Transmission Fluids

[koder]

Hello Everyone,

A couple of weeks ago I drained my transmission fluid from the pan and ~4 liters came out. So I went to the local AutoParts store and picked up some Pennzoil Dex ATF fluid. Guy said it's all good and it will work. So I topped it up and so far everything is running good.

Now doing some more research people say that IV is the way to go.

My question is, is it worth replacing or just leave it and not worry about it?

I got an 2003 4Runner SR5 V6 with 275,000 kilometers.

Thanks,

 

[acronin2]

Hello Everyone,

A couple of weeks ago I drained my transmission fluid from the pan and ~4 liters came out. So I went to the local AutoParts store and picked up some Pennzoil Dexron III fluid. Guy said it's all good and it will work. So I topped it up and so far everything is running good.

Now doing some more research people say that IV is the way to go.

My question is, is it worth replacing or just leave it and not worry about it?

I got an 2003 4Runner SR5 V6 with 275,000 kilometers.

Thanks,

Does your truck have a dipstick? If so, than it uses Toyota T-IV. I am sure there are equivalent ATF but I am not sure which ones they would be.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

I would check the back of the bottle (or look on the website) if the fluid you used is "Toyota Type IV" Compatible. Most fluid these days is as Type IV was widely used and easily replicated. If the fluid you put in is not Type IV compatible you'll need to use a fluid that is as it is what the transmission calls for. Good news is that it's easy to find good Type IV ATF for a good price.

 

[koder]

For personal satisfaction I decided to drain the whole pan and add ~3.5 liters of Toyota dealership-bought T-IV ATF. Guy at the Toyota counter said there's no real difference as Toyota apparently only adds some additives, but if you're doing a whole tranny fluid change, T-IV is best. If you need to top up (~ 1 liter) DEX III is ok too.

 

[strathcona]

Does your truck have a dipstick? If so, than it uses Toyota T-IV.

Is this confirmed?
My 03 has a dipstick, but is a 5 speed, the 5 speed takes WS, the 4 speed takes T-IV. This is what I was told by the dealership.

 

[Top Shelf Synthetics]

Is this confirmed?
My 03 has a dipstick, but is a 5 speed, the 5 speed takes WS, the 4 speed takes T-IV. This is what I was told by the dealership.

'03 will use TIV transmission fluid.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

Is this confirmed?
My 03 has a dipstick, but is a 5 speed, the 5 speed takes WS, the 4 speed takes T-IV. This is what I was told by the dealership.

Pull the dipstick, on the metal blade there should be a stamping that says what fluid it takes.

 

[strathcona]

Top Shelf,
Thanks for the chart. Mines an 8 not a 6.

BlackWorksInc,
There are no markings on the stick at all except the hot/cold full/low notches. Here's a pic of the top sticker. Just says no need to change the fluid under normal conditions.

Now the manual says T-IV, but when I bought the truck second hand I had all fluids changed just to be sure. They put WS in and when I questioned it I was told that was the correct fluid for the 5 speed. ??

 

[Top Shelf Synthetics]

Hi [MENTION=94371]strathcona[/MENTION]

No problem, anytime! I'm showing TIV for the V8 as well. '04 is the first year I'm showing WS is recommended.

 

[strathcona]

Thanks again! I was scratching my head over this as I was being told one thing when the book says another.

They only did a drain and fill, so now that I actually have a place to do some work on my own, I will do a few drain/fill cycles to replace the fluid.

 

[Top Shelf Synthetics]

Happy to help! I plan on doing the same thing and switching over to synthetic after summer. Garage in AZ summer is not the place to be! lol