Dex 6 in my old Toyota

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Re 1999 Toyota Avalon XLS 3.0 V6, OM calls for Dex 2/3 ATF. A couple years ago I replaced with Dex 6 when I could no longer find Dex 2/3. I have been happy with Dex 6 and so have others based on several posts on various Toyota forums. However, recently I have read a couple posts where people say Dex 6 is not right for my transmission. One person even contacted Toyota and claims Toyota said they do NOT recommend Dex 6 for my car. So what should I do? Ditch the Dex 6? If yes, what should I use? RP multi-spec, M1, etc? Thanks.
 
I was happy with Dex 6 in my 91 Volvo, which had an Aisin-Warner transmission... most likely like your 'yota does too.
 
I'm running Dexron-VI in the Aisin-Warner unit that's on my Pajero. Never had any problems - doesn't Dexron-III eventually shear down the same ~6 cSt as Dexron-VI anyway?
 
Originally Posted By: Falcon_LS
I'm running Dexron-VI in the Aisin-Warner unit that's on my Pajero. Never had any problems - doesn't Dexron-III eventually shear down the same ~6 cSt as Dexron-VI anyway?


That is my understanding, but I am no expert.
 
Originally Posted By: eljefino
I was happy with Dex 6 in my 91 Volvo, which had an Aisin-Warner transmission... most likely like your 'yota does too.


Maybe just my imagination but I think shifting is much smoother with Dex 6.
 
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I remember a fellow BITOGer stating that he was running Dex VI in his 9th gen Corolla (2003-2008).
I PM'd him since I have a 2008 Corolla and he told me the Supertech (WM) Dex VI worked great in his Corolla.
 
Originally Posted By: pbm
I remember a fellow BITOGer stating that he was running Dex VI in his 9th gen Corolla (2003-2008).
I PM'd him since I have a 2008 Corolla and he told me the Supertech (WM) Dex VI workrd excellently in his Corolla.


I used ST too. Works great as far as I can tell.
 
Originally Posted By: artbuc
Originally Posted By: pbm
I remember a fellow BITOGer stating that he was running Dex VI in his 9th gen Corolla (2003-2008).
I PM'd him since I have a 2008 Corolla and he told me the Supertech (WM) Dex VI workrd excellently in his Corolla.


I used ST too. Works great as far as I can tell.



What year and model Toyota did you use ST Dex VI in?
 
Originally Posted By: pbm
Originally Posted By: artbuc
Originally Posted By: pbm
I remember a fellow BITOGer stating that he was running Dex VI in his 9th gen Corolla (2003-2008).
I PM'd him since I have a 2008 Corolla and he told me the Supertech (WM) Dex VI workrd excellently in his Corolla.


I used ST too. Works great as far as I can tell.



What year and model Toyota did you use ST Dex VI in?


In the first post of this thread.
 
Originally Posted By: artbuc
Originally Posted By: pbm
Originally Posted By: artbuc
Originally Posted By: pbm
I remember a fellow BITOGer stating that he was running Dex VI in his 9th gen Corolla (2003-2008).
I PM'd him since I have a 2008 Corolla and he told me the Supertech (Walmart) Dex VI workrd excellently in his Corolla.


I used ST too. Works great as far as I can tell.



What year and model Toyota did you use ST Dex VI in?


In the first post of this thread.




Sorry about that...I didn't realize you were the OP.

When I first got my 2008 Corolla it had 17K and I wanted to change the FF ATF.
I ordered a case of Mobil 3309 which was supposed to be exactly the same as Toyota T-IV.
I changed the FF and installed a Magnafine filter. I changed it again at 45K and replaced the Magnafine.
It is running very well.

My b-i-l met his new 'wife' who had a 2004 Corolla with about 150K. I ended up changing the ATF (which may have been the FF because she didn't know if it was ever changed despite being the original owner) using Castrol IMV and it also runs great and now has 230K.

I have come to realize that these A-W AT's are very good and can run well on many different fluids (and apparently little maintenance as witnessed by my b-i-l's).
In fact there are several different ATF's available at Walmart that claim to work in T-IV applications. Walmart Dex VI, Walmart multi vehicle, Castrol IMV and High Mileage, Valvoline Maxlife. I think even Walmart Mercon V once claimed to be compatible with T-IV. I'm taking this to mean that these transmissions can run well on a variety of fluids and I probably won't be buying T-IV when it's time for my next change.

PS: I'll probably change my b-i-l's again soon and I might try the Castrol High Mileage since it's thicker than Maxlife and at 230K I'm leery of using a thin fluid.
 
The A-W transmission in the Cherokees has had pretty much every type of fluid under the sun specified depending on which manufacturer was using it.

What would the advantage of Dex VI be?

I have used MerconV, DexIII/MercIII fluids in mine. I fully expect it to outlast the body and piston skirts.
 
Originally Posted By: Miller88
The A-W transmission in the Cherokees has had pretty much every type of fluid under the sun specified depending on which manufacturer was using it.

What would the advantage of Dex VI be?

I have used MerconV, DexIII/MercIII fluids in mine. I fully expect it to outlast the body and piston skirts.



I guess the only advantage of Dex VI (or a thinner fluid like Valvoline MaxLife) is slightly better gas mileage.
Valvoline MaxLife has a 6.11 starting viscosity while Castrol High Mileage is well over 8. How much this affects MPG's, I don't really know. As I said earlier I'd rather use thicker fluid in a 200K+ vehicle even though it will probably thin out soon enough....

PS: The reason I would consider using Dex VI is because I picked up several qts. of Full Synthetic Valvoline at the AZ 'clearance' ...
 
I remember reading somewhere (found it - the wikipedia entry for dexron) that Dex 6 is "generally but not always" backwards compatible with the previous fluids. Dex 6 should be fine.
 
Have been using the same on a 96 Camry 3.0. No issues.

Originally Posted By: artbuc
Re 1999 Toyota Avalon XLS 3.0 V6, OM calls for Dex 2/3 ATF. A couple years ago I replaced with Dex 6 when I could no longer find Dex 2/3. I have been happy with Dex 6 and so have others based on several posts on various Toyota forums. However, recently I have read a couple posts where people say Dex 6 is not right for my transmission. One person even contacted Toyota and claims Toyota said they do NOT recommend Dex 6 for my car. So what should I do? Ditch the Dex 6? If yes, what should I use? RP multi-spec, M1, etc? Thanks.
 
My work car: '96 V6 Camry. 541E A/W transmission. Over 302,000 miles on this extremely smooth-shifting transmission. Zero transmission problems, despite its 'life' since I bought it new 18 years ago, in a very dusty rural environment. I still drive it on long trips of 1000+ miles at the top legal limits of up to 80 MPH (or a tad above that) on our Western Interstates. Maintenance consists of pan drains (Mobil-1, a Mercon V ATF, recommended by Mobil for Dexron 2 & 3) at 20,000 intervals and complete fluid transfers via oil cooler return line every 150,000 miles.
I believe your '99 Avalon has the same engine and transmission as my old Camry. The use of a GM-Certified Dexron VI should prove to be an excellent fluid for what surely is one of the finest A/T's ever made, your Aisin 4-speed electronic overdrive.
 
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