johnathandm
New member
i try doing reserch more in to synthetic Transmision Fluid. everytime i went to an autozone and asked for synthetic trans fluid they said i cant use it. Also a Mechanic Told me the same? Is there a Reason Why not?
Synethtic transmission Fluid possible?
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quicksilvr
New member
Dexron VI is synthetic, and it is backwards compatible with all previous DEX's....which is what 4Runners use. Dexron II or III is usually what is specified...but there's no reason to not use the newest advancement in technology since it's available.
I use Valvoline MaxLife ATF. Love it in my 4runner. It's either semi-synthetic or full synthetic....they don't really advertise it one way or the other. Either way, it works great.
I use Valvoline MaxLife ATF. Love it in my 4runner. It's either semi-synthetic or full synthetic....they don't really advertise it one way or the other. Either way, it works great.
SIKHILUXSURF
New member
i use redline d4 atf. no problems. it actually runs a bit cooler trans temps as well.
SIKHILUXSURF
New member
i use redline d4 atf. no problems. it actually runs a bit cooler trans temps as well. it would help if you ran an additional external atf cooler.
Pikeman
New member
I was just looking into this same fluid change and this is what I found will work.
AMSOIL- Universal Synthetic
AMSOIL- Torque Drive synthetic
Royal Purple- Max ATF
I am still debating between the two brands but found out a friend is a AMSOIL rep and can get me a better price. Just need to verify if you have teh A340E (7.5 qts) or the A340F transmission (10.5qts) + any additional for external cooler. This can be found on the door jam sticker.
AMSOIL- Universal Synthetic
AMSOIL- Torque Drive synthetic
Royal Purple- Max ATF
I am still debating between the two brands but found out a friend is a AMSOIL rep and can get me a better price. Just need to verify if you have teh A340E (7.5 qts) or the A340F transmission (10.5qts) + any additional for external cooler. This can be found on the door jam sticker.
SleekRunner
New member
Does anyone know if Mobil 1 Synthetic would be fine for the transmission?
My tranny has been shifting pretty hard lately and i want to do a drain and fill and convert to synthetic. Would this possibly help with the hard shifting? I havent checked the fluid level yet because i just thought about doing this and just started researching it. I will probably go and check it in the morning.
Is there any problems i may encounter when converting to Synthetic? Or will it be a simple drain and fill? I've heard several people advise against a full flush however some do it anyway.
Thanks for any help.
My tranny has been shifting pretty hard lately and i want to do a drain and fill and convert to synthetic. Would this possibly help with the hard shifting? I havent checked the fluid level yet because i just thought about doing this and just started researching it. I will probably go and check it in the morning.
Is there any problems i may encounter when converting to Synthetic? Or will it be a simple drain and fill? I've heard several people advise against a full flush however some do it anyway.
Thanks for any help.
Loyal Toyota
New member
I just recently did a drain and refill at 85k with Mobil 1 Sythethic ATF. It had a dealer pan drop and filter change back around 50k. I plan to do it again at an indie mechanic at 90k. The fluid came out DARK brown.
It's a very simple drain and refill. Easier than oil change. I used a bucket with measurements and exactly 4 quarts came out. So I refilled with 4 and called it a day. I plan to do this every 5k until clean, pink fluid comes out. I assume it should help your hard shift with clean fluids.
SleekRunner
New member
Okay awesome! Thanks i appreciate it. I figured that would be the culprit and i have heard lots of good things about mobil 1 synthetic atf so i wanted to see if anyone else had used it. I will probably get that done today. Thanks! :driving:
Singtoe
New member
I am going to place the devils advocate here:
Why switch over to synthetic. The tranny was designed to use the specified oil.
The clutch plates need some friction for them work properly. Synthetic oils are too slippery.
ATF fluid has a bunch of detergents in it too so the clutch plates and surfaces don't tarnish or shellacked up. This is why Automatic insides are always so clean.
All the orifices and fluid passages are metered for the viscosity of the tranny fluid it was designed for. Regular atf and synthetic atf have different expansion properties and trannys are designed for that.
What exactly are the benefits of Synthetic fluid in a tranny? longer life? The standard fluid already last 50k miles so is worth it?
Why switch over to synthetic. The tranny was designed to use the specified oil.
