Use old version CVT fluid in newer transmission?

[popeyeJones]

I had a 2017 Corolla LE and I used Toyota's branded CVT (part number 08886-02505) when changing the CVT fluid. I now have a 2023 that calls for part number 08886-03005 CVT fluid. Having a quantity of the older 08886-02505 left over, can that be used in a newer Corolla? The 02505 is superseded by 03005, but would the older fluid be sufficient?

The cans look identical and 03005's description states: COMPATIBILITY: Designed for use in Toyota vehicles equipped with CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) systems. So it sounds like it is backward compatible, so could the reverse would be true too, right?

If not, are there any 3rd party CVT fluids compatible with a 2023 Corolla LE? I don't find any when looking specifically for a 2023 Corolla (a few mention Toyotas and a few mention FE transmissions, but none specifically say 2023 Corolla).

 

[KGMtech]

For the 2023, I'd not use the older spec fluid. CVT's are fussy. Aftermarket products from Idemitsu, Eneos, Aisin should be fine IF they specifically state compliance to the new fluid specs.

 

[JavierH19]

Possibly but I know toyota changed the cvt to have an normal first gear before transitioning to the cvt belt I think in like 2019 or so. It could work but I don't know for sure. But others use have used valvoline maxlife atf/cvt and didn't have issues fwiw.

 

[popeyeJones]

For the 2023, I'd not use the older spec fluid. CVT's are fussy. Aftermarket products from Idemitsu, Eneos, Aisin should be fine IF they specifically state compliance to the new fluid specs.

Well that is the problem I'm having. My original question was can the old blend of CVT be used in a new model Corolla calling for the new blend and the answer seems to be no. When I look at the various CVT fluids out there I see mention of things like
"Toyota CVTF TC / FE" in their compatibility charts but no mention of the year. So that statement might apply to previous generations of Corollas using the old blend, the current generation using the new blend, or both. I'm baffled.

 

[martinq]

CVT fluids are pretty generic, I just took a peek at Valvoline Maxlife ATF and it lists FE & TC for Toyota, Castrol Transmax is probably similar. If you want a premium fluid look at Red Line, Amsoil, HPL, etc.

As per your old fluid I would use it up first even if it's just to flush the tranny. Do you have a service interval that you follow? How many miles/km on the unit? What is the condition of the unit and current fluid?

 

[IndyIan]

Is it the same transmission? I assume not, if they changed to a different fluid? Or they saw it fit to upgrade the fluid?
If the car still has warranty then I would just use the new toyota stuff, to preserve the warranty, and save the older fluid spec for later when other people have tried running old fluid spec in your car for a while and you can see what happens, or sell it now.
Probably its "fine", maybe not ideal, but maybe it won't matter? It seems the "universal" CVT fluids work well enough in the shorter term in a wide range of transmissions, but without going through OEM tests, on each transmission, know one really knows how well they work in each transmission in the long term.

Personally I'm just running the subaru or idemitsu fluid only spec'd for the one subaru transmission, assuming it's optimized for that single transmission. It will cost a bit more, but my hunch is that Subaru was trying to make their transmissions last with having a different fluid spec'd for each of their transmissions. If a cheaper universal fluid worked as well as each subaru fluid, they would probably just use that for all their CVT's, but they don't. Thay are the only ones who have done useful testing, so I'm betting on the guys with the data are right.

 

[PandaBear]

How many quarts are you talking about here? If not too many (say 4 quarts or less) I'd just buy new one and not overthinking it. If you have like 20+ quarts then I would start thinking what might be the change and whether it is ok to try.

 

[popeyeJones]

CVT fluids are pretty generic, I just took a peek at Valvoline Maxlife ATF and it lists FE & TC for Toyota, Castrol Transmax is probably similar. If you want a premium fluid look at Red Line, Amsoil, HPL, etc.

As per your old fluid I would use it up first even if it's just to flush the tranny. Do you have a service interval that you follow? How many miles/km on the unit? What is the condition of the unit and current fluid?

Yeah, I have a list of possible fluids and those are on the list, BUT, none ever list the year of the Toyotas that the fluid works for. Given my original question was can the older blend of CVT FE be used in the new transmissions and the consensus was not to use it, I wonder why the same wouldn't apply to Valvoline, Castrol, Red Line, Amsoil, HPL, etc. Are they rated for the old transmission, the new transmission, both? That is my quandary.

 

[popeyeJones]

Is it the same transmission? I assume not, if they changed to a different fluid? Or they saw it fit to upgrade the fluid?
If the car still has warranty then I would just use the new toyota stuff, to preserve the warranty, and save the older fluid spec for later when other people have tried running old fluid spec in your car for a while and you can see what happens, or sell it now.
Probably its "fine", maybe not ideal, but maybe it won't matter? It seems the "universal" CVT fluids work well enough in the shorter term in a wide range of transmissions, but without going through OEM tests, on each transmission, know one really knows how well they work in each transmission in the long term.

Personally I'm just running the subaru or idemitsu fluid only spec'd for the one subaru transmission, assuming it's optimized for that single transmission. It will cost a bit more, but my hunch is that Subaru was trying to make their transmissions last with having a different fluid spec'd for each of their transmissions. If a cheaper universal fluid worked as well as each subaru fluid, they would probably just use that for all their CVT's, but they don't. Thay are the only ones who have done useful testing, so I'm betting on the guys with the data are right.

According to ChatGPT, it is a whole different transmission between my generation and the previous generation of Corolla.

Aisin makes the Toyota CVT, but for some reason don't sell the current blend, just the previous blend. And buying the Toyota branded CVT (which is just Aisin with the Toyota name on it) is around $120 per gallon and you need 1 1/2 of them :-(

 

[popeyeJones]

How many quarts are you talking about here? If not too many (say 4 quarts or less) I'd just buy new one and not overthinking it. If you have like 20+ quarts then I would start thinking what might be the change and whether it is ok to try.

Unfortunately, I think I'm going to have to just spring for the new blend as I've not heard anyone saying THEY'VE used some 3rd party CTV in a 2023 Corolla (which uses a different transmission than previous generations)

 

[martinq]

Yeah, I have a list of possible fluids and those are on the list, BUT, none ever list the year of the Toyotas that the fluid works for. Given my original question was can the older blend of CVT FE be used in the new transmissions and the consensus was not to use it, I wonder why the same wouldn't apply to Valvoline, Castrol, Red Line, Amsoil, HPL, etc. Are they rated for the old transmission, the new transmission, both? That is my quandary.

The year is not important, just the spec/type. The vast majority of all CVTs in automotive have the same/similar fluid requirements. Keep the fluid and magnets clean, keep the fluid temperature and level in check and you'll be further ahead than 99% of the general public.

 

[D1dad]

The year is not important, just the spec/type. The vast majority of all CVTs in automotive have the same/similar fluid requirements. Keep the fluid and magnets clean, keep the fluid temperature and level in check and you'll be further ahead than 99% of the general public.

Yep. And the general public run them till their death without service and then get online and cvt bash. But manufacturers could do a lot better job of service recommendations. Sadly, they know even without service they’ll make it to 60k and then they could care less.