Delay in movement when putting it in gear if truck sits for more than a week

If I don't drive the truck for a week or more, there is a delay in moving when I put it in gear. I sometimes need to rev it a little before it moves. It's fine if i drive it daily. Is it possible low on fluid? It's a super pain to check the level correctly. Does anyone else have this issue. Nothing else has this issue, even the one car I rarely drive. It still moves normally even if the fluid is a few quarts low since it leaks.

 

Check the fluid level.
My truck did the same on really cold days.

 

That's the problem. I haven't found an easy way to check the fluid. If it only had a dipstick.

 

No expert here but I had that happen on an older vehicle when the converter leaked fluid back into transmission after setting a week or so. For the lack of better terminology, the front pump had a built in back-flow preventer which went sour.

 

It sounds like a convertor drain back. It was very noticeable in cold weather but the last time it happened it wasn't that cold. The truck is also always garaged so it never gets too cold. It also never happens when I drive it daily. I'll see what happens after this long weekend. I last drove it Thursday and probably won't drive it again until Tuesday.

 

The only thing that comes to mind for me is if the fluid drains into the pan and needs the extra time (how much) to get pumped around again. I don't know if this actually happens with this transmission though. My truck will sometimes sit for a week or so, but I'm not one to jump in and take off right away. On a cold start I typically wait 30-60 seconds before placing it in gear.

Checking the fluid level is kind of something that you need to eliminate as the problem, but from what I've read here over the years, these transmissions usually display a different symptom when the fluid is low, such as erratic or hard shifting.

 

I used to warm up when cars had carburetors but with FI, I just usually just start and go. This is is the only one that acts this way.

 

Give it half a minute to see if it makes a difference. Either way, it may be prudent to have the level checked. Two things that are easy enough to rule out.

 

I wish there was an easier way to check the level but it doesn't seem to hard referring to this:
http://www.toyota-diy.com/tundra-hilux/check-and-adjust-atf-level-toyota-tundra/

 

I'd try the 30 second run before putting it into gear first, that's "easy button" easy.

 

I like easy.

 

So I tried it after not driving it for 4 days and it was normal. It looks like it has to sit at least a week. I'll see if the fluid level is OK this weekend.

 

Mine does this occasionally when garaged for a week or so. '07 with 150K btw.

 

My 2010 did this one time after sitting for a couple weeks. We have a 1000 mile tow coming up this month so I'll probably just get a transmission service for peace of mind. I've had a IPT Torque Converter/Shift Kit in it for several years but no issues.

 

when you park it take a picture of all 4 rotors then after the week before you move it take pictures again see if its just common sitting build up holding the pads slightly. also do you park with the parking/E brake Engaged ? if you park with the parking brake it could just be sticking slightly.

 

I almost never use the E-brake unless I park on an incline and even that's super rare. The brakes don't seem to stick. I've rolled the truck manually and it moves easily.

 

My 2019 with less than 20k does same if parked for 7-10 days.

 

My '15 sequandra often sits more than 1 week between drives - it has the same momentary hesitation going from reverse to Drive - just don't mash it right away (only takes 2-3 seconds to get into D) and all it is good.

 

+1
About to respond with same.

 

I don't have the problem anymore. I sold the truck a couple of years back. I just wasn't impressed with it and all the issues it was having. It was reliable however but then so is my '91 Toyota 4X4 that I bought to replace it. It's far less complicated.