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Automatic Transmission Fluid for 1st Gens

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by Ihavearedtruck, Sep 17, 2018.

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  1. Sep 17, 2018 at 5:01 PM
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    Ihavearedtruck

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    Ihavearedtruck [OP] Member

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    NH
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    I have read a bunch of threads here but am still answerless. I have a 2001 Tacoma AT 3.4L that is low on AFT fluid and I want to fill it up to the correct level. It calls for Dex III but I need help getting pointed in the right direction.

    I can't find straight Dex III anywhere and want to make sure I am putting in the right stuff. I bought this but am now having doubts even though it says it's compatible with transmissions DEX III. I want to confirm that it will mesh well with the ATF fluid that is already in there.

    Is this the original ATF fluid used by Toyota?

    Any help on this would be appreciated. Thanks!
     
    Ihavearedtruck, Sep 17, 2018
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  2. Sep 17, 2018 at 5:05 PM
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    Clearwater Bill

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    Clearwater Bill Never answer an anonymous letter

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    Clearwater Bill, Sep 17, 2018
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  3. Sep 17, 2018 at 5:33 PM
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    2004TacomaSR5

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    2004TacomaSR5 Nemesis Prime

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    Tacoma is stock and staying that way, Pickup is TBA as of now.
    Very few ATF's left that actually meet one particular spec, most are multi vehicle formulas to make things easier and conserve shelf space. I recommend Valvoline or ServicePro full synthetic multi vehicle ATF's and they meet Dex 3 as well as Type-IV used in the 04 and newer Tacoma ATX's. You really overpaid for that stuff by the way, ATF shouldn't cost $17 a quart, even the synthetic stuff is a lot less than that. The last flush and fill I did on my Tacoma was with ServicePro and it's got 20k miles on it since then without a single issue to speak of.

    Also, when checking the fluid level, make sure it's HOT otherwise it won't read accurately! A lot of people overfill transmissions because they check them cold and the dipstick reads low, it won't read correctly until the transmission is up to operating temperature and has been there awhile. Make sure to check while in Park also.
     
    2004TacomaSR5, Sep 17, 2018
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  4. Sep 17, 2018 at 5:40 PM
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    Ihavearedtruck

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    Ihavearedtruck [OP] Member

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    Awesome! Thank you for the help. I didn't buy the $17 one, I got this stuff for $8 a quart.

    I checked my fluid while the truck was driven for a while and it's really low. I think it is the reason the truck is shifting a little rough. Hopefully solves the slight shimmy I have on the highway too!
     
    Ihavearedtruck, Sep 17, 2018
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  5. Sep 17, 2018 at 5:56 PM
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    2004TacomaSR5

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    Tacoma is stock and staying that way, Pickup is TBA as of now.
    Is it leaking or burning it?
     
    2004TacomaSR5, Sep 17, 2018
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  6. Sep 17, 2018 at 6:48 PM
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    onakat

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    onakat Well-Known Member

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    well, it does say that it is compatible with D-III, in the detailed description....
     
    onakat, Sep 17, 2018
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  7. Sep 17, 2018 at 7:57 PM
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    rickyg2008

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    rickyg2008 Well-Known Member

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    2003 is type Iv
     
    rickyg2008, Sep 17, 2018
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  8. Sep 17, 2018 at 7:58 PM
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    rickyg2008

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    rickyg2008 Well-Known Member

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    Owners Manuel I believe states you can use both. Local Toyota dealerships have it
     
    rickyg2008, Sep 17, 2018
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  9. Jan 28, 2019 at 7:16 PM
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    jeg0005

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    jeg0005 Well-Known Member

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    How's your transmission doing? I just bought a 2001 3.4L that shifts a little rough (especially right after going from reverse to drive). Planning on doing a full flush this week.
     
    jeg0005, Jan 28, 2019
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  10. Nov 12, 2019 at 8:36 AM
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    Fatal_Paradox

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    Fatal_Paradox Well-Known Member

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    Fatal_Paradox, Nov 12, 2019
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  11. Nov 12, 2019 at 10:03 AM
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    Fatal_Paradox

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    Also same stuff is needed for the power steering ?
     
    Fatal_Paradox, Nov 12, 2019
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    cruiserguy likes this.
  12. Nov 12, 2019 at 10:09 AM
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    Hansel

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    Hansel Well-Known Member

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    Use Dexron VI, fully compatible
     
    Hansel, Nov 12, 2019
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  13. Nov 12, 2019 at 10:14 AM
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    Black DOG Lila

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    Black DOG Lila Well-Known Member

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    Black DOG Lila, Nov 12, 2019
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  14. Nov 12, 2019 at 10:49 AM
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    Fatal_Paradox

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    Fatal_Paradox Well-Known Member

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    Fatal_Paradox, Nov 12, 2019
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  15. Nov 12, 2019 at 10:49 AM
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    Fatal_Paradox

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    Fatal_Paradox Well-Known Member

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    @Hansel for the power steering or for the transmission?
     
    Fatal_Paradox, Nov 12, 2019
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    cruiserguy likes this.
  16. Nov 12, 2019 at 10:51 AM
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    cruiserguy

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    cruiserguy Well-Known Member

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    The power steering calls for ATF as well, Dexron III, but you can use what you're gonna use now with your tranny
     
    cruiserguy, Nov 12, 2019
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    Fatal_Paradox[QUOTED] likes this.
  17. Nov 12, 2019 at 10:52 AM
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    cruiserguy

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    cruiserguy Well-Known Member

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    You're just doing a drain and fill on the transmission right?
     
    cruiserguy, Nov 12, 2019
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  18. Nov 12, 2019 at 10:57 AM
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    Fatal_Paradox

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    Fatal_Paradox Well-Known Member

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    @cruiserguy yes. I may drop the pan and inspect the filter. Not flushing it though.
     
    Fatal_Paradox, Nov 12, 2019
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    cruiserguy likes this.
  19. Nov 12, 2019 at 10:58 AM
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    Black DOG Lila

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    Black DOG Lila Well-Known Member

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    Black DOG Lila, Nov 12, 2019
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    Fatal_Paradox[QUOTED] likes this.
  20. Nov 12, 2019 at 10:59 AM
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    cruiserguy

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    cruiserguy Well-Known Member

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    Cool, you'll be good. And you doing the turkey baster method for the swapping the fluid in power steering reservoir?
     
    cruiserguy, Nov 12, 2019
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