81 Corolla - Type F?

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I have an 81 Corolla with Automatic transmission. My thinking is that this takes Type F fluid...can anyone confirm that? I've never dealt with Type F before and am wondering if there are any good fluids to use or perhaps any substitutes that may be a bit better.
 
No, I'm fairly certain this doesn't spec Dex 2 - I'm reasonably sure the Toyota auto trannys used Type F up until 82 or so but want someone with specific knowledge of this to chime in.
 
Originally Posted By: silverrat
I think it specs "Type T".

If that is the case, he has some different options:
1. Go to a Toyota dealer and buy Toyota T-IV which is a suitable replacement for Toyota Type T
2. Buy some Mobil 3309 which is what some companies re-label and use in T-IV applications.
3. Buy Castrol Import Multi Vehicle, Valvoline MaxLife, or Amsoil universal.

I say buy Castrol Import Multi Vehicle or Valvoline Maxlife, it would be the easiest thing to do, and it might be the least expensive.

Drop the pan and change the filter. I always recommend OEM Pan gaskets and transmission filters.
 
Thanks - forgot about the Amsoil lookup. It suggests AMSOIL Synthetic Supershift Racing Transmission Fluid, which it says works where Type F or Allison C-4 is required. So, it is probably fairly safe to use Type F. I'll maybe call the Toyota dealership to be absolutely sure, as I don't want to make a guess here.
 
Originally Posted By: Sedin26
No, I'm fairly certain this doesn't spec Dex 2 - I'm reasonably sure the Toyota auto trannys used Type F up until 82 or so but want someone with specific knowledge of this to chime in.
My dad has been working on Toyota's since 1980 I can ask him tomorrow. (As it is late) I also have access to TIS, but I don't think it goes back that far. I know that this car uses the A40 Transmission. And that it's successor the A43D specs Dexron II.
How ever that doesn't mean that this one does.
 
Originally Posted By: Sedin26
I have confirmed that it does take Type F fluid,


Imperial Oil still lists an Esso branded Type F. The PDS (here) even mentions older Toyotas.

Petro-Canada doesn't seem to make a Type F anymore. Havoline does. Your best bet, at bigger stores, in order of likelihood of success will be Partsource, Canadian Tire, then Walmart. If NAPA doesn't have it, I'm sure they could get it in for you.

The Petro-Canada sheets for the various ATFs that they still offer all warn that their current ATFs are NOT Type F compatible.
 
I checked with my dad and he was fairly certain that the A40 trans took Dexron. He said he didn't recall any Toyota transmissions using Type F. But He did say it was 30 years ago.
Does it have the fluid type stamped on the dipstick ?
 
Originally Posted By: JustinC25
And that it's successor the A43D specs Dexron II.
How ever that doesn't mean that this one does.


All it takes is different clutch materials for different fluids the hard parts can be the same. Your caution is appropriate.

Toyota has often been conservative in engineering. They may have sat on the sidelines watching to see if Dexron really "took off".
lol.gif
 
To be extra sure, I called a dealership and a couple of transmission shops and all confirmed that it was type F. I also found an old Bentley manual online and it lists Type F in the specs. So, I think that's put to rest.

It looks like if i want a performance fluid I could go for the Amsoil racing ATF but I'll probably just go with a standard product - all the major players seem to have a Type F fluid. I guess I've never noticed it around as I've never had a vehicle use it before.
 
Considering we are dealing with a 1981 I would throw in maxlife and call it a day. It is an old vehicle and maxlife works great in them.
 
Originally Posted By: Bgallagher
Considering we are dealing with a 1981 I would throw in maxlife and call it a day. It is an old vehicle and maxlife works great in them.


That would seem to be a very poor idea, given that Maxlife specifically states that it is not for use in vehicles which call for Type F.
 
Originally Posted By: Sedin26
Originally Posted By: Bgallagher
Considering we are dealing with a 1981 I would throw in maxlife and call it a day. It is an old vehicle and maxlife works great in them.


That would seem to be a very poor idea, given that Maxlife specifically states that it is not for use in vehicles which call for Type F.


My apologies for not reading the whole way down. I thought it was Type T. Castrol and Valvoline still make a Type F you can use then. Considering how outdated the spec is, it shouldn't be terribly expensive.
 
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