Hey all! First post here. I have a 2014 Toyota tundra 5.7, I recently changed all the transmission fluid with Schaeffer 204SAT all trans supreme. Well, upon further research that I should have done beforehand, the 204SAT is a jws 3309 fluid. My truck calls for a jws 3324 fluid, or Schaeffer 205A . I've put about 500 miles on my truck so far with the recent fluid change, and it shifts strong and runs great, no complaints so far. How bad did I fudge up using the wrong fluid? I read the jws 3324 is just a thinner viscosity fluid than jws 3309. Any help and feedback would be greatly appreciated.
Transmission fluid dilemma, need advice
- Thread starter Sumo91
- Start date
There was another post here about this.
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/5081908/schaeffer-204sat-and-205a
To me it sounds like you may be ok with your Choice. How many miles on the Tundra?
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/5081908/schaeffer-204sat-and-205a
To me it sounds like you may be ok with your Choice. How many miles on the Tundra?
Originally Posted by JC1
There was another post here about this.
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/5081908/schaeffer-204sat-and-205a
To me it sounds like you may be ok with your Choice. How many miles on the Tundra?
I actually read that thread in my slight panic over using the wrong fluid. It has 175k on it, one owner, all service records for the truck, all service performed at the same dealership its entire life. I'm just worried the thicker fluid might cause some issues, some kind of way. I know you can use jws 3324 in most jws 3309 applications, but everything I've also read states you cant use jws 3309 fluids in a jws 3324 application. I'm still learning though, and that's why I posted here, I've been lurking on this site for years! It's full of great info
There was another post here about this.
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/5081908/schaeffer-204sat-and-205a
To me it sounds like you may be ok with your Choice. How many miles on the Tundra?
I actually read that thread in my slight panic over using the wrong fluid. It has 175k on it, one owner, all service records for the truck, all service performed at the same dealership its entire life. I'm just worried the thicker fluid might cause some issues, some kind of way. I know you can use jws 3324 in most jws 3309 applications, but everything I've also read states you cant use jws 3309 fluids in a jws 3324 application. I'm still learning though, and that's why I posted here, I've been lurking on this site for years! It's full of great info
Where are you located in the US? Do you do lots of towing or offroading? I'm sure you'l be ok. Did you do a pan drop and clean and replace the strainer or filter (not sure what type of filter your Tundra has). My 98 Sienna had the strainer type.
I'm in Louisiana, I dont tow and I do very little offroading. I dropped the pan and replaced the filter. The pan had never been dropped before, just fluid exchanges for prior service. I opened up the filter and it was surprisingly clean. The magnets in the pan also had very very little material on them. Almost non existent. Very good for 175k miles. The filter is a fiber type, kind of close to a pad you use for oil spills. I'll try to attach a picture
Welcome to the forum!!!! If you want peace of mind go ahead and put the proper fluid of your choice. Maxlife is a cheap and viable option.
Install the correct fluid.
Chalk up the 3309 fill as a "good cleaning".
The vehicle has been happy with dealership maintenance (w/correct fluid?) for 175K, you say?
All you'll be out is your mistaken fluid's cost as you do the work yourself.
Or you can live with the gnawing uncertainty of possibly accelerating the aging of your trannie.
Smile or suffer, the choice is yours.
Chalk up the 3309 fill as a "good cleaning".
The vehicle has been happy with dealership maintenance (w/correct fluid?) for 175K, you say?
All you'll be out is your mistaken fluid's cost as you do the work yourself.
Or you can live with the gnawing uncertainty of possibly accelerating the aging of your trannie.
Smile or suffer, the choice is yours.
Personally I would keep the fluid in there for a year and then change it next year. As others have said Maxlife is compatible and it's inexpensive.
Here is a one year old Maxlife jug. If you see JWS 3324, listed on the bottle , then use it. If it's not listed, then don't. If you are worried about the difference between 3309 and 3324, Maxlife would not be the product to use as the variances in the viscosities of the fluids listed are probably just as just as great. This is a one size fits all product.
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I gotta say, I've used gallons of Valvoline Maxlife Dex/Merc LV in 3309 applications and in older units which were OK with Dex/Merc with success.
