Toyota WS ATF vs Valvoline MaxLife V8 2004

[Jhelms]

3rd gen gunner owner here but saw this thread. Been mixing in maxlife slowly via drain and fill for 2 years. Zero issues - shifts are smooth. Same with power steering.

 

[natevans65]

Have completed 2 out of 4 drain and fills using the MaxLife, no issues thus far, I know it's to soon to report back but the process is easy.

 

[Medvedko]

I'm using Maxlife "full exchange" for almost 6,000 miles.
Normal smooth shifts honestly can't tell much of a difference.
Interestingly on very cold mornings in winter shifts are smoother.
Remember I am comparing fluid that had 100k to fresh fluid...
IMO, there are others on the Tundra forums with the same transmission and 30k to 40k with Maxlife going strong.

I think compared to other fluids Maxlife and WS are very similar on paper.

 

[Morphyne]

Ok....did the Maxlife 4 qt drain and fill, will change it 2 more times in the next week. My Y pipe flange bolts are so rusty I am afraid I will get into a bigger project if I attempt to break them loose stripping the stud bolts. Any v8 guys out there attempted trying to lower the pan with super rusty Y pipe bolts??

Don't bother. I did a pan drop and filter replace on a V8 with 100k and a V6 with 165k. what I saw in the filter and the pan was not enough for me to want to mess with rust exhaust bolts.

Search painkiller for my build thread. i think there are some good pics in there.

 

[toyo]

Stupid question but what does the transmission and the exhaust bolts have in common?
I have used MaxLife in many of my customer's Toyota/Lexus transmissions. I always give them the option. I haven't experienced a problem yet.
I did notice that Walmart has come out with a new full synthetic trans fluid that is WS rated. I'm sure some owners will try it out soon.

 

[V8PoWer]

Stupid question but what does the transmission and the exhaust bolts have in common?
I have used MaxLife in many of my customer's Toyota/Lexus transmissions. I always give them the option. I haven't experienced a problem yet.
I did notice that Walmart has come out with a new full synthetic trans fluid that is WS rated. I'm sure some owners will try it out soon.

I was confused at first of the question. Probably forgot to mention in his post. But you need to drop the exhaust pipe to remove the pan and filter. Pretty sure all the bolts are rusted to death.

 

[toyo]

I have never had to touch any part of the exhaust to drop the transmission pan.

 

[blackfc3s]

I have never had to touch any part of the exhaust to drop the transmission pan.

depends on what transmission you have. Some do, some don't.

 

[toyo]

depends on what transmission you have. Some do, some don't.

Oh. I thought we were talking about the 4th Gen 4R.

 

[natevans65]

My 04 V8 has the pipe that crosses directly underneath the pan so it's not an easy pan drop. From some of the videos I've seen, it can be a chore to remove it as mine has 221k miles and the bolts on the pipe are mega rusty.

 

[Morphyne]

The gen 4 t4r needs the y pipe removed to do the pan. THE 4.5 gen does not need the y pipe moved.

 

[Captsolo]

Usually the difference between oem and the universal off the shelf is the friction modifier. From what i experience is that oem have a lot of modifiers which is why you have the seamlessly smooth shifts. It allows the clutch to slip more. In return it cause more wear and tear on the clutch packs.
Imo for older vehicle with higher mileage, less slip is better if you're trying to prolong it. This is what I achieve with the valvoline. It still have the friction modifier but less allowing quick firmer shifts.
Think of it as you are driving a manual stick shift. If you don't want your passengers to snap their neck, you would graudually release the clutch allowing more slip on the clutch and flywheel. Best of all valvoline is fully synthetic. With WS, it is a secret mystery.

I had my transmission fluid changed by the dealer at 100,000 miles. Still smooth shifting and performance at 140,000 miles.:tea:

 

[Falcon3]

Looks like the consensus has been made, but my .02 is that Maxlife is a superior fluid to WS and works great in our transmissions. Add a little Lubeguard Red to the mixture and you’re good for quite a while.

 

[Captsolo]

I've read the threads on the board about using MaxLife ATF vs the Toyota WS fluid and seen sides for both. Yesterday I did the 4 quart drain and fill with OEM WS Toyota Fluid (Pic Attached-new on left old on right). I am trying to understand from the community if you have MIXED both during a fluid change? I have 4 quarts of new MaxLife and was considering using that in about 100 miles to do the 2nd 4 quart drain and fill but am somewhat hesitant due to other threads talking about the conditioners or additives that MaxLife may or may not have when compared to the OEM WS fluid. So was asking if anyone has had success or not when mixing the two during a fluid exchange and what if any issues you may have had. Some context on my v8. At 100K...did full OEM WS fluid exchange. At 150K did another full OEM exchange, at 220K have done a 4 quart exchange with OEM WS fluid. Thank you for your input

View attachment 222827

natevans65 ...

GREAT pictures of the tranny fluid change - before and after... i.e., new OEM WS Toyota Fluid compared to old OEM WS Toyota Fluid .. i.e., after your 4 quart/fill (or FULL?) ... add at 150,000 miles - 70,000 miles later at/to 220,000 miles.

The color looks almost perfectly (red)...not black (like I would have thought).. Comforting to see your pictures. Thanks

Use the Maxlife you have stock in your next change - with more pictures please.:moony:

 

[Bluesky 07]

Looks like the consensus has been made, but my .02 is that Maxlife is a superior fluid to WS and works great in our transmissions. Add a little Lubeguard Red to the mixture and you’re good for quite a while.

But based on what? If there’s quantifiable evidence, great. Otherwise, I’ll take “I know it works” over “it’s supposed to work” every time.