[visionist]

I know I need to change the transmission fluid soon, thats a given. The car is at 108k KM and I am not sure if it has been changed before. The fluid is not a brown color, but it is pretty dark while still keeping some red.
How bad does the fluid look? Also, is it okay to use fluid other than Genuine Toyota ATF T-IV? If so, what would you recommend?

 

[endofmankind]

auto trans should be redish, my rule of thumb is "when In doubt, change it" it would not hurt.

 

[hardtopte72]

T-IV changes to brown pretty quickly (usually like 25-30k) and that isn't too bad by any stretch.

I would personally change it. Not too hard for peace of mind.

 

[mikered30]

How does it smell? Burnt?

 

[visionist]

How does it smell? Burnt?

Not sure what burnt fluid should smell like, but it does have a mild burnt smell, almost like a circuit board type smell, but you have to put your nose right up to it to smell it . Nothing that makes me think oh god my transmission is on fire, just seems like it would smell that way after 108k km.

 

[MD1032]

Definitely change it, and use OEM fluid only.

 

[visionist]

Definitely change it, and use OEM fluid only.

Would mobil atf 3309 work? It says that it meets T-IV requirements on the website. I might have to go a few more KM's without changing it, but I will change it within 100km

 

[mikered30]

3309 is TI-V fluid, so use what ever you can find the cheapest. Will you do several drain and refills or the poor mans flush?

 

[visionist]

3309 is TI-V fluid, so use what ever you can find the cheapest. Will you do several drain and refills or the poor mans flush?

I will probably buy a new filter/gasket and do several refills of 3l(3.2q), that is what Mitchel on demand says for a drain and refill. I will probably space the several refills out a decent bit, I don't have a ton of money right now.

 

[shoujiliuzhijun]

Looks to me it's quite normal for your mileage. Several drain and refill will be enough.

 

[invader]

Toyota recommends replacing ATF every 96,000 Kms... You may as well replace all of the auto tranny's 8 quarts total capacity, by draining the pan's ~3.5 quarts, cleaning it and magnets, refilling and letting the rest out of disconnected return line a couple quarts at a time by idling engine for a few seconds and refilling. No need to replace the strainer which is a screen that can be cleaned and rinsed out.

You can get Mobil Super 3309 (7.2/35 cSt, 180 VI) in a 5 liter jug for $29.99, or Mobil Super (Canada's Mobil 'Super' version) Multi-Vehicle ATF (7.42/34.1 cSt, 193 VI) 5 liter jug for $34.99 at Canadian Tire. They are both Type T-IV compatible.

http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/brow.../PRDOVR~0289416P/Mobil+ATF+3309.jsp?locale=en

http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/brow...utomatic+Transmission+Fluid,+5L.jsp?locale=en

http://www.mobil.com/USA-English/Lubes/PDS/GLXXENPVLMOMobil_ATF_3309.aspx

http://www.mobil.ca/Canada-English-...ion-fluid_mobil-super-multi-vehicle-atf.aspx#

Redline D4 ATF (7.5/34 cSt, 198 VI) is probably the best Type T-IV made in USA.

http://www.redlineoil.com/product.aspx?pid=51&pcid=9

Then there's Motul Multi ATF with the highest viscosity index, made in France (8.5/37.5 cSt, 214 VI).

http://www.motul-canada.com/en/products/products_gearoils.shtml?panel=0

USA distributor: http://www.cheapoilstore.com/english/by_brand/motul/motul_multiATF.html
Canadian distributor: http://www.bestpricecarparts.ca/item.wws?sku=W0133-1896475&itempk=97590&mfr=Motul&weight=1.95

Amsoil Synthetic Universal ATF (7.6/38.9 cSt, 168 VI) http://www.woodsbrosracing.com/amsoil/atf.htm

Eneos (Japan) synthetic ATF (#W0133-1913951)

http://www.autopartsway.com/PartDetails.cfm?W0133-1913951/ENS/
http://www.bestpricecarparts.ca/item.wws?sku=W0133-1913951&itempk=101697&mfr=Eneos&weight=1.95

Pennzoil Multi-Vehicle ATF http://www.pennzoil.com/#/transmission-fluids-and-gear-oil/pennzoil-multi-vehicle-atf

