created to make you guys aware and possibly save you some grief
Print this post out and take it to the dealer with you .
At the bottom of this post , there is a PDF file showing what is necessary for the dealer to perform before they release the truck to you as the buyer .
You are welcome to print off the 2016 pre delivery check list to take with you when you go to the dealer . Take notice that the transmission fluid level is required to be inspected .
The Pre delivery checklist can be found at the bottom of this first thread in PDF format

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SYMPTOMS
slow to go in gear on cold start ".
slips when turning corners "
slips while going uphill .
falling into neutral
clunks downshifting into first gear when cold
long delay from reverse to drive
shifting vibrations and downshift clunking .
converter chatter
shift busyness from 4th through to 6th gear
Some members are not feeling any symptoms and finding out their fluid is low
Come to a complete stop before selecting forward or reverse . This is driving 101
If this post is making you paranoid wondering if your fluid is low , dont blame the messenger . Toyota is 100% at fault. Call Corporate now

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GOING TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION FLUID LEVEL CHECKED

DO NOT TRUST THE DEALER THAT SAYS THE FLUID WAS FINE JUST BY HOOKING YOUR TRUCK TO THEIR TECHSTREAM SCANNER . THEY MUST COMPLETE THE FULL CHECK.

Most dealerships are going to make every excuse possible " NOT " to check your fluid level . This is a well proven fact in over 100 posts at Tacoma World.
Consider yourself 1 lucky guy if they check the fluid for you on the first visit . Go buy some lottery tickets the same day . Plan ahead for a battle ..Call corporate
If your dealer refuses to check your fluid , call another dealer and tell them your original dealer refuses to check the fluid . Sometimes this helps as you will be a new customer walking in their door .

Do not let the dealer convince you that driving a truck off the lot works the same way . That new truck off the lot could also be low on fluid
I suggest printing off the PDF file at the bottom of this thread for your truck and presenting it to the technician so he knows how to do the procedure properly . There are far too many discrepancies from the reports coming in that the level check was performed incorrectly.
1 report came in recently where a Toyota technician was splashed with hot transmission fluid . The procedure involves waiting for the fluid to cool .
Watch out for dealers that say they cant reproduce the problem or its " NORMAL "
Did they really check your fluid ? did you watch them do it ? DID THEY CHECK IT PROPERLY ? Too many technicians are relying on what the Techstream scanner shows for codes . The technician MUST check the transmission overflow while in Temp mode .
Technicians do not get payed well to check your fluid and is one reason many members have to go back up to 3 times
Too many TW members are bringing their trucks to dealers to have the fluid level checked and are being snuffed when they raise concerns that the transmission is acting up . Too many members are leaving their trucks overnight to get a proper level check procedure performed including a cold test drive only to find that the truck still has a delay from reverse to drive after they get their truck back .

STILL HAVING DELAYS AFTER PROPER FLUID TOP OFF ( 5/4/2016 )
See the Technical service bulletin at the bottom of the page or you can go directly to one of the links to see if your truck qualifies for the software update
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/t-sb-0077-16-rev-1.457782/
Some members are taking their trucks to the dealership to have the fluid level topped off properly and are still experiencing a delay from reverse to drive . Toyota uses " SQUAWK " control to prevent that initial lurching feeling when the transmission shifts into forward .
Squawk control selects 2nd gear rather than first gear to remove that lurching feeling . Squawk control is computer controlled and the logic can easily be re-written to improve this. Expect six months for a fix
Too many technicians beleive the Techstream scanner over a manual fluid level inspection .
This is where you call Toyota corporate immediately and request extended warranty on your transmission .
If you'd like to discuss your experience or share your comments, Toyota's Customer Experience Center representatives are happy to assist you.

