Synthetic AT fluid use

[murphef]

Has anyone got experience using synthetic Auto trans fluid in a 2003 camry LE? The dealer said to not use it.

[njerald]

What does your Owners Manual say??????

[TRD VVTi]

You can use any fluid that you want, as long as it's Type T IV fluid or meets that specification.

As stated above, it is listed in the owner's manual. It will tell you all the specifications that are required for all of the fluids in the car. If it doesn't list the proper specification on the bottle that is specified/required, you shouldn't use it.

Amsoil claims that it's fluid is "recommended", but the last time that I read their bottle it did not state that it actually met the proper specifications. I'm not big on recommendations. Meeting specifications means more to me.

[optical]

The tranny dipstick on my '05 LE I-4 5-A states there is no need to replace the tranny fluid, the Type T-IV.

For peace of mind, is it worth draining and refilling at 40,000 miles ? I plan on keeping the vehicle for many years to come.

[TRD VVTi]

Originally Posted by optical

The tranny dipstick on my '05 LE I-4 5-A states there is no need to replace the tranny fluid, the Type T-IV.

For peace of mind, is it worth draining and refilling at 40,000 miles ? I plan on keeping the vehicle for many years to come.

Manufacturers are always optimistic when it comes to preventative maintenance.

I've seen many cars with Type T-IV with burned fluid at 30,000 miles. Inspect the fluid during normal service intervals and change it when it starts to become discolored.

Make sure that the fluid you use MEETS THE TYPE T-IV SPECIFICATION and isn't just "recommended" but whichever oil manufacturer that you decide to use.

[murphef]

Originally Posted by optical

The tranny dipstick on my '05 LE I-4 5-A states there is no need to replace the tranny fluid, the Type T-IV.

For peace of mind, is it worth draining and refilling at 40,000 miles ? I plan on keeping the vehicle for many years to come.

When I realized that there was no Transmission maintenance included in my 03 Camry maint manual (my dispstick and tranny drain plug have the same "no need to change " notice on them as well), I asked the local Toyota Dealer for advice because it seemed odd. He recommended draining and replacing the tranny fluid every 50,000 miles or so. It's easy to do, no filter or gasket to change, and cheap insurance. I did it at 46k and plan on doing it again at about 90k.