which atf to use ?

[kennyb3030]

got a 99 2wd limited with 151k, been having my drain and fills at the dealer the last couple of times, gona try to do myself from here out, just trying to figure out which atf to use, dealer here doesn't sell it by the quart

 

[toytruck]

I think most people are gonna say use oem Toyota ATF if you could find it. That's what I use at least. Nothings bad has happened as of yet.I also have a tranny cooler though. Go oem, that's my .02

 

[CobraSpdRH]

The owners manual states anything that is Dexron III, so I just picked some up at NAPA. An easy thing to do is mark a container by the quart and drain into it to see how much comes out. Mine ended up being 3 quarts (but I did my trans cooler at the same time). Just put three back in and shifted through the gears, checked the level and it was good to go!

I'm sure going OEM would be best, but noticed in the OM that some things specifically say to use Toyota products (coolant) while others do not.

 

[Nelsonmd]

I wouldn't worry about using Toyota ATF, just get any Dex 3 or higher.

 

[Nunyabiz]

I only use the Amsoil ATF myself.

I am sure the Redline D4 is also good, basically any synthetic will be better than any of the standard ATF's.

But I am sure the Toyota ATF is perfectly fine also if you change it regularly.

I have drained Amsoil ATF out of a old Ford F250 Diesel that I used to have and it had 75,000 miles on the ATF, looked like the day I put it in and I used to tow a heavy boat 1000s of miles with it from California to Cabo San Lucas.

ALL of the synthetics have better properties than any of the standard ATFs.

Just make sure you clean your trans filter screen or just replace it if you can find one and it is a good idea to put in an inline Magnafine filter.
and do a full FLUSH not just a "drain" if you drain all you change is about 4 quarts out of 11+.
A full flush and fill will be around 15 Quarts by the time you are done.
I am doing mine this Thursday in fact.

 

[kennyb3030]

OEM atf " Toyota T-IV " that's ok to use in my rig right ?

 

[MAD 69]

Isnt the ToyIV the stuff that doesn't need to be changed - it has special lubricants built in? How safe is it to go from the OEM ATF to a synth like Amsoil? I heard your transmission can sometimes slip when changing over to synth at high mileage?

I would like to use it and if I ever had a new engine that is all I would use.

 

[kennyb3030]

is the Toyota T-IV ok for my 99 4r ?

 

[Nunyabiz]

Isnt the ToyIV the stuff that doesn't need to be changed - it has special lubricants built in? How safe is it to go from the OEM ATF to a synth like Amsoil? I heard your transmission can sometimes slip when changing over to synth at high mileage?

I would like to use it and if I ever had a new engine that is all I would use.

I seriously doubt you would have any problems with synthetic ATF even after high miles.
Mine has 158,000 and has only ran standard ATF until now, I am doing a total fluid change tomorrow on it.
Will let you know what happens.

I suspect all that will happen is it will shift like a dream and run smooth as silk.

 

[kennyb3030]

just did the drain and fill yesterday on my 99 4r, alot of guys say they get 3-4 quarts out on a drain and fill, i just got 2 quarts out on my drain and fill, is this something to worry about, or does this mean i might have been a little low on my fluid before the drain ?

 

[Volley]

If you are doing just a drain and fill (not a full flush) do you have to stick with the Toyota fluid if that is what's already in there?

 

[kball]

just did the drain and fill yesterday on my 99 4r, alot of guys say they get 3-4 quarts out on a drain and fill, i just got 2 quarts out on my drain and fill, is this something to worry about, or does this mean i might have been a little low on my fluid before the drain ?

Check the level with the dipstick to make sure putting 2 quarts back in is enough.

If you are doing just a drain and fill (not a full flush) do you have to stick with the Toyota fluid if that is what's already in there?

As long as it's Dex III or higher compatible fluid, mixing should be fine.