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

Please insert after the above first sentence: Is it OK to do this?

 

I am going to say that the transmission ECU " is expecting the brakes to be applied " before selecting a different direction . Because your transmission is completely computer controlled , manufacturers can write code to apply one of the solenoids for the forward application . You need two solenoids to get forward movement . They call this application "anticipating" forward movement . If one solenoid is already applied , it takes less time for the transmission to sort out forward movement. The transmission ecu needs a signal from the brake switch to make this happen .
Manufacturers write code like this to lessen the time it takes for the transmission to shift into drive . In our trucks , they call it Squawk control .
Squawk control was introduced to relieve some of the lurchy feeling you generally get when selecting forward movement . Your transmission will actually shift into 2nd gear when you shift into drive . Once the transmission ecu detects the transmission is in second gear , the ecu will then command first gear .
Toyota knows there is an issue with their code for Squawk control in the 2016 trucks . According to some of our members here , Toyota is working on a fix as we speak .

 

OK, that all makes sense given transmissions are now computer-controlled. Thanks for explaining "Squawk". I've seen it mentioned but didn't know the definition. So I'll press the Brake before shifting from Reverse to Drive or vice-versa as a new habit to learn.
Thanks, Hiker46

 

Called dealer @ 3000 miles (as soon as i read this thread) and they scheduled me the next friday (my day off). They got it done and said "The fluid wasn't low enough to be concerned, but it wasn't filled where it should have been. You shouldn't have any problems. We filled it to the correct level."

Kinda neutral response. I don't know what to think haha! I am actually very grateful they took my truck in that soon. So far the trans seems to be working same as it ever was.

 

I just checked mine (with v6 towing pk) with pinned and it was just tad low about 200 ml. I didn't have any low fluid symptoms. Also checked rear and center diff, it was full but front diff was 1/2 quart low. My rear drive shaft joints were bone dry. Thanks for the info here and now I have some peace of mine.

 

Had mine checked?! 2 qts low!!!! Had the lag between R and D. Bought it with 7k on it. Got a Corporate case started before I took it in. Called back after service, said they would not offer additional warranty since its a "Certified Toyota" and comes with 7yr / 100k powertrain. Needless to say Im pissed and made them aware, Effin Jerks!

 

Once the transmission is in TEMP CHECK what gear should be selected before you remove the overflow plug?

 

Took my Taco OR in on Monday for the 5k mini-service a little early. I have a good relationship with the service manager which is a good idea for anyone to establish if you want some personalized service. I had very little resistance when I requested the transmission fluid level to be checked in light of my concerns. I had experienced many of the typical low fluid symptoms listed in this thread in my day-to-day driving. He said he had heard of some concerns but they came from areas of the country with hilly driving. It's quite flat here in sunny FL. The service tech came to me and said after road testing he did the level check. He said fluid began to come out of the overflow plug as soon as he began to add some. I interpret that to mean the level was fine to begin with. I can't be certain he followed the procedure to the "T" with temperature readings, etc. I only assume it because he drove it first. The fact that he at least removed the overflow plug says something. So even with a good fluid level the transmission does not "act right". I suspect this new 6-speed Toyota came out with has some inherent flaws. Personally, I don't like the way it feels. It's not very smooth, especially in city driving. And this feature of the transmission "learning" your driving habits so it knows how to behave? Whoever thought of that? Hoping enough Tacoma owners come forward and something positive is done by Corporate to address these transmission issues. Fluid low or not something ain't right. And this tire rotation only at the first Toyota Care service? I did mange to get them to do the fluid check and check the U-bolts and universals too. Then they forgot to reset the maintenance reminder. I guess that's a user function since the owner's manual tells you how to do it.
Ciao for now.

 

Park, with the jumper wire removed and the D showing solid in the display. Blinking and the fluid got too hot (let it cool & start over).

 

If they checked it after you drove it there and the tech drove it again, the fluid temp was likely way over the maximum allowable for the proper level check.
ATF expands with heat and what's showing full hot can be quite low when cooled down.
Find the procedure here on TW and check it yourself with a friend's help - watching the dash display to make sure the D is solid and not blinking.
Starting with a cold truck, it took mine about 4-5 minutes at idle to come up to temperature and never went too hot before I got 3/4 quart added.
The range is less than 20 degrees warm enough to too hot.
The 1st time you check it may be intimidating.
After you've done it, you'll be happy you did and surprised how easy it actually was.
-eddie

 

Would the torque converter locking up too soon cause these problems?
Besides the software, what are some of the other things that could cause this?

