help with fluids

Looking for some help on changing my fluids on my tacoma. The only thing I have changed on my tacoma since I bought it is the motor oil. I changed it to mobil one full synthetic.
Ive been wanting to change the transmission fluid but I have read a lot of post and really didn't come up with a solution to what brand, type of fluid, how much fluid, and if I need the filter to do the proper job. Im also considering doing the differential as well and any other fluid to make my truck run as smooth as possible. Any help out there helps thanks in advance!

btw: My truck is an 04 tacoma trd v6 2x4

 

Its stamped on the a/t dipstick. If it says Dexron II: use Toyota T-IV, Idemitsu TLS, or any other high grade Dex III fluid.

Many other people here will say you can 'rinse' out the a/t filter. I prefer to spend the extra $15 and do it the right way with a new filter and gasket kit.

 

Welcome to TW!

I'm sure you'll find many opinions and recommendations regarding your questions. FWIW, I use Amsoil lubricants in all my vehicles. Complete recommendations (type and capacities) for your truck are located here.

 

Thanks caligula for the info. Do they only sell that type of oil at Toyota dealerships or do you have recommendation of where I can buy it? Also by any chance do you know about the differential oil as in recommendations of brand besides amsoil like for example is there a mobile one type? I also don't know if I should change the transmission oil with a least expensive oil and run it for a week and then change it for a really good type of oil? Am i just going to be wasting money or is it a good recommendation to do?


Hey Norton thanks for the welcoming and link to that great info. You mentioned that you use amsoil on all your vehicles, but on what have you used it on as in transmission or differential and how did it work out for you?

 

You're welcome! The following Amsoil applications have worked out very well for years:
- 2013 Shelby GT500 (my fast, fun summer car)
-- Premium Protection 10W-40 (Likely converting to 0W-40, based on observed oil pressures and oil analysis.)
-- Signature Series Multi-Vehicle Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid (6-spd manual actual calls for ATF.)
-- Severe Gear 75W-90 (rear differential)
- 2011 BMW 335xi (wife's car)
-- European Car Formula 5W-30
- 2005 BMW 330xi (replaced by '11 335xi above)
-- European Car Formula 5W-30
- 2004 Toyota Tacoma (mine)
-- Signature Series 5W-30 (Likely converting to 0W-30, for improved cold flow properties.)
-- Severe Gear 75W-90 (transmission, transfer case, and both differentials)
-- Signature Series Multi-Vehicle Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid (power steering)
- 2001 Toyota Tacoma (son's truck)
-- Signature Series 5W-30 (Likely converting to 0W-30, for improved cold flow properties.)
-- Haven't converted transmission, transfer case, both differentials, and power steering to Amsoil YET, but plan to.
- 1997 Toyota Tacoma (replaced by '01 Tacoma above)
-- Signature Series 5W-30
-- Severe Gear 75W-90 (transmission, transfer case, and both differentials)
-- Signature Series Multi-Vehicle Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid (power steering)

 

No offense to the Amsoil guy above, but unless you can get a very good deal on their fluid through a friend or direct dealer you are just as good off using any other synthetic that meets the manufacturers specification. Amsoil charges quite the premium over everyone else selling oil and, to be frank, the results they present on how great their oil is tends to be very biased. Not saying it's a bad product, but I will say that it is priced as a premium and most don't see any value from it. I tend to use Pennzoil Platinum in the engine (I know you aren't changing that, just saying) and whatever major brand synthetic is on sale in my differentials, transmission, and transfer case that meets factory specifications.

 

royal purple has good fluids for tranny and differential. there is also redline. royal purple is sold at all auto stores and walmart.

 

Most people wont have the patience to do a double tranny flush, and it may actually flush it 'too much' and break the aged seals. Though if you have the time and means, then go meshuganah.

Amsoil, Royal Purple, Mobil, Redline, spin a wheel and pick one, they are all going to do the exact same thing as basic Dexron III but for $9-12/quart. The $5/quart Toyota T-IV is a high grade, long life, Dexron III made for every Toyota transmission until the newer World Standard fluid started being used (which is just a fancy Dexron VI). Idemitsu TLS and Mobil 3309 are the same as Toyota T-IV. Use whichever you want.

