Which Transmission Fluid Do You Prefer & Why?

[segafan1989]

I'm gonna be flushing the trans in my 2002 T4R, 2WD, 3.4L V6 and just wanted to get some testimonials from people using the following fluids.

I'm not looking for a debate over which one is better than the other, I'm just curious as to which one YOU use and WHY you chose that particular one.

1. Valvoline Max Life ATF

2. Valvoline Dex/Merc

3. Castrol Transmax Dex/Merc

4. Castrol Transmax Import Multi-Vehicle

5. Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF

6. Mobil 1 3309 ATF

7. Redline ATF

8. Royal Purple ATF

9. Toyota T-IV ATF

10. DEXRON VI ATF (any brand)

I'd like to hear your thoughts so send them my way

 

[Swimmerboy2112]

I'm gonna be flushing the trans in my 2002 T4R, 2WD, 3.4L V6 and just wanted to get some testimonials from people using the following fluids.

I'm not looking for a debate over which one is better than the other, I'm just curious as to which one YOU use and WHY you chose that particular one.

1. Valvoline Max Life ATF

2. Valvoline Dex/Merc

3. Castrol Transmax Dex/Merc

4. Castrol Transmax Import Multi-Vehicle

5. Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF

6. Mobil 1 3309 ATF

7. Redline ATF

8. Royal Purple ATF

9. Toyota T-IV ATF

10. DEXRON VI ATF (any brand)

I'd like to hear your thoughts so send them my way

Edit: I am a former Toyota tech for what it's worth.

First off, I wouldn't flush the trans. I have seen bad things happen when transmissions are flushed, but that's another topic.

I did a drain and fill on mine when I got it.

I went with Toyota ATF, that meets all the lubrication requirements of the transmission and it is the fluid that the corporation that manufactures the vehicles (Toyota) uses, so I figured it would be the best.

 

[nor_cal51501]

Edit: I am a former Toyota tech for what it's worth.

First off, I wouldn't flush the trans. I have seen bad things happen when transmissions are flushed, but that's another topic.

I did a drain and fill on mine when I got it.

I went with Toyota ATF, that meets all the lubrication requirements of the transmission and it is the fluid that the corporation that manufactures the vehicles (Toyota) uses, so I figured it would be the best.

I have yet to do my ATF fluid, but when I install my shift kit I think I'm going with Royal Purple. I used to run it in my 04 GT and it was the only fluid that could eliminate the 2-3 gear syncros from clunking and my GT only had 6k miles when it started doing it. (Ford sucks) lol

 

[HiLife]

No other but Toyota ATF only.
I heard that when the engineers designed the transmission they designed it around a specific fluid.

You can buy the other cheaper brands and probably it will work fine. But...if it doesn't...$4600 trans rebuild.

Or you can pay the $3 difference and have the peace of mind going with Toyota ATF.

 

[xspsi6]

Edit: I am a former Toyota tech for what it's worth.

First off, I wouldn't flush the trans. I have seen bad things happen when transmissions are flushed, but that's another topic.

I did a drain and fill on mine when I got it.

I went with Toyota ATF, that meets all the lubrication requirements of the transmission and it is the fluid that the corporation that manufactures the vehicles (Toyota) uses, so I figured it would be the best.

I am usually a stickler for oem Toyota t-iv trans fluid however this version of a340 calls for dex so I use Amsoil which I am pretty sure is the best avl.

 

[Xinirgi]

I'm using the Amsoil Signature Series ATF and having no issues whatsoever since switching. I've had the oil peak at 240 deg F as well at times in the summer on long climbs (stock gearing, curious how much the 4.88's will help) loaded down, and still had no signs of slipping or burnt oil. I did my trans flush with new filter, and added a cooler at the same time at 150,000 kms.

 

[slapdappy]

99 ltd.

I did a flush in Nov. Used Valv Max Life. Correct stuff (dex 2 as per manual). Formulated for higher mileage trans. It is synthetic. Googling turned up others who said "works good in my 4runner." Less expensive than Toyota. Parts store is closer than Toyota dealership. My truck has 180,000 miles so I need not bath it in liquid platinum (Toyota fluid$$). I think it was on sale. And it is red.
I disagree with the 'dont flush an older transmission' recommendation. I went ahead and dropped the pan, wiped it clean, all new fluid. This plus some adjustment of the shift cable has resulted in much smoother shifting.

 

[slapdappy]

I'm using the Amsoil Signature Series ATF and having no issues whatsoever since switching. I've had the oil peak at 240 deg F as well at times in the summer on long climbs (stock gearing, curious how much the 4.88's will help) loaded down, and still had no signs of slipping or burnt oil. I did my trans flush with new filter, and added a cooler at the same time at 150,000 kms.

240 degrees is too hot: tranny fluid starts to cook and break down and its lifespan is substantially shortened.

