Any one use this ATF in a Toyota that spec's T-IV? ... Any issues to speak of? I'm just worried that Toyota would deny a warranty claim because I didn't use their T-IV fluid.
Amsoil Universal ATF
- Thread starter MysticGold04
- Start date
- Status
Well, if your transmission quits, and you go into the service writer and ask him/her if that happened because you put AMSOIL ATF in it, guess what the answer will be?
If the transmission quits under warranty, take it in and ask them to fix it. They will.
If the transmission quits under warranty, take it in and ask them to fix it. They will.
I have lots of customers running Amsoil ATF in their T-VI applications. Works like a champ. No complaints, and Toyota won't say a thing.
Amsoil tested the ATF in quite a few Toyotas in 2004-2005.
Amsoil tested the ATF in quite a few Toyotas in 2004-2005.
I am in the same boat. I have a brand new Corolla auto that gets "rough" on hot days. I am not comfortable switching away from T-IV since the service manual states Toyota T-IV only, even though I want to because I have read only great things about Amsoil synthetic ATF. If I have been unlucky enough to get a bad trans, that will fail no matter what ATF I use, I don't want any issues with warranty.
Similar tread a few weeks ago.
I agree with **** above. Not sure why people want to confess to the dealers - next time you have that urge, think of how their sales people tried to sell you that last car.
If it fails take it in and let them look at it. Let them do whatever they want to the fluid. I don't believe the automakers and dealers are wasting their time with "tracers" - particulary T-IV since you can get the stuff directly from Mobil.
If you say anything that is different than what the dealer wants to do, they are going to be negative. Try calling a couple and just say you want to put in synth motor oil at your next oil change. The ones that don't stock synth motor oil are going to say its a bad thing.
If the ATF is good any "real" test is going to show that. Any real mechanic is going to be looking for old, low, dirty oil. Being that T-IV is meant to out live your warranty, its really unlikely that it would a maintance issue to begin with.
Surely there are people out there driving around with quick lube ATF brews from DEXIII (lubeguard, etc) who think they got real T-VI. I've never heard of any denials of warranty for someone that had what was suppose to be a compatible fluid in the transmission. And guess what, if you buy a third party extended warranty (not a toyota warranty) your more likely to be pushed to an AAMCO or other garage that loves to use these lower cost DEX converted brews.
Honda Z1 is a good example of people not knowing what they have. The real deal doesn't have phos (see a recent VOA). If you look through the Z1 UOAs look for that(I found at least one - the poster mentioned that he had the AT flushed at some chain auto store. He thinks he has real Z1.). Looking at UOAs for Amsoil and T-IV, nothing really stands out to me like Z1 does.
I don't see how its going to be an issue with the strong support from Amsoil. I really doubt Amsoil would not come forward. Think about it. A few postings that Amsoil doesn't support its ATF - thats big time damage. Nothing speaks worse than NEGATIVE news - a 4000 dollar transmission is pennies relative to the damage negative stories would have. Toyota would have more luck trying to say that you somehow added the fluid incorrectly (over fill, under fill, backflush etc)
.......I'm not sure when all Toyotas moved from DEX to T-IV, I know the trucks did it in 2003. I looked at the difference in one transmission from 2002 and 2003, I didn't see anything that stands out. It appeared that a band or two was enlarged, but I think that was to improve pre-mature failures. I have a hard time believing that the 2003 transmission was engineered for T-IV - I don't see how they could have planned that far in advanced. I do believe they fine tuned the AT for T-IV, but I don't believe it could be significant. Toyota probably was more driven to keep money from GM.
I agree with **** above. Not sure why people want to confess to the dealers - next time you have that urge, think of how their sales people tried to sell you that last car.
If it fails take it in and let them look at it. Let them do whatever they want to the fluid. I don't believe the automakers and dealers are wasting their time with "tracers" - particulary T-IV since you can get the stuff directly from Mobil.
If you say anything that is different than what the dealer wants to do, they are going to be negative. Try calling a couple and just say you want to put in synth motor oil at your next oil change. The ones that don't stock synth motor oil are going to say its a bad thing.
If the ATF is good any "real" test is going to show that. Any real mechanic is going to be looking for old, low, dirty oil. Being that T-IV is meant to out live your warranty, its really unlikely that it would a maintance issue to begin with.
Surely there are people out there driving around with quick lube ATF brews from DEXIII (lubeguard, etc) who think they got real T-VI. I've never heard of any denials of warranty for someone that had what was suppose to be a compatible fluid in the transmission. And guess what, if you buy a third party extended warranty (not a toyota warranty) your more likely to be pushed to an AAMCO or other garage that loves to use these lower cost DEX converted brews.
