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

Thanks Gearcruncher for the info!
I recently bought a 2016 TRD 4X4 sport DCSB. My son in law is in Toyota sales and got me a sceaming deal! As I drove it, I suspected my new taco tranny responded funny but couldn't put my finger on it. The main problem I noticed was the delayed engagement from reverse to drive when the truck was cold, first automatic truck in twenty years. I thought I had made a massive mistake in picking the auto over stick. The stick would have been special order and mo money! After doing some research and reading your post, I called my local Toyota dealer - Elmore. Even though I bought the truck somewhere else, Elmore Toyota in Orange Co. California was great! When I talked to Keven down there he insisted I come in asap as they were aware of the issue. When I picked it up, He told me that the trans was one quart low, aaahhh! Anyway the truck driving response is night and day. Just wish I had known about this sooner, I have almost 2000 miles on the odometer.

 

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I went by the dealer to check fluid, but shop was super busy, truck needs to cool down.

 

2016 Tacoma Double cab SR5 2WD w/ Tow Package. - 300 miles currently

Dropped my truck off this morning to have them check over the fluid. Called and opened a case with Toyota due to delayed P to D, slipping when going up hills, and occasional gear hunting 4-6.

45 minutes later they called and said no problems with the truck come and get it. I have a little over 300 miles on my truck and thanks to all the reading here on TW I knew this was not the right amount of time needed to check. Went down to speak with the tech who did the work and he said there was miscommunication on what needed to be done. He personally drove me back to my office and assured he would do everything manually to ensure proper fill level.

At work until 5, will update as soon as I have more info. Thanks for all the info here. My first Tacoma and I knew it should be better than it is.

 

Is there a dip stick? I've noticed most new cars don't have one, just a drain plug and a fill plug on the trans

 

No dipstick. There is a way to check it yourself, though.
http://www.moranbahweather.com/toyota/lc_trj12/rm/rm1151e/m_40_0002.pdf

 

did you read any of the thread?

the only dipstick is the one that didn't read the firstpost....

 

Reference earlier post where I noted a fluid check at first dealer (5-16). They noted no issues and said fluid began to flow as soon as they began to add. Not satisfied, went to another dealer today (5-23). Service manager said they were aware of some tranny issues being discussed out there and agreed to do a full, by the book, fluid check. Again same result. Fluid flowed and was clean. He did some digging and came up with a TSB on the AC60 transmission. It was issued in Sept 2015, T-SB-0079-15. It reads in part (as soon as I figure how to upload a copy; I will scan it to PDF and attach it) "Some 2016 model year Tacoma vehicles equipped with the 2TR-FE engine and the AC60 6-speed automatic transmission may exhibit a flare during the 2-3 upshift. Customers may describe this as a momentary slipping feeling. The Engine Control Module (ECM, SAE term: Powertrain Control Module/PCM) calibration has been revised. Use the following procedure to address this condition". It goes on to describe the procedure for the tech to follow to reprogram the ECM (PCM). They performed it on mine but it would not allow any changes due to the diagnostics saying it was up to date. My truck is a San Antonio build but do not have the door data handy as to actual final build to compare to this Sept 2015 TSB. Not all transmissions are affected supposedly but mine has these symptoms (and other symptoms as well) but the update would not take. So the saga continues. Bottom line for now, fluid level was OK. I am convinced though, fluid level good or not, there are issues with this transmission and/or computer controlled crap.
BTW, Had them check the Universal joints for grease: sealed units, no fittings! Also had them check torque on axle U-bolts.
Will scan and save the TSB and post later. Time for happy hour. Beer awaits.

 

Maybe I'm sitting at work and don't have the time to read it all so I looked for a quick answer

 

Picked up my truck after work. Service writer and tech was gone for the day. She forgot to call my cell #, instead called home number twice after I made it known to call my cell.

Anyway...

They found my truck and paperwork and come to find out.... drumroll please..... trans was low on fluid. Notes state less than 1 quart low. This was after they told me it was fine after running the scanner on it. My issue is, how could it be full on the scanner at first then I tell them it has to be manually checked and it ends up being low? I doubt it was only less than 1 quart low! Could they possibly check it properly without it sitting for an extended amount of time to cool?

After picking up the truck and driving it home, the slipping feeling is much worse now than before. I called Toyota earlier today to open a case and was told someone from the dealership would follow up with me. This is my first Toyota and expected a lot more than what I am getting.

 

Literally the first post. It's hard to help people who can't help themselves.

 

Had good success at the dealer with low fluids and gave them a todo list. They respected TW forum.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...-3rd-gen-today.399305/page-1052#post-12516448

 

Mine was a half quart low. The dealer had it all day Saturday but it seems to shift better now and doesn't hesitate going from reverse to drive anymore. Anyone have luck with an extended power train warranty?

 

2 week old 16 4x4 Tacoma SR5 V6 LB. Took to the dealership shop and told them of some exaggerated shifting woes to get them to check the fluid level which they said they did and test rode as well. Was told the fluid level was correct. Truck is US built and ordered to spec. Took 4 1/2 months to get the thing, I certainly hope they did a good job. Truck drives amazingly well. Turning radius took a bit of getting use to. Sounds like most dealers can be prodded into checking the level of a fluid that is not simple to check.. and I suggest doing just that. Thanks for the topic, very helpful indeed!

 

Ok, I'll eat my words. The clunk is back. Makes no difference if I come to a full and complete stop after reversing and before shifting into D. When it is cold, there is a long pause and then BANG --- drive.

I marked the fill plug so I'm pretty confident the dealer actually topped it off. Not sure what to think now...

 

Justus Christ dude have you seen the size of the first post, fuck off

 

Everything you literally need to know is in that first post. You should read it.

 

Read my previous posts dude i was at work and didn't have time to read the whole thing so I looked for a quick awnser

 

OP great write up!

 

There isn't a quick answer, hence "read the first post."

 

As promised here is the PDF file for the T-SB on the AC60 6-speed automatic transmission. The "Not Applicable" reference on page 1 was noted by the tech and service manager as they were not successful in corrective actions necessary to complete the reprogramming of the ECM/PCM. It notes on page 2 that the ECM (PCM) should not be replaced during this procedure. Perhaps it should be for troublesome/balky transmissions. There is also a requirement that a Modification Label be affixed under the hood. Mine does not have this label but I checked the build date to be 12/15 in San Antonio so theoretically this mod should have been incorporated since the T-SB is dated 09/15. It may explain why the tech was not successful in attempting to do it. It was up to date. Another note: under "additional information" on page 1 it references three different VDS(s); AX5GN, RX5GN, and SX5EN. I'm not sure but I think these are subparts of the VIN. They do not match mine. SO CHECK YOUR VIN. I noticed that on page 4 it explains to "follow the procedures outlined in Service Bulletin T-SB-0064-10 (hyperlink)" which is the Techstream ECU Flash Reprogramming Procedure. That's it for now. Continuing to monitor transmission behavior.