Phone: 800-331-4331
Fax: 310-468-7814
Mon - Fri: 5:00 am - 6:00 pm PT
Sat: 7:00 am - 4:00 pm PT

Or send correspondence to:
Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.
19001 South Western Ave.
Dept. WC11
Torrance, CA 90501

There is no reason why members should have to make up to 3 appointments before they finally get their transmission fluid level topped off . I suggest " PAINTING " the overflow plug on your first visit so you can tell it was checked . Feedback from this suggestion has raised the fact that some dealerships are not being very honest . Paint your plugs so you can tell the plug has been tampered with .Highly suggest this !!!!
There is no charge and they do not check on PDI. The dealer said that if you randomly go in and ask them to check your fluid without presenting issues they could charge. They CAN NOT charge you (set by Toyota Policies) if you go in under warranty with a concern. they have to check the fluid as part of the warranty troubleshooting process.Some guys are bargaining with the dealer . If you find the transmission low the dealer foots the bill , if the trans level is fine ,the owner pays for the fluid level check .
You go in and say there are issues with the transmission and the service manager sends the technician on a road test only to find that everything is considered " normal or couldn't reproduce the problem " after the tech comes back from the road test . With this said ,You have to find a way to get the technician to check the transmission fluid . This is where you call corporate and open a case requesting extended warranty on your transmission
If it were my vehicle , I would tell the service manager that the truck slips once in a while going around corners and travelling uphills . Sometimes it takes a while for the truck to move in the morning when its cool .
These are all classic low on fluid symptoms . The technicians know this and the service manager knows this as well .
And don't think for 1 minute that dealerships don't know about this issue .Of-course they are going to say they haven't heard of it !
We have been down this road with the 2nd gen trucks . You'd think Toyota would have incorporated more time to the dealerships to check the fluid when your truck was there .Dealerships know there is a chance these trucks are low , yet they send you on your way . Pitiful !
Now you have to book an appointment when its convenient for the dealership to check the fluid and this means your truck gets to spend the night . I suggest they check it properly.
Removing the battery terminals or clearing the short term memory makes sense for the guys who are low on fluid .
The transmission was designed to learn the owners shift pattern or driving habits with the transmission full of fluid at the proper level .
If you guys have low fluid , your transmission is going to work like crap and there is no possible way your transmission adaptive learning will adapt properly to your driving characteristics with low fluid . Your transmission will feel like a bag of sh^t .
I can not stress enough how important it is to make sure your trans is filled correctly even if this means learning to check it yourself . Get your buddy to help you , get your wife to help you or suffer the consequences
With this said , I am not positive the dealer is clearing the adaptive learning after they top off your fluid . Some dealers will , others will not .
_________________________________________________________________
WHAT IS CORPORATE DOING ? WHY AM I PUSHING YOU GUYS TO CALL CORPORATE ?
Many Tacoma owners are now receiving 7 / 100 after nagging with corporate .
Calling corporate provides Toyota with a track record . You are essentially plowing the way for the next Tacoma owner who runs into the same issue . We are asking you to call corporate in the hopes that a TSB will be released
Be careful how you explain your Case number to corporate as they write everything down should you decide to force the lemon law on them . Toyota has top notch lawyers ready and willing to make you look like a fool should your case go to court .
UPDATE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
MARCH 15 / 2016

↑
Glad you managed to convince them to finally check the fluid . I just hope you didn't do too much damage during the time you drove around with the fluid low . 1 quart is a lot of fluid to be low . Hold on to your paper work

As I have mentioned before , one of you guys need to start a petition to get extended warranty on your transmission after all this crap you guys are going through .
I can guarantee other members here will have no issues signing it .
I had to go in two times for this low ATF as well and the hood adhesive and my driver side window controls rattling with my JBL speakers (volume being at 30).

I got a call back from Toyota corporate and they are giving me a 7 year 100K 0 deductible warranty. . My transmission feels great, adhesive is fixed, Window controls still rattle with certain songs but they submitted a Toyota document and if more people have this issue they will make a fix from Toyota.

