Dexron II in my "02

[gebomartin]

I decided to go and change out all my ATF's to the specific Toyota fluid that is called for. I thought all of them were either T-V or WS. Bought 24 of each at my faithful Lexus Dealership. You will never guess
how surprised I was after draining the ATF out of my 2002 4Runner this afternoon. I took the 14 ml hex bolt in to get a new crush washer and as I was inspecting it I thought I saw "D II" stamped on it. I thought I better get
my reading glasses. I did and sure enough, big as day I confirmed the drain bolt said DEXRON II. I said to my self, somebody has inadvertently swapped transmission drain bolts because I know my 2002 would call
for T-IV. Then it hit me. Read the owner's manual and then I will prove this was just a simple bolt swap issue. Well, I got the owner's manual out and turned to the Transmission spec page and I couldn't believe what I saw.
My heart sunk. My transmission calls for DEXRON II.

What do I do? Please don't waste your time telling me to use Maxlife, please? Pretty please? No sugar on top though. :grin2:

I want to use whatever Toyota ATF I am supposed to. I know WS won't work. I don't think T-IV will work. Do I just go and find some generic Dexron III?

Remember, my point is not to use a multi-vehicle ATF. Amsoil is out. Schaeffers is out. Maxlife it out. I am of sound mind. I'm removing all my Amsoil and Schaeffers in my other car's transmissions and replacing with T-IV or WS.

 

[pluton]

Doesn't Dex 4 supersede Dex 2 and 3, meaning it can be safely used in place of the older formulas?

 

[alumarine]

Doesn't Dex 4 supersede Dex 2 and 3, meaning it can be safely used in place of the older formulas?

Yes.

 

[3bears]

what wrong with amsoil tranny fluid, been running it for over 40k

 

[MaineRunna]

Doesn't Dex 4 supersede Dex 2 and 3, meaning it can be safely used in place of the older formulas?

There is no such thing as Dexron 4. It is Dexron VI (6) a synthetic ATF that replaced Dexron III in the early 2000's. It does supersede the older Dexrons, is compatible with them and can be mixed with them ie: be used to top off a trans filled with Dexron II or III. You can get regular Toyota non synthetic ATF which is Dexron III. I got a case of it from the dealer when I installed a Toyota remanned trans in a customer's early 2000's Tundra a couple of years ago..

 

[gebomartin]

what wrong with amsoil tranny fluid, been running it for over 40k

Nothing wrong. I just wanna go with the ATF that was specific for my transmission.

 

[gebomartin]

... You can get regular Toyota non synthetic ATF which is Dexron III. I got a case of it from the dealer when I installed a Toyota remanned trans in a customer's early 2000's Tundra a couple of years ago..

I just called 4 Toyota dealerships. One had never heard of it. The other 3 wanted between $11.50 (if i bring my own container) and $14/qt. Yikes!

Am I ignorant in wanting to use specifically what was called for when the 4Runner was new? Should I just go and buy some Valvoline Dexron III or is there something added in the Toyota non synthetic ATF that could be of value?

 

[MaineRunna]

I just called 4 Toyota dealerships. One had never heard of it. The other 3 wanted between $11.50 (if i bring my own container) and $14/qt. Yikes!

Am I ignorant in wanting to use specifically what was called for when the 4Runner was new? Should I just go and buy some Valvoline Dexron III or is there something added in the Toyota non synthetic ATF that could be of value?

I actually got a case of quarts from Jaffarian Toyota Volvo in Haverhill, MA. They deliver to my shop in Kittery, ME. They recommended it for warranty purposes. I don't remember what it cost though. I could check the price and part number if I stop by my shop again today and check the customer's history on my computer. I really believe you are fine using Valvoline, Amalie or just about any other name brand Dexron III ATF. Dexron is a formula created and licensed by GM. As long as the bottle says Dexron approved it's the same stuff GM would use thus the same as Toyota would use.

 

[gebomartin]

MaineRunna,

That's too much trouble for you. You have already helped me enough. Thanks!

 

[pokeyman]

I am running Valvoline MaxLife on my tranny with no problem at all,

 

[T4R2014]

I want to use whatever Toyota ATF I am supposed to. I know WS won't work. I don't think T-IV will work. Do I just go and find some generic Dexron III?

I'm using T-IV in my transmission. It is a beefed up Dexron to put it in layman's terms. The spec is not outdated like Dexron 3 either. Use what you have. It will work great.

I do not recommend Maxlife anymore. Relating back to your multi vehicle concern. Maxlife covers way too broad of viscosities. It meets WS and T-IV at the same time. How? Very fishy and no other manufacturer that I know of does this. That said, combining Dex2/3 with T-IV is very realistic. Viscosity wise they are quite similar, but T-IV has a little better additive pack. Most modern Dex/Merc fluids (which are not even licensed) meet T-IV spec. And Dex6 is closer to WS. Nothing scientific about this, but there you go. Only thing I can really argue is that the heat resistance of a synthetic multi vehicle like Amsoil or Redline outweighs the multi-vehicle blur.

 

[gamefreakgc]

I'm a big fan of synthetic transmission fluid. I had some chepo part store Asian vehicle special in there before and the shifts were hard and the transmission would jump around a bit. Upon switching to full synthetic the shifts have become smoother, quieter and more consistent in shift points.

Since Dextron II is no longer available you'll find a wide variety of transmission fluids being used. Our transmissions are still very bulletproof regardless of fluid type.

 

[Zorrota]

Why is your point to not use any multi-vehicle ATF? I can't think of anything more convenient than to have 1 ATF on hand. I use Amsoil synthetic ATF in everything and have since 1987.
I have 265K on a 1970 Chevy C-10 with a TH350 tranny that's never been opened up.
192K on a 2001 Mercury Grand Marquis.
198K on a 2002 Chevy Avalanche.
158K on a 2003 GMC Yukon.
The list goes on and on with past vehicles-everything from several older Mercedes to several GM front-wheel-drive setups with the 3800 engine.
I have never had a transmission problem and note that only one of these vehicles was purchased new, the others were switched over immediately after I got them.
You're overthinking this. Use the Amsoil in everything.

 

[MaineRunna]

I personally would run synthetic ATF if I had an automatic. I run Redline MT90 in my 5spd. The part number for the Toyota ATF I used a few years ago was 00718-ATF00. It cost me 7.54/qt and listed for $9.43 at the time (July 2015)