Change to synthetics

lcchik

lcchik

New member
I recently purchased a 2001 with 70,000 miles. I would like to start using synthetic fluids on this truck - plan on keeping it a long time. Just did an oil change last weekend with Mobil 1.

Now I would like to change to synthetic ATF. By the way, all the fluids on the truck look good, just replacing for a piece of mind and to start a baseline. Plan to do a drain and fill. I have read it can take 15-16 qts to get a good changeout.

Question...can I use conventional fluid during the changeout (acting as a flushing agent), then do a fill with synthetic? Thought it would be cheaper to use conventional fluid during the "flushing" period rather than expensive synthetic. Are the two compatible?

Anyone used Mobil 1 synthetic ATF? I know that Amsoil is the preferred fluid here on the forum, but cost and availability is an issue. Thanks!
 
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lcchik said:
I recently purchased a 2001 with 70,000 miles. I would like to start using synthetic fluids on this truck - plan on keeping it a long time. Just did an oil change last weekend with Mobil 1.

Now I would like to change to synthetic ATF. By the way, all the fluids on the truck look good, just replacing for a piece of mind and to start a baseline. Plan to do a drain and fill. I have read it can take 15-16 qts to get a good changeout.

Question...can I use conventional fluid during the changeout (acting as a flushing agent), then do a fill with synthetic? Thought it would be cheaper to use conventional fluid during the "flushing" period rather than expensive synthetic. Are the two compatible?

Anyone used Mobil 1 synthetic ATF? I know that Amsoil is the preferred fluid here on the forum, but cost and availability is an issue. Thanks!
Click to expand...


For a good change over to Amsoil ATF, I'd honestly recommend buying 16 quarts, then finding a shop with a T-Tech machine to do the fluid replacment.

Yes, standard DEX-III is compatible with synthetic ATF's, but you're going to use a LOT of ATF to flush with standard and then try to get all the standard stuff out and completely replaced with Amsoil.

Are you taking the pan off and changing the filter? That's the best option, especially if you're putting expensive ATF in. I personally use MaxLife ATF, and it works great. It's cheap enough that I can do a drain and refill (4 quarts) every 10k miles and it stays clean that way. I also replaced the filter and cleaned the pan out when I bought the truck, as well as added a Magnafine inline filter. Clean ATF for me. :)
 
When I flushed the tranny myself, the first twelve quarts were dirty and the other four were clean (I did a 16qt flush). Skip using conventional unless you plan to drop the pan and replace the filter (unless the fluid is black now, don't bother).

Like Quicksilver said, the Amsoil ATF is great. To get the most bang for your buck, I'd use all Amsoil fluids. If not, Redline D4 is good (used by me). I think Mobil 1 synthetic would work well.

We need pics here of your rig....
 
Im using Mobile 1 high mileage synthetic and I really it. Always clean when I change it at 5-6k miles. Engine is always smooth and quiet, and gas mileage seems about as good as it should be. Roughly 16-18 in town and 20-22 highway. I wouldnt deny that amsoil is the top of the line, but Im not sure paying more than twice as much is really worth it, at least not for me. Especially changing my oil 3 times a year. A well maintained toyota engine with either amsoil or mobile 1 synthetic is gonna last a long time
 
I would use a T Tech Machine, easier and more consistent to do a full change I think. Will need about 15-16 quarts at most.
Unless you have recently dropped the pan and know what it looks like then I would do that also, check the magnets to see if any shavings are present.

We do NOT have a "Filter" in our Transmissions just a simple stainless steel fine mesh "Screen" so absolutely no need to change it if its clean.
If we had actual "filter material" like felt then would need to change it.
Mine was the original screen with 160xxx miles on it and it looked like brand new without a spec on it.
Magnets had virtually nothing on them and the trans fluid in it had about 65,000 miles on it, so felt good about it which is the whole point of dropping the pan, piece of mind.
 
Thanks all for the responses. I do plan to drop the pan and inspect the screen and magnets - keeping my fingers crossed that no metal is found!

Per your advice, I will just flush using synthetic ATF - hopefully I can find one of those machines locally. If not, I will just drain and fill using AMsoil (funds permitting), Redline, or Mobil 1.

Thanks again and sorry for the late response - took the truck on its first road trip. Will post pictures soon...love the truck! (almost has much as my LC's lol)
 
Waiting on them pics.

As Nunyabiz pointed out correctly, it is a screen and not a filter.

Any of those synthetic ATFs should work just fine.
 
lcchik said:
Thanks all for the responses. I do plan to drop the pan and inspect the screen and magnets - keeping my fingers crossed that no metal is found!

Per your advice, I will just flush using synthetic ATF - hopefully I can find one of those machines locally. If not, I will just drain and fill using AMsoil (funds permitting), Redline, or Mobil 1.

