Transmission Fluid

Hi all,

I hate to ask another question that has been discussed in length before but I wanted to get some opinions..

I am in the process of changing all the fluids/filters in my 00 w/ 195k and I purchased Valvoline DEX/MERC ATF (photo attached). My plan was to do 3-4 drain+fills over the course of a few weeks and then possibly a flush from the cooler lines and replace it with a synthetic down the road after slowly introducing new fluid.

I don't know the full service history on the trans but looking at the fluid from the dipstick it seems to be in decent shape. It is pink and doesn't seem burnt. I am not sure if the color is an indication of its age but I am wondering if it had synthetic ATF in it or if the trans cooler has kept it from getting dark.. So now I am wondering if I should return the DEX ATF and get Mobil 1/Amsoil/RP synthetic ATF instead.

Hoping someone has had similar experiences and can recommend an approach.. Like I said my initial plan was to do 3 or 4 drain + fills with the regular Dex III fluid and on the last one drop the pan and clean the magnets and screen.

Thanks

 

If the fluid is in good shape like you say then I think you would be fine introducing synthetic ATF. I recently did a drain+fill with the synthetic Valvoline and my truck shifts noticeably smoother.

I didn't think the Mobile 1 was compatible with our trucks or I would have gone that route. I thought it had to specify Dex.

 

Sounds like you have a good strategy. If the fluid looks good on the first draining, then fill it up and do the next one at the next oil change interval (3-5k miles). Do the drain and fill every oil change and that will keep things fresh for you.

The DEXIII Valvoline (your picture) is a great fluid. Its inexpensive ($14 gallon) and what is recommended for our transmissions. I use it.

I just did my drain and fill of 3 1/2 quarts approx. as I didn’t wait to drain all 4 quarts out of the pan because the fluid looked good (was just total flush and filled 10k miles ago).

Used the extra 1/2 quart left over to drain and fill the power steering reservior. All for $14! Beautiful.

 

Thank you both. I'll probably use the Valvoline Dex I have then and think about the syenthenic for the next change.

 

I used Mobile 1 Synthetic 2k miles ago and runs smooth.

 

I've heard a few people mention this but didn't think it was compatible with our transmissions. Does it say DexIII on it? I would have preferred to run Mobile1 over the Valvoline Max Life.

 

Lots of guys on Tundra solutions run it, I got this from Mobile 1 website

According to ExxonMobil, Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF is of the following quality level:

• Allison C-4
• General Motors DEXRON® IIIH
• General Motors DEXRON® IIIG
• General Motors DEXRON® IIE
• General Motors DEXRON® IID
• General Motors DEXRON® II
• General Motors DEXRON®
• Ford MERCON®
• MAN 339 V1
• Volvo 97340
• Volvo 97341

 

Funny how time flys! I used that same jug pictured (up above a few posts) and did a drain and fill this weekend and the drained amount hit that same line mark again.

Some research on the Mobil1 Synthetic ATF. Its expensive to use for the intervals in which I’ll be changing at $11 a quart (quick check) compared to the Valvoline Plain DEXIII at $14 for 4 quarts total.

 

Good to know. I'll check it out. I wasn't sure M1 had compatible fluid. I did the first change with Valvoline Dex/Merc but planned on switching over to sytenthic in the next few weeks.

 

I think this will be next on my list. I'm at 113K

 

You need a different fluid. 05-06 require Toyota WS ATF fluid. It's also a different procedure for 05-06 since there isn't a dipstick.

EDIT: Corrected the info in my post.
00-03 use Dex III
04 use Toyota Type IV
05-06 use Toyota WS

 

I guess I got myself some homework now.

 

Here's some reading

https://www.tundras.com/threads/2005-transmission-fluid-change-check-level.36553

 

As a former industrial turbomachinery/maintenance engineer, my opinion is the average Tundra owner won't live long enough to see benefit from "synthetic" ATF over fluids meeting Toyota's recommended spec. It's all black-box marketing brainwash to siphon more money out of your pocket. "Exceeds the spec" is BS. OTOH, if it makes you feel better, it IS your money.

Show me the service life histories...even anecdotal input would be appreciated.

 

As a former commercial hand model, I agree.

If given the choice between the best fluid (extended intervals) versus basic fluid (more frequent intervals) the nod goes to the latter.

