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Can't comment on what they may or may not have done to the transmission But I'd be REALLY pissed off it that had happened to me!
I wouldn't worry about the metallic "clanking noise" as the car cooled down, that most likely just the exhaust heat shields. All cars do that but we usually don't sit inside them while they cool!
It must be an optical illusion then because when I look at the pic it seems like the cable is going in the middle of the bumper cover, my tow hook is on the right/passenger side of the bumper cover. Your paint is too shiny lol
Okay. I have a bit of an update. The dealer just called.
He said they are unsure of what has happened. He said they did another drain and fill just to make sure it wasn't any debris related issue. They then drove it about 3 mi and could not feel any issue with the transmission. When he asked me how far I had driven before it acted up, I told him it was 35 mi. He then asked for my permission to take the car out on an extended test drive to which I agreed. So after lunch they will be doing just that.
He said the car was not low on fluid but I am very skeptical on that. He did apologize for the experience and that he doesn't have an answer for me yet but said they are trying to make sure everything is okay.
I don't exactly feel reassured after that phone call. Based on my understanding and what everyone here has said, this seems like it was definitely low on fluid...
@Gerf Yeah, I actually had to zoom in to see the tow hook. It does kind of look like the cable is going under the middle of the car.
I sincerely hope I am wrong but you could be grabbing your ankles by the time this is over. My guess is that dealership is going to claim that they did nothing that would have caused the problem you experienced. The tech refilled the fluid to the proper level after you requested a drain and fill and you have no way to dispute that. I hope I am so wrong.
Either a Toyota or Lexus dealer should be able to do this service without any problems 99% of the time, problem is the people doing these services and other menial jobs in the shops are usually apprentices of some level because there is no money in oil changes.
In most flat rate shops you have to be consistently at 150% efficiency minimum to make a decent wage, that's 150% billable hrs vs available hrs and the base rate is sliding according to the number of hours billed out. Red seal techs that have gone through Toyotas training program get a bit of a rate hike on top of that.
That's where I have to give the CCN some credit, he makes a lot of videos and on those videos he's basically training his customers on what repairs they might need so when he gives them an estimate they might remember all his recommendations and somehow just feel comforted by his soft voice and gentle ways of explaining things and go ahead with the repairs. God bless you Ahmed!!
@Gerf I honestly thought about going to him. I believe he is around 4 hours away from me though. I should have just bit the bullet and made an appointment with him anyway.
In the future, I plan on only having my transmission serviced by him.
Good idea is just to go meet the guy, touch base, let Amd (I'm still using the handle!) know that we're in awe. Even if it's 4 hrs away. Let him do a quick once over re valley leak etc.
07-07-24, 02:11 PM
But I'd be REALLY pissed off it that had happened to me!
