I have an 03 Saturn Vue 3.0 V6, which has an Aisin (Toyota) transmission.
The manual says under normal duty the transmission requires no maintenance. They say the customer cannot check the fluid himself, and it never requires changing. But I found the dipstick; its just short, low, and by the exhaust.
The manual says it takes special transmission fluid, and to contact the dealer for it. A few years ago I called the dealer and they said to use Dex/Merc. I was suspicious, but followed their advice. I did a drain/refill with Penzoil YB Dex/Merc at 60k. Then again around 100k (7k ago).
I have figured out it officially is supposed to have Saturn T-IV, which I assume to be the same as Toyota T-IV (JWS 3309) since it is an Aisin transmission.
Googling about, I've found some people terrified of mixing the two. Recommending a flush after mixing.
But now that the spec has been out a while, there are now some multi-spec'd ATFs. (link)
Some that include Dex/Merc as well as T-IV are:
Valvoline Maxlife, PENNZOIL MULTI-VEHICLE ATF, CASTROL IMPORT MULTIVEHICLE, Chevron Multi-Vehicle ATF (this one even includes Toyota WS). Some bottles of Mobil 1 full synthetic claim T-IV as well.
Since there are now multi-spec'd oils that meet both, I don't think there can be a chemical incompatibility. So I'm disregarding the “if you put a cup of dex/merc in it you must flush” statements.
It looks to me like T-IV is a backwards compatible improvement over Dex/Merc. Maybe higher temp ratings, maybe better additives, but something like that. Compatible, but higher rated.
From now on, I'll be sure to get fluids spec'd for T-IV. But I'm not inclined to freak out about the dex/merc thats in it now. I'll probably keep on a fairly short drain refill interval (20k-30k).
So, experts, what do you think? Should I try to get T-IV in it ASAP?
The manual says under normal duty the transmission requires no maintenance. They say the customer cannot check the fluid himself, and it never requires changing. But I found the dipstick; its just short, low, and by the exhaust.
The manual says it takes special transmission fluid, and to contact the dealer for it. A few years ago I called the dealer and they said to use Dex/Merc. I was suspicious, but followed their advice. I did a drain/refill with Penzoil YB Dex/Merc at 60k. Then again around 100k (7k ago).
I have figured out it officially is supposed to have Saturn T-IV, which I assume to be the same as Toyota T-IV (JWS 3309) since it is an Aisin transmission.
Googling about, I've found some people terrified of mixing the two. Recommending a flush after mixing.
But now that the spec has been out a while, there are now some multi-spec'd ATFs. (link)
Some that include Dex/Merc as well as T-IV are:
Valvoline Maxlife, PENNZOIL MULTI-VEHICLE ATF, CASTROL IMPORT MULTIVEHICLE, Chevron Multi-Vehicle ATF (this one even includes Toyota WS). Some bottles of Mobil 1 full synthetic claim T-IV as well.
Since there are now multi-spec'd oils that meet both, I don't think there can be a chemical incompatibility. So I'm disregarding the “if you put a cup of dex/merc in it you must flush” statements.
It looks to me like T-IV is a backwards compatible improvement over Dex/Merc. Maybe higher temp ratings, maybe better additives, but something like that. Compatible, but higher rated.
From now on, I'll be sure to get fluids spec'd for T-IV. But I'm not inclined to freak out about the dex/merc thats in it now. I'll probably keep on a fairly short drain refill interval (20k-30k).
So, experts, what do you think? Should I try to get T-IV in it ASAP?