Dex VI goes in the Prius tomorrow.

[oggb]

Why? The Prius uses ATF (Toyota WS) as no more than a way to lubricate a few gears, some ball bearings, a chain akin to a transfer case, and ... well, that's it. Sure, there are electrical motors that get splashed by the stuff, but I doubt Toyota T-IV had any special qualities that made it "extra super duper necessary" for the use in the original Prius transaxles aside from the fact that it was Toyota's in-house ATF at the time of manufacture - just like Toyota WS was for the second generation Prius.

Dexron VI is known to be an excellent quality fluid; Toyota WS? Meh, it shears a little.

I figure if Prius folks can use Redline's D4 and D6 and we're not hearing reports of failures, Dexron VI should be dandy (and cheaper).

 

[mva]

That transaxle is very expensive to replace and it has high voltage electrical windings exposed to the fluid - I would would stick with the Toyota fluid.

The fluid does not need to be changed very often so cost is not a big issue.

 

[The Critic]

I only pay $9/qt for WS and it takes 4 qt for a complete drain and refill.

You save maybe $3/qt for Dexron-VI and there is absolutely no proof that Dexron-VI performs better in a Prius transaxle. Plus, there has been no confirmation that Dexron-VI is safe for the electric windings in the transmission.

 

[daves87rs]

Waiting to see how this works....

 

[oggb]

I figure I'll use all the wrong fluids and go from there.

Rotella T6 in the engine.
Dexron VI in the transmission.

I suppose those are the only fluids I can get terribly wrong in a Prius.

 

[The Critic]

Next would be using the wrong coolant in the engine and inverter.

I don't understand what you are trying to accomplish here -- demonstrate your ability to be a rebel?

You're the one who has a lot to lose here, not Toyota for losing your business on parts.

 

[oggb]

Originally Posted By: The Critic
Next would be using the wrong coolant in the engine and inverter.


Those are quoted as being OK for 100,000 miles. I'm at the 40,000 mile mark right now. I've got a long time to get that wrong.

 

[mechanicx]

I don't have much against Toyota having and recommending their spec fluids, ATF and coolant. But the fact that they do not license that spec to other suppliers is what gets me.

 

[MaximaGuy]

Originally Posted By: mechanicx
I don't have much against Toyota having and recommending their spec fluids, ATF and coolant. But the fact that they do not license that spec to other suppliers is what gets me.


BullSh...t. They are only specing ATF and Coolant (closely tied to aluminium chemistry). Nothing more nothing less. Stop wineing. Grow up.

My brother put non-speced coolant into his Honda Civic (160K on original coolant) and then within 5K miles it blew up on his face. Stop monkeying with coolants.

 

[mechanicx]

It's not bull at all. They could license their coolant and ATF to everyone like GM does. This is why you can get spec Dexcool and Dexron everywhere at good prices and are not forced to pay extra at the dealer. Which is the only bull going on here.

Just because he had a problem doesn't mean other people don't have success "monkeying" with coolants (or ATFs).

 

[The Critic]

Originally Posted By: mechanicx
It's not bull at all. They could license their coolant and ATF to everyone like GM does. This is why you can get spec Dexcool and Dexron everywhere at good prices and are not forced to pay extra at the dealer. Which is the only bull going on here.

Just because he had a problem doesn't mean other people don't have success "monkeying" with coolants (or ATFs).

In principle, you are correct. However, in the grand scheme of things, the extra $50 you may spend every couple of years for the fluids at the dealer is really insignificant relative to other costs. Aside from the sake of discussion, there are far more important and interesting things in life than to be concerned about than to dwell over this subject over and over again.

 

[MaximaGuy]

Originally Posted By: mechanicx
Just because he had a problem doesn't mean other people don't have success "monkeying" with coolants (or ATFs).


I monkeyed with non-Nissan coolant in my Maxima and within 20K radiator was partially clogged. I spent $1000 root causing the problem, then finally decided to put a new radiator and it got solved. At 150K my water pump seals leaked and then another $500 to replace it and $x to identify a coolant leak into engine. All came from one bast,,d Dexcool drain and fill of the radiator.

It cannot be a coincidence that both of us faced nightmares with non-speced coolants right (and on different makes Honda and Nissan).

 

[mechanicx]

I'm not one who ever recommends running dexcool in non pressurised surge tank systems. I don't really recommend ever using non spec coolant or ATF (although you can and I have successfully). I'm just saying you shouldn't have to go a Honda or Toyota dealer to get spec coolant. Also that it is premix is a further rip off.

 

[The Critic]

Originally Posted By: mechanicx
Also that it is premix is a further rip off.


Considering that most people refuse to use distilled water, I would say the premix is a good idea.

 

[mechanicx]

Originally Posted By: The Critic
Originally Posted By: mechanicx
Also that it is premix is a further rip off.


Considering that most people refuse to use distilled water, I would say the premix is a good idea.


Premix isn't such a bad idea despite not allowing for flushing. The problem I have with it is instead of being half price of concentrate they charge full price and then some.

 

[The Critic]

Originally Posted By: mechanicx


Premix isn't such a bad idea despite not allowing for flushing. The problem I have with it is instead of being half price of concentrate they charge full price and then some.


Perhaps the full-strength price of those coolants is a lot higher than we believe?

 

[mechanicx]

Originally Posted By: The Critic
Originally Posted By: mechanicx


Premix isn't such a bad idea despite not allowing for flushing. The problem I have with it is instead of being half price of concentrate they charge full price and then some.


Perhaps the full-strength price of those coolants is a lot higher than we believe?


Not really, Ford speciality/Mazda version goes for the same price as similar premix form the other Japanese brands. Premixed is always a bad value no matter where you get it.

They should offer it both ways and licenses it to other suppliers like dexcool is.

 

[bdcardinal]

Originally Posted By: mechanicx
I don't have much against Toyota having and recommending their spec fluids, ATF and coolant. But the fact that they do not license that spec to other suppliers is what gets me.


Just to let you know T-IV is just rebadged Mobil 3309 fluid, Toyota really cant license a spec that they themselves rebadge.

 

[mechanicx]

Originally Posted By: bdcardinal
Originally Posted By: mechanicx
I don't have much against Toyota having and recommending their spec fluids, ATF and coolant. But the fact that they do not license that spec to other suppliers is what gets me.


Just to let you know T-IV is just rebadged Mobil 3309 fluid, Toyota really cant license a spec that they themselves rebadge.


Mobil is the supplier to Aisin which is a supplier to Toyota but T-IV, WS, SLLC etc is still a Toyota specification not really any different from Dexron or Mercon that could be license or approved to other suppliers. I'm sure another supplier could make an ATF that meets the specification but Toyota doesn't want anyone else to sell "T-IV" ATF. The japanese brands don't license any of their spec coolant and ATF however you want to slice it.

 

[Garak]

Originally Posted By: mechanicx
The japanese brands don't license any of their spec coolant and ATF however you want to slice it.


As an aside, speaking of weird Japanese specifications, I was at the Infiniti dealer today. Everything up to and including the G37 and the 370Z call for DOT 3, right in the manual. Yet, the OEM fluid sold at the dealership, labelled Nissan Canada, is a DOT 4. It's actually at a pretty sensible price, believe it or not.