Wrong ATF = Trans Failure?????

Hi, I am trying to do some research about atf fluids. My truck is supposed to take the T-IV Fluid. I see that Valvoline max life dex/merc will work, but why not valvoline dex/merc (non maxlife)? Really, What will it damage????? As a matter of fact my local NAPA auto parts store says their computer says it takes regular ATF Dex/Merc. He said they sell that to the local yota dealership. Is there a specific part in these transmissions that regular fluid will damage???? Whats the real deal???

 

Educated guess?????? Nobody out there is running the "wrong fluid" with no ill effects?

 

x2, The transmission is one of those things, very expensive to repair/replace and the fluids gets changed so infrequently that it's worth it to just use what's recommended by the people who built it.

 

Just did a drain and fill on mine. It took 4 quarts. I used Valvoline max life (Autozone $17 gal). The Tacoma transmission is a unit common to some other brand vehicles including Jeep.

The owner's manual states to use ATF D- II, or DEXRON III ( DEXRON II).

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

http://www.valvoline.com/products/consumer-products/automatic-transmission-products/automatic-transmission-fluid/33

There are some others but I listed Valvoline since it was mentioned.

I think a high grade product from a reputable company would suffice. No doubt the Toyota brand is of high quality and also produced by someone else under the Toyota name. I would not use a house brand, but that's just me.

Ultimately: When in doubt go seek a reputable mechanic's knowledge or buy from the dealership.

Did this for my Jeep Wrangler when in doubt. Paid $12 quart for transmission gear oil to refill a manual transmission because certain GL lubes will eat brass synchros ( Chilton Manual spec'd wrong fluid). I paid heavily for reassurance. I later found less expensive high quality aftermarket product for a third.

 

Why would you even entertain the thought of useing a fluid that is not recomemded by Toyota in an expensive item such as automatic transmission, I also use all Toyota fluids the few cents you save on other brands and headaches afterwards are not worth the effort.

 

Checked some other info and found that Mobil 3309 may produce the US Toyota labeled product; somebody has to make for Toyota. According to Mobil, it's specified for the Aisin Transmission.

Still for the difference if you can get Toyota for close to the same price, I'd go that route. I just didn't think of it at the time and the Owner's manual didn't specify T-IV.

I checked the Dipstick and it says Dexron II