What other A/transmission fluid do you use?
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spartacus
Senior Member
I've always used toyota t-iii in in my 2000 sr5 but last time I drained and refilled it with t-iv which is backwards compatible with t-iii as far as I know but others would disagree. I found some t-iii on ebay but the packaging is different otherwise the seller has stellar reviews and rating.
Toyota, Lexus Genuine OEM Dexron III ATF 7 QTS | eBay
LittleCaesar
New member
Castrol Import ATF.
Brian.
Member
Like lots of others in this forum, I use Valvoline ATF from Walmart. Not hard to meet the minimum standards of Dexron III., which is all the service manual calls for. Have a DexIII (compatible, since DexIII was discontinued and has been replaced by DexIV) fluid filled to the proper level, you're pretty much 99% of the way to "absolute best you can do" ~ if you want to split hairs over that last 1%, help yourself. Just understand it's not needed or necessary.
brillo_76
Elite Member
You dont have any slipping issues using T4 fluid? That's great to hear. However, there are technical bulletins out there that state our transmissions are not compatible with T4. That suggest to stick with Dextron III compatible fluids. I have seen posts and seen documents of people having transmission slipping using T4 fluid on the internet. So if you start having slipping issues it maybe the fluid. I dont have the TB number. If I locate it I post for you.
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Dieselchessy
New member
I’ve used standard Valvolive Dex3. Shifted like stock.
Redline D4. Shifted firmer than stock.
Toyota dealer stuff (not sure model). Shifted like stock.
Valvoline max life. Shifts like stock. Seemed to resolve some wear related hesitation, hard shifts, ect.
I have run the max life the last few cycles. Pretty pleased with that stuff. Run Valvoline +4 in my 48re’s and it’s done well. Have confidence in Valvoline ATF.
Redline D4. Shifted firmer than stock.
Toyota dealer stuff (not sure model). Shifted like stock.
Valvoline max life. Shifts like stock. Seemed to resolve some wear related hesitation, hard shifts, ect.
I have run the max life the last few cycles. Pretty pleased with that stuff. Run Valvoline +4 in my 48re’s and it’s done well. Have confidence in Valvoline ATF.
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spartacus
Senior Member
You dont have any slipping issues using T4 fluid? That's great to hear. However, there are technical bulletins out there that state our transmissions are not compatible with T4. That suggest to stick with Dextron III compatible fluids. I have seen posts and seen documents of people having transmission slipping using T4 fluid on the internet. So if you start having slipping issues it maybe the fluid. I dont have the TB number. If I locate it I post for you.
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Thanks. I replaced the fluid with t-iv last year and Have not had any issues. But I vé have bought 14 quarts of t-iii fluid and will replace it when I get some time because it just makes me feel better, since I have over 400k miles on my original transmission. Also spoke to toyota service manager who said they use the bulk oil from toyota that meets wjs 3309 requirements.
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brillo_76
Elite Member
Here are the 3 Technical Bulletins on the Only using Dexron II or II in our transmissions. I have all the TB for our 3 gens and this is the only thing I have seen listed 3 times. Everything else is only listed once.
I myself use Dexron compatible fluids and really thinking of going to Valvonline my next change cycle.
Castrol I Believe is the MFG of Toyota Transmission fluid. So the Castrol Dexron equivalent should be as close as we can get to Toyota Fluid without using Toyota Transmission fluid.
The Dexron III fluid equivalents are fine in these transmissions. So pick one that works the best for you.
I myself use Dexron compatible fluids and really thinking of going to Valvonline my next change cycle.
Castrol I Believe is the MFG of Toyota Transmission fluid. So the Castrol Dexron equivalent should be as close as we can get to Toyota Fluid without using Toyota Transmission fluid.
The Dexron III fluid equivalents are fine in these transmissions. So pick one that works the best for you.
spartacus
Senior Member
Here are the 3 Technical Bulletins on the Only using Dexron II or II in our transmissions. I have all the TB for our 3 gens and this is the only thing I have seen listed 3 times. Everything else is only listed once.
I myself use Dexron compatible fluids and really thinking of going to Valvonline my next change cycle.
