I don't think anyone here would use anything other than Toyota WS (if that's for your car), but how does it work when it's "universal," and Toyota WS is specified? I heard say with Dexron VI, it's fully licensed to the mfgs.

I've been on a quest for Dexron VI, which is quite expensive--my