Type of fluid for 9th Gen Corolla?

[Farmer]

I have a friend that has a 9th Gen Corolla, 00-06. They have over 300K KM on their Corolla but the meter has stopped since 300K is the cap. Not sure if the transmission fluid has been changed before or not but they're experiencing a shudder sometimes in reverse.

What should I use? Maxlife?

 

[barkingspider]

T-iv or maxlife

 

[simple_gifts]

So, the obvious danger here is if the transmission already has problems, a fluid change 'may be' fingered as the reason for the eventual failure;

Evaluate how your friend will respond to that and proceed with appropriate warnings and caution.

I would maxlife it.

 

[Trav]

Dex III is spec. I use Amsoil ATF or Mobil 1 ATF in these and Subaru not the lighter ATL or Maxlife, they shift too soft on the lighter fluid.
It uses a screen but change it not just clean it as it uses a non replaceable cork gasket on the filter itself.
The ATP filter with pan gasket from Rock Auto works fits properly and works fine for short money.

Dex III is no longer licensed so its best to stay with a good name like Amsoil or Mobil as quality insurance as pi$$ could be labeled as dex III today.
If that doesn't help it has a problem that needs further investigation. Do a line off exchange not a drain and fill job, its super easy on these, in fact its one of the easiest of all cars to do one on.

 

[Tech819]

Isn't the 9th gen corolla 03-08? so T-iv or Maxlife as Barkingspider said.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Maxlife is great stuff. Use it with confidence

 

[mikered30]

Odometer failure is a known problem and will happen just before 300 K miles or KM.

 

[Trav]

Originally Posted By: Tech819
Isn't the 9th gen corolla 03-08? so T-iv or Maxlife as Barkingspider said.


It is I was thinking of an older model but it uses the same transmission. Amsoil list manufacturers spec is covered by ATF not ATL which means the manufacturer wants a slightly higher viscosity. It has been my experience that Maxlife shifts too soft and is not optimal in these units.

Relevant thread..

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1217344

 

[pbm]

Another option is Castrol IMV....I've used it in a 2004 Corolla that is still running great at 260K miles.
Castrol IMV is on the thicker side @ 8 cst @ 100*C.....which goes along with what Trav recommends.

 

[sw99]

Loved the ML in my last Corolla. I did yearly drain and fills at under $16.

 

[SatinSilver]

Good to know about ML since I was wondering about it and tempted to use it. The Toyota dealer here also sells Mag 1 atf as an alternative. They sell it for $4/quart.

 

[Sayjac]

Originally Posted By: simple_gifts
So, the obvious danger here is if the transmission already has problems, a fluid change 'may be' fingered as the reason for the eventual failure;

Evaluate how your friend will respond to that and proceed with appropriate warnings and caution.

I would maxlife it.

Excellent post imo. Forewarned is forearmed.

I can't speak to specific Corolla trans, but MaxLife has worked well for me in a 3.4L Tacoma specing DexII/III. Gallon jug best value.

 

[SumpChump]

That shudder could just be a motor mount. But changing ATF wont hurt.

 

[dlundblad]

How about Valvoline's MVI fluid?

It's thicker than Maxlife.

 

[Farmer]

Originally Posted By: dlundblad
How about Valvoline's MVI fluid?

It's thicker than Maxlife.


I'm going to have a hard time finding it. Since I'm from Canada. As we have limited choices in most things in the automotive world.

 

[Trav]

Originally Posted By: SatinSilver
Good to know about ML since I was wondering about it and tempted to use it. The Toyota dealer here also sells Mag 1 atf as an alternative. They sell it for $4/quart.


Unless you have a proper scan tool statements like "I used this or that and it shifts perfectly) are nothing more than useless seat of the pants observations.
As I was showing my friend Frank (Demarpaint) with my scan tool on his car shift times measurements are real data that is easy to grasp.
GM cars on Maxlife show no increase in shift times but on Toyota and Subaru there can be a noticeable difference depending on the transmission model.

I did a Subaru one time with Maxlife and when i looked at the shift times I drive it back and changed the fluid out for a dex III replacement, shift times dropped.
I did the 06 Corolla and checked it the shift times on Amsoil were slightly lower than when the car had 10K on it, this car is owned by my MIL it has 23K on it now so I have a lot of data on this car since I am the only one that touches it. When it was new I took all the scan tool data as a reference point for future comparison (this is really worth doing if you have a new/newer vehicle).

Lower shift times = less clutch wear which is what you want. I am sure Mobil 1, Redline D4 will also provide similar levels of performance as Amsoil, I prefer Amsoil because of its stellar performance in so many units over the years, why mess with good thing.
Not a knock on Maxlide but the explanation they kite for it meeting dex III is almost laughable. It is very close to dex VI but thinner than dex III and other slightly higher viscosity fluids, the fact it is as thin as worn dex III is bonkers, I am changing out the dex III because it is worn and thin.
Sorry Valvoline I cant get my head to accept that one. IMO PQIA should not have accepted that explanation from Valvoline and left it marked as a fail against dex III.

 

[cjcride]

Use Maxlife. Drain and fill once a year. It's a Corolla.