Is Toyota Type T IV Required?

[steven88]

I have a 2005 Toyota Camry LE 5AT....the owners manual says Toyota Type T IV is required for all transmission fluid changes...or else adverse effects will occur and warranty will be voided...

I have used the Type T IV, and to me, it looks like regular ATF but re-stamped with the Toyota name on it...whats the big deal with this special ATF from toyota? Is it that special for my 5AT? Will adding regular ATF ruin my transmission? I can't justify paying nearly $7 a quart for this ATF, if it works just like any other ATF (just with a re-stamped name)

Can anybody chime in about this subject? It would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Cutehumor]

I paid $4/qt online for T-IV. it's also known as Mobil 3309 spec. some have said amsoil atf works for T-IV, but I have no experience with amsoil atf.

 

[The Critic]

My local Toyota dealer in Sacramento charges less than $5/qt. Time for you to shop around.

 

[wantin150]

There are other OTC fluids which meet the T-IV requirement.

 

[mikeg5]

maxlife, but personally i would just stick with the T-IV

 

[Kestas]

Agreed. Stick with Type T-IV ($5 qt from dealer) or ATF 3309 from your local Mobil distributor (sometimes cheaper).

 

[todds21]

T IV is required for both my wifes 04 ES330 and my 03 Tacoma. I have debated using other fluids but its just not worth the risk to me. I get T IV for $4 a quart and just do drain and fills of the pan once or twice a year on both vehicles. I used Amsoil ATF on my last Tacoma and was really pleased with it. I am running Amsoil ATF in both PS pumps.

 

[benjamming]

What do you mean it looks like 'regular' ATF? What is 'regular' ATF anyway?

I do understand what you are saying in regards to paying for a dealer fluid & their typical high markup on other parts. You don't want to be hosed. I would stick with a Type IV ATF for you vehicle. However, you don't have to buy it at the dealer as others have said.

 

[mikeg5]

Maxlife atf dex\merc is the only over the counter atf that specs t-IV

 

[MaximaGuy]

You are better off sticking with T-IV till warranty is up.

 

[mikeg5]

for sure if its under warranty, also keep your reciepts and keep good maintanence logs and date them bc if something happens they will do the best they can to squirrel their way out of paying anything so cover your butt

 

[RustyH]

I recently purchased Toyota T-IV ATF from the local Toyota dealership for my spouse's Volvo. Volvo wants $16/qt for the Volvo ATF JWS 3309 spec. The Toyota ATF was $4.99 - 10% discount since I had purchased a vehicle from the dealership. You're getting high quotes for this stuff.

 

[MaximaGuy]

$16/Q is a total rip-off. Stealerships will burn in ----..

 

[steven88]

Quote:

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What do you mean it looks like 'regular' ATF? What is 'regular' ATF anyway?

---

it just doesn't look any different from reg atf...I mean, the color is red and viscosity feels just the same as any other ATF...thats what I meant

 

[steven88]

Looks like I found a good deal....

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayIS...s_promot_widget

Since I live in cali, I have to pay sales tax....the total comes out to be about $61.44...which equals $5.12 per quart...much better than what the dealership would charge me

 

[mikeg5]

whatever floats your boat. we pay around $5 a qt here in NC for it. not too bad i guess.. sucks your guys charge 7, i would have cussed someone out

 

[unDummy]

Any of the universal or multivehicle ATFs can be used and various brands can be spotted at various autoparts stores.

Pennzoil Multivehicle, Amsoil ATF, Castrol Import, Castrol highmileage, Valvoline Maxlife, Amalie Synthetic, Kendall/Conoco Versatrans, Coastal Multivehicle, Eneos, Idemitsu HP..........are some that you can use.

 

[josalbrec]

I used Maxlife for about 23000 miles in my tranny in an 02 celica GT. The tranny never did run right after the valvoline dealer flushed the fluid to maxlife. I did have some problems at 1st, the valvoline dealer put in the wrong fluid, then I added lubeguard black to try and correct. Bottomline, it had to be flushed twice with maxlife after it was all said and done. Even after all of that, it still didn't feel the way a toyota tranny should feel. I just had it flushed with T-IV and will not put anything else in my tranny. It shifts smoother and runs like it should. My gas mileage this last fill went from 32 miles back to 35 miles per gal. Maybe this is a just my vehicle, however, my experience has made a believer out of me. I wouldn't use cheap oil in my car... so why would I cut corners on the transmission fluid.

 

[artificialist]

Buy Amsoil Universal ATF for your T-IV transmission. I did that to my mom's 2002 Toyota Solara, and I was blown away by how much quieter and smoother the car ran.

 

[dkryan]

I'll second artificialist's comment. I used Amsoil ATF in a 2005 Toyota Highlander, changed at 20k miles. The UOA showed the T-IV won't cut it to 60k, like Toyota wants you to believe for "severe service." This, with 50/50% highway/city driving and no towing. The tranny runs quite smooth with the Amsoil ATF.

josalbrec, you're just around the corner from me. If you used the Valvoline quick lube on Route 4, well ............
I might let them change the oil in my company Exploder, but even then, that's one of the places where you'd better be standing right next to 'em as they perform the work.