Valvoline for Transmission Drain and Fill?

Hey all,

My truck is sitting at ~117,000 and I'm getting ready to do a tranny drain and fill.
Bought the truck recently and I have no way of knowing if the previous owner used Toyota WS fluid or Valvoline or what have you.
My suspicion is that the transmission fluid hasn't been touched.
I've read Gearcruncher's thread on WS fluid and I saw that in this thread someone recommended against straying from WS unless doing a complete drain and refill.

My question is this -
Would I be royally screwing up by using Valvoline ATF for this drain and fill and the ones I complete thereafter?

I definitely do not want to go through the process of completely draining and refilling the transmission right now.

 

My question is this. Why mix? Eliminate all possible problems. Don’t try to save a few dollars. WS is fine. It will never explode or anything with using what came from the factory.

 

The question is the OP does not know what fluid is in there.

I have heard Maxlife can mix with factory fluid just fine? Never tried it though. That being said, mixed fresh fluid would still be better than pure old worn out fluid.

 

Valvoline MAXLife is compatible with Toyota (or Ford) WS ATF.

At 117K miles, I would do a full flush. It's due, and it is not hard to do.

This is how I flushed my tranny;
https://youtu.be/m4IMQGn366c?si=cPhDzs-UW6MpFxQh

 

So doing this on the Tacoma I would just follow the process like you did with your Camry but then instead of checking the level with the dipstick I just remove the overflow plug and let the extra drain after the entering check mode, correct?

 

I understand where you're going with that, and I can't say I disagree. If it's not broke, why fix it? The issue is that, like WhiteOR mentioned, I don't know if there's been any flushes/drain and fills performed on the transmission.
If a flush is as simple as eherlihy makes it seem then perhaps I just do that and flush everything out with the Valvoline.

 

Not my video, not my Camry, but yeah. Flush the fluid, bring the transmission fluid up to the correct temp, and then open the plug on the fluid level check plug. You should get a stream of fluid. Put the plug back in when the fluid flow slows to a trickle.

 

If I was you I would use Toyota Fluid if your doing a drain/fill... Otherwise use whatever fluid you like.... It's a tough decision picking up something used with no records... Chances are it's OG fluid and was never touched..

2-4 quarts out ... 2-4 quarts back in... I would stay factory...

 

12 quarts of WS and do a full and proper flush. Call local dealer and see if they will give you a deal on a 12 quarts also looking online parts at the same dealer as it might even be cheaper. Shouldn't be more than 10$ a quart.

Known great fluid, and in the scheme of 100+k mile fluid changes it's pennies difference in cost.

 

You guys are way overthinking it. Any import multi vehicle ATF that is rated for Toyota Type-IV will work fine.

I used Castrol in my 2005 Tundra A750F, in my 2007 4Runner A750F, and Valvoline max life import multi vehicle which is a Synthetic in my 2014 Tacomas A340.

Toyota, Castrol, and Valvoline are all top flight fluids and they are mix together with no issues. Pick a product and go with it. . this isn't a 2025 Porsche PDK. . .

Also, I did my 4RUNNER drain and fill right around that same mileage as you got OP.

 

I've been using Valvoline max life for 25 years on my Tacomas and Tundras. No failures to report.

I do use the 2008 tundra to drag a 5th wheel RV thru the the tennisee/ north Carolina mountains every year. I'm happy with the Valvoline fluid.

I do drain and fill every spring, so keep that in mind.

 

That's great to know. Makes me feel better about the Valvoline. Thanks!

 

Yeah, I used 12 qts of maxlife for a full flush, here's a post on the epic DIY ATF flush thread that I made. Truck's been shifting great since that service
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...atic-transmission.68462/page-72#post-30440362

 

Wow, your timing is impeccable. Literally reading through that exact thread as we speak. Thank you!

 

I’m going to do the same with max life this week.
No idea what fluids in mine.

 

Idemitsu TLS-LV is another good ATF. It is WS rated and they come in 5-qt jugs. $44 on Amazon. I put it in sister’s 15 Lexus NX200t in a drain/refill procedure.
https://www.idemitsulubricants.com/product/atf-type-tls-lv

 

Wishing you luck, bud. Let me know how it goes!

 

I've used Valvoline Maxxlife in my 06 Tacoma since 90K miles. No difference from WS.

 

I've also used Maxxlife in my 08 for the last 100k, no issues.