WHORERUNNER
New member
Thinking about doing a whole tranny flush as maintenance. Was considering syn atf. I have a 99 with 110k. Any experience, I was thinking about amsoil.
synthetic fluid for tranny,who's using it?
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Sherwood4Runner
New member
I haven't done it yet but I believe some guys on here are running Amsoil...I hear its SUPER expensive stuff though...
LittleCaesar
New member
I am running Redline D4, good stuff, but it can be pricey. It is usually on sale at the end of the summer for some odd reason or another.
Amsoil ATF is good too. The local distributors here think they are oil gods so I have never personally used it.
Castrol Import ATF (don't know if it is still a synthetic blend) worked well in my 4runner for close to 30,000 miles before the D4.
Amsoil ATF is good too. The local distributors here think they are oil gods so I have never personally used it.
Castrol Import ATF (don't know if it is still a synthetic blend) worked well in my 4runner for close to 30,000 miles before the D4.
WHORERUNNER
New member
I did use amsoil on the motor and t-case of my previous t4r, but never on the trans.
SIKHILUXSURF
New member
i Use Redline D4 pricey but worth it in my opinion.
Nunyabiz
New member
Both Amsoil and the Redline D4 are very good, personally I prefer the Amsoil and it is the first thing I do to any new or used car/truck I ever buy is a full fluid change to ALL synthetic. Engine oil, Gear lube and ATF.
You will need somewhere between 13-15 qts depending on how much you can squeeze out. For 15qts will cost about $125
I do not think you can go wrong using full synthetic, some do not think it is worth it however since you can use it much longer and synthetics keep the engine and trans cleaner and cooler then I beg to differ.
I have used nothing but fully synthetic oil, lube, ATF in every car I have owned since 1977 without a single problem and from my calculations I have SAVED money doing so.
It should be required by the manufacturer of every vehicle at this point.
You will need somewhere between 13-15 qts depending on how much you can squeeze out. For 15qts will cost about $125
I do not think you can go wrong using full synthetic, some do not think it is worth it however since you can use it much longer and synthetics keep the engine and trans cleaner and cooler then I beg to differ.
I have used nothing but fully synthetic oil, lube, ATF in every car I have owned since 1977 without a single problem and from my calculations I have SAVED money doing so.
It should be required by the manufacturer of every vehicle at this point.
hsu4runner
New member
I've been using Redline D4 ATF since new.
I replace the fluids with D4 ATF at 10k and immediately notice the smoothing shifting. I have Redline products in my BMWs and you can tell the improvements in shifting expecially during winter cold months.
I'm a firm believer in Redline products now.
As for draining, ever try the MityVac products? I've used this product for most of my transmission and oil extraction and love it. In fact I've read that even the Mercedes Benz stealer now use this product to change their oils when cars come in for service. Simply stick the tube down the dipstick, give it a few pump and out comes all the oil.
Amazon.com: Mityvac 7201 Fluid Evacuator Plus: Automotive
I replace the fluids with D4 ATF at 10k and immediately notice the smoothing shifting. I have Redline products in my BMWs and you can tell the improvements in shifting expecially during winter cold months.
I'm a firm believer in Redline products now.
As for draining, ever try the MityVac products? I've used this product for most of my transmission and oil extraction and love it. In fact I've read that even the Mercedes Benz stealer now use this product to change their oils when cars come in for service. Simply stick the tube down the dipstick, give it a few pump and out comes all the oil.
Amazon.com: Mityvac 7201 Fluid Evacuator Plus: Automotive
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Nunyabiz
New member
How can that get ATF out of the transfer case?
You can actually get 13 qts of ATF out of your trans with that or does it just empty the pan of the usual drain of about 3qts?
SIKHILUXSURF
New member
The Transfer Case does not Use ATF!!! it uses Gear Oil!!!! do not mix the 2. unless you want a disasterous result.
SIKHILUXSURF
New member
quicksilvr
New member
Transfer case gets drained and filled just like your front and rear differential. And it uses the same fluid: 75w90 gear oil. No ATF....like Hilux said...that would be very bad. For reference, most people run 75w90 in the rear diff too, even though the factory calls for 80w90. That way you can just get a bunch of 75w90 and use it all three places.
Yes, please refer to this link for Transmission flushing, changing fluid etc. Im my experience, if you just pull the drain plug on the transmission pan and let it drain with the truck flat on the ground, you'll get about 3 qts out. If you jack the front of the truck up, you'll get 4 qts. If you jack the front up AND let it sit overnight, you'll get like 4.3 qts out.
No matter how you do it, it's only a small percentage of the total ATF in the system. The write-up listed above is the only way to do a total fluid change, because the torque converter holds so much.
For the OP's original question. I use Valvoline Maxlife ATF and love it. It's a semi-synthetic fluid with a good additive package. And it's pretty cheap. 4qt jug at my local Walmart is only $17. I've used it for the last 25k miles, and it's been great. I'm actually going to have it analyzed by Blackstone next month when I do a drain/refill of the pan.
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brian2sun
Elite Member
I flushed my tranny at 185K with Amsoil and it's great (I'm at 210K now). Mine was shifting a little too hard before the flush and it's been as smooth as ever for the last 25K. I also put a quart of Lucas Tranny Fix in there too which I highly recommend for any high mileage tranny.
Nunyabiz
New member
Meant to say "Torque converter" not transfer case, been up without sleep for most of 3 days with my mother in hospital not thinking to clearly.
But the Torque converter holds like 8-9qts which is most of what needs to be drained and cant see how that dohickey would suck it out of the torque converter.
WHORERUNNER
New member
Did your shifting improve, mine is fine just want to start and put some good synthetics in the drivetrain.
WHORERUNNER
New member
Also has anyone ever had any issues with the rear diff seals leaking when changing the to synthetic gear lube.
quicksilvr
New member
I didn't drive the truck for very long before I did all the fluids. So it's hard to say if the shifting improved. I've driven about 5 other 3rd gen 4runners with the 3.4L Auto trans combo though.....and mine shifts as smooth or smoother than all of them.
WHORERUNNER
New member
Thanks I'll look into that atf your using.