Castrol I Believe is the MFG of Toyota Transmission fluid. So the Castrol Dexron equivalent should be as close as we can get to Toyota Fluid without using Toyota Transmission fluid.
The Dexron III fluid equivalents are fine in these transmissions. So pick one that works the best for you.
Thanks for the tsb. I had a hell of a time finding t-iii but the t-iv was readily available. I will go back to t-iii but because I replaced all of the fluid I think it helped since I didn't mix it and ran 10 quarts through the system and then topped it off.
VernySanders
New member
Valvoline max life full synthetic engine oil and trans fluid is all I've ever used in my truck and all it's ever done is clean the crap out of it. Personally I dont think they're is any "secret sauce" that toyota has in their trans fluid at least in the DeX III. However if my mileage was as high as yours I would be hunting it down as well superstition and ocd would get the best of me
19963.4lsr5
New member
I’ll be honest. I’ve used Walmart’s Supertech and do a drain and fill once a year. It’s got a drain plug. It’s easy. I do have synthetic Pennzoil multi vehicle that I’m going to start dumping in it.
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Dieselchessy
New member
Walmart doesn’t make ATF so no doubt one of the big name oil outfits makes it. It’s likely just as good as many of the low to mid price point lubricants. I suspect if you followed recommended service intervals with Supertech lubes meeting OE recommendations your rig would live a full life. Rigs die due to neglect and inattention, not store brand lubricant use.
same!
brillo_76
Elite Member
No problem. Yes I have seen people stating its extremely hard to get a hold of anymore. I saw they want $12 or $15 or more a quart for it too. That's crazy. Unfortunately it's supposedly not good to mix transmission fluids.
I mostly just exchange the fluid which is 12 quarts or so when I change fluid. I built a bucket exchanger just for exchanging transmission fluid of all types and all vehicles provided they have a transmission cooler of some type installed. I can exchange it.
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Valvoline Max Life FTW.
When I got my 4Runner, the trans fluid was literally black.
I did a drain and fill, dropped the pan, and changed the strainer right away. Magnets were pretty dirty, original strainer had some gunk in it.
I did 4 drain and fills from then on out (one drain and fill at every oil change)
The Trans fluid got more ruby red-like in color every time. Eventually by the last drain and fill, the fluid was beautiful.
No trans problems to report.
When I got my 4Runner, the trans fluid was literally black.
I did a drain and fill, dropped the pan, and changed the strainer right away. Magnets were pretty dirty, original strainer had some gunk in it.
I did 4 drain and fills from then on out (one drain and fill at every oil change)
The Trans fluid got more ruby red-like in color every time. Eventually by the last drain and fill, the fluid was beautiful.
No trans problems to report.
jgue467
Senior Member
Amazing grammer on the back of that bottle.
I thought I could only expect impeccable grammar from certain overseas retailers (not knocking anyone).
Still we understand it yet have to wonder about the writer's first language!
Notice the first two sentences of the 3rd paragraph, where it talks about the new Toyota WS transmission fluid.
Luck and enjoy those Toyota products. : ^ )))
spartacus
Senior Member
Yeah I noticed that as well seems like English is not his mother tongue. I drain my atf pan with every oil change at around 7k miles so I go through it a lot. Just bit the bullet and bought it but haven't used it yet. The Trans is running strong with t-iv and have had no issues hence i thought i hit the jackpot. The conundrum is the worry, "Just when I think I am out they pull me back in".
brillo_76
Elite Member
I am sorry for the TB news [MENTION=50279]spartacus[/MENTION]. I didn't mean to cause you anymore work.
Almost like 95% of all Toyota transmissions are T4 compatible. Except our 3rd gen 4runners are not. I really wanted them documented for all the users. So if someone reading the thread they will know that it's not Recommend for the 3rd gens.
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spartacus
Senior Member
I am sorry for the TB news [MENTION=50279]spartacus[/MENTION]. I didn't mean to cause you anymore work.
Almost like 95% of all Toyota transmissions are T4 compatible. Except our 3rd gen 4runners are not. I really wanted them documented for all the users. So if someone reading the thread they will know that it's not Recommend for the 3rd gens.
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No need to be sorry. I appreciate the tsb info. It helps me make the right decision. Thanks.
