I use Amsoil Universal ATF in my '04 4Runner without any issues whatsoever. The transmission shifts smoother and seems to be a little quieter than with the T-IV fluid. Another good choice would be the RLI Bio-Synthetic ATF.
Is Toyota Type T IV Required?
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T-IV and drain and fill every 15-20k miles. pretty simple and it works well
With that mentality, I might as well change my oil every 500 miles.
Are you suggesting that changing ATF every 15,000 to 20,000 miles is overkill?
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With that mentality, I might as well change my oil every 500 miles.
YES. I quite certain that if one truly analyzes the cause of failure for most of the units made within the last five years, the cause cannot be traced back to the frequency of fluid changes.
Fluid changes are really a peace-of-mind. Their benefits are very questionable when performed at a more frequent than recommended frequency.
Fluid changes are really a peace-of-mind. Their benefits are very questionable when performed at a more frequent than recommended frequency.
Quote:
Are you suggesting that changing ATF every 15,000 to 20,000 miles is overkill?
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With that mentality, I might as well change my oil every 500 miles.
Causes can't be traced to frequency of fluid changes because there weren't ANY.
Many transmission failures that I've seen can be related directly to lubrication.
No maintenance is ever overkill you if you plan on keeping the vehicle.
15k-20k drain/refills isn't even excessive. I myself prefer
1st year of new transmission is typically the least reliable. If thats the 4cyl/5AT, I would difinitely maintain it more frequently.
Many transmission failures that I've seen can be related directly to lubrication.
No maintenance is ever overkill you if you plan on keeping the vehicle.
15k-20k drain/refills isn't even excessive. I myself prefer
1st year of new transmission is typically the least reliable. If thats the 4cyl/5AT, I would difinitely maintain it more frequently.
There are lubrication failures that are caused by INADEQUATE lubrication due to fluid flow problems.
I'm not saying that failures due to lack of fluid changes do not exist, but with the newer units, the cause of failure is due to poor design, more often than not.
Until I see your data which shows how excessive fluid changes prevented your transmission from failing, I am not buying your argument. And please show me something better than: "If I had not change the fluid in my GM transmission every 5k miles, it would've failed at 80k." Show me your tests, your data. Chances are, you don't have any.
Critic, and there is no proof to the opposite.
So, my experience shows that maintenance(called PM) works. And, I have more years of experience then you have years of life. Post back when you're not a teenager after 20 years of manufacturing, mechanical, and industrial experience(even though I wouldn't recommend that career field for anyone these days).
If you want data, get a job in ANY transmission shop. And, question every owner of every vehicle that comes in. You'll get that data very quickly.
So, my experience shows that maintenance(called PM) works. And, I have more years of experience then you have years of life. Post back when you're not a teenager after 20 years of manufacturing, mechanical, and industrial experience(even though I wouldn't recommend that career field for anyone these days).
If you want data, get a job in ANY transmission shop. And, question every owner of every vehicle that comes in. You'll get that data very quickly.
While you're probably correct when you say that there are not many instances where lack of fluid changes have caused failures within the last five years, you seem to miss the point. The point missed is that if one wants long term durability from a transmission, frequent fluid changes are a good thing. For a typically operated vehicle, just about any transmission will last five years with little or no maintenance...so what?
A better point to discuss might be what is "frequent?" 15,000 miles? 20,000 miles? That answer depends on many variables like what vehicle, how much fluid is changed at each service, how car is used, climate, etc.
I think for a typical drain and fill where maybe 30 to 50% fluid is changed, 20,000 miles is pretty good figure most of the time, and certainly not akin to "changing the oil every 500 miles!"
A better point to discuss might be what is "frequent?" 15,000 miles? 20,000 miles? That answer depends on many variables like what vehicle, how much fluid is changed at each service, how car is used, climate, etc.
I think for a typical drain and fill where maybe 30 to 50% fluid is changed, 20,000 miles is pretty good figure most of the time, and certainly not akin to "changing the oil every 500 miles!"
Quote:
YES. I quite certain that if one truly analyzes the cause of failure for most of the units made within the last five years, the cause cannot be traced back to the frequency of fluid changes.
Fluid changes are really a peace-of-mind. Their benefits are very questionable when performed at a more frequent than recommended frequency.
Quote:
Are you suggesting that changing ATF every 15,000 to 20,000 miles is overkill?
Quote:
With that mentality, I might as well change my oil every 500 miles.
Coming to frequent ATF changes, I will come to highlight a few things I have noticed in my vehicle vs two of my friends who bought the very same vehicle in and around the same yr 2000. We all have Nissan Maximas with different trim options...
I have regularly drained/filled/flushed my transmission with OTC fluids. The other 2 don't know what a transmission is -- let alone finding the plug and beyond. All of us are moderate drivers with occassional WOT that takes the RPM to 4K and beyond. I have the highest miles 135K and the others in the 60-80K. We switched vehicles while we met last thanksgiving in Folsom, CA to see whose vehicle is fit. I came off wondering how the other 2 vehilces were even drivable, car was bukking, shifts were pathetic, whatnot....
My friends came back and were in awe and asked me what have I been doing with my vehicle. Smooth acceleration across the entire torque range and RPM range. I said nothing with a sacrastic smile and wondered how stupid they were when I pinged them with a few questions on the vehicle.
Both hadn't done anything to their transmissions in many years. That gives me confidence that PM is the only way the vehicle can cross the OEM hat's off ur headache mentality 60K warranty interval.
FYI, one of my friends has even dumped it and traded it with another vehicle....
I have regularly drained/filled/flushed my transmission with OTC fluids. The other 2 don't know what a transmission is -- let alone finding the plug and beyond. All of us are moderate drivers with occassional WOT that takes the RPM to 4K and beyond. I have the highest miles 135K and the others in the 60-80K. We switched vehicles while we met last thanksgiving in Folsom, CA to see whose vehicle is fit. I came off wondering how the other 2 vehilces were even drivable, car was bukking, shifts were pathetic, whatnot....
My friends came back and were in awe and asked me what have I been doing with my vehicle. Smooth acceleration across the entire torque range and RPM range. I said nothing with a sacrastic smile and wondered how stupid they were when I pinged them with a few questions on the vehicle.
Both hadn't done anything to their transmissions in many years. That gives me confidence that PM is the only way the vehicle can cross the OEM hat's off ur headache mentality 60K warranty interval.
FYI, one of my friends has even dumped it and traded it with another vehicle....
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Kestas
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Changing what's in the pan every 15-20K is not overkill. Chrysler recommended maintenence every 15K for my 90 LeBaron transmission.
getem dummy!.. ill stick with my 15-20k mile drain and fills.
Even if it is overkill, drain and fills are simple and cheap. IMHO changing out the transmission fluid is the one thing you can do to extend the life of the transmission. Next steps would be for an inline filter and cooler. But again its all cheap insurance for me and I think the transmission will last longer. I would rather spend money on PM. If you don't keep your cars very long its a mute point.....I know several people that have just bought new BMW's and are thrilled with the all inclusive maintinence program or lack of.
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