New vehicle maintainence -- when to change fluids?

[MonumentOiler]

From what I've read here WS is not a full-syn but probably a group III blend with a lower viscosity than the T-IV.

They are not interchangable. Toyota warns of possible adverse performance effects if T-IV is used in a WS transmission. Several of the transmissions used both but the friction materials likely changed with the fluid (or vice-versa).

 

[MaximaGuy]

Well that is the fear Ford created with their Mercon/Mercon V fluids too.. Occasionally you will have someone interchange and the transmission was shot, but it would have been due to neglect, abuse or whatever..

One bright morning they say oh well go ahead and use Mercon V inplace of Mercon.. Its all a stunt.

In this fast paced world where time is money, I bet there are not going to be two production lines for the same 5 speed transmission one for Lexus and the other for Toyota.

 

[The Critic]

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In this fast paced world where time is money, I bet there are not going to be two production lines for the same 5 speed transmission one for Lexus and the other for Toyota.

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I would think that there is a different production line considering that the RX350 unit (same U151E/F transmission) utilizes a different filling setup.

 

[Thorn]

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3) When to change/flush PS fluid (I am concerned about this becoz there are quite a few 4Runner rack and pinion setups failing in the recent years)?

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I have an '06 4Runner, and I keep a pretty close eye on other forums and websites regarding this vehicle. I have never heard of any problems with the 4Runner's power steering in recent years. In fact, I just did a search for power steering problems on T4R.org, and it came up with no pattern of problems at all.

What am I missing?

 

[MaximaGuy]

My friend, not many sit on forums and share their experiences and many a times the folks I know are total ido*ts who don't even know how to open the hood (including my twin brother).

I have heard some stories about rack failures, all don't get documented well. I hope they get documented somewhere but then the stealerships would definetly have that data that they keep close to their chests.

And there are the occasional hush hush goodwill fixes by Toyota NA.

 

[MonumentOiler]

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In this fast paced world where time is money, I bet there are not going to be two production lines for the same 5 speed transmission one for Lexus and the other for Toyota.

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It most of the other Toyota transmissions there was a "bright line" production date after which all Toyota and Lexus transmissions converted to the WS fluid. Maybe there are two production lines for those transmissions. Those are pretty high volume vehicles so two productions lines would not suprise me too much.

If they have two facilities to switch over then allowing one to "lead" and troubleshoot/shakeout problems and then just "clone" the final mature line at the "follow-on" site is a pretty common industry practice. This results in a lag in updates from the second site.

 

[Thorn]

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My friend, not many sit on forums and share their experiences and many a times the folks I know are total ido*ts who don't even know how to open the hood (including my twin brother).

I have heard some stories about rack failures, all don't get documented well. I hope they get documented somewhere but then the stealerships would definetly have that data that they keep close to their chests.

And there are the occasional hush hush goodwill fixes by Toyota NA.

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I know there have been recalls on Tundras and Sequoias with regard to the steering column, but it has not affected 4Runners to my knowledge.

Some posters on T4R.org, Yotatech, Tundra Solutions, etc. are very knowledgable. You may be surprised by how quickly any recurring problems become evident. Do a search for 4Runners and "driveline clunk" or "sulfur smell" and you will see what I mean.

I was just surprised by your statement because I have never heard of any systemic power steering problems with recent 4Runners.