Pretty happy about how things worked out.
See post 49 here https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...ck-surges-forward.414003/page-3#post-12037166

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SOME OF YOU GUYS ARE GONNA SAY SCREW THE DEALER , I AM CHECKING THE FLUID MYSELF .
This is for you guys who know you are doing damage to your transmission and your dealers refuse to rectify the problem . Have you called corporate ?
This is something you should know how to do in the event something happens and you are off road or miles away from the dealer. Teach yourself how to check the fluid . Its not that difficult . You can practice getting the transmission into temp mode .
Send me a pm and I will give you a copy for free of the genuine FSM for your 2016 truck . Thats all 11,000 pages . I am not going to hand this out to members with a zero post count . I would prefer to see at least 50 posts . A lot of work and time went into the file as well as some hard earned cash $$$$ .
I would prefer you are a participating member at TW . If you are a guest , I will not consider passing the info along

The transmission temperature can't be too hot or too cold in order to check the level accurately. If you have the towing package, then you will also need to access the thermostatic valve which routes fluid to the transmission oil cooler when it gets to a certain temperature. You basically have to engage a spring loaded button which will open the valve and allow transmission oil to be routed to the cooler.

Listed at the bottom of this post is the actual Toyota procedure for " adjusting " the fluid level . It is Not the procedure for filling an empty transmission .
The AC60E is the 2 wheel drive version
The AC60F is the 4 wheel drive version
A quick note : there is nothing mentioned in the lower PDF illustrations about pinning the thermostat ? There is a difference between the " adjust level procedure and the actual fill procedure. Dealers have been pinning the thermostat according to members at Tacoma World

$11 35178-30010

35178-30010 is the correct part # for the overfill plug torqued to 15 foot pounds .
I dont know how Aisn Seiki who have the contract for this transmission can allow Toyota to continue making such a massive mistake .

A short video to assist in helping you understand how to properly check and fill http://www.ciw.com/atf/2007/intro.html
Once you are in AT TEMP CHECK mode you remove the jumper from the OBD2 port
The "D" indicator will blink and go out when it goes into check mode. When "D" comes back on, proceed with the level check. When it starts to blink, the fluid is past the checking temp. Let it cool down and try again. On the 3G, remove the jumper wire after its in temp check mode.
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WHY ARE THESE TRUCKS SENT LOW FROM THE FACTORY
You are welcome to call the factory where the transmission is produced
Look here http://www.aisin.com/profile/global/north_america/
and the link below
Aisin Drivetrain, Inc. (America)
Address: 1001 Industrial Way, Crothersville, IN 47229, USA
Phone: +1-812-793-2427
Business Activities: Manufacturer of drivetrain components for industrial markets, also drivetrain and chassis components for automotive markets.

Some of us believe the problem is the fact that your new 2016 transmission has an external thermostat and uses a check fluid level procedure similar to the tundra and you have to bypass the external transmission thermostat by pinning . In past years the Tacoma didnt have an external transmission thermostat . Are technicians that check your fluid taking this NEW thermostat into consideration when checking your transmission fluid ? or are they checking the fluid using the procedure designed for the 2015 trucks without the external thermostat ?
Reports are coming in that dealers are pinning your thermostats when doing a check fluid level procedure . This will account for approx 1/4 quart .

When your truck was being built the transmission cooling system was completely empty .
We believe the transmission cooling system did " NOT " get filled at all
This is speculation of course . Some members are reporting up to 3 quarts low which is much more than the cooling system can hold.
As the poll indicates , both plants are sending trucks to the dealer with low fluid levels in the transmission , differentials and transfer cases .
I am beginning to wonder if this is a metric to imperial conversion issue ?
Only time will tell .
Update June 2016 - the factory fill procedure is performed by robots

Go have a peek at your vin #
If your VIN starts with a 3 your truck was built in Mexico, if it starts with 5 it was built in the US
Last I heard , both plants are still shipping transmissions low on fluid as of Jan / 2017 . This means Toyota has not rectified the issue at the factory level and are relying on dealerships to check it during pre delivery like they are suppose to .
Its rather obvious our complaints and calls to corporate are not being heard
Pictures and write ups start here in this thread

Please comment and post your results to this post as we are trying our hardest to keep all the information within 1 low fluid post rather than at least 100 different posts throughout Tacoma World

And for heavens sakes , DONT DO THIS https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/halp.33318/

Type in your vin # here and check for TSB,s
http://www.revbase.com/bbbmotor

Type in your VIN # here and see what,s been done to your truck at the dealership
http://www.toyota.com/owners/web/pages/home

Type in your VIN # here and see if there are any safety concerns or recall,s on your truck
http://www.toyota.com/recall

Some dealerships are indicating a computer flash fixes the low fluid problem ??????
Find out for yourself at the link below
Check to see if there are any Technical Service Bulletins available for your truck http://www.toyotaproblems.com/tsbs/Tacoma/ or here
http://touch.toyota.com/recall
This is why Tacoma World rocks .
Please pass this information along to other new Tacoma owners . I doubt Toyota is going to release this information to the public and I would hate to see all the guys out there with new Tacoma trucks driving around with low fluid .

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WHY DID TOYOTA REMOVE THE TRANSMISSION FILLER TUBE AND DIPSTICK ?
Took me a while to find the explanation when we had low fluid issues with the 2nd gen truck but here it is
The reason for no dipstick is that the car builders want you to believe that you don’t need to check or maintain the fluid. Many of them actually say that the fluid they use is good for the life of the vehicle.This ofcourse is simply not true
This was the explanation Toyota used when they started installing the 5 speed automatics without a dipstick in the tundras and Tacomas . I am sure someone will eventually find the same information for the 2016 model AC60 transmission

Page 18 of this PDF explains why they removed the dipstick in more detail
http://www.toyotatundraforum.com/pdf/A750E.pdf
They say the overflow plug is more accurate . I think I could probably have a good argument with Toyota about this . At least with a fill tube , it gets checked on a regular basis
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NOTIFICATIONS
ATSG has been notified July 5th /2016 ....waiting for e mail response
https://www.atsg.us/atsg/

ATRA has been notified July 7th/2016
http://www.atra.com/

TRNW has been notified July 7th / 2016
https://www.trnw.net/profile.html

Aftermarket shift solution!

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...troller-now-available-for-gen3-tacoma.490113/

I am going off topic a little here but the concern has been raised that many trucks are being delivered to you guys without a single drop of grease in your new driveline , low oil in the differentials and low oil in the transfer case and last but not least , under torqued u-bolts holding your rear axle stable .
The factory grease in your universal joints is only an assembly lube . Your driveline needs to be lubricated at every oil change . Make sure they greased your driveline when they sold you the truck . There will be traces of fresh grease on the universal joints
Read what Spicer has to say about greasing your driveline . I am certain that Spicer still has the Toyota contract . They make all your driveshafts
http://www2.dana.com/pdf/J3299-2-DSSP.PDF
Read what federal Mogul has to say http://aftermarket.federalmogul.com/en-US/Technical/Documents/Driveline FAQ's.pdf
Here is a write up to help you https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/greasing-entire-drive-shaft-u-joints-5-zerks-total.56976/
If you cant see any grease zerks , you've got polypropylene universal joints . They are designed for 50,000 trouble free miles according to the seminars I have trained at .Here is a new write up with some 2016 trucks involved
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/check-your-u-joints.409042/page-2#post-11509086
If you do not own a grease gun , go buy one because you are going to need it
If you have a two piece driveshaft , reports are coming in there is a lack of lubricant on the splines of the slip and stub . Your truck will clunk when downshifting into first gear when cold . Takes a special lubricant
This stuff will work http://www.lowrangeoffroad.com/ptfe...-ford-motorcraft-xg-8-ml1167-31508-42027.html
And this stuff is said to be the best but pricey http://paceperformance.com/i-782162...bricant-high-temperature-c1-2-w-a-t-1-lb.html

Here is the tech bulletin for vibrations https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/oh-no-tsb-0171-16-driveline-vibration.463992/
Click to expand...

i bought a new 17 when transmission was cold there was a delay going in to gear took to dealer they said there all like that 2 weeks later tran went out dealer replaced it under warranty service toid me it was 3 quarts low i told them it was low prior to tran failur they wont listen ps have your tran checked before warranty expires

Flash1034 · Aug 6, 2018

Seriously? Come on Toyota, live up to your reputation.

