Use what your manual calls out.
No such thing as "Best" It's too subjective.

 

This is gospel. Asking what the best anything is, is just an open door to an argument.

 

Can't go wrong with Toyota WS. Using something besides what the manual specifies is asking for trouble.

 

I was under the impression that the 2.4 Toyota from 02 to 09 used type lv or did they change it in 07?

 

I am absolutely not disagreeing that what should be used is what Toyota recommends, but based upon the specification they engineered for, not the brand.

"Toyota WS fluid was released in 2002 with the specifications JWS-3324 or NWS-9638. It is not backward compatible with older Toyota lubricants. Virtually all Toyota vehicles manufactured from 2014 with automatic transmissions use the WS fluid specification. It is a high-performance oil, and it lasts pretty long – up to 100,000 miles (according to a Toyota TSB)."

I haven't downloaded the 2009 Owner's Manual, so I don't know if the '09 used WS, but I have the manuals from '08 Camry Hybrid and the '11 Camry, and both had Type-WS specified. So I would presume the 2009 almost certainly used Type-WS.

 

I believe by then all geared Toyota transmissions are on WS? Idemitsu has a TLS-LV fluid, so that's WS too.

Anyway, use Toyota branded WS or find Aisin ATF0WS on rockauto. Aisin is a Toyota group company. $7.35/qt + shipping. You can change the quantity to see how it affects shipping. Get the quantity that gives you the biggest bang for the shipping buck.

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Again, "best" is subjective. I think the best fluid is Valvoline Maxlife ATF. $25.92/gallon at Walmart.
Robot or human?

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"Best" to people that stick to what the manufacturer does would be Toyota WS fluid. Many of us, like me, used Valvoline MaxLife. I put that in the tranny and the power steering. Worked fine. You will never go "wrong" using what Toyota says to use, but it is likely to cost the most.

 

Thanks all for the info and discussion!

 

the best atf would probably going to a Toyota dealership, giving them your vin and buying it. now there are some good aftermarket stuff like the maxlife

 

I see, thanks all for the great info! I'll just get the same Toyota fluid I've been using so far.

Automatic transmission is too precious to experiment on.

 

I put Valvoline Maxlife full synthetic in all 4 of my Toyotas. Didn't notice any difference in performance and its been about 4 years since I did the first Drain and fill and no issues at all.

 

flushed out the Toyota WS from my Tacoma trans at 100,000. I did not like how it was shifting during the 80,000-100,00 mark, I could tell it was getting worn. replaced it with AMSOIL ASL. flushed every 100,000 since then with AMSOIL ASL, close to 500,00 miles on the original trans now, will be doing another flush in a few months when I hit 500,000, AMSOIL ASL will be going back in again.

 

Beware opinions, there will be many. The two most important considerations are 1) that the new fluid meets the specs established by Toyota for your transmission (consult the owners manual or a dealership), it can be either the Toyota brand or another quality brand that meets the specs., and 2) that you change it before it's worn out. Pay attention to all the other fluids, too.

 

As with motor oil, a reasonable change frequency will be far more beneficial than the brand name, but as others have said, why not just stick with what came with the car? Per The Car Care Nut, don't bother dropping the pan or changing the filter, and the recommended frequency is 6 years/60,000 miles.

 

I see, thank you all again!

At about 20,000 miles, I saw that the original fluid got a tiny bit darker than day 1, and when I asked around, everybody said that that's ok. But I still drained and refilled since I really love this automatic transmission (it's shifting dynamics and responsiveness and fuel saving are just fabulous).

I definitely want my transmission to also last at least 500,000 miles as Glk21c said. (My 1992 Camry's transmission was still running at 350,000 when I sold it back to the dealer although I could feel it was under pressure; I didn't care for that Camry as much as I do for my 2009 Camry.)

Seems like AMSOIL and Maxlife so far are great to consider based on you guys' recommendations, so I'll do more research into them.

Excellent discussion!

 

I called Mobil and asked their applications Engineer. He said they don't have a substitute for WS. I call Valvoline and asked the same question. They said Maxlife Synthetic. In 2019 I change the oil, filter and purged the cooler with Maxlife. It has worked flawlessly ever since. I called Mobil as I use Mobile 1 in all my engines. Synthetic is the best lubricant on the planet. You will get longer life out of your engine and trans if you use Synthetic. Since Mobil does not have a cross for WS you would be wise to Valvoline Maxlife. I have been using Synthetic lubricants for the last 30 year both as a plant engineer for a major aerospace firm and for my personal automobiles. They just work better.

 

Mobil has a WS equivalent: Mobil™ Multi-Vehicle ATF | Mobil™ Motor Oils

That being said, Valvoline MaxLife has been recommended so many times, and used by so many Toyota owners of various models and model years, there's little reason to look for something else if you're not going to get Toyota ATF WS.

 

My research was in 2019 so Mobil 1 may very well have a trans fluid that is equal to WS. But as guyslp said "Valvoline MaxLife has been recommended so many times, and used by so many Toyota owners of various models and model years, there's little reason to look for something else if you're not going to get Toyota ATF WS."

 

absolute best? you can't use ws, it's viscosity is too low...think putting 0w-10 in your engine, it's not good. DO NOT USE WS in this transmission

toyota t4 is good, valvoline full synthetic is the same quality if not better though and t4 rated.

if you want the best transmission fluid and motor oil go with amsoil...neither I nor family do or ever have worked for them or make any money off them...just saying. I'm anal about my fluid changes so I've looked into various brands. they have LOADS of independent verification of their claims being true and that matters not what they claim...just so happens the independant tests verify all their claims. they beat every oils pants off even royal purple. both in flow and wear. youtube channel project farm compared them, and the bobistheoilguy website has numerous blackstone lab reports showing they're the best too.

I use their signature series oil and signature multi vehicle transmission fluid (they also have a oem multi vehicle but I use the signature). oil changes are every 25k with 5k filter changes and top off and 90k transmission fluid changes. with valvoline full synthetic (my second pick) you can go 60k, either one you have to check the fluid for how cherry red it is and change when it starts getting dark. it's higher cost up front but in the long run actually cheaper

In my tacoma I used toyota ws because it's so thin either that or amsoil oe fuel efficient transmission fluid, it's thinner than their signature series and you can't use regular t4 grade in the newer toyotas