Anyone drained 3rd Gen Auto Trans fluid yet to replace WS?

If so did you wind up disconnecting cooler hose with engine running to expel more fluid? The procedure on here sounds messy. Would it hurt to just drain pan and refill with synthetic frequently? Is it bad to mix WS with Synthetic? I read Gearcruncher thread about WS. Made WS sound low quality. Would rather have Mobil 1 or Amsoil but not sure about mixing or potential to damage trans by disconnecting cooler hose with engine running? Just wondering if anyone actually done Gen 3 or is the Gen 2 description accurate for Gen 3. I have read on here that the temperatures to check Gen 2 fluid at are like 115-130F. The procedure my dealer used for my 2016 says 95-113F. Just saying the trans check temps are different between Gen 2 and Gen 3. What else? I am ignorant about new Tacomas. I had my 99 down pat with dip stick

 

WS is synthetic

 

So is it ok to top off the WS with some Mobil?

 

calling @gearcruncher

 

I read that long winded post about WS being bad but after few pages did he ever actually post up Data as to why other then saying its bad?

 

Gearcruncher said WS was not synthetic and not great fluid-I thought? I intend on draining and refilling with WS every 30 K like I did with my '99

 

What's ws

 

Toyota trans fluid

 

WS transmission fluid is garbage . Get it out of your transmission now

 

It's supposed to be bad because it has a low thermal breakdown point. It's meant to last, only as long as you don't actually use your truck like a truck. Lol, so that basically means if you don't offroad or tow you are fine, otherwise, it sucks.

Personally, on my supercharged junk I just did a full flush of the WS and I feel as if the shifts up towards redline became moe confident and allowed the transmission and valve body to do it's job and engage a little better. The WS stuff made it feel very soft which is not good because soft means there is slipping and as many of us know, slipping in a transmission is not a god thing due to the fact that over time it will kill the clutches material quicker.

I switched out to Valvoline MaxLife for the record.

 

How does an individual flush all the WS out at home? I doubt dealer will install another brand if you take it to them

 

And to piggyback on your question: Will switching it out void your warranty if the dealer finds out? Will the Dealer be able to tell you switched it out (for example are the colors of the fluids significantly different)?

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/diy-full-flush-for-automatic-transmission.68462/

 

Probably...

Pg. 575 of the owner's manual;

■Transmission fluid type
Using transmission fluid other than “Toyota Genuine ATF WS” may cause
deterioration in shift quality, locking up of the transmission accompanied by
vibration and, ultimately, damage to the vehicle’s transmission.

 

OK that answers part of the question

 

Some of his posts are a bit... over the top.

Now here's the thing about transmission fluid; most people never change it. Ever. (if you are somebody reading this and plan to refute this by saying something idiotic like "I always change my transmission fluid every month, so you're wrong", don't waste your time, I'm not talking about you, I'm talking about MOST people, who are NOT YOU) Regardless of what kind of fluid it is. Yet cars still last around 10+ years typically. So while not impacting owner BEHAVIORS, Toyota slightly messed with the fluid enough that it isn't quite the same as all those oils that are supposed to be replaced every 6 months (but aren't replaced ever), and have "reduced" the carbon impact. The fluid itself isn't "bad", it just isn't nearly as special as they want the government to believe. And frankly, the government really doesn't care, since this is really all about numbers rather than actually making something that lasts.

My suggestion: don't be scared of the ws fluid. Just don't treat it like its somehow special.

 

Sounds reasonable. I changed my transmission fluid in my 1999 Tacoma every 30K miles and used Toyota fluid. Never had any issues. I used Mobil 1 synthetic gear oil in my diffs and transfer case. No issues. I plan on doing that with my 2016. Only challenge is determining the proper level in transmission. Assuming it's correct now (dealer confirmed at 113 F) then if I just replace what I drain out, I can't make it worse? I will just accurately measure what comes out and what I replace.

 

I struggle somewhat with why folks think Toyota ATF WS fluid is a bad fluid. WS has been around a while now, and you simply don't hear of regular transmission failures on Toyotas, most of which have had the same fluid for the life of the vehicle. WS fluid analysis also does not typically show a lot of breakdown.

Technically, Toyota can't say that you can't use another equivalent fluid, otherwise they'd have to replace it for free. But I don't know that there any aftermarket options that are truly equivalent. There are few (redline, valvoline, etc) that are probably compatible. And it seems that everybody that uses a different fluid is happy based on reading forums.

It is true that WS is going to breakdown running at high temps for long periods of time, but this balance has to be achieved for all the fluids in you car. That is, if you go to a fluid that is going to be better at higher temps, it is not going to be as good at normal temps.

I think for most people, if you're debating whether or not you need a different fluid, just use what the mfr recommends. If you really need a different fluid, you probably already know who you are.