type IV ATF SYNTHETIC OR NOT?

[RICK]

anyone know if t-IV ATF is synthetic,thanks for your help.

 

[TechWrench]

anyone know if t-IV ATF is synthetic,thanks for your help.

You can do a search to be sure, but it is my understanding that the Toyota Type IV fluid is a synthetic fluid.

 

[TeryT]

Dealer says it is!

My local dealer service writter says it is synthetic. I tend to think he knows what he's talking about, because based on this we sort of mutually agreed that it was of little benefit to change the tranny fluid at 30k when it had not seen any severe service.

This was after a conversation about how Toyota does not count high heat, like we have here in Phoenix, as severe service (even though the dealership would like to - LOL). Basically every thing we discussed in the 30k service - well, he talked me right into doing it all myself!

 

[live4swell]

Re: Dealer says it is!

My local dealer service writter says it is synthetic. I tend to think he knows what he's talking about, because based on this we sort of mutually agreed that it was of little benefit to change the tranny fluid at 30k when it had not seen any severe service.

This was after a conversation about how Toyota does not count high heat, like we have here in Phoenix, as severe service (even though the dealership would like to - LOL). Basically every thing we discussed in the 30k service - well, he talked me right into doing it all myself!

What did he recommend you do for the 30k service? I am a little over it..i do my oil myself but i am not sure about two other things to do...tranny fluid and coolant...i guess i can wait on the tranny but what about coolant?

 

[greasefingers]

It’s really cheap and easy to do, so I drained & refilled my tranny & coolant, three times over three consecutive weekends. The dilution method, since you only can drain a fraction of fluid each time.

 

[TeryT]

Re: Dealer says it is!

My local dealer service writter says it is synthetic. I tend to think he knows what he's talking about, because based on this we sort of mutually agreed that it was of little benefit to change the tranny fluid at 30k when it had not seen any severe service.

This was after a conversation about how Toyota does not count high heat, like we have here in Phoenix, as severe service (even though the dealership would like to - LOL). Basically every thing we discussed in the 30k service - well, he talked me right into doing it all myself!

What did he recommend you do for the 30k service? I am a little over it..i do my oil myself but i am not sure about two other things to do...tranny fluid and coolant...i guess i can wait on the tranny but what about coolant?

The coolant is recommended by Toyota to change at the 30k mark. All the dealer was going to do was drain the radiator & refill. The tranny is just an inspect at this point. And since it is a synthetic I see no special hurry. When I begin to tow I might change it then.

He did say the differential & transfer case was dino, but I forgot what the interval was on them. I plan to go ahead & change them myself to synthetic in a couple weeks.

 

[greasefingers]

I do not know if it’s synthetic or not but at $ 3.82/qt at my local dealer; its got to be the cheapest synthetic ATF that I have ever seen!

 

[TeryT]

WHO KNOWS!!

I do not know if it’s synthetic or not but at $ 3.82/qt at my local dealer; its got to be the cheapest synthetic ATF that I have ever seen!

Well 800 go totyota can't confirm! The local delaer parts guy says "no, but all tranny fluids are synthetic to some degree." CAN SOMEONE VERIFY!!!

 

[TeryT]

Response by Mobil 1

Here's what Mobile1 said to my inquirey if they had a sythetic for the 4th gen 4Runner (requiring T-IV):

Mobil does not market a synthetic product for your application, Mobil ATF 3309 is a high performance conventional product.

So I guess it's off to the dealership!