Thanks again and sorry for the late response - took the truck on its first road trip. Will post pictures soon...love the truck! (almost has much as my LC's lol)
Click to expand...


You do realize that you can not just "drain and fill" right?
If you do that you will be lucky to get 4 qts out.

You literally have to pump it out with the transmission pump by starting it up and let it run about 20-30 seconds until about a qt is pumped out then turn it off fill it a qt then rinse and repeat about another 12 times until you can see the clean ATF coming out.
The T Tech machine is a much easier way.

This may help if you do it yourself, you need 2 people to do it right.

If you don't go with Amsoil then use that Redline, those are the top 2 IMO.

Dropping Pan And Flushing Transmission
 
lcchik said:
Thanks all for the responses. I do plan to drop the pan and inspect the screen and magnets - keeping my fingers crossed that no metal is found!

Per your advice, I will just flush using synthetic ATF - hopefully I can find one of those machines locally. If not, I will just drain and fill using AMsoil (funds permitting), Redline, or Mobil 1.

Thanks again and sorry for the late response - took the truck on its first road trip. Will post pictures soon...love the truck! (almost has much as my LC's lol)
Click to expand...

I just did a flush on my new to me 01 with 137k miles on it.
I took it to my friends shop and we hooked it to the trans flush machine.
I bought 16 qts of synthetic atf, and ended up adding another qt after the flush.
I also dropped the pan and changed the screen/filter.
It wasn't cheap(as I changed the engine, diffs, and transfer case to synthetic too), but it's worth the piece of mind to me.
Most shops now have a trans flush machine, and unless you remove the transmission, it's the only way to fill the torque converter completely with new fluid.

A few fine shavings on the magnets is normal wear too. An excessive amount or large chunks or pieces obviously indicate a problem.
 
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Gerdo said:
This would be a great time to bypass the radiator/trans cooler and go with an aftermarket cooler since you are already removing one line.

**Search Strawberry milkshake***
Toyota 4Runner Forum - Search Results
Click to expand...

Yeah, I did that too!
Quick and easy, two 2.5' to 3' sections of 3/8" hose and push the clips in to remove the grill.
And a piece of 3/8" hose to run between the inlet and outlet on the radiator bottom, it just links them togehter.
If your coolant ever gets low with no explanation you can pull that hose and see if the radiator internals have bust and antifreeze comes out, and saved you from the milkshake!
I got a new B&M for under $70 shipped.
Much cheaper than a new transmission and radiator!
 
thor999 said:
Sorry to hijack, but I have an '01 SR5 at 140xxx, and upon viewing the website, feel the need to ask for help: which one? AMSOIL Synthetic Automatic and Manual Transmission Fluids :confused: I assume this one: AMSOIL Synthetic Low Viscosity Automatic Transmission Fluid ATL also note, they have a new product on that page designed for flush... would that work for us?
Click to expand...


No that is the ATL fluid.

You need the ATF fluid.

This one.

AMSOIL - Synthetic Multi-Vehicle Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF)

OR can also use this one.

http://www.amsoil.com/storefront/atd.aspx

.
 
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The first time when I was changing the diffs and transfer case I drained and filled with standard atf. The next time I drained and filled with Amsoil and boy what a difference! About a month ago I dropped the pan, cleaned it out, changed filter, and replaced fluid again with amsoil. I hardly have any of that cold hard shift any more. I know it is normal but I like it nice and smooth like it is now hehe.

Not to mention, when towing stuff, the amsoil runs cooler.
 
So synthetic fluids are a definate plus in these trucks? I'm about to buy a 99 runner with 136k miles. Think its too late to change to synthetics?
 
z28forlife said:
So synthetic fluids are a definate plus in these trucks? I'm about to buy a 99 runner with 136k miles. Think its too late to change to synthetics?
Click to expand...

Never too late to change to synthetics.
the only reason an engine "might" leak after changing to synthetics would be because you have over heated your engine and fried your seals and the only thing keeping oil in it right now is that layer of sludge that the synthetic will probably clean up.
 
z28forlife said:
So synthetic fluids are a definate plus in these trucks? I'm about to buy a 99 runner with 136k miles. Think its too late to change to synthetics?
Click to expand...

I changed mine over to synthetic engine oil during my last oil change and so far so good. I have low mileage though.
 
lcchik said:
Anyone used Mobil 1 synthetic ATF? I know that Amsoil is the preferred fluid here on the forum, but cost and availability is an issue. Thanks!
Click to expand...

AMSOIL may be a few more $ up front, but well worth it. If you become a preferred customer of mine I can save you 20% to 25% off retail on AMSOIL products and have them shipped directly to your house.
 
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