The clutch plates need some friction for them work properly. Synthetic oils are too slippery.
ATF fluid has a bunch of detergents in it too so the clutch plates and surfaces don't tarnish or shellacked up. This is why Automatic insides are always so clean.
All the orifices and fluid passages are metered for the viscosity of the tranny fluid it was designed for. Regular atf and synthetic atf have different expansion properties and trannys are designed for that.
What exactly are the benefits of Synthetic fluid in a tranny? longer life? The standard fluid already last 50k miles so is worth it?
LittleCaesar
New member
I'll offer both support and rebuttal for using synthetic in a transmission via real world experiences.
I have been using synthetic ATF (Mobil 1 mostly) in transmissions since 1995 and have never had one die on me due to heat or need a costly rebuild. Synthetic ATF seems to help the transmissions change gears with less stress. In using synthetic ATF, it seems to allow the transmission to cool down more quickly than non synthetic ATF when one is towing, etc. My father has 285,000 original miles on a 1st generation explorer A4LD tranny. Just filter changes and ATF fluid exhanges every 60,000 miles with Mobil 1 since 74,000 miles. I use Redline D4, and myA340F likes it.
That said, my friend did a fluid exchange with Maxlife in his Tacoma with the A340 E in it. Within a week, 2nd to 3rd was slipping like crazy. His friend's uncle owns a transmission shop who told him that the Maxlife was WS (World Superior -yea right) speced, that the fluid may be too thin for the clutch packs. So he flushed it out and put in Castrol Import ATF (synthetic blend maybe, used to be) and a bottle of Lubegard Red. Shifts beautifully now. I used Castrol Import ATF in 06-09 and my A340F like it for 28,000 miles.
Bottom line IMHO: Use what you want to and change the fluid regularly (30,000 to 40,000 miles). If one ATF doen't work for ya, use something else.
I have been using synthetic ATF (Mobil 1 mostly) in transmissions since 1995 and have never had one die on me due to heat or need a costly rebuild. Synthetic ATF seems to help the transmissions change gears with less stress. In using synthetic ATF, it seems to allow the transmission to cool down more quickly than non synthetic ATF when one is towing, etc. My father has 285,000 original miles on a 1st generation explorer A4LD tranny. Just filter changes and ATF fluid exhanges every 60,000 miles with Mobil 1 since 74,000 miles. I use Redline D4, and myA340F likes it.
That said, my friend did a fluid exchange with Maxlife in his Tacoma with the A340 E in it. Within a week, 2nd to 3rd was slipping like crazy. His friend's uncle owns a transmission shop who told him that the Maxlife was WS (World Superior -yea right) speced, that the fluid may be too thin for the clutch packs. So he flushed it out and put in Castrol Import ATF (synthetic blend maybe, used to be) and a bottle of Lubegard Red. Shifts beautifully now. I used Castrol Import ATF in 06-09 and my A340F like it for 28,000 miles.
Bottom line IMHO: Use what you want to and change the fluid regularly (30,000 to 40,000 miles). If one ATF doen't work for ya, use something else.
I've been running Mobil 1 Synthetic in my 1997, T4R, SR5 transmission and power steering since 2002. No problems to report and runs like new. I went the drain and fill route for the transmission and power steering for every 5K miles until the fluid was sparkling clean. It only took 4 drain and refills on the ATF and 3 on the Power steering.
I avoided the drain and flush route since the harsh chemicals might not be compatible with the radiator cooler or the internal components. The Mobil 1 has kept the AT and PS smooth and clean. Now it's once every 20k that I perform a drain and fill on the PS reservoir and AT.
I avoided the drain and flush route since the harsh chemicals might not be compatible with the radiator cooler or the internal components. The Mobil 1 has kept the AT and PS smooth and clean. Now it's once every 20k that I perform a drain and fill on the PS reservoir and AT.