 

It never ceases to amaze me how rapidly oil threads devolve into accusations about price, bias, etc. If you have to begin your post by disavowing offense or attempting to make your product sound better by belittling another, you should consider a different approach.

As I said at the start, OP, you'll find many opinions and recommendations. ALL the oils mentioned above, including Pennzoil Platinum, are good products. Key factors I consider when comparing oils include viscosity over time (shearing), Total Base Number (ability to resist acidic byproducts of combustion), NOACK volatility (evaporation loss of lubricants in high-temperature service), and cold cranking viscosity (depending on your location). Should you want to try Amsoil, "good deals" are available through many local dealers or through their preferred customer program.

 

Asking someone what is the best oil/fluid out there and why is like asking about the difference between Suni and Shia. No one can really tell you the difference, but they are convinced beyond reason that their Allah is better than your Allah.

 

http://m.youtube.com/results?q=palestinian alarm clock&sm=1

 

automatic or manual?

 

I'm amazed how you could misread my post and try to turn it into an insult. Amsoil refuses to submit their product for API testing and charges a premium based on their own data. That shouldn't offend you. The product is working well for you. Don't worry about what I think of it... because personally I feel it's snake oil. That, however, is just my opinion.

I'm just trying to save OP a few bucks. There are plenty of synthetics that cost a lot less than amsoil that meet or exceed the very specifications you mentioned. IMHO why should someone pay more for the same product and same results?

 

Agreed.

All the OP needs to know is that the hundreds of engineers that built the car call for Dexron II (III). Anything after that is a matter of how much money he wants to throw at it.

 

Exactly. The reason I worded my post with the wording I did was because every time you suggest someone not to use Amsoil to an Amsoil diehard it becomes a freaking war. It's like a cult or something. I don't care for Amsoil because they ask a premium when a lot of blackstone testing done on Bobistheoilguy forums just doesn't back up the large price increase. Sure, there are times when Amsoil is cheap because they are willing to sell wholesale at certain wharehouses and some private dealers are willing to move on price but overall I've found it's anywhere from 20%-100% more expensive to buy Amsoil and the results aren't any better than most of the other highly recommended synthetic products out there. I'm just trying to help OP save a few dollars. If someone doesn't like that I'm not trying to offend them. I'm simply trying to help OP avoid joining the Amsoil cult just because someone on Tacomaworld says so.

OP, buy a fluid with the correct factory recommended specifications and you will be fine. If you want some better cold weather and longevity then buy synthetic fluid. Any name brand synthetic will do. Don't let someone talk you into Redline, Amsoil, or another higher priced oil just because they think it's the shit and throw a bunch of numbers at you. As long as the numbers are within the specifications, it's all good for your truck.

Just to clarify as well, while all the things mentioned like viscosity over time (shearing), Total Base Number (ability to resist acidic byproducts of combustion), NOACK volatility (evaporation loss of lubricants in high-temperature service), and cold cranking viscosity (depending on your location) are important, may or may not pertain to the transmission and differential oils the OP was talking about. Let's keep it simple for him. Stick with a good name brand and you'll be happy OP.

Again @Norton I mean no offense. In no way am I saying that Amsoil is worse than other good synthetic products out there. I'm simply saying that in most cases the extra cost will not be worth it to the average user especially since it is difficult to easily quantify one product as "better" when it comes to lubrication oils. OP's frame will likely rot out from under the truck before the difference between any OEM specification synthetic causes his truck any issues.

 

To summarize what my friend posted. Decide if you want to spend $5/qt or $12/qt. Then once you figure that out, flip a coin.

 

I used Mobil1 5W-30 synthetic for the engine and Mobil1

$28 75W-90 Synthetic Gear Lube - 1 Quart (Pack of 2)

75W-90 synthetic for transfer/differentials back at ~113k. no issues so far for me. found them on sale too so was a nice bonus.

forget what I used in the trans, was back at ~87k. I just did a drain & fill and now at 138k it's starting to show a little dark so might be time to do it again.

 

and im just sitting here wanting to know if he has an automatic or manual.

 

he has an auto. 4dr V6 (sig pic)

 

Hmm. Nothing that definitively states it's an auto. I don't like guessing :-\. Should be type 4 atf. I sel, it at my autoparts store. See if any local carquest or advance auto parts has it. Gear oils are just gl5 rated. 75-90 should be fine.