Transmission fluid question .. need advise pls ?! - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

neno23 · 04-15-2009, 05:21 PM

Hey guys,
This is regarding my father's 2004 Lexus ES. He was adding Toyota ATF to the power steering reservoir and then by mistake he added the same fluid to the transmission. The dipstick says ATF D4. My question is .. can you mix the two - Toyota ATF and Toyota ATF D4? And what is the difference between the two? Sorry for stupid questions

.. I don't have any ideas regarding this issue.
Thanks very much for your help!! Neno

JSM1284 · 04-15-2009, 05:29 PM

the lexus should take T-IV trans fluid....

neno23 · 04-15-2009, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSM1284

the lexus should take T-IV trans fluid....

oops sorry, that's what I meant the dipstick says T-IV .. I got the T-IV for the Toyota dealer and that also means that the transmission already holds T-IV fluid .. could this be mixed with the Toyota ATF that is used in power steering system?

ToyotaToday · 04-15-2009, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neno23

oops sorry, that's what I meant the dipstick says T-IV .. I got the T-IV for the Toyota dealer and that also means that the transmission already holds T-IV fluid .. could this be mixed with the Toyota ATF that is used in power steering system?

The way your phrase your question is very confusing. So the problem is not adding T-IV fluid to the transmission. Your main question, if I understand you correctly, is: IS it okay to add type T-IV transmission fluid to the power steering reservoir? Is this what you mean?

For example, on my car the power steering fluid cap says Dexron II or III, so I am not going to put T-IV. If the lexus is the same, most likely it is, then DONT put T-IV. Follow the cap's instruction. .

islandboy57 · 04-15-2009, 05:53 PM

Are you saying your father added Dexron III to the ATF fill hole/dipstick? Odd that he'd be adding fluid to anything with a fill hole. If he added a lot I would do a drain/refill ASAP - and if he added just a little bit, I think a drain/refill might be good to do anyway. Dexron III is not really forwards compatible with Type T-IV ATF.

ToyotaToday · 04-15-2009, 06:06 PM

One other point. You said he added Type T-IV to his transmission which takes type T-IV, that's all good and fine, BUT, is the transmission fluid level correct?
Incorrect transmission fluid level is the number one cause of tranny failure. I know, I read a lot about this when i use to own a Passat with lost of tranny problems.

I would check the tranny fluid level to make sure it is correct. On the Camry, here's the process, I don't know about Lexus but probably the same:
1. Drive the car for a few miles,
2. Stop the car, put in park but car idling (engine running)
3. Move the gear shifter thru all the gears
4. check the fluid level

He shouldn't need to add fluid to a 2004 unless there is a leak. Tranny fluid is pretty sealed.

neno23 · 04-15-2009, 06:11 PM

Sorry for the confusion .. ok from the start:
I bought two bottles of fluids from Toyota dealership:
1. Toyota Genuine ATF which I was told to use as power steering fuild
and
2. Toyota ATF Type IV which is to be used for tranny.
My father by mistake added the first bottle #1 which only says Toyota Genuine ATF into power steering system and also into transmission. Since the bottle #1 only says Toyota Genuine ATF and does not say Type-IV now I'm confused if it's ok to add it into transmission and mix it with Type IV ?
Hope I made myself clear. I'm a little mad, because my father just told me this today, but it did happen 2 weeks ago and he's been driving car for last 2 weeks, I'm affraid something might go wrong. Thnx again!

em3 · 04-15-2009, 06:16 PM

Neno you should do a drain/refill or even better flush it. Type T-IV should be the only fluid in the transmission. Your right Dexron III is also a transmission fluid but it is not for your dads car.

neno23 · 04-15-2009, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ToyotaToday

One other point. You said he added Type T-IV to his transmission which takes type T-IV, that's all good and fine, BUT, is the transmission fluid level correct?
Incorrect transmission fluid level is the number one cause of tranny failure. I know, I read a lot about this when i use to own a Passat with lost of tranny problems.

I would check the tranny fluid level to make sure it is correct. On the Camry, here's the process, I don't know about Lexus but probably the same:
1. Drive the car for a few miles,
2. Stop the car, put in park but car idling (engine running)
3. Move the gear shifter thru all the gears
4. check the fluid level

He shouldn't need to add fluid to a 2004 unless there is a leak. Tranny fluid is pretty sealed.

Just called my father and he said the level was low and that's why he added Toyota Genuine ATF into tranny. (Later he found out he also had Type-IV bottle in his garage, but it was too late) Now the level is good. I don't know how did it happened and why was it low, I guess I will have to check myself to make sure it's not overfilled now. I'll see him this coming weekend.

neno23 · 04-15-2009, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by em3

Neno you should do a drain/refill or even better flush it. Type T-IV should be the only fluid in the transmission. Your right Dexron III is also a transmission fluid but it is not for your dads car.

So you're saying Toyota Genuine ATF is Dexron III ?
I know those two can't be mixed together I just didn't know Toyota Genuine ATF is Dexron III.
I drive Infiniti FX and we use Nissan Type J, but the tranny is sealed so I only flush the system every 25K miles at the Infiniti dealership.
Thank you all!!

em3 · 04-15-2009, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neno23

So you're saying Toyota Genuine ATF is Dexron III ?
I know those two can't be mixed together I just didn't know Toyota Genuine ATF is Dexron III.
I drive Infiniti FX and we use Nissan Type J, but the tranny is sealed so I only flush the system every 25K miles at the Infiniti dealership.
Thank you all!!

They are both Toyota Genuine ATF fluids. But the fluid that should be in your dads car should be Type T-IV NOT Dexron III. Dexron III is for older toyota/lexus vehicles

neno23 · 04-15-2009, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by em3

They are both Toyota Genuine ATF fluids. But the fluid that should be in your dads car should be Type T-IV NOT Dexron III. Dexron III is for older toyota/lexus vehicles

Got it!!
Thank you very much for your time replying!!!

ToyotaToday · 04-15-2009, 06:56 PM

I highly doubt the tranny fluid was low. If you don't have a leak its not likely to be low. When the fluid is cold its a huge difference whown one dipstick. Lot of people check tranny fluid like the check oil. When tranny fluid is cold versus hot, the diffence can be about an inch. Tranny fluid expands when hot.

I would be more concerned with the tranny than the power steering, probably not as sensitive as the tranny.
Besides tranny repairs are very very expensive.

Read up on how to chech the tranny fluid level.

I have a 2002 and I don't lose a single drop of tranny fluid, so again, his is not likly low

neno23 · 04-16-2009, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ToyotaToday

I highly doubt the tranny fluid was low. If you don't have a leak its not likely to be low. When the fluid is cold its a huge difference whown one dipstick. Lot of people check tranny fluid like the check oil. When tranny fluid is cold versus hot, the diffence can be about an inch. Tranny fluid expands when hot.

I would be more concerned with the tranny than the power steering, probably not as sensitive as the tranny.
Besides tranny repairs are very very expensive.

Read up on how to chech the tranny fluid level.

I have a 2002 and I don't lose a single drop of tranny fluid, so again, his is not likly low

Good info .. thnx !!

the critic · 04-16-2009, 01:22 PM

Genuine ATF is a Dex/Merc type fluid. I would have the transmission flushed with T-IV, but chances are, a small amount of Dex/Merc won't hurt.