However, this notion that the stuff is somehow an omni-acceptable universal fluid is simply thoughtless.
Snagglefoot's advice to read the label is sound.
You can see no 3309 on that label but you can see the Toyota T-IV listed. Those 2 "equate".
See if the 3324 equates with any spec listed on the label of today's Maxlife and take it from there.
It won't kill you to find the right stuff even if you have to pay a tad more (perish the thought).
See if Wolf's Head Super Universal Synthetic ATF covers your spec. I've used cases of that too with success.
And, as always, don't be a dippy-doo.
However, this notion that the stuff is somehow an omni-acceptable universal fluid is simply thoughtless.
Snagglefoot's advice to read the label is sound.
You can see no 3309 on that label but you can see the Toyota T-IV listed. Those 2 "equate".
See if the 3324 equates with any spec listed on the label of today's Maxlife and take it from there.
It won't kill you to find the right stuff even if you have to pay a tad more (perish the thought).
See if Wolf's Head Super Universal Synthetic ATF covers your spec. I've used cases of that too with success.
And, as always, don't be a dippy-doo.
Max life shows type T-IV and WS for Toyota, which are the two types in discussion. I fail to see how it can be both a normal and low viscosity oil at the same time. Manufacturers program solenoid activation times in a transmission based on viscosity. Go too far from the expected and bands and clutches slip longer or shorter than expected during shifts causing wear or stressing components. That being said, I think the viscosity difference between 3309 and 3324 isn't very much...temperature has a much greater affect on the fluid, than the difference in posted viscosity. I would leave it.
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Thanks for all the response everyone. I know I would like to change the fluid. If I do I will use Schaeffers 205A, I'm just trying to avoid that cost if the 204SAT will be good for a few thousand miles till I can get my hands on the the 205A. I have to go back to work in January to el Paso, which is a 15hr drive. I'd like to change the fluid after I get back home if I can help it. I've never really used valvoline products. I've always used Schaeffers for years with great success, unfortunately a 5 gallon pail of 205A is about 250-300 bucks. I'm still searching for the best price on it so I can pick up a pail to change the fluid later. I emailed Schaeffers about the issue I'm having. I believe they will respond on Monday, when I hear from them I will post their reply.
Edit: I have the torque pro app which measures the trans pan temp and torque converter temp. Both of which are in the normal range for this truck
Edit: I have the torque pro app which measures the trans pan temp and torque converter temp. Both of which are in the normal range for this truck
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You changed about 1/4 of the fluid you will be fine using it until the next drain and fill. Just use a recommended fluid from now on.
Originally Posted by Sumo91
I replaced all 12 quarts. It actually took 13 quarts after I dropped the pan and replaced the filter.
This is a big mistake on your part. If the 175K miles transmission doesn't burn consider it a lesson learned. Hopefully the fluid is prone to shearing like most DEXRON III type fluids.
Contact Schaeffer's and explain what happened and seek their guidance.
I replaced all 12 quarts. It actually took 13 quarts after I dropped the pan and replaced the filter.
This is a big mistake on your part. If the 175K miles transmission doesn't burn consider it a lesson learned. Hopefully the fluid is prone to shearing like most DEXRON III type fluids.
Contact Schaeffer's and explain what happened and seek their guidance.
I contacted them but they are closed this weekend. I'm sure they'll get back to me tomorrow. I found 12 quarts of Schaeffer 205A on Amazon for $153. I'm gonna order it tomorrow depending on what Schaeffer says, I would like to get the 5 gallon pail to really flush all of the old fluid out, but I'm sure just 12 quarts will be fine. From all my research the 204sat is just slightly thicker in viscosity than the 205a. It seems some members say it is ok while other say it is not. I'm curious as to what im going to hear tomorrow from Schaeffer themselves.
It's not the worst mistake in the world. The fluid likely hasn't damaged anything yet. I know the op is partial to Schaeffer's, but a couple drain and fills with maxlife should remedy any viscosity difference between 204 and ws like the transmission is specd. Who knows the mix of 204 and maxlife could be better than oem was.