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What ATF do you use, and why?

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by tan4x4, Oct 8, 2015.

  1. Oct 8, 2015 at 9:50 AM
    #1
    tan4x4

    tan4x4 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    My truck is my DD and occasional mild-to-medium offroading.

    I've always purchased ATF from my local dealer because I want the best for my older truck :thumbsup:. However, now they still have it in bulk for their mechanics, but no longer have it packaged for sale in the parts department :mad: .

    I recently changed my tranny fluid, and the only Dexron 3 type ATF I found at the local parts house was Pennzoil ( "for vehicles previously serviced by Dexron 3 ..." ). Never used it before.

    Now, when not completely warmed up, the tranny occasionally slips while taking off from a stop. (the motor revs up a bit before gently grabbing ). Didn't do this at all before the ATF change.

    Hence the title question.
    @gearcruncher
     
  2. Oct 8, 2015 at 9:51 AM
    #2
    thewarriordinghy

    thewarriordinghy General Lee's Titan

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    use redline....
     
  3. Oct 8, 2015 at 9:52 AM
    #3
    ramonortiz55

    ramonortiz55 Not A Well-Known Member

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    ive heard about redline.

    where can i find it?
     
  4. Oct 8, 2015 at 9:53 AM
    #4
    ramonortiz55

    ramonortiz55 Not A Well-Known Member

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    i want to do a drain and filter change on mine.

    i cant find dexcron III either.. and i find that same stuff you reference..
     
  5. Oct 8, 2015 at 9:54 AM
    #5
    ramonortiz55

    ramonortiz55 Not A Well-Known Member

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    i guess i could google..

    but i cant find it in NAPA nor Autozone..
     
  6. Oct 8, 2015 at 9:54 AM
    #6
    thewarriordinghy

    thewarriordinghy General Lee's Titan

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    not a clue... I culdnt do mine myself, so I took it to Kauffman tire, and they did a full flush for $149 (they wont give anyone that deal since its normally 200.... I just randomly went there and BSed, and they gave that quote.... so I made em right it down and went back a month later)
     
  7. Oct 8, 2015 at 9:56 AM
    #7
    ramonortiz55

    ramonortiz55 Not A Well-Known Member

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    why does everyone keep telling me full flushes are bad for transmissions?
     
  8. Oct 8, 2015 at 10:00 AM
    #8
    NAAC3TACO

    NAAC3TACO Middle aged member

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    I would use Valvoline Max Life full synthetic. It replaces Dex III and many other atfs. Walmart usually has the best price if they have any on the shelf. I needed 9 quarts to flush my daughter's Mazda 3 and had to go to 3 stores to get enough.
     
  9. Oct 8, 2015 at 10:01 AM
    #9
    Incognito

    Incognito No better friend, no worse enemy

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    I use Amsoil ATF. Great stuff.
     
    jammer likes this.
  10. Oct 8, 2015 at 10:03 AM
    #10
    ramonortiz55

    ramonortiz55 Not A Well-Known Member

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    ive been eyeing that..
     
  11. Oct 8, 2015 at 10:16 AM
    #11
    thewarriordinghy

    thewarriordinghy General Lee's Titan

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    maybe they are.... but mine still runs fine and I did it at 75k miles...
     
  12. Oct 8, 2015 at 5:16 PM
    #12
    tan4x4

    tan4x4 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Interesting that ALL of the responses are from guys with 2nd-gen Tacomas.

    Don't your automatic trannies take type-4 ATF rather than Dex III ?
     
  13. Oct 8, 2015 at 5:18 PM
    #13
    thewarriordinghy

    thewarriordinghy General Lee's Titan

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    Not a clue.... My power steering takes dexron III, but I've had to use dexron VI since that's what they carry for my truck...
     
  14. Oct 8, 2015 at 5:31 PM
    #14
    CodeSeven

    CodeSeven LOC: 33.781461, -115.867251

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    dexron 3 should be everywhere! napa, advanced auto parts/carquest, it's the most common atf there is. valvoline is sold by everyone too and has an atf option.

    it shouldn't be difficult to find. worst case, get the napa brand. it's made by valvoline.
     
  15. Oct 8, 2015 at 5:36 PM
    #15
    KenLyns

    KenLyns 8.75" Third Member

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    Online or tuner shops. (Hint: it's usually super-expensive)

    Old folklore similar to "you shouldn't mix dino and synthetic motor oil".
     
  16. Oct 8, 2015 at 5:40 PM
    #16
    Clearwater Bill

    Clearwater Bill Never answer an anonymous letter

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    Just use Dexron VI in your brand flavor of choice (whatever is on sale). It's backwards compatible for your DexronIII spec.

    http://www.counterman.com/faqs-on-gm-s-dexron-vi-specs/

    Think about this. You probably can't find the oil API / service rating that was spec'd for your trucks engine new either, because those specs have been superseded with new formulations. That doesn't keep you from doing oil changes with the new API stuff does it?
     
    NAAC3TACO likes this.
  17. Oct 8, 2015 at 5:50 PM
    #17
    tacomatt602

    tacomatt602 Well-Known Member

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    1st gen here. I also used Valvoline Maxlife Synthetic and it worked just fine. No problems since I changed it a couple months ago.
     
  18. Oct 8, 2015 at 5:59 PM
    #18
    ARB1977

    ARB1977 It’s a beaut Clark

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    Amsoil Universal ATF. It makes me feel good.
     
  19. Oct 8, 2015 at 6:33 PM
    #19
    Caligula

    Caligula Well-Known Member

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    T-IV IS TOYOTA'S DEXRON III!

    Do not use Dexron VI, or any fancy miracle oil from Amsoil, Redline, or whatever. It calls for Dexron II/III, only use Dexron II/III
     
    Last edited: Oct 8, 2015
  20. Oct 8, 2015 at 6:57 PM
    #20
    thewarriordinghy

    thewarriordinghy General Lee's Titan

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    Hell, dexron VI was on sale.... It's good power steering fluid....
     

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