Other than reporting some oil deals this is my first time posting outside of the deals and rebates forum. Obviously I'm looking for a bit of expertise or experience.
Roughly 1000 miles ago I purchased a 1 owner 2004 Toyota Avalon XLS with the A541E transmission. Service history on the vehicle was very complete with receipts indicating an independent shop owned by a former Toyota master tech performed Transmission services at 47K and again at 63K. These services occurred in 2013 and 2015 respectively. The vehicle was owned by a senior citizen who was a retired locomotive mechanic. His records included handwritten notes and were extremely "proactive" with even part numbers included. The car's interior and exterior are fantastic for 15 years old so indications are the car was respected and was driven appropriately. Admittedly these are only observations and I know the life the car actually lived is unknown.
I purchased the vehicle with 103K miles on it. The vehicle spent its first 4 years in NY and the rest of its life in coastal SC. Everything ran well on the vehicle and I was seeing 27MPG at 75MPH on flat land. I also noticed the shifting "felt" normal. Not knowing how many short trips it has seen since 67K, and assuming the light golden color of the transmission fluid meant a change was in order, I began a cycle of multiple drain and fill intervals. The original fluid was not dark brown, did not smell burned, and still smelled like transmission fluid. I could not notice any remaining reddish color though. I have nothing on my receipts indicating what type of fluid was used by the independent shop.
As many of you know this generation of Aisin transmission calls for Dexron II or III on the dipstick. The dealer recommended Type T-IV. Based on my readings here I opted for red cap Valvoline MaxLife ATF and knew I'd recover roughly 2.5 to 3 quarts per drain and fill. The first drain and fill went off without a hitch, I recovered 2.75 quarts and refilled with the same amount. After heating the fluid it was perfect on the dipstick and all was well for the next 200 miles. Then I did the second drain and fill with exactly the same results as the first. I never noticed a change in shift quality as it was never problematic to begin with. The fluid remained golden brown colored but did begin to lighten somewhat. Glittery flecks have been present but are what I'd consider normal and not excessive.
Two weeks ago I did a third drain and fill, have reached roughly the 8 quart exchanged mark, and now I'm sensing something different with the transmission. It is not something I like though. Here's what my "from the seat" diagnosis is telling me....
1. The car seems to stay in gears longer. This is especially obvious on the 3-4 shift.
2. Lockup of the TC now seems to be happening at higher speeds. I can hit 50 mph and with any amount of gas pedal action lockup is not happening.
3. Downshifting can be clunky and the car will sometimes not downshift below third if I take turns while moving above 20-25 mph. As you can imagine accelerating in third isn't great.
4. Downshifts can feel abrupt and fast at times.
The fluid smells fine and the color is less golden brown and now more reddish yellow on a white paper towel.
From a physics standpoint I cannot imagine the MaxLife ATF is altering fluid and pump pressures too much. My research here leads me to believe the 100 degree viscosity of my brand new MaxLife should be approximately what I'd expect from Dexron II or III and even Type T-IV after 40-45K of shearing on the fluid. If the 63K trans service done in 2015 used Toyota WS or any other LV fluid I'd assume similar viscosity and less shear at my starting state 3 drain and fills ago. I just can't believe the MaxLife would lead to lower shifting performance. Is it possible the A541E needs higher 100 degree viscosity to perform without issues? I also can't imagine an Aisin transmission serviced at 47K, 63K and now 103K would be much worse off than a majority of the millions of transmissions on the road today.
With all of the positive reviews about MaxLife ATF in many makes and models I'm curious about what the experts think. Thanks for your time and consideration.
Roughly 1000 miles ago I purchased a 1 owner 2004 Toyota Avalon XLS with the A541E transmission. Service history on the vehicle was very complete with receipts indicating an independent shop owned by a former Toyota master tech performed Transmission services at 47K and again at 63K. These services occurred in 2013 and 2015 respectively. The vehicle was owned by a senior citizen who was a retired locomotive mechanic. His records included handwritten notes and were extremely "proactive" with even part numbers included. The car's interior and exterior are fantastic for 15 years old so indications are the car was respected and was driven appropriately. Admittedly these are only observations and I know the life the car actually lived is unknown.
I purchased the vehicle with 103K miles on it. The vehicle spent its first 4 years in NY and the rest of its life in coastal SC. Everything ran well on the vehicle and I was seeing 27MPG at 75MPH on flat land. I also noticed the shifting "felt" normal. Not knowing how many short trips it has seen since 67K, and assuming the light golden color of the transmission fluid meant a change was in order, I began a cycle of multiple drain and fill intervals. The original fluid was not dark brown, did not smell burned, and still smelled like transmission fluid. I could not notice any remaining reddish color though. I have nothing on my receipts indicating what type of fluid was used by the independent shop.
As many of you know this generation of Aisin transmission calls for Dexron II or III on the dipstick. The dealer recommended Type T-IV. Based on my readings here I opted for red cap Valvoline MaxLife ATF and knew I'd recover roughly 2.5 to 3 quarts per drain and fill. The first drain and fill went off without a hitch, I recovered 2.75 quarts and refilled with the same amount. After heating the fluid it was perfect on the dipstick and all was well for the next 200 miles. Then I did the second drain and fill with exactly the same results as the first. I never noticed a change in shift quality as it was never problematic to begin with. The fluid remained golden brown colored but did begin to lighten somewhat. Glittery flecks have been present but are what I'd consider normal and not excessive.
Two weeks ago I did a third drain and fill, have reached roughly the 8 quart exchanged mark, and now I'm sensing something different with the transmission. It is not something I like though. Here's what my "from the seat" diagnosis is telling me....
1. The car seems to stay in gears longer. This is especially obvious on the 3-4 shift.
2. Lockup of the TC now seems to be happening at higher speeds. I can hit 50 mph and with any amount of gas pedal action lockup is not happening.
3. Downshifting can be clunky and the car will sometimes not downshift below third if I take turns while moving above 20-25 mph. As you can imagine accelerating in third isn't great.
4. Downshifts can feel abrupt and fast at times.
The fluid smells fine and the color is less golden brown and now more reddish yellow on a white paper towel.
From a physics standpoint I cannot imagine the MaxLife ATF is altering fluid and pump pressures too much. My research here leads me to believe the 100 degree viscosity of my brand new MaxLife should be approximately what I'd expect from Dexron II or III and even Type T-IV after 40-45K of shearing on the fluid. If the 63K trans service done in 2015 used Toyota WS or any other LV fluid I'd assume similar viscosity and less shear at my starting state 3 drain and fills ago. I just can't believe the MaxLife would lead to lower shifting performance. Is it possible the A541E needs higher 100 degree viscosity to perform without issues? I also can't imagine an Aisin transmission serviced at 47K, 63K and now 103K would be much worse off than a majority of the millions of transmissions on the road today.
With all of the positive reviews about MaxLife ATF in many makes and models I'm curious about what the experts think. Thanks for your time and consideration.
