Best fluid brands/types

[Nebbuchanezzar]

I am planning a full flush of EVERY system in a 94 L4 A/T...I was wondering, what are the best fluids/flushes, etc. to use? I know RX7 guys SWEAR by Royal Purple, thoughts?

I was going to get an ATF flush done today, but apparently, according to my local O'Reilly, per CA regulations, they are not allowed to carry larger than 1quart sized containers of ATF...

Anyways, I have read the DIY threads, and got the process down, but was looking on input for the best fluids to use, and if you would use flushes, or do any other special processes [run additives or other misc fluids then RE-flush? such as anti-rust for Rad system, or sea foam for transmission, etc.]

TYIA for all help/opinions!

[pee_cup]

I just bought my camry this last weekend (thanks again for informing me about the IAT sensor) and did all the fluid changes.

I have always trusted and occasionally felt improved smoothness and quietness from Valvoline Maxlife oil and transmission fluid (automatic transmission) I swear by Lucas oil products. In every single car I have used the Lucas power steering stop leak in has had smoother quieter steering instantly. My BMW had a whiney differential. Using Lucas gear oil in the diff shut it up for good. I use the Lucas upper cylinder lubricant in every tank in my BMW to keep the valve noise down.

Remember that the Camry does not share transmission and differential fluid. They both use Dexron II (I used Valvoline maxlife ATF). As for brake fluid. I normally run DOT 4 in everything, no particular brand, but I used DOT 3 in the camry since I figure thats what is in there now and I just suctioned some out of the brake fluid res. and replenished it. The power steering on my camry is excellent so I didnt use the Lucas , just some regular PS fluid. I had to get a fluid pump for $13 to get the fluid in the diff. You could probably get away with filling it from the engine bay through a hose leading into the fill plug. I still have to do the coolant this weekend.

As far as flushes. I typically only use an engine oil flush the first time I do an engine oil change in a car. From there on out I know the cars history and use good oil that helps keep things clean. I would not do a transmission flush , no chemicals and no connecting a flushing system to the transmission line to force fluid out, im sure you already know that it can cause damage. If the transmission doesnt shift as nicely as you would hope then definitely add some Lucas to it. If you can flush the coolant with distilled water then that would be great, otherwise I would just drain it and fill it with nee coolant. If you spot black dirty chunks in it then you need to consider replacing some hoses, the insides of them degrade and all sorts of rubber ends up flowing through the system.

Here are the original 190k mile hoses on my BMW:



If there are any questions you may have about the whens/wheres then feel free to ask!

[djb2]

Hmmm, that's curious, I bought a gallon container of SuperTech ATF at Walmart in Oakland last year. I had problems getting any place to accept oil for recycling, but buying it was no problem.

The SuperTech ATF is considered pretty good. It's certainly good enough for the first few changes, since you can't really change the ATF. You can only drain about half of it are diluting the old fluid and freshening the additive pack. After two or three changes clean out the old fluid, you might consider switching to higher end products.

On the four cylinder AT the differential fluid can be drained completely and you can reasonably use a synthetic ATF immediately.

[projektvertx]

Originally Posted by djb2

Hmmm, that's curious, I bought a gallon container of SuperTech ATF at Walmart in Oakland last year. I had problems getting any place to accept oil for recycling, but buying it was no problem.

That's VERY weird. I thought it was legally mandated that if a store sells new oil, it HAS to accept used oil? Maybe that's a Michigan state law?

[Nebbuchanezzar]

Weird! Popular Mechanics ATF Flush Procedure

Put the hose into the largest jug you can find, and let the engine idle until air starts spurting.

They are recommending running your tranny dry?! that seems like a REALLY bad idea to me! lol!

Originally Posted by pee_cup

I would not do a transmission flush , no chemicals and no connecting a flushing system to the transmission line to force fluid out, im sure you already know that it can cause damage. If the transmission doesnt shift as nicely as you would hope then definitely add some Lucas to it.

What a lot of guys on here do is simply drain the pan and clean it, then pull off the tranny cooler return line and drain from there...turn the car on and have a funnel with tubing and keep the tranny topped off and keep it going until it comes out clean, just as in any other simple 'flush', although I guess a more proper name would be fluid exchange...

I have heard the 'risks' of flushing a tranny, and honestly, if my tranny is in bad enough of condition that flushing it breaks it, I would rather know...and it will need good fluid in it anyways...so I don't see the point in not doing this. I am not going to do an aggressive force flush or anything however.

Originally Posted by djb2

Hmmm, that's curious, I bought a gallon container of SuperTech ATF at Walmart in Oakland last year.

IDK, they told me that it is a CA regulation, but in the same sentence they did tell me that WalMart usually does carry it in those sizes...it doesn't matter too much, I can find other ways around this, even if I have to buy a ton of 1qt containers...lol...

Originally Posted by projektvertx

That's VERY weird. I thought it was legally mandated that if a store sells new oil, it HAS to accept used oil? Maybe that's a Michigan state law?

Well, TMK I believe that is true that most anyone that sells oil must accept it back [although, grocery stores and 7-11's obviously do not accept it back...] but I believe he meant ATF, and honestly, in LA it is hard to find places to recycle some fluids...luckily, I live in Santa Monica, and they have a hazardous waste recycling center that has the capability to take pretty much ANYTHING! but almost no local stores take anything more than oil

[Hajoca]

The Aisin transmission takes a Dexron 3 equivelent fluid, check a local truck stop, they should sell gallon sizes.

Royal purple for the trans is over priced fluid. Fresh fluid is better than what you have now.

[bdy0003]

For some liquid that no one really replaces often, most places (at least in CA) don't accept them because its not worth their time and money. Transmission fluid, brake fluid, coolant, etc are usually not accepted by your local autozone or pepboys; unlike regular motor oil. I'd suggest: http://earth911.com/. They tell you where to recycle whatever. Most of the locations are helped by the city, your waste management, or some random business.

Originally Posted by djb2

Hmmm, that's curious, I bought a gallon container of SuperTech ATF at Walmart in Oakland last year. I had problems getting any place to accept oil for recycling, but buying it was no problem.