ATF mix up at the dealership

[Capa]

Today I took my Lexus GS400 to a Toyota dealership to have an ATF flush done. After close to 11/2 hour they called me to pay. As I read the paperwork, I noticed that they had put in the wrong type of ATF: some type of Dexron/Mercon instead of the Toyota IV. I immediately told the service man and he checked with several people and confirmed that they had in fact put in the wrong ATF. I had to wait another hour. They gave me a $15 discount plus a free detail.

Is there any need for me to worry? I've heard the Toyota IV is very similar to the Dexron/Mercon minus friction modifiers?

 

[Voltmaster]

Originally Posted By: Capa
Today I took my Lexus GS400 to a Toyota dealership to have an ATF flush done. After close to 11/2 hour they called me to pay. As I read the paperwork, I noticed that they had put in the wrong type of ATF: some type of Dexron/Mercon instead of the Toyota IV. I immediately told the service man and he checked with several people and confirmed that they had in fact put in the wrong ATF. I had to wait another hour. They gave me a $15 discount plus a free detail.

Is there any need for me to worry? I've heard the Toyota IV is very similar to the Dexron/Mercon minus friction modifiers?


My 06 Corolla calls for T-IV
I put penzoil dex/merc accidently in there for about 4k( long story) i noticed that the shifiting wasnt as smooth as when i changed it to IV.

Also oil turned pretty black after 1000 miles. I would say your clutches may get damaged if you drive with it over time. Beside that nothing to worry about.

My corolla is just fine , never had any issues with it to this day . the mix up was about 15k ago.

 

[antiqueshell]

What boggles my mind is how they got confused about this.

Or did they. I'd bet that dex/merc is a LOT cheaper than the Toyota Type 4 fluid dealer cost. So maybe they didn't make a mistake after all. People should ALWAYS keep an eye on the work a place does and on the bill they receive. It helps keep these places at least a bit honest.

I think the OP caught them.

 

[Bandito440]

As long as they got all of the dex/merc out, you're good to go. If so, you got a free flush.

Keep that receipt showing the wrong fluid just in case.

 

[SwampSurvivor]

Does it specify that Dex/Merc is okay in case of an emergency? If so ... I don't think any damage can be done.

Likely they save so much by having that "mistake" with everyone else, that they can afford to make the "mistake" with those who are observant and give them a discount, throw out the old fluid and STILL make money.

 

[NHGUY]

A Toyota dealer doesnt know what to put in a Toyota Group product.....??? Gives one confidence in the whole ToyoDa organization.

 

[antiqueshell]

Originally Posted By: NHGUY
A Toyota dealer doesnt know what to put in a Toyota Group product.....??? Gives one confidence in the whole ToyoDa organization.


Oh they know what goes in which vehicle, it appears that they were playing the Stealership card. This isn't restricted to Toyota, I have seen this at ALL makes stores.

This is why I find it amusing that consumer confidence has increased in dealerships overall.At least according to another thread poster on BITOG recently. I suppose it could be a case of the consumer being more clueless than ever.

Since the economy hit the skids (and really has not recovered on main street) these places are cheating folks more than ever before.

Sure there are a few good dealerships out there but they are the exception, not the rule.

 

[Mr Nice]

Just buy a [censored] case of Toyota ATF and do the drain / refill yourself.

Stop dealing with idiots working on your car.

 

[Capa]

Originally Posted By: LT4 Vette
Just buy a [censored] case of Toyota ATF and do the drain / refill yourself.

Stop dealing with idiots working on your car.



I would have done a drain but it only removes two quarts out of the nine quarts or so and I had done a drain the previous time (3 yrs. ago).

 

[MolaKule]

Quote:
Is there any need for me to worry? I've heard the Toyota IV is very similar to the Dexron/Mercon minus friction modifiers?


Toyota T-IV and Nissan MaticD were pretty much DexronIII/Merc copies and they all have friction modifiers.

Sounds like you got a good AT cleaning out of the deal.

 

[Capa]

Molakule,

I was hoping a chemist like you would respond. So not a problem at all (since it was hardly driven) and I got an extra cleaning? Sounds like a good deal!

What I meant earlier was that I had heard that TFT Toyota IV is very similar to the Dexron/Mercon but has more friction modifiers.

 

[CharBaby]

Originally Posted By: MolaKule
Quote:
Is there any need for me to worry? I've heard the Toyota IV is very similar to the Dexron/Mercon minus friction modifiers?


Toyota T-IV and Nissan MaticD were pretty much DexronIII/Merc copies and they all have friction modifiers.

Sounds like you got a good AT cleaning out of the deal.


This is certainly reassuring MolaKule

Although, it makes me wonder how many vehicles this dealership servece dept has done this to ???

 

[Vikas]

Here is a question:-

How do you know that new T IV fluid was actually put in there? Did you see it personally?

 

[Capa]

Originally Posted By: Vikas
Here is a question:-

How do you know that new T IV fluid was actually put in there? Did you see it personally?


Excellent question and there really wasn't any way for me to see since customers aren't allowed in the garage area. Unfortunately a drain and fill only removes two quarts out of around nine (unlike my van which would remove 1/2 of the ATF). Also, the Lexus uses a metal mesh instead of a removable ATF filter but these transmissions are known for their longevity.

 

[Vikas]

I know, most dealers prefer that you stroll in their show room or admire their flat screen tv and watch CNN or hook up to their WiFi and surf the internet. They do not want you to see your vehicle being worked upon as they are afraid of you might notice when they drop it off the lift!

At least for some services, you can verify it afterwards. Does your car have transmission dipstick at least?

 

[Capa]

Originally Posted By: Vikas

At least for some services, you can verify it afterwards. Does your car have transmission dipstick at least?


Yes it does. Why?

 

[Vikas]

I wonder if you could look at the color of the fluid (or consistency) to really know if the right fluid was put in.

 

[MolaKule]

Quote:
I wonder if you could look at the color of the fluid (or consistency) to really know if the right fluid was put in.


The answer to that question would be a resounding NO.

The only way to tell if any differences existed would be to do a comprehensive forensic analysis on all suspected fluid(s).

 

[Capa]

The previous color was a semi-clear red and so it already "looked" clean. I was already planning to change the ATF this year, but when I took it to a mechanic who charged me $15 for an oil change if I brought oil and filter, he checked all of the fluids. He told me the ATF was spent because of a burnt smell and then proceeded to show me the smell. Not sure if that really means anything.

 

[CharBaby]

Originally Posted By: Capa
The previous color was a semi-clear red and so it already "looked" clean. I was already planning to change the ATF this year, but when I took it to a mechanic who charged me $15 for an oil change if I brought oil and filter, he checked all of the fluids. He told me the ATF was spent because of a burnt smell and then proceeded to show me the smell. Not sure if that really means anything.


You'd have to know what burnt ATF smells like as compared to new-ish ATF. I do!

And yes, is does mean something!

It means that you're ready for an ATF change because burnt ATF can't do its job properly with handling the heat nor lubricate properly.

What is doesn't mean is, that your transmission is going to fail tomorrow but, its a good time to change the ATF.