Replace Toyota T-IV with Maxlife? Testimonials?

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05camryv6

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Hello,

I would love to hear from some folks who have switched from T-IV to maxlife and what the results have been.

I have a 2005 Camry V6 3.0 (U151E trans) with 125K miles on it

I have been doing quite a bit of research on this and I haven't come to a solid conclusion. I have come up with 4 things though

#1 Toyota's official statement is that transmissions with T-IV fluid in them should always have T-IV in them. No swapping to WS, maxlife, or any other fluid

#2 Toyota does not approve of Maxlife for use in any of their transmissions and they have not tested it (Valvoline told me this and also that they have not tested it in Toyota specific applications but that it meets the specifications)

#3 Valvoline says Maxlife is "Suitable for use" to replace pretty much any Toyota transmission fluid including T-IV & WS and a VERY wide range of other fluids (which kind of concerns me)

#4 On multiple forums, in many threads, I have found people saying absolutely do not use maxlife and others that say you should absolutely use maxlife. Some have reported transmission failure or needing to flush back to their old fluid after maxlife change and some have reported improved shifting.


However, I have not been able to find any reports of long term use of Maxlife in a transmission that originally (and permanently) calls for Toyota's type 4 and I would love to hear from some folks who have actually changed to maxlife.
 
I have an 05 Matrix and all reports on here I've read about from Toyota owners has been positive after using ML. I'd use it with confidence.
 
Aisin makes AT for many mfgs. do you think there is a 'magic fluid' for each mfg to which they supply?

That fluid is Mobil 3309 IIRC; so "only T-IV" can be 'violated' and even have an identical fluid in there.

I have used ML in a Dex3 spec'ed Toyota AT and wouldn't hesitate to use it in a T-IV app too.

It comes down to your comfort level; if you are going to be a nervous nelly and soil your pants pouring it in, just use the Toyota supplied fluid.
 
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FWIW -
I have not had an experience with Maxlife, but I am currently using Amsoil OE Multi-Vehicle (Red Bottle) Autotrans fluid in my wifes 03' Vibe that specs the T-IV fluid. And have had no issues what so ever. Drain and filled last April and the trans has worked as designed. I'll be doing another drain and refill next April with the same fluid.
 
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I've used maxlife in both my toys and it worked great! I'm currently trying out Castrol transmax and valvoline import and both of those take longer to shift than when maxlife was in the transmission. Will be putting maxlife back in soon.
 
Originally Posted By: satinsilver
I have an 05 Matrix and all reports on here I've read about from Toyota owners has been positive after using ML. I'd use it with confidence.


Thanks


Originally Posted By: simple_gifts
Aisin makes AT for many mfgs. do you think there is a 'magic fluid' for each mfg to which they supply?

That fluid is Mobil 3309 IIRC; so "only T-IV" can be 'violated' and even have an identical fluid in there.

I have used ML in a Dex3 spec'ed Toyota AT and wouldn't hesitate to use it in a T-IV app too.

It comes down to your comfort level; if you are going to be a nervous nelly and soil your pants pouring it in, just use the Toyota supplied fluid.


I have read people saying it is Mobil 3309, did Mobil or Toyota state this or did someone figure it out somehow?

Also, as far as I could tell the only details of T-IV fluid I could find were being inferred from the details of 3309 fluid. Does anyone know if Toyota ever released the specs on T-IV (things like viscosity, specific gravity, viscosity index, etc)?
 
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IMO, if you don't have issue , stick to the standard transmission oil like supertech toyota iv spec(walmart). Which you may not be able to get cause vi has superceded, so that would be second choice.
 
Maxlife is good,Castrol is good also, if it worries you in any way just use the T-IV. Plenty of cars out there running Factory fill for over 200K! I had a Mercury Milan with an Aisin transmission it said T-IV right on the dipstick. Picked some up at the Toyota dealer for 4.25 a Qt to satisfy my warranty requirements.
 
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I have put it on a 2004 Sienna since I bought it around 117K miles till now around 200K miles.

I have changed 3 times (2 flush and 1 drain-fill) and this last round is closed to 50K miles already and it is still red.

There is no problem with the transmission.

I have also put the magnefine filter on the oil cooler return line.
 
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Mobil developed #3309 specifically for AISIN automatic transmissions. I feel other ATF may work just fine but, will not be optimized the these ATs. I'm not in favor of going against Manufactures recommendations if my manual says use this and meets this spec. What may operated and feel just wonderful for 20,000 miles may prove very expensive at later mileage. JMO.. ED
 
Originally Posted By: Eddie
Mobil developed #3309 specifically for AISIN automatic transmissions. I feel other ATF may work just fine but, will not be optimized the these ATs. I'm not in favor of going against Manufactures recommendations if my manual says use this and meets this spec. What may operated and feel just wonderful for 20,000 miles may prove very expensive at later mileage. JMO.. ED



Yeh, this is what made me make this post.

At the same time im wondering if my trans got T-IV just because that is what toyota had around at the time. They used the U151E transmission all the way up into 2013 at which point they would be running Toyota WS.

If anyone switched from T-IV to WS I would love to hear your results as well.
 
Here is my testimonial:

I have drained/refilled my wife's 06 Highlander with 4 qts of T-IV every 30,000 miles.

With 210,000 miles on the clock, it still shifts like new.
 
Whatever you decide to use as a fluid in the trans, make sure you "reset" the learned memory in the ecu. It learns shift speed & rpm, once the fluid gets changed it will apply the clutch packs in the same learned pattern. New fluid will cause the clutch packs to slip & it will cause friction plate wear. Once the memory is reset, it will learn to shift quicker & reduce the wear that without a memory reset can take over 1000 miles
 
Pennzoil platinum makes am atf that's 3309 approved, t iv is nothing special, how many ways does it need to be said, maxlife is fine too.
 
My sisters Yaris has been using Maxlife ATF for more than 100,000kms - - trouble free. Still shifts like new. I service her car for her.

I have used Maxlife on Toyotas-Mazdas-Nissans-Audi's- and our current Hyundai Santa Fe. No issue what so ever on any manufacture auto trans.

At least for me.
 
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