Honda Z1 is a good example of people not knowing what they have. The real deal doesn't have phos (see a recent VOA). If you look through the Z1 UOAs look for that(I found at least one - the poster mentioned that he had the AT flushed at some chain auto store. He thinks he has real Z1.). Looking at UOAs for Amsoil and T-IV, nothing really stands out to me like Z1 does.
I don't see how its going to be an issue with the strong support from Amsoil. I really doubt Amsoil would not come forward. Think about it. A few postings that Amsoil doesn't support its ATF - thats big time damage. Nothing speaks worse than NEGATIVE news - a 4000 dollar transmission is pennies relative to the damage negative stories would have. Toyota would have more luck trying to say that you somehow added the fluid incorrectly (over fill, under fill, backflush etc)
I did a little digging, its hard to get info - probably proprietary. There are suggestions that the clutch materials in the Aisin Warner transmissions changed.
No materials were changed. Upgrades are typically made year to year. Since T-IV brings in slip-control smooth shifts, software programming was the major change!
Amsoil would be an easy upgrade. But, I don't believe in OEM or Amsoil's OCI interval for their fluids. Practice a sensible(early and frequent) or UOA proven ATF OCI.
As long as fluid chosen is similar or better, warranty issues won't exit.
Amsoil would be an easy upgrade. But, I don't believe in OEM or Amsoil's OCI interval for their fluids. Practice a sensible(early and frequent) or UOA proven ATF OCI.
As long as fluid chosen is similar or better, warranty issues won't exit.
Well Ford said not to use Mercon V fluid in non Mercon V transmissions for quite some time. Then a few years later said it's OK?
They also back speced the 5-20 oil for some older vehicles.
So maybe things are changed internally sometimes and not other times????
They also back speced the 5-20 oil for some older vehicles.
So maybe things are changed internally sometimes and not other times????
An interesting thread. I would like to change to Amsoil synthetic in my Kluger/Highlander but have a year of warranty left. I know Amsoil recommend their synthetic atf oil but I do not have the courage. I would need to take the car to a transmission shop to do a full extraction and fill with 100% Amsoil and this I guess would be expensive.
Roger
Roger
I suppose its just like trying to get away from 3K OCI's, although I have no reservations about doing 5k/6mo changes. Also, I'm not the kind to 'volunteer' information like that to the dealer either. (**** In Falls Church)
I'll consider switching when the time comes to drain/refill again. Thanks everyone for your reassurance!
Roger, what I'd do is periodically do a drain and re-fill of the trans to complete the change. I've already done two drain and re-fills at 15K mile intervals. Seems that would be the easiest and least expensive, but if you didn't want to wait for several drain/refills to get the job done, do it all at once -- could take quite a few quarts, though.
I'll consider switching when the time comes to drain/refill again. Thanks everyone for your reassurance!
Roger, what I'd do is periodically do a drain and re-fill of the trans to complete the change. I've already done two drain and re-fills at 15K mile intervals. Seems that would be the easiest and least expensive, but if you didn't want to wait for several drain/refills to get the job done, do it all at once -- could take quite a few quarts, though.
For what it's worth, I switched to Amsoil ATF at 30k mi on my Highlander. Just drained the pan via the drain plug and flushed 10 qts of ATF through the trans cooler return line. If you can change the engine oil, you can flush the trans. Just disconnect the cooler return line and attach a 3/8 inch clear vinyl tube around 3 ft long. Route the other end into a 5 gal container--I use a yellow diesel fuel container so I can see the fluid level. Have someone turn on the engine. As fluid is pumped out into the container, add quarts until you have 4-6 quarts in the container. Turn off the engine. Re-attach the cooler return line. And, top-off the ATF to reach the fill marks. 1-2 hours tops.
BTW, never had any problems with the Amsoil vs. Type IV. Noticed better cold weather shifting. And, now that I'm at 60k mi, will do another 10 qt flush. After that, I'll probably wait for at least 60k mi before another change. At 30k mi, the fluid looks and smells brand new--unlike the Type-IV.
Roger...
BTW, never had any problems with the Amsoil vs. Type IV. Noticed better cold weather shifting. And, now that I'm at 60k mi, will do another 10 qt flush. After that, I'll probably wait for at least 60k mi before another change. At 30k mi, the fluid looks and smells brand new--unlike the Type-IV.
Roger...
- Status
