Tranny fluid temp on Toyota vehicles

[MaximaGuy]

I have owned my first Toyota and by just touching the tranny pan and line to the cooler, it is pretty hot (I am glad I have the towing pkg) compared to my other vehicles I have owned. Even their engines run hotter, I am glad Toyota over-engineers their cooling systems and the tranny cooler too...

Can someone confirm that is how these tranies work, hot and do I need accelerated maintence on the fluids?

 

[MonumentOiler]

Try and get a infared temp gun reading on the lines. (cooler output will be highest) An accurate temp will tell the story.

Just because you can access the hot parts (lines, coolers, ect...) doesn't mean the fluid temps are higher where they matter. In fact it could be just the opposite that you can observe the heat of the fluid because it is being transported for appropriate cooling!

I haven't seen any indication that Toyotas run hotter for ATF than other makes and they have a good reputation for their transmissions. That said, the "lifetime fluid" (WS) does not appear to be a full synthetic and you run the risk that the lifetime Toyota is interested in is less than what you want. Early drain and fills may be the most important because you are not only replacing fluid but removing "break-in wear" particles.

 

[dkryan]

MaximaGuy,

I have an '05 Highlander (and an '01 I30) and I plan on changing out the T-IV tranny fluid next week at 20k miles, using Amsoil ATF.

Even if I didn't want to give the Amsoil ATF a try, I'd replace the T-IV at 30k. I don't trust their "100k miles or 10 years" philosophy on this particular fluid. Even their 60k mile fluid change recommendation under severe use is too long, in my opinion.

If you're sticking with the T-IV, I'd go with 30k mile changes, even with the towing package (which I have).

 

[Andrew]

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I have owned my first Toyota and by just touching the tranny pan and line to the cooler, it is pretty hot

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I am in the same boat. First Toyota (Asia Pacific Corolla) with 4 speed auto (A245e). The entire transaxle (transmission/diff) has only approx 3 quarts ATF

I bought this car in autumn but a hotter than average day would have me experiencing the odd jerk and rough shift at low speed. I too suspect the newer transmissions run very hot (especially in the small fours) and am investigating fitting an aftermarket ATF cooler

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...they have a good reputation for their transmissions.

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I don't believe this is the case anymore. Do a search for "hesitation, Toyota, transmission" in google and you will have weeks of reading. Apparently, the five speed autos across the Toyota/Lexus range have low speed shifting and hesitation issues although it seems this is a software rather than a heat issue. New USA Camry is probably the worst example.

For example: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/05036/453222.stm

 

[Junior]

I would say a "by the feel of my hand" thermometer has about the same accuracy as a "by the feel of my arm" torque wrench.

 

[MysticGold04]

My Tacoma requires T-IV and I've done two drain and refills since new... both at 15K miles. I'd like to give the AMSOIL a try, but still am skeptical if it will be ok for the tranny. I have an aux cooler as well.

 

[LubeMan]

Operating tranny temps for Toyota are higher (documentation) than N.American OEMs however their trans run cooler which gives them longer life. Cooler efficiency is higher than N.American company coolers.

 

[Junior]

Huh?

 

[mdv]

yeah, I didn't follow that either

 

[nicholas]

Hi
If your tacoma has an auto trans made by AISIN WARNER, dont do it , stay with type-4 or jws 3309.
My rav4 AW trans, did not like the universal fluids , after a few months......., then the shifts got to be very harsh.,
switch to jws 3309, and everything is fine again.

There is a guy on the board who used Amsoil on his, volvo with an Aisin AW 4wd trans, and his UOA was full of wear metals....., with just 5,000miles on the fluid.

 

[Pablo]

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There is a guy on the board who used Amsoil on his, volvo with an Aisin AW 4wd trans, and his UOA was full of wear metals....., with just 5,000miles on the fluid.

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You have a link for this? I may have missed it.

 

[unDummy]

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My vote is for the Pennzoil MV-ATF....
It has an amazing -40c viscosity........., very close to Amsoil's.......,
I have been using it in my 02 RAV4 for almost a year now....., shifts are seamless....

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http://theoildrop.server101.com/forums/s...true#Post888967

 

[Pablo]

I smell a rat.

 

[ChiTDI]

I thought some of those trans call for T-IV, but some have other requirements. Forgot the spec's letters.

 

[MysticGold04]

The earlier tacomas spec'ed Dex III, but I'm not sure if they had the same A340 in them. 03-04 is when Toyota switched to T-IV. Now I think they are spec'ing WS fluid for the 05+ years.

 

[nicholas]

Ya im a universal fluid RAT.....,

The fluid, was great in the winter because it had a lower pour point, but as soon the the weather warmed up here, thats when the trouble started....., and I really doubt that fresh fluid, sheared so fast, ......,

Did amsoil test their fluid, against T-IV, or did they actually test the universal fluid in AISIN AW auto trans boxes.......?

I love these unknown "tests", ????, so many questions are asked around here, but no one puts big bad AMSOIL under the microscope.

 

[Cooper]

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Operating tranny temps for Toyota are higher (documentation) than N.American OEMs however their trans run cooler which gives them longer life. Cooler efficiency is higher than N.American company coolers.

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That didn't make a bit of sense. What are you trying to say here. Hotter temps are actually cooler? This statement seems to be an oxymoron.

 

[Gary Allan]

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and I really doubt that fresh fluid, sheared so fast

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Full exchange? Probably not. Partial swap

I can assume that you've visited the VOA UOA section for OEM fluid, correct?

 

[MaximaGuy]

Can someone actually table out the differences between DexronIII, T-IV and WS fluid?

I bet if AW speced until 2003 regular DexronIII then they do make awesome trannies. Meaning by moving to newer fluids T-IV and WS, they keep on their legacy of good design with less maintence on fluids.

DexronIII is a pretty weak ATF, my Maxima will shear it to nothing in 10K miles. But it never quit working either, meaning trannies speced to DexronIII should definetly be good.

Look around there are so many older generation Integras, Maximas, Camrys still running like champs.

 

[jmac]

I think he is saying that OEM equpment runs a tranny cooler/radiater type unit. How he can say that they are more efficient than american aftermarket ones is a stretch though, as there are many different tranny coolers available here with a whole range of efficiencies.