I know Type- IV is the way to go but has anyone tried the AMSOIL equivalent? I know everyone has their favorite engine oil, mine is AMSOIL, but I've always used exactly what the manufacturer has said to use for transmissions and never strayed.

The reason I ask is because I just bought the wife an RX for a daily. The guy said it had a slipping trans but after pulling codes, it's all engine related which caused a limp mode condition. While I was looking at the RX, he showed me a bottle of generic trans fluid so I'm going to replace it before there are real trans issues.

My biggest dilemma is ordering Type- IV. I'm not a fan of our local Toyota dealer and the local Lexus dealer is a couple of hours away. Pickup isn't much of an option. What reputable website are y'all getting your fluid from? I'm not taking the chance of ordering from ebay or Amazon and getting wild flower honey mixed with wd40 and red food coloring.

I know this isn't LS related but you guys and gals are family.

 

Wallyworld has it (though only in bulk quantities sadly)

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Toyota-Le...arts/517257263

I've always sourced it from the dealer tbh.

 

I use Amsoil OE Multi-Vehicle in all my cars that call for Dexron or Type-IV. My Lexus especially likes it.
https://www.amsoil.com/p/oe-multi-ve...ion-fluid-otf/

I have read accounts of people using Amsoil Signature Series in place of Type-IV the transmission didn't like it seems like Signature is more suited to WS applications (can't verify myself never tried).

 

How did I miss that? Google brought up random places I've never heard of. Thanks!

 

That's what was cross referenced and I was wanting to try. I budgeted a new trans into buying the RX but if I don't have to, I don't want to. I might give it a shot then. Thanks!

 

in my eyes the RX trans is likely much less sensitive to ATF compared to the LS so i wouldn't hesitate to try something different. amsoil isn't a big risk either so you should be fine.

 

I'm going to give AMSOIL a shot. Can't hurt but so bad. If it causes issues, I can just drain it and fill with Type IV. I've talked to two Virginia dealers today who have online parts and they were both out of Type IV anyways.

 

If you have trouble sourcing from local parts counters RA sells Aisin T-IV and Mobil 3309 at very good prices- https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/...on+fluid,11387
Both Aisin T-IV and Mobil 3309 are prob the closest to Toyota T-IV if not identical.

 

FWIW, Idemitsu TLS also meets Toyoya T-IV specs.