 

[Xinirgi]

I agree that it is rather hot, but burnt or "cooked" transmission oil is easily noticed by smell, if not by discoloration as well - of which I have neither. I glanced over their specs on the site but couldn't find a "maximum" operating temp per say, but know of several racers (road course cars) in my area that run this stuff and they see operating temps of 220 as "normal". As well, the synthetic stuff we use in our machines at work is good to 255 deg F, a bit after that it does exactly what you said, so yes I agree. My point was that being a true synthetic, and a quality one at that, is that even after seeing temps that high it is still capable of managing the extreme heat better than a dino type oil. That said, it will be getting changed / flushed when I change the cooler to a different (larger w/ AN lines) type.

 

[segafan1989]

I appreciate the responses, but I want to stay on topic here and discuss the fluid you use and why you use it...not start a debate on whether or not a certain amount of heat is too much. You see how easy it is for a debate to start?

 

[xspsi6]

I'm using the Amsoil Signature Series ATF and having no issues whatsoever since switching. I've had the oil peak at 240 deg F as well at times in the summer on long climbs (stock gearing, curious how much the 4.88's will help) loaded down, and still had no signs of slipping or burnt oil. I did my trans flush with new filter, and added a cooler at the same time at 150,000 kms.

This is why I use it as well as it has a much higher break down point and can take higher temps for longer over even oem fluid, I have amsoil any place I can use it but the trans is going very strong with the Tundra trans cooler and amsoil signature fluid and I often over work the truck towing!

 

[LittleCaesar]

Castrol IMV.

Can be had for a good price from AA, the Zone, etc. Thicker than most widely speced ATF fluids, which works well in my A340F. JAOS approved too.

The aformentioned Amsoil works well too.

 

[JEL]

Been using Valvoline Dex III, nothing fancy (actually the only place I haven't used synthetic yet), but I drain and fill it at every other oil change every 10k, always looks bright pink as the day I put it in.

 

[segafan1989]

Many thanks for all of your responses! Please keep them coming as I enjoy hearing your feedback.

 

[Lizard333]

I think I am starting to see a common theme here and as I am new here and my first 4runner was purchased used with 144,000 miles on it. Looks as though many poeple here think that the Toyota brand equipment or fluids are the best and only thing one should use, and that if someone uses something else, they risk destroying the car. Fact is, modern tranny fluids among other things are better than they were 16 years ago.

I personally used Valvoline Dex/Merc synthetic fluid and it works great. In fact, it shifts better and smoother now than when I first purchased the car. It was on sale, wasn't the cheapest brand, or the most expensive, but met the requirements of the vehicle.

 

[19963.4lsr5]

I flushed the trans three times with advanced auto dex 3. The last time I installed a magnefine trans filter in the cooler line.

This spring I will drop pan, clean magnets, change filter and fill with synthetic Pennzoil Multi Vehicle. I used it in everything spec'd for dex 3 since 94.

 

[kellver]

Castrol Transmax Import Multi-Vehicle

I swear by this stuff (The Castrol Import Multi-Vehicle). I had always had trouble engaging Drive in cold weather and my transmission made annoying sounds when stopped at intersections. I have a 1998 SR5 V6 4Runner and it had been doing that for years, before and after having the 'Yota stealership guys drop the pan a couple times for OEM drain and fill. I finally tried the Castrol after the parts store listed it as a compatible. I also filled it all the way up to the hot line while running as it always looked an inch low after the dealer would drain/fill. No more sounds, no more reluctant, hard thwunks into drive, no more not wanting to shift out of 2nd in cold weather. It works, not gonna question it, plan to keep running with it it's been a year now. I deliver pizzas in the truck as a side gig, btw, so it's it's extreme driving conditions. Had her for 10 years now!

 

[Ted02]

When I did my first ATF drain and fill on my Tacoma, I went to my Toyota dealer for the ATF. The counter guy went to the back and then came back with Valvoline Maxlife. I told him I wanted Toyota ATF, and told me this is what they sell at this Toyota dealer. I went ahead and took it, and have used nothing else in both my Tacoma and 4Runner ever since. No problems, but I now get it much cheaper at Walmart.

 

[19963.4lsr5]

When I did my first ATF drain and fill on my Tacoma, I went to my Toyota dealer for the ATF. The counter guy went to the back and then came back with Valvoline Maxlife. I told him I wanted Toyota ATF, and told me this is what they sell at this Toyota dealer. I went ahead and took it, and have used nothing else in both my Tacoma and 4Runner ever since. No problems, but I now get it much cheaper at Walmart.

Walmart has the best prices. They even sell OEM oil filters.


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[JoeT4R]

+123456 on the AMSOIL signature series. I've used Valvoline MaxLife ATF, AMSOIL, and Toyota fluid. But I try to just use the AMSOIL stuff. Stripped my trans pan at the beginning of the year, had Toyota do the work and they refilled it with, I'm assuming, Toyota fluid. Next drain and fill I do will be AMSOIL, though