What ATF do you use, and why?

Last time I did a drain and fill, I went out on a ledge and used the exact same stuff that was in there...OEM Toyota Type T-IV fluid. Seriously, a safe bet is to use what your Toyota owners manual says to use.

I did approx. 4.5 qts, but have an aftermarket B&M transmission cooler (70268).

 

Amsoil Universal ATF is what I use. Usually do 30K drain and fills. This last time I went 60K and still looked pretty good. A year ago I bypassed the radiator cooler and installed a tru cool 4454. Normal driving my temps get no higher than 180.

 

AND GIRTH!!!!!

Sign me up.

 

I used Valvoline Max Life when I did the service on mine. Its what we have in bulk here at the shop. I did drop the pan and change the filter too. it's an 01 V6 so may be a different tranny to those that are stating they dont have a filter

 

I use max life atf because it's compatible with my transmission, synthetic, and inexpensive. Plus it's readily available in the 4qt hugs for $17 at Walmart

 

Thinking about doing a drain and fill today, dipstick says use Dexron II. I see Dexron VI is compatible with II, but lots of people here use the valvoline maxlife, any real difference between the valvoline dexron VI and maxlife? Any recommendations? This fluid hasn't been changed on my watch (65k miles), its pretty brown and burnt.

 

Dexron VI is backwards compatible with Dexron II and III, however is is a full synthetic lower viscosity fluid. It will probably work fine in your transmission. I know we use it in older GM transmissions at the Chevy dealer I work at with no issues at all. Valvoline Maxlife is also a full synthetic fluid, but I think it is closer in viscosity to the original fluid. That’s what I would use. JMO.

 

Ok, and curious what is the definitive correct fluid to use, considering dexron II doesn't exist anymore... I guess I could call the dealership tmrw and see what they'd use for an 02 2.4L. I've read like 10 threads here on this subject and frankly have more questions than answers now lol.

 

Not a bad idea.

 

As phrased, it's an impossible solution if the only defined fluid is no longer available ... so what you're needing is indeed a replacement.

For what it's worth I also run MaxLife in my 2004 DoubleCab and it's great. But I also use an external trans cooler, and if your fluid is brown and burnt in your 65K miles you should consider one as well; you're hitting it pretty hard it sounds like.

 

Ditto

 

By that I meant what would Toyota use if they serviced it, and I called the dealership today and they said Toyota T-IV.

A local veteran Toyota specialist recommended Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF.