Has anyone tried synthetic transmission fluid?

[Jeff T]

I've read plenty of threads on the forum and the there appears to be a great deal of caution/fear of fluid and our transmissions.

One of my buddies works, VP, for a company that makes a synthetic trans fluid compatible with Toyota transmissions. My first fear is the general fooling with the trans fear, second fear is the 196k I have on it.

Gut feel tells me to leave well enough alone...

Whatdya think?

 

[MikeInNH]

Not sure about your 04..but my 05 and later models require Toyota's WS (World Standard) fluid. The WS fluid IS synthetic. Don't have any fear using a full synthetic tranny fluid or engine oil.

 

[radlynx]

i replaced mine with AMSOIL fluid. no problems so far.

I've read plenty of threads on the forum and the there appears to be a great deal of caution/fear of fluid and our transmissions.

One of my buddies works, VP, for a company that makes a synthetic trans fluid compatible with Toyota transmissions. My first fear is the general fooling with the trans fear, second fear is the 196k I have on it.

Gut feel tells me to leave well enough alone...

Whatdya think?

 

[CookieRoe]

I personally don't see why people are so quick to get aftermarket ATF when what toyota makes is good the way it is. You don't get any benefit from using others. Our trannies are known to be extremely reliable. My 2 cents.

Anyway, OP, if your tranny has that many miles, has it gone through a drain/fill any time during its life? If so, cool, do it again. If the tranny isn't doing anything funny (shifting weird), then my guess is that you will be fine doing a drain/fill with Toyota ATF. If you doubt, stick with OEM spec stuff :hatsoff:

 

[MikeInNH]

I personally don't see why people are so quick to get aftermarket ATF when what toyota makes is good the way it is

For one thing Toyota does NOT make tranny fluid. It's made for them by one of the oil companies. I looked at using another fluid that was compatible with the Toyota trannies. But the cost was about the same...so I just opted for the fluid from the Toyota dealer.

 

[talonjade]

I also moved to the amsoil ATF and I noticed a little better tanny performance, not much but the less binding I get the better I say!:frog:


I leaned as I was performing the diffs/X-case (perfect fluid condition- WTF?) and afer a few calls to PA toyota that my truck had its tranny was REPLACED 15,000 miles ago; after I bought it!! LUCKY ME!

My tranny fluid was so clean I could see my hand through it so I did a quick wipe of the magnets and just did a regular fill... She runs like a absolute TOP!

 

[MICA4R]

$0.02 change it out at 100K Miles then again at 200K Miles. Use what the dealership sells you.

Synthetic DIFF fluid makes a HUGE difference. Love it.

 

[03_4x4Runner]

One of the reason auto manufacturers went to sealed transmissions without dipsticks is so people would stop pouring in the wrong fluid. A lot of transmission problems came after people would have their trans flushed and some quicky lube place would put in the wrong fluid. Just put in the proper oem fluid and leave it alone.

 

[Jeff T]

I personally don't see why people are so quick to get aftermarket ATF when what toyota makes is good the way it is. You don't get any benefit from using others. Our trannies are known to be extremely reliable. My 2 cents.

Anyway, OP, if your tranny has that many miles, has it gone through a drain/fill any time during its life? If so, cool, do it again. If the tranny isn't doing anything funny (shifting weird), then my guess is that you will be fine doing a drain/fill with Toyota ATF. If you doubt, stick with OEM spec stuff :hatsoff:

OP, here... Yes, did a drain and fill at 100k, was planning on the same at 200k.


Question for those that switched to synthetic. Did you drain & fill or flush & fill.


One more question - Is there a trans filter in there??

 

[THEROK]

I personally don't see why people are so quick to get aftermarket ATF when what toyota makes is good the way it is. You don't get any benefit from using others. Our trannies are known to be extremely reliable. My 2 cents.

Anyway, OP, if your tranny has that many miles, has it gone through a drain/fill any time during its life? If so, cool, do it again. If the tranny isn't doing anything funny (shifting weird), then my guess is that you will be fine doing a drain/fill with Toyota ATF. If you doubt, stick with OEM spec stuff :hatsoff:

Finally a rational Internet person.

What ills has the stock fluid brought into your life? If it ain't broke don't f with it.

 

[ebg18t]

From what I have found the Toyota WS fluid is pretty stout fluid. If the tranny was originally spec'd with some cheap fluid I could see finding an alternative. But sent is this is good fluid, just stick with the spec'd fluid.

 

[Jeff T]

My transmission is the non sealed automatic four speed. Manual calls for Type T-IV fluid.

 

[CookieRoe]

OP, here... Yes, did a drain and fill at 100k, was planning on the same at 200k.


Question for those that switched to synthetic. Did you drain & fill or flush & fill.


One more question - Is there a trans filter in there??

You mean switched to "aftermarket"? The stock stuff is synthetic. Whatever the case, I think consensus is do a drain and fill. Lots less to worry about. If you are VERY FINICKY about having all clean ATF, then drain and fill (driving in between each time) a couple/few times to get it all out.

Filter: Yes, it's a metal strainer (not paper). Those usually don't ever need to be changed. You probably don't either. But hey, go for it if it makes you feel better. I would probably take it out, clean it, and reinstall it. If it were a paper filter, by all means I would replace it.

 

[03_4x4Runner]

My transmission is the non sealed automatic four speed. Manual calls for Type T-IV fluid.

I use Toyota T-IV fluid. It is not that expensive.

 

[Jeff T]

You mean switched to "aftermarket"? The stock stuff is synthetic. Whatever the case, I think consensus is do a drain and fill. Lots less to worry about. If you are VERY FINICKY about having all clean ATF, then drain and fill (driving in between each time) a couple/few times to get it all out.

Filter: Yes, it's a metal strainer (not paper). Those usually don't ever need to be changed. You probably don't either. But hey, go for it if it makes you feel better. I would probably take it out, clean it, and reinstall it. If it were a paper filter, by all means I would replace it.

I thought only the WS in the sealed trans was syntheltic? Is the Type T- IV synthetic as well?

 

[MikeInNH]

I thought only the WS in the sealed trans was syntheltic? Is the Type T- IV synthetic as well?

You are correct....WS is synthetic....and the Type T-IV is NOT synthetic.

There are several companies that make a T-IV fully synthetic oil. Any one will be fine. But you may have a hard time finding them. Might have to buy them on-line.

To ME - buying transmission fluid is the same as buying oil. Car manufacturers do NOT make oil. It's made for them. Motor oilis a more generic. All you have worry about with motor oil is the weight (some vehicles are required to use synthetic). While transmissions may have special formulas....that doesn't mean they are EXCLUSIVE to the manufacturer. Toyota (GM, Ford, Chryco, Nissan...etc..etc) all sell their own branded oil and transmission fluid. NOT one of them make it...and for that matter even design it. It's designed and manufactured for them by one of the oil companies. If you feel good about using the manufacturers oil/tranny fluid...GREAT. But I surely wouldn't worry about using a comparable oil/tranny fluid from one of the oil companies.

 

[CookieRoe]

I thought only the WS in the sealed trans was syntheltic? Is the Type T- IV synthetic as well?

I'm pretty sure they are both synthetic, but your particular year takes the Type T-IV. The WS is thinner and is not compatible (applys to 2005 and newer 4Runners). What does your manual say? If you don't have one, call a stealer...

Someone correct me if I'm wrong.......

EDIT: what Mike said..........

 

[Jeff T]

Will do the drain and fill with the synthetic I have. A few miles later I'll do it again.

I agree with Mike, mfr's do not make the fluids. I can't tell you all the different brands of oil I've had through my 4Runner.

Transmission fluid is the same, just not changed as often.

Thanks for all the comments to the post!

 

[BlackWorksInc]

No manufacturer produces their own fluids, they outsource to other companies. That being said, it does not mean that those fluids are any more "generic." Motor oil and requirements vary by manufacturer to a point that you can have 4 bottles of 5-30 that are all completely different from themselves and using the wrong one can cause issues in your vehicle.

Toyota is a lot less strict than say VW (See what happens when you run a 502.00 in a 501.00 vehicle...), they just want the right viscosity and maybe API rating. But other manufacturers, even the domestics are going to very very strict guidelines for oil, coolant, and as always has been trans fluid.

Toyota WS is a synthetic fluid that is only used by Toyota/Lexus as far as I am aware. There currently are no "factory approved" WS replacement. Amsoil makes a WS fluid that is really great from what I hear, but if you're under warranty it could potentially void your warranty. I would not buy any fluid that claims it is WS Compatible and also compatible with a bunch of other specs, its just not possible.

T-IV is normally non-synthetic, but many good synthetic T-IV spec fluids are available. Again a little research and some skepticism on those "universal" fluids. (Whole other tirade on that)

Basically, WS is a synthetic fluid. No one makes a "factory approved" replacement, but Amsoil and I think one other make tested and proven OEM replacements, but they will likely void your warranty if used and tested.

Any other questions.