2017 4Runner 50k ATF change. Toyota WS or Maxlife?

[dedonderosa]

Hey everyone i wanted to get some opinions on atf.
I have a 2017 TRDP 4R and am about at 50k miles with no towing or being hard on the truck at all. i would like to do a few drain and fills on this trans but wanted to know if there is any reason to go with the Toyota WS fluid over Maxlife ATF. Car is out of warranty but by what I've read ws fluid is not synthetic and tends to break down faster and thought maxlife would be a good replacement. Let me know your opinons. thanks

 

[simple_gifts]

This general topic has been beaten to death; (not chastising you)

Some people want mfg approved fluids, others are comfortable with "suitable for" fluids; I am in the latter group.

I used ML in a friends Tundra which specified Dexron III; she indicated it shifted much nicer. That being said the original fluid hadn't been changed in over maybe 150K miles.

I would not hesitate using ML in your application.

Toyota specified WS in the prius transmission which is basically a planetary gearbox; Do i think that is the best fluid they could have used. No.

 

[Ed_Flecko]

Ravenol T-WS Transmission fluid is pretty highly regarded

https://bit.ly/3nwIp47

Ed

 

[aquariuscsm]

When it comes to atf, I always go dealership oem.

 

[JeffKeryk]

I would use the Idemitsu WS equivalent. WS is supposedly not synthetic.

 

[riff1006]

I would use the Idemitsu WS equivalent. WS is supposedly not synthetic.

This. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

 

[DirectRejection]

My vote is to do drain and fills on the 60k miles.
With Genuine Toyota WS only.

It's a specific maintenance plan, rather than saying Max Life is not good.

 

[ARB1977]

Currently 40K on Amsoil SS blue cap in my 15 Tacoma that uses WS. Shifts great. Use the same ATF in my my wife’s 19 Honda Pilot.

 

[Greasymechtech]

Any LV full synthetic ATF mentioning the WS spec will work fine. And, the sooner you change it, the better.

I'd wager that it is more important to have better filtration. Not everyone wants to install an inline ATF filter. Consider it. Or, drain/refill more often. I myself would not have waited to 50k.

AISIN

www.aisinaftermarket.com

Toyota WS Transmission Fluid | Beck/Arnley Auto Parts

For Toyota, Lexus, and Scion automatic transmissions, Beck/Arnley WS Transmission Fluid can protect seals, reduce wear and shudder, and deliver top performance under extreme conditions.

www.beckarnley.com

ATF Type TLS-LV | Idemitsu Lubricants

Engineered for and meets requirements of Toyota/Lexus/Scion Automatic Transmission with WS specifications.

www.idemitsulubricants.com

The Aisin, BeckArnley, and Idemitsu ATF's for WS applications are reasonably priced at Rockauto.

Maxlife is easy enough to locate locally and good to use. Just read the label because Maxlife had several different ATF products and you need the right one. https://www.valvoline.com/en/maxlife-multi-vehicle-atf/

Amsoil ATL is an excellent choice too, and Ravenol T-WS is another option.

https://www.amsoil.com/p/signature-series-fuel-efficient-synthetic-automatic-transmission-fluid-atl/

ATF Fluid - RAVENOL T-WS Lifetime Fluid

RAVENOL AMERICA is the official distributor in the US and Canada for RAVENOL oils and lubricants.

www.ravenolamerica.com

 

[meep]

I had an external spin-on in my 2006 tundra, tapped into the cooler lines, and I agree the filtration was excellent that way. Fluid was always cherry red and clear. (I ran amsoil, which IME seems to have a more positive shift than ML). The newer cooler arrangements are making it harder to add filtration.

 

[haggler]

Maxlife or if you want more peace of mind - Idemitsu TLS-LV, AISIN WS or even Toyota WS. I used Idemitsu TLS-LV on a UB80e 8 speed transmission in 2018+ Camry @ 55k miles. Works excellently. All will probably work fine, some fluid are better spec'ed.

 

[dedonderosa]

thank you everyone for suggestions. i will report back

 

[blupupher]

Just changing the fluid early will make more of a difference than which (compatible) fluid you use.

Some will (and did) say change it sooner, but too late for that option.

On my '12 Scion xB (Toyota U241E transmission, WS spec), I did a drain and fill with Maxlife @ 30,000 miles, and then a pan drop and filter change @ 50,000 miles with Havoline Dex-VI (has "compatible with" WS on the label).
Shifting felt "crisper" after the initial drain and fill with Maxlife, noticed no difference when the Havoline was put in.
I plan on doing another drain and fill @ 80,000 miles, and will probably use Maxlife, mainly because it is not too expensive, is readily available, and works.

 

[edyvw]

Motul ATF VI was smooth as a butter in my Sienna.

 

[nicholas]

Hey everyone i wanted to get some opinions on atf.
I have a 2017 TRDP 4R and am about at 50k miles with no towing or being hard on the truck at all. i would like to do a few drain and fills on this trans but wanted to know if there is any reason to go with the Toyota WS fluid over Maxlife ATF. Car is out of warranty but by what I've read ws fluid is not synthetic and tends to break down faster and thought maxlife would be a good replacement. Let me know your opinons. thanks

Maxlife

 

[N Heat]

Ive had Maxlife in my 2012 4runner since 50k. I have 192k now. Some light towing now and then. The highest trans temp Ive seen is 190 towing in 100 degree heat.

 

[nicholas]

Ive had Maxlife in my 2012 4runner since 50k. I have 192k now. Some light towing now and then. The highest trans temp Ive seen is 190 towing in 100 degree heat.

It really is the best all around fluid. Especially in high heat situations.

 

[Gebo]

Between those options, use the WS.

 

[N Heat]

Ive had Maxlife in my 2012 4runner since 50k. I have 192k now. Some light towing now and then. The highest trans temp Ive seen is 190 towing in 100 degree heat.

I towed about 2500lb 6 hours to the beach last week with the above mentioned rig and hit 213* once when I caught a bunch of stop and go thru some construction and was shifting thru 1-2-3 alot. Otherwise, the Maxlife stayed at about 170* and would hit 180ish if I caught an uphill run and had to shift a few times. Ive run it on the beach all week in 4Lo/5th gear and tranny runs 165-175* in 100* ambient temps.

 

[N Heat]

I towed about 2500lb 6 hours to the beach last week with the above mentioned rig and hit 213* once when I caught a bunch of stop and go thru some construction and was shifting thru 1-2-3 alot. Otherwise, the Maxlife stayed at about 170* and would hit 180ish if I caught an uphill run and had to shift a few times. Ive run it on the beach all week in 4Lo/5th gear and tranny runs 165-175* in 100* ambient temps.

My wife snapped a screenshot of the 4Runners temps towing trailer home from beach. 92* ambient temp, lots of stop and go between dead stop and 30 mph. Lots of 1-2 shifting.