Which Transmission Fluid Do You Prefer & Why?

[jgue467]

Valvoline Full Synthetic IMPORT trans fluid update

My trans (all original - never opened up - 336K now) starting making a whining noise in 1st, 2nd (a little less loud) and 3rd (less loud yet only under throttle).

So replaced filter (had lots of metal shavings yet it had been 110,000 since last serviced) and drain/filled with Vavoline Full Synthetic IMPORT fluid (the one in the Blue bottle). Its not cheap, about 27/gallon. Took 1.5 bottles.

It was a hair less noisy at first and then over about 2-3 months it slowing got less and less noisy, now there is virtually no noise at all. Shifts were never soft before or after, so (gulp) I'm gonna call it a Win!

Oh and I won't take so long for the next drain/fill, probably learned my lesson and will do every other oil change (5K OCIs). Luck all!!

 

[T4R2014]

As long as the fluid isn't cross compatible with Toyota WS (which would indicate thinning out to meet that spec), then it will likely serve you well. Common sense goes a long way. The more pricey synthetic stuff can usually go longer intervals compared to a conventional ATF under the same conditions.

 

[brillo_76]

My trans (all original - never opened up - 336K now) starting making a whining noise in 1st, 2nd (a little less loud) and 3rd (less loud yet only under throttle).

So replaced filter (had lots of metal shavings yet it had been 110,000 since last serviced) and drain/filled with Vavoline Full Synthetic IMPORT fluid (the one in the Blue bottle). Its not cheap, about 27/gallon. Took 1.5 bottles.

It was a hair less noisy at first and then over about 2-3 months it slowing got less and less noisy, now there is virtually no noise at all. Shifts were never soft before or after, so (gulp) I'm gonna call it a Win!

Oh and I won't take so long for the next drain/fill, probably learned my lesson and will do every other oil change (5K OCIs). Luck all!!

I try to exchange the fluid and replace the filter every 100k miles. As the fluid gets full of debris and containment that in time, turn it into sand blasting fluid. if hauling a lot I drop the interval to 50k miles.

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[brillo_76]

Valvoline max life atf dexron fluid is my choice for the 3rd gen fluid..

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[jross20]

For the A340F I use Valvoline Dex/Merc as it is the closest I could find to the thickness of actual dexron 3

 

[mtbtim]

I use to use the Valvoline Dex/Merc in both my 3rd Gens but I made the switch from conventional ATF to full synthetic ATF somewhere around 1.5 - 2 years ago. Like a lot of guys, I'm using the Valvoline Max Life with no issues.

 

[HiluxSurf SSR-G]

i've been using Red Line High Temp ATF since I got my truck at less than 47,000 miles.

Why? because I was told that it's the best there is - for towing, off-roading, and daily use. I did compare the technical specs between other Red Line DII/DIII/DIV ATFs, Motul, and Amsoil and found that Red Line High Temp ATF has the higher viscosity and that like other Red Line lubricants, it uses polyolester base stock making it a TRUE synthetic, not just a legally-termed full synthetic