Joisey · Aug 10, 2018

Gearcruncher,

How do I go about getting a copy of the FSM so I can check the fluid in my transmission?

gearcruncher · Sep 16, 2018

Sorry dude .
My computer grenaded and all my files were lost .
That being said , the file was downloaded 26,000 times by other members of this site when it was available .
I am sure there is someone on Tacoma World to help you

Joisey · Aug 11, 2018

Well thank you for the offer anyway.

desmodue · Aug 18, 2018

JBW1975 said: ↑

Well thought I would go ahead and check my fluid on my 18 trd off road this morning . Went through the procedure of getting it into temp mode and pinning the thermostat open and nothing came out of check hole. Let run for 2 minutes and still no drips. Dropped off at dealership waiting on call back. Vin starts with 3: Baja plant. Another pecuilar thing was when I looked at tag on transmission it has production date of August this year. Didn't know I bought a time machine. Date code could be 8th day 3rd month 18th year I suppose. Anyone know for sure please post.
Click to expand...

08/03/2018 would be March 8, 2018 by the way most of the world (not USA) reads that date

gearcruncher · Sep 6, 2018

Added the 2018 Tacoma to the title .
Getting PM,s from some new members who are also finding out their new Tacomas are low on trans fluid .
Toyota just doesnt seem to listen .
After almost 3 years , The poll will remain open gentlemen

NMTrailRider · Sep 15, 2018

New 2018 OR here. When I go from park to reverse, then take my foot off the brake to start moving backwards, I often get a surge that's just a second long, but it's very strong. Strong enough that I have to quickly move my foot back to the brake to slow the truck down. The surge then is over and then I can continue to back out of the garage as normal.

Is this related to or a symptom of the low trans fluid?

(I also get the clunk into 1st when coming to a stop, but I think that might be a different issue?)

Ha I also have the diff howl, but dealing with that in a different thread...

gearcruncher · Sep 16, 2018

NMTrailRider said: ↑

New 2018 OR here. When I go from park to reverse, then take my foot off the brake to start moving backwards, I often get a surge that's just a second long, but it's very strong. Strong enough that I have to quickly move my foot back to the brake to slow the truck down. The surge then is over and then I can continue to back out of the garage as normal.

Is this related to or a symptom of the low trans fluid?

(I also get the clunk into 1st when coming to a stop, but I think that might be a different issue?)

Ha I also have the diff howl, but dealing with that in a different thread...
Click to expand...

Ok , I am not following what you mean by a surge when the trans goes into reverse .
Transmission terminology would be a " delay " when you select reverse or in other words is the transmission taking too long to go into reverse or does the engine rpm jump up so high that the truck jumps rearward ?
If you have too much backlash in the rear differential , you will feel the truck jump rearwards when selecting reverse
Both the clunking when downshifting into first as well as a " delay " when selecting reverse are very common symptoms of low fluid
Having the transmission fluid checked is the first thing I would be doing if you came into my shop with your symptoms .

NMTrailRider · Sep 16, 2018

gearcruncher[OP] said: ↑

Ok , I am not following what you mean by a surge when the trans goes into reverse .
Transmission terminology would be a " delay " when you select reverse or in other words is the transmission taking too long to go into reverse or does the engine rpm jump up so high that the truck jumps rearward ?
If you have too much backlash in the rear differential , you will feel the truck jump rearwards when selecting reverse
Both the clunking when downshifting into first as well as a " delay " when selecting reverse are very common symptoms of low fluid
Having the transmission fluid checked is the first thing I would be doing if you came into my shop with your symptoms .
Click to expand...

By surge, yeah I mean a rise in rpm. Like I suddenly gave it gas... but I didn't. My foot never leaves the break pedal. I put it in reverse, slowly start rolling backwards with my foot feathering the brake, and then it's like the gas is suddenly pressed for a split-second. And I have to apply pressure to the brake to slow it down.

ohcjam · Sep 16, 2018

NMTrailRider said: ↑

By surge, yeah I mean a rise in rpm. Like I suddenly gave it gas... but I didn't. My foot never leaves the break pedal. I put it in reverse, slowly start rolling backwards with my foot feathering the brake, and then it's like the gas is suddenly pressed for a split-second. And I have to apply pressure to the brake to slow it down.
Click to expand...

If I am understanding you correctly, I am also experiencing this. I would call it a jerk, but we can be talking about two different things. What I experience is: start the engine, shift to drive (a delay in gear shifting which I have read that this can be fixed by getting my ECU flashed), slowly release break and the truck jerks forward. This is experienced in the morning/colder temp.

