bmoore

But keep in mind -- you only get a fraction of the fluid out by draining the pan. Unless you flush the system, you're just adding some fresh fluid to a bunch of old fluid.

KJLegend

^^That is true, however something is better than nothing

7schulz

My recomendation is if you don't know how old the fluid is and it is discolored at all get or do a full flush not a power flush but one where they just exchange the fluid. If your fluid looks good or you know it has been done with in 40-50K miles I would would do a drain and fill for a while at every oil change you do.

blunden

If your fluid was really dirty, as mine was, you might consider a complete change. There are instructions at LexLS.com. It is pretty easy to do.

Bill Dowd

I have been using Mobil one for 241,000 miles 91 LS 400 and no problems also used in 1986 Cressida which the trans is close to LS 400, for 529,000 miles and no problem I put in a trans cooler and, I pump 4 quarts then refill 4 quarts drive 1 day and do it over again till I've done 12 quarts which gives it a 90 complete flush once a year. I've also put a mini trans cooler on my LS400power steering pump to help cool down the fluid it really gets hot and I also ues Mobil one trans fluid in the power steering and no problems at 241,000 and on my cressida my power steering went 529,000 and no problems with the pump or rack. I also use mobil one 75/90 synthetic gear lube in the rear end of the LS400/cressiday changing it every 40,000 miles no problems I use the new mobil one extended 5/30 in my engine and change it 15,000 miles which is normal for me. I drive 2,000 to 3,000 miles a month as sales engineer. I know of people going 600,000 miles same motor and trans just using dino oil so just change your oil and the LS 400/430 or 460 will last and last yoiu guessed it.

atoyot

My thoughts exactly!! Mine looked pretty good, so i figured it was really easy to drain and refill while changing the motor oil. Maybe two or three of these should be the ticket. JMHO

atoyot

Interesting, i was thinking about adding a cooler. It's pretty obvious that the PS fluid get's hot and burns up quick! I had exchanged some of mine last oil change and it was black/brown this oil change

williamb82

the trans in the ls400 is an a340e and the manual says to use toyota type 4 fluid only. it is exspensive as crap as im sure you all have noticed. now the trans in the mk3 supra, is also an a340e and it says to use dexron 3 fluid which is much cheaper. now what im wanting to know is what is the difference in the fluid? and why do we need to use the exspensive type 4 stuff for the same trans that used to use dexron 3? from what i can tell, the clutches in both transmissions are made of the same material. so why the big deal of type 4 over dexron 3? other then toyota wants more money when you purchase it? this is a serious question and i really would like to know whats different.

edit: been doing more research online and found this

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums...Number=1217344

looks like they did the same thing to corrolla trannies. same model tranny was specified for dexron 3 most years, then changed to type 4 later. seems it is just a higher grade dexron 3. so in a bind i think dexron 3 would be fine. especially since it was specified for earlier model sc300's from what ive found online. and they use the same a340e trans as well.

rfisherman

I found that the Toyota fluid T-IV was less expensive than anything else. It was $36.48 + tax out the door at a southside Indy Toyota dealership for a case of 12 qts. Make sure to ask for a case discount. Don't be shy and call around to a few dealers.

williamb82

dealers here are crazy exspensive. and type 4 fluid at the local auto parts is $5/qt. its ridiculous, and they dont sell it in gallons. ill check the dealer though just to be sure.

gmacrae

stick to the type iv stuff, i cant tell you what the difference is, but i've read some horror stories by people running dextron3 in their a340e's - bad idea

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

the LS400 trans in particular is very picky about the fluid it likes. t-IV is made to JWS3309 standards and is very different from dexron/mercon.

many many members on this board and others have had severe transmission problems (slipping/stalling/etc.. it is well documented) by using a d3/mercon spec fluid.

That being said, many "universal" fluids exist now compared to several years ago that claim to be t-iv compatible. be wary to a degree, the more fluids that a universal claims to be compatible with the less well it will work with your specific fluids (i've found). a jack of all trades/master of none applies to some extent.

straight d3/mercon wont work well at all.

Thermactor

iTrader: (1)

Toyota type T-IV is different from Dex-III. It is a highly friction-modified fluid (HFM) and is formulated to different specs.
Personally I've found T-IV to be the same price as D-III when I asked the right dealer. I called around and found prices going from $9.00 (Lexus dealer) down to $4.16 (Toyota dealer)


ps, I will delete this post soon. I'm only posting this to help a kindred Supra-owner out.

trukn1

Skip the Lexus dealer and get the stuff from your local Toyota dealer. Cheaper that way if budget is an issue. Is no more expensive than filling the tank nowdays.

RA40

iTrader: (6)

Not to mention how much $$$ a tranny rebuild/replacement is. Various Toyota dealerships usually hover $5.25-$6.25 when I've bought it.