03 Tundra 3.4L V6 4A
09 Vibe 1.8L 4A

I just got the vibe, and I'm very happy to see that it has trans drain and dipstick. I still cant find the filter on the new 1.8L but I didnt crawl under yet.

Any sythetic ATF approved for T-IV yet?

Amsoil, Schaeffers, and Mobil 1 have universal syn ATF recommended and approved (by themselves) for T-IV. You will probably not find any officially approved T-IV fluid other than the fluid sold by Toyota. Even WM has a couple of fluids recommended for same including Maxlife and a couple of the SuperTech blends. These are probably partially synthetic fluids. This makes me think that T-IV is not too special or unique as ATFs go. I would be inclined to leave T-IV in there until at least the warranty expires.

I drive a Lexus IS300 that originally is filled Type T-IV. I am draining and refilling with the new Mobil 1 Syn ATF formula at every oci. The only difference I've noticed with Mobil is that the shifts seem firmer than the shifts with Type T-IV. I think Royal Purple and Amsoil are T-IV approved also.

Redline D4. I am running it in my 2006 Camry. It shifts much better than with the original T-IV and is spec'd by Redline. The only other fluid I would look at would be Amsoil ATF. Dont get too caught up in "OEM approved". As long as it meets the spec, especially with a fluid like T-IV (nothing special) you will be fine.

The only oil that is T-IV approved, and meets the T-IV spec, is either real Toyota T-IV or the same stuff in the maker's bottle, Mobil 3309 (neither of which is syn).

"Mobil ATF 3309 is an exceptionally high performance lubricant that meets original equipment manufacturers’
specifications for use in certain slip-controlled lock-up automatic transmissions. Mobil ATF 3309 is recommended for use in transmissions made by Aisin-Warner requiring a fluid approved against Type T-IV, JWS 3309, GM 9986195 and VW/Audi G-055-025-A2. These Aisin-Warner transmissions are used in CERTAIN domestic and foreign vehicles, including Toyota, Lexus, Audi, Saturn, Ford, Volvo, Volkswagen, Saab, Porsche and Mitsubishi."
http://www.mobil.com/USA-English/Lubes/PDS/glxxenpvlmomobil_atf_3309.pdf

All the rest are "recommended" for use in these transmissions used by Toyota that require T-IV fluid. Yes, they work well. No, they aren't approved nor do they exactly meet the spec.

Amsoil universal ATF is fully compatible with T-IV, and it has shown a huge improvement over the non-syn T-IV in every category.

I was happy to see the dipstick in my daughters 08 Scion TC as well. This means we can easily do changes ourselves. Hers will start getting the amsoil treatment now after reading so much negativity about the T-IV.

You have the canister type oil filter on your vibe (corolla matrix). They are a PITA to change, and i would prefer the spin on.

The new Vibe takes WS, not T-IV.

Royal Purple MaxATF will work for T-IV/3309 applications as well( think someone above mentioned it ). T-IV is old school ATF that has been around a LONG time( early 90's as I recall ). Not only is it nothing special as another poster mentions but it is actually some pretty low grade ATF. I wouldn't run it much past 30K. Certainly not the 100K I have seen some mfg's say it is good for. NO WAY! Any of the modern day synthetic ATF's and universal Import ATF's that list it will work fine and be an improvement.

I used Amsoil universal in my mom's Toyota Solara (T-IV required) and I got excellent results.

Back when RP ATF was only for Dexron III/Mercon, I added some HFM additive to my Saturn 5AT (T-IV required) and I am also pleased with the results. Now that RP ATF is made for T-IV and other applications, now is a great time to buy it.

Despite the friction materials used in those cars, the ATF stays red after 30,000 miles.

That's what I thought too. And you can NOT substitute the other brands for it. At least, not yet.

I agree on the T-IV substitutes though, Amsoil and Schaeffer's sure work great in the T-IV spec cars I've worked on.

In the first generation Toyota Prius which came with T-IV in the transaxle, Amsoil ATF has been shown to be unsuitable for use due to high copper wear in UOA. See here. There was some initial speculation that the copper was from the Motor-Generator windings, but later thought is that as the windings are fully insulated and need to be for proper function, the the copper wear is coming from some yellow metal in the Prius transaxle. IIRC, the generation 2 Prius which comes with Toyota WS ATF rather than T-IV also showed high copper wear with Amsoil ATF.

Conventional automatic transmissions function very differently from the HSD transaxle on the Prius so the applicability of this Amsoil ATF no use is most likely only valid to the Prius.

Rumple

Where the vibe has the dipstick, i beleive it should be T-IV.

Have you looked in the owners manual?

so what's so bad about T-IV?? it is always badmouthed but I don't know why... I think because it is OEM people think it's automatically a compromised product. Which is crazy and self defeating to Toyota if it were.
It may not have the "lifetime" idea but, change it out, and its perfectly fine... ?

It's because a lot of folks have replaced this fluid with a hi quality synthetic with excellent results. Better shifting, longer life, and longer intervals. I'm sure the T-IV fluid isn't 'bad' persay, it's just that it's not with standing the test of time. Or holding up well, and for the price you pay for that stuff, you'd think it would be better.
I just think there's better alternative fluids out there.

Redline D6 claims that it will work where Toyota WS is needed, however, I have not seen any results from the use of it.