I guess that is all relative as to which synthetic ATF fluid is best. I've been using Mobil 1, ATF a long time in my 1997 T4R, SR5 and have not had any problems. I look for the special "coupon savings", by using the coupon codes and buying on line at Advance Discount Auto Parts . Then I just stockpile the ATF and use the Mobil ATF as needed. With the coupon codes used at Advance my cost per quart is just over $5.00 rather than the "in store purchase" price of $9.59 a quart at Advance.:hello:
So you save quite a bit by taking advantage of the "on-line coupon specials" and buying on line at Advance Auto for pick up at the store. The coupon specials don't work for Motor Oil unless their is a computer glitch....which has happened in the past.....:thanks:
Every 20K to 30K I just change out the Mobil ATF fluid from the pan and add the same amount back into the T4R, usually 3 Quarts with a top off, to refresh the fluid. I've been doing this for quite some time.
Maybe Amsol and Redline is very good ATF fluid....I don't know what the cost is ....but I'm sure it's mighty high.
All I know is that the Mobil 1 is spec'd for T-IV and Dextron fluids in Toyota Japanese made vehicles. :thumb3:
The price of the Toyota WS T-IV at my local "stealership" is over $7.00 a quart for the conventional Toyota T-IV ATF for the DIY clientele.
So you save quite a bit by taking advantage of the "on-line coupon specials" and buying on line at Advance Auto for pick up at the store. The coupon specials don't work for Motor Oil unless their is a computer glitch....which has happened in the past.....:thanks:
Every 20K to 30K I just change out the Mobil ATF fluid from the pan and add the same amount back into the T4R, usually 3 Quarts with a top off, to refresh the fluid. I've been doing this for quite some time.
Maybe Amsol and Redline is very good ATF fluid....I don't know what the cost is ....but I'm sure it's mighty high.
All I know is that the Mobil 1 is spec'd for T-IV and Dextron fluids in Toyota Japanese made vehicles. :thumb3:
The price of the Toyota WS T-IV at my local "stealership" is over $7.00 a quart for the conventional Toyota T-IV ATF for the DIY clientele.
quicksilvr
New member
That Maxlife story is interesting. I've only used it in 4Runners, both my 99 with 143k miles, and my sisters '97 with....gasp.....245k miles. Both transmissions shift great.
Looks like Mobil 1 syn should be OK:
Is New Formulation Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF Usable for Applications Requiring Dexron III?
Is New Formulation Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF Usable for Applications Requiring Dexron III?
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Correct me if I'm wrong.... the T4R, holds about 16 quarts of ATF in the converter, transmission and pan. So the best way to have a synthetic, high priced ATF fluid pumped into the trans system would be via fluid exchange.
However, if you buy the "Premium" synthetic transmission fluids and take it to a transmission shop for a fluid exchange, how would you know that they put in the Redline, Mobil 1 or any other top of the line synthetic that you bring in for the exchange? :flipoff:
Transmission fluid all looks the same on the dip stick, with the exception of Royal Purple with the tell tale sign of it's purple hue.
That is the main reason that I opted to perform a drain and fill for my transmission fluid change to Synthetic. It took 4 drain and fills and I wasted transmission fluid but at least I know that there is synthetic fluid in my transmission.
I've heard too many stories of people bringing in synthetic oil for an oil change and the service departments employee's just putting in the regular bulk oil for the OCI. :flipoff:
I guess some people keep the "Premium" oils and fluids for their own vehicles. Who's to know.... unless you have a UOA done on the oil or fluid.
Don't forget.....Most places don't allow customers to watch in the service area due to "Insurance Regulations"....so you never really know what your getting....unless you do it yourself.
However, if you buy the "Premium" synthetic transmission fluids and take it to a transmission shop for a fluid exchange, how would you know that they put in the Redline, Mobil 1 or any other top of the line synthetic that you bring in for the exchange? :flipoff:
Transmission fluid all looks the same on the dip stick, with the exception of Royal Purple with the tell tale sign of it's purple hue.
That is the main reason that I opted to perform a drain and fill for my transmission fluid change to Synthetic. It took 4 drain and fills and I wasted transmission fluid but at least I know that there is synthetic fluid in my transmission.
I've heard too many stories of people bringing in synthetic oil for an oil change and the service departments employee's just putting in the regular bulk oil for the OCI. :flipoff:
I guess some people keep the "Premium" oils and fluids for their own vehicles. Who's to know.... unless you have a UOA done on the oil or fluid.
Don't forget.....Most places don't allow customers to watch in the service area due to "Insurance Regulations"....so you never really know what your getting....unless you do it yourself.
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