Among other Type T-IV ATF's, both Castrol's have an unusually high viscosity of 8 cSt @ 100°C and 36.6 cSt @ 40°C.
Valvoline's Max Life "Suitable for use in Toyota Type T-IV applications" ATF is considerably lower than expected at 6.11 cSt @ 100°C and 26.16 cSt @ 40°C, and actually "Exceeds the latest performance requirements of DEXRON®-VI and MERCON LV® fluids" which have a relatively light viscosity.

http://www.castrol.com/castrol/sectiongenericarticle.do?categoryId=9012226&contentId=7028224

http://www.castrol.com/castrol/sectiongenericarticle.do?categoryId=9018758&contentId=7033928

http://www.valvoline.com/products/brands/maxlife/automatic-transmission-fluid/37

 

[visionist]

Would higher or lower viscosity be better? As in, a high or lower cSt measure would be better.

 

[invader]

Well, the first cSt smaller value shown is the viscosity at 100°C (212°F), to which the transmission's normal operating temperature is close to. The transmission is engineered with specific tolerances and calibration to operate optimaly with a particular ATF viscosity. The second cSt larger value is at 40°C (104°F) affects the transmission's operation before it's warmed up, more often in our colder winters. The viscosity index (VI) reflects how stable viscosity is over a wide temperature range.

Toyota's #08886-01705 partially synthetic T-IV ATF is likely made by Mitasu in Japan, which has a viscosity of 7.3 and 38.86 cSt... If I had an automatic, I'd go with Mobll Super Multi-Vehicle ATF (7.42/34.1 cSt, 193 VI) with its excellent viscosity index.

http://jaytec-lubricants.com/index....products_image_large_additional=images/Toyota

http://www.mitasuoil.com/en/multi-vehicle-atf

 

[Guest]

drop the pan and change the filter..........then disconnect the return line and pump out a quart at a time.....this way you will have all new fluid......it is a messy easy procedure.......there a few how to's around

*and do a power steering flush

 

[visionist]

I dropped the pan and changed the filter/gasket. I added in 3l of maxlife, though I seems I will need more as the fluid level seems pretty low. Even after changing, the shifts don't feel terribly smooth. They don't grind, shudder etc, but I can "feel" the car change, just seems a bit rougher than it should be, it was like this before the change as well.

 

[Guest]

I dropped the pan and changed the filter/gasket. I added in 3l of maxlife, though I seems I will need more as the fluid level seems pretty low. Even after changing, the shifts don't feel terribly smooth. They don't grind, shudder etc, but I can "feel" the car change, just seems a bit rougher than it should be.

Not trying to sound like an ahole......but you should have just finished the job and done it correctly.........you pump out the other 4 quarts using the tranny pump...it takes about 15 minutes........then you have all new fluid.........

 

[visionist]

Not trying to sound like an ahole......but you should have just finished the job and done it correctly.........you pump out the other 4 quarts using the tranny pump...it takes about 15 minutes........then you have all new fluid.........

I really don't have enough extra money for 7 litres of fluid. The fluid needed to be changed, so I had to do something.

 

[invader]

Why Valvoline Max Life?

 

[hardtopte72]

This is likely because the transmission fluid is low. You need to do a proper fluid level check.

1. Start the car and let it warm to operatin temp.
2. Shift the vehicle through all te gears while stationary.
3. Check your transmission fluid level with the vehicle running, in park, and on a level surface.
4. The current level is the COLD level. If low add enough fluid I bring it around 1/8 to 1/6 above the COLD line.
5. Go for a drive for around 15-20 minutes at varying speeds. Make sure to try and get up to at least 50 Mph
6. Park on a level surface. With the vehicle running cycle it through all the gears and place it in park.
7. Recheck transmission fluid level. The transmission fluid should be at least 1/2 (up to 3/4) way above the COLD line. It should not be past the HOT line. If it is past the HOT line drain out a small amount of fluid. If it is on the hot line it is overfilled. The HOT line is for when you have been driving a very long distance or amount of time (over an hour).
8. Go for one more drive and recheck operation and fluid level.

 

[Guest]

I really don't have enough extra money for 7 litres of fluid. The fluid needed to be changed, so I had to do something.

you asked for my opinion so I gave it............I don't recall anything in thread about Valvoline ma life, maybe I missed it.......if that was my car and I had limited funds I would not have dropped the pan. I would have just drained the fluid out of the pan and then pumped the rest out of the TC.......The system takes less than 8 quarts......the filter and gaskets are $20 to $25........you would have spent close to the same.......the dealers and shops never drop the pan........the most important part is getting all new fresh correct fluid......it's your car do what you want......