 

Thanks WestGa42. That is what I did. A little less than a quart low. Been 2 weeks and trans is shifting smoother, however at slow stop and go speeds once you let off the gas and hit the gas there still is a lurch. Getting better but still there. I sure hope Toyota finds a fix. We need everyone that has this issue complain, eventually there will be a fix or reflash.

 

Did you reset the computer (disconnect the neg. battery terminal )?
Don't know how much this affected mine.
But, stop & go is smooth after about 700 miles of varied driving post fluid level correction.

Aside: I got a call to schedule my 1st service just a few minutes ago. It's supposed to be 5k miles or 6 months, whichever comes first and they wanted to schedule me in three weeks. I had to interrupt the nice lady and tell her I just bought it 3/9/16 and don't have 1,500 miles on it yet. 6 months from my purchase date is in September.
I called back to ask the service manager about this and he said "They estimate the mileage, etc..." I laughed and said I'd have to drive 20,000 miles a year to need an oil change so soon. He agreed. Then I asked if he knew about the trans fluid being low on new 16s? "That's the 1st I've heard of it." I told him 82% of the folks that answered the fluid level poll said theirs was low. That took him by surprise.

 

I have not disconnected battery but I would say only 500 miles since adding fluid. It is good to know that it will smooth out. Will post back once I get more miles. Usually computers learn a lot quicker than these. Most dealers are clueless until the manufacture tells them what to do.

 

AFAIK, the only way to reset the learning is with Techstream.

 

After 8500 miles on my truck, and still having transmission issues, I sent another email to my service advisor. I brought the truck in today, and the SA opened a case with Toyota for me.
After having my truck on another test drive, and on the computer, they scheduled me a rental car and an appointment next Tuesday to REPLACE my transmission. I do love Toyota products, and am glad they are willing to do the right thing.

Mine was originally about a quart low on fluid, and I had driven it that way for about 2500 miles before the fluid level was corrected.

I knew something wasn't right, but have always had great luck with past Toyota products. I'm eager to see how the new transmission feels after the "learning phase"
I'll keep you posted on the outcome.

Email to my service advisor:

"I am intermittently still experiencing the delay from reverse to drive, and hard shifting from gear to gear. My real concern is what the long-term effects of the fluid being low from the factory will be. Operating the transmission with the fluid level low for the first few thousand miles, until your service department was able to confirm the low level and correct it, could have an impact that does not reveal itself until after the warranty has expired.

How do I open a case with Toyota to discuss the low tranny fluid level ? I have had multiple Toyotas but never one with a transmission problem. I want to make sure I am able get assistance with any transmission issues down the road stemming from the low fluid level out of the factory, even after the warranty expires. Thanks for your help, talk to you soon."

 

The contact info to open a ticket is in the first post.

 

quick update: I have a '16 4x4 TRDOR DC w tow package. I had the trans checked pre delivery (0 miles I ordered the truck) on 4/29 and it was good. I was experiencing some of the tell tale signs i.e. hunting on flat freeway 4-6th gears so i pinned the thermostat and checked it myself on 5/8 and it was low, no dripping fluid. Took my truck back to dealer on 5/13 after having put 500 miles on the truck and low and behold it was low (same master tech did both checks and i was present). He pumped in 2 quarts then checked it again a lot poured out unfortunately he did not measure the overflow as it drained right into the 50 gallon drum. Im guessing it was between 1/2-3/4 quart low. So this absolutely in my mind proves that pinning the thermostat does matter or at least the transmission itself must get to the temperature which allows the fluid to flow through the trans cooler. Side note dealer here in Toledo Ohio (Yark Toyota) was great they didn't for one second give me any push back about checking it either time.
It doesn't hunt for gears on the highway anymore but I still think it is a little slow to shift from R-D at least compared to my 4runner. I opened a case with corporate Ill try for an extended warranty. Again thanks to everyone on this forum for the vast amount of information. Cheers.

 

Had the dealer check my trans fluid @ 600 miles. TRD OR, Tow Package-Mexico build. The service manager was a bit doubtful there could be any issue but seemed to know the proper check procedure and said he'd have their master tech test drive and look at it. They said the fluid was "slightly low, about half quart," reset the memory as well. Actually, I think the transmission now seems more responsive with a "tighter" feel on the gas pedal and with shifting; I don't think I'm imagining it. Maybe "about half quart" was closer to 3/4. I did pin the thermostat while the truck was running the night before I brought it in, in case the trans cooler hadn't already filled with normal driving. Thanks for all the info on the forum.