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

how many miles on your 2012?

 

So the question is what method is everyone using to flush the tranny? just draining and refilling the exact amount removed? or the scaner set up? Probably the dumbest setup ever to not have a dipstick.

 

That really isn't what I got out of all this...

 

Both fortech and mountainlion have excellent write-ups on here for both methods.

 

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/63851-how-drain-refill-automatic-transmission.html

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/68462-diy-full-flush-automatic-transmission.html

 

My 2012 currently has 40k on it. I took it into the dealer when it had about 25k on it because it was shifting rough. The dealer acknowledged it wasn't shifting as smoothly as it should and reset the ecu for me. That didn't fix the problem. So I took it upon myself to check the transmission fluid level (I used the same method in both the links above). After I saw my fluid was low, I decided to drain the Tranny at 38,500 miles. I used the mountain lion method provided in the post above me. It took me about an hour and a half to do a complete flush. After the flush the truck shifts a lot smoother. I plan on doing the flush every 30-40k miles.

 

Your problem was that the factory fill was low (not uncommon), not the WS fluid.

 

You might be right.... but I was low from the factory when I checked, and proceeded to top it off with WS fluid. After I put in the WS fluid I did the transmission fluid check procedure that was in the links above. The fluid was then properly filled. I took the truck out for a ride and was still experiencing issues with rough shifting. Since I have flushed the tranny with Valvoline max life full synthetic I haven't had any issues.

Is it possible that the truck, being low on tranny fluid from the factory, proceeded to heat up the WS fluid at a much more rapid pace because it was low on fluid. Therefore burning up the WS fluid pre-maturely because it was low on fluid? Just a thought...

 

I don't know if WS is bad when changed regularly maybe 40-50k it should be just fine. No way I would let is sit for the "lifetime of the vehicle"

 

So, what transmission fluid is everyone recommending then? Also, have we seen any catastrophic failures related to Toyota's WS fluid? I don't doubt Gearcruncher's knowledge on this topic, but there are a ton of Tacomas (Toyotas for that matter) that are still on the road and I bet a majority are using Toyota's WS fluid. I will be changing mine at 30K, just like I still change my oil every 5k. I don't believe in the lifetime transmission fluids and oil changes at 10-15k.

 

Just to clarify, there are no tacomas as of yet to be certified from Toyota to have more than a 5k oil change interval, including the 4 cylinder that uses 0-w20.

 

Thanks for the clarification. I knew that regarding the Toyota. I should have been more clear that I was referring to other vehicles. Specifically, a Ford I don't like to talk about owning.

 

There are still plenty of Toyota's that have 10k oil change intervals.

 

And I don't like it.

Back to my original questions as we are getting off-topic.

 

Gearcruncher, first I'd like to say that I really appreciate your comparisons of the WS compatible ATF fluids.

However, in reference to your 2nd post where you state that the toyota "WS collapses massively under heat" but the Valvoline max life fluid does not, what parameters are you indicating to show that? Is it the kinematic viscosity or flashpoint? Reductions of either after a heating test?

EDIT: After review of each MSDS, I'm guessing you're saying that while the flashpoints may be similar, the kinematic viscosity values at 100°C are higher (thicker) for the WS fluid. Am I correct in understanding that your statement is in reference to the 100°C kinematic viscosity properties?

If that's the case, I just wanted to add another WS compatible fluid's properties, Amsoil ATF (product code: ATL1G). Note: while I am an amsoil preferred customer, I make no money due to sales of Amsoil. Just bought the membership to get the preferred price.

Amsoil: flashpoint 224°C, kinematic viscosity at 100°C is 5.9 cSt.

Valvoline Max Life: flashpoint 202°, kinematic viscosity 100°C is 5.91 cSt.

That being said, I had no idea that valvoline max life was so comparable to amsoil. In fact, while I have done the fluid change to amsoil in my taco. I need to perform the change to the gf's 4runner and am considering using Valvoine max life now due to cost and availability.

What have been others' experience of the valvoline max life fluid in their tacomas?

NM

 

Why not?

Toyota allowed 7500 miles on non-synthetic oil on nearly all models until around 2000-2005 (the year of change coincided with the addition of the "Maintenance Required" light on the dash)
10k on synthetic is not a problem for a healthy engine.

 

I'm confused. From the letter quoted below, it states that MaxLife is a fully synthetic ATF:

However, Valvoline's own description on their website states it's comprised of base oils:

So what's the right answer?

 

In the US, "synthetic", as it relates to oils, has been relegated to a marketting term. Oil companies can label an oil/fluid as "synthetic" when they use dino-based hydro-cracked base oils. These oils are better then the regular dino, but they are not true synthetic.

 

Okay, thanks! I'm torn between just using WS from the local dealer or switching to the Valvoline MaxLife. The "75,000 miles and beyond" marketing of the MaxLife kind of turns me off, but the WS price is also a turn off. I'm going to do the complete flush tomorrow (including dropping the pan and cleaning the magnets), so I guess I have to decide quickly! BTW, I have 60K miles on the truck.

 

I couldnt wait for the data on this thread so I decided to go with the WS fluid. The old fluid was a little dark but still looked red in color after 30k miles. The big difference is that the truck shifts smoother now.

Im going to be including a drain and fill as part of my 30k maintenance interval.

RJM