Like you say, its your money and spend it as you wish. I do not knock that one bit.

 

So I can't used mobile one ATF? I have to get ATF from the dealer? My truck is 05 sr5

 

Check your specs. I think your year is Type-IV.

 

@Casper421 used Mobile 1 I'm pretty sure. I think it's fine.

 

Negative, 05-06 is the Toyota WS Fluid.

 

I believe you are correct from what I've read.

 

Not a terrible price....

 

Thats the stuff you need at the best price from what I can see. Makes me glad The 02’ takes DEXIII at $14 a gallon.

 

Of course you mean DEX/MERC. Maybe that is the price for the Frankenstein brew of DEX/MERC (that, to my knowledge, Toyota has never endorsed or recommended), but on 7/11/19 I bought 14 liters of the real DEXRON III at $7.23 per liter. My understanding is that there might currently be a market for DEXRON III in the boating industry as well as the auto industry, agriculture, and in heavy equipment operation, and however small, I wouldn't be calling for a dirge anytime soon. If there remains a strong enough market, a manufacturer just might step up to satisfy it.

As to a substitute, has anyone considered ACDelco's Type III-H automatic transmission fluid. It comes from GM, the developer of DEXRON III, and according to them - "ACDelco ATF Type III (H) is recommended for the following uses: when DEXRON-III(H), DEXRON-III(G), DEXRON-II(E), DEXRON-II, or Type A Fluids are required, in all automatic transmissions built by GM that do not require DEXRON-VI...". Who knows the DEXRON formulations better than its developer? As to the Toyota automatic transmissions not being made by GM, they weren't before either, but that didn't stop Toyota from endorsing their fluid. Seems to me to be a better formulation than the fluid mix containing Ford's Mercon. Food for thought.

 

You keep getting hung up on this. It's not 2 different fluids mixed together, it's 1 fluid that meets 2 different specs.

Look at motor oil, there are multiple specs that one oil can meet. Here's Mobil EP 5w-30. It doesn't specifically state that it meets Toyotas requirement but it does meet ILSAC and API which Toyota recommends, it also doesn't mean that it's all of those oils mixed together, just that it's one oil that meets all of those specs.

 

Well I was talking about ACDelco 10-9240 Type III (H) Automatic Transmission Fluid, and not your cited ACDelco 10-9247 Type III (H) Automatic Transmission fluid. The 10-9247 contained the MERCON of which YOU allude to, whereas the 10-9240 that I did, does not.

But it is all a moot point, now, as the most recent chemical catalog from ACDelco does not list either formulation anymore, as it appears they have both been discontinued.

I don't remember just where I heard that MERCON was not recommended for Toyota automatic transmissions for the model year in question, but I do remember the message was delivered authoritatively. Should I again find the info, I will be certain to post a link. And should I not find it in a reasonable time, I will post that as well.

In any case, short of reporting erroneous info should it occur, it is of no real concern to me, as I just filled my tranny with the DEXRON III, and I don't anticipate needing to do it again in my remaining years, as I typically drive less than 5,000 miles each year. The only reason I brought it up was for those who are still trying to determine what is best for their 2002 A340F transmissions.

 

KISS and just use the Valvoline DEX/MERC as suggested in post #3.

The OP is on the right track with the fluid refreshes with the Valvoline. Its cheap and readily available and has the DEXIII licenses and approvals. The transmission on the 2002 is so easy to service with new fluid taking less time than engine oil changes.

While doing a pan drop may give piece of mind, I’d refrain from that action unless there is a problem based on readings/reportings of others high mileage trans pans being clean including Marbles himself. Save yourself the time and aggravation, unless you want piece of mind.

 

If you are wealthy (or apparently anal like myself, as some hint at) and determined to go Dexron then you might be interested in my find - (4) 12 x 1 qt. cases of Toyota automatic transmission fluid (DII) - ATF Dexron II/III @$11.87 per quart. Foothills Toyota, Burlington, WA.

As I see it, even if hard to find, Toyota still markets this fluid for the 2002 A340F transmission (and possibly other models and years). Although, like all Toyota parts and supplies, it comes at a premium price, the alternative of needing to replace the transmission, because one used the wrong fluid, with a Toyota rebuild, @$2,990 for the DIY install, it isn't that bad.