Maxlife ATF or stick with Toy T-IV?

[Eosyn]

I had Firestone Car Care change my ATF @ 38k miles because (and he showed me) the old fluid looked like mud. He filled it using Kendall synthetic, which I'm not sure if it's good in a Toy or not.

The vehicle now has 60k miles on it and I'm contemplating doing a drain and fill myself. I've researched some ATF online and found that Maxlife ATF is the only one with Toyota T-IV application.

I've read posts on here that Maxlife ATF worked good in place of OEM and am really leaning toward using it over the OEM.

I need thoughts and opinions on using aftermarket ATF (in this case, Maxlife) as opposed to OEM by persons who knows this topic much better than I do. Thanks.

 

[pbm]

I recently changed the T-IV in my sisters Corolla using Castrol Import MV and there is no dicernible difference in shift quality.
It seems to be a good substitute for T-IV and can be bought at many Walmarts.

 

[bepperb]

What about M1 or Castrol Import?

I changed over from T-IV to M1 and it really is no different, and that was 43,000 miles ago. I guess with no shift improvement and T-IV being less than five bucks a quart why change.

FWIW, I got the Castrol MV Import at AAP for under two bucks a quart. That will go in next.

 

[Eosyn]

oh! Looks like Castrol MV import or Castrol HM are good also. Thanks for the recommendations. Will look into M1 later.

Reason I'm looking into aftermarket ATF is that the nearest Toy dealer from me is 35 miles away while I have local WM, AAP, AZ that are just a hop and skip away from me.

 

[Billbert]

The Maxlife works well in my Toyota

 

[229]

I would use the T4.

 

[rainman49]

Maxlife for daughters' 96 Lexus and 99 Volvo, as well as mom's 02 Highlander. Nearest Toyota place wants $8 a quart for T-IV. The heck with T-IV.

 

[Eddie]

If as you say it meets the T_IV specs then you are OK. However: I could not locate on the Valvoline website where any of their ATF meets the T-IV spec. The only ATFs that I've found that states it meets the T_IV spec is Castrol ATF for Imported vehicles and of course Mobil #3309 which makes T-IV. I personallt just go to a Toyota dealer and get the recomended stuff for ~ $5.XX per quart and sleep well.

 

[hypervish]

Get Castrol Multi-Vehicle Import. It works perfect. It's half the price of Toyota Type-IV and a much better ATF overall.

 

[weebl]

I say stick with T-IV. T-IV may not be the best ATF on the market (run of the mill), but it works well in the A-W transmissions that specify it's use, is reasonable priced and readily available.

Besides the Toyota dealership, you can find T-IV at some auto parts stores sold as Mobil 3309. You can also find the T-IV/JWS3309/3309 approved fluid (in North America, they are all made by Mobil to the same formula) at a dealership that has a vehicle in that brand's line up with a transmission from A-W. You should be armed with their part numbers, which is only a google search away. Manufacturers that have made A-W equipped vehicles are:

- Toyota/Lexus/Scion (obviously, as A-W is owned by Toyota)
- Ford
- Mazda
- Volvo
- GM
- VW

Possibly others as well. Volvo likely to be the most expensive source. Are perhaps one of these dealerships closer to you?

 

[JOD]

If you want to go w the T-IV, I've seen Ford dealers selling the Motorcraft version for qt, but that obviously is going to vary by dealer.

I've honestly never heard of a negative report using MaxLife in this transmission, though.

 

[hypervish]

I wouldn't buy the Motorcraft version. If your going to buy Toyota Type-IV then just get it from Toyota.

 

[JOD]

Originally Posted By: hypervish
I wouldn't buy the Motorcraft version. If your going to buy Toyota Type-IV then just get it from Toyota.


?

It's the exact same fluid! It's all made by XOM; Motorcraft/Volvo/Mobil JWS3309/Toyota T-IV. Not 'similar', but the exact same fluid, different bottle. Every manufacturer who spec's Aisn transmissions sells this fluid under their own name. It makes sense to buy whatever is cheapest and most readily-available.

One think I can guarantee is that the bottle that says "Volvo" on it is going to be the most expensive.

 

[yaris0128]

I like to hear someone doing regular but not TOO often ATF changes. Kudos sir! I would more than likely just take it in to get changed at Toyota for the fact that they have the ability to flush the transmission and you dont.

 

[hypervish]

Originally Posted By: JOD
Originally Posted By: hypervish
I wouldn't buy the Motorcraft version. If your going to buy Toyota Type-IV then just get it from Toyota.


?

It's the exact same fluid! It's all made by XOM; Motorcraft/Volvo/Mobil JWS3309/Toyota T-IV. Not 'similar', but the exact same fluid, different bottle. Every manufacturer who spec's Aisn transmissions sells this fluid under their own name. It makes sense to buy whatever is cheapest and most readily-available.

One think I can guarantee is that the bottle that says "Volvo" on it is going to be the most expensive.


The only reason I say to buy it from the Toyota dealer, is because I've seen many people get discounts when buying it from there. They usually take a few bucks off the total cost. But, obviously that depends on the dealer.

If you want to spend less money than just find Mobil 3309.

 

[glum]

MaxLife = Synthetic

Castrol Multi-Import = Conventional

Easy choice.

 

[Eddie]

Has anyone seen the "Product Data Sheets" on MAxLife showing that it meets the T_IV spec? If the data sheet exist then where is it? Ed

 

[Dan55]

Here you go bottom of page. http://www.valvoline.com/products/brands/maxlife/automatic-transmission-fluid/37

 

[weebl]

Originally Posted By: hypervish
If you want to spend less money than just find Mobil 3309.

I bought some Mobil 3309. Actually cost more (but only slightly) than Toyota branded T-IV. Did it to save myself half an hour of time, versus driving out to the Toyota dealer to get it.

 

[hypervish]

Originally Posted By: glum
MaxLife = Synthetic

Castrol Multi-Import = Conventional

Easy choice.


Castrol Multi-Import= Synthetic Blend