Transmission Fluid: Was a decision ever made - WS vs Maxlife

[Montego Murph]

Hello all,

in a week or two my friend and I are going to do a fluid exchange on my '03 V8.

I've been poring over pages and pages of debate that can be pretty much summed up in two sentences:

1) WS Fluid is what the engineers specified for the Toyota transmission, and therefore it would be foolish to even think about deviating from that.

2) WS Fluid is not as good as other kinds (MaxLife seems to the the most popular alternative) and does not handle heat as well as it should.

Has a final decision ever been determined which to go with? Or is this one of those perpetual motion machines for the ages like Bud vs Miller, Coke vs Pepsi, etc?

 

[AuSeeker]

It's a conundrum, no one knows for sure IMHO, BUT I think either is better then leaving the old fluid in there!!

There are also other fluids out there that maybe even better but who's to say other than fans of a particular brand, Amsoil, Royal Purple to name a couple.

 

[TowMeOut]

I went with the Maxlife about a year ago. So far so good....that's all I can say.

 

[Montego Murph]

What I really should do is compile all the info I've unearthed and see if it is worthy of a place in the FAQ sticky.

I myself am leaning towards Maxlife based on what I've read. Neither choice has resulted in tragedy anywhere either.

 

[zeekevin]

I did a 50/50 mix of Toyota oem ws and maxlife on my last flush, my next flush will be straight maxlife

 

[Brian3676]

You sure your 03 takes WS? I thought 03 was the last year of dip stick and older fluid?

 

[Montego Murph]

You sure your 03 takes WS? I thought 03 was the last year of dip stick and older fluid?

Hmm.
Looks like I have some more investigating to do. Indeed my truck has a dipstick, but some recent snooping revealed that the pan with the dipstick tube fitted is the only difference between "early" and "late" 5-speed transmissions (the A750F by Aisin-Warner)

Maybe the 4-speed in early V6 models used the other type of fluid? Im gonna look into this to be sure.

 

[Bluesky 07]

I used WS but mainly wanted to commend you on the correct usage & spelling of “poring.”

 

[Morphyne]

I use maxlife in both my rigs and they are working just fine. .

 

[cloud]

Drink the Kool aid. Toyota red/Pink

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