NMTrailRider · Sep 16, 2018

ohcjam said: ↑

If I am understanding you correctly, I am also experiencing this. I would call it a jerk, but we can be talking about two different things. What I experience is: start the engine, shift to drive (a delay in gear shifting which I have read that this can be fixed by getting my ECU flashed), slowly release break and the truck jerks forward. This is experienced in the morning/colder temp.
Click to expand...

Yeah I could be persuaded to call it a "jerk". Mine is always in reverse, though. I guess I never have reason to go from P to D. It's always P to R, then R to D.

rar49 · Oct 6, 2018

Just serviced my 2015 Tacoma Prerunner drain and fill rear diff was way low! Drain and flush the trans only got 2 quarts from drain. Took about 13.5 quarts to flush and get it to come out the check hole at 125 degrees. Used Maxlife atf after 100 miles can already tell difference in shifting and lower trans temps.

NMTrailRider · Oct 6, 2018

rar49 said: ↑

Just serviced my 2015 Tacoma Prerunner drain and fill rear diff was way low! Drain and flush the trans only got 2 quarts from drain. Took about 13.5 quarts to flush and get it to come out the check hole at 125 degrees. Used Maxlife atf after 100 miles can already tell difference in shifting and lower trans temps.
Click to expand...

Was it slowly leaking?

gearcruncher · Oct 6, 2018

rar49 said: ↑

Just serviced my 2015 Tacoma Prerunner drain and fill rear diff was way low! Drain and flush the trans only got 2 quarts from drain. Took about 13.5 quarts to flush and get it to come out the check hole at 125 degrees. Used Maxlife atf after 100 miles can already tell difference in shifting and lower trans temps.
Click to expand...

you should be posting here : 2016 - 2018 transmissions are 6 speeds and you have a 5 speed automatic.
Its still a very common problem mind you

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

siKjiTz · Oct 20, 2018

Had mine checked because I came across this thread a few months ago. Glad I did. Running a quart low from the manufacturer.

therexinator · Nov 5, 2018

2018 TRD OR. Built in Mexico July 2018. Purchased from a Northwest dealer. Had my mechanic who is a Toyota and import tech check all of the fluids (after reading a bunch on this thread I didn't trust the dealer). Happy to report that the diffs and transfer case were full. The zerk was greased but not much. He did not do a manual check on the trans, did the Techstream. I haven't had any of the issues reported with clunking or weird shifts.
Thanks to @Lord Humongous I'll be further draining my wallet doing the trans cooler upgrade since I tow a 4,000 lb. travel trailer every so often. Getting all the parts on the way along with a ScanGauge II and a few quarts of Toyota ATF. Thank you guys and @gearcruncher for all the good info on this thread.

treimche · Nov 5, 2018

therexinator said: ↑

2018 TRD OR. Built in Mexico July 2018. Purchased from a Northwest dealer. Had my mechanic who is a Toyota and import tech check all of the fluids (after reading a bunch on this thread I didn't trust the dealer). Happy to report that the diffs and transfer case were full. The zerk was greased but not much. He did not do a manual check on the trans, did the Techstream. I haven't had any of the issues reported with clunking or weird shifts.
Thanks to @Lord Humongous I'll be further draining my wallet doing the trans cooler upgrade since I tow a 4,000 lb. travel trailer every so often. Getting all the parts on the way along with a ScanGauge II and a few quarts of Toyota ATF. Thank you guys and @gearcruncher for all the good info on this thread.
Click to expand...

You have to manually check the fluid to get a truly accurate reading.

therexinator · Nov 5, 2018

treimche said: ↑

You have to manually check the fluid to get a truly accurate reading.
Click to expand...

Yep, doing that as soon as the fluid gets here.

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Transmission 2016-2023- 6 SPEED AUTOMATICS COULD BE LOW ON FLUID DIRECTLY FROM FACTORY

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Transmission 2016-2023- 6 SPEED AUTOMATICS COULD BE LOW ON FLUID DIRECTLY FROM FACTORY

Was your transmission low on fluid?

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Truck was built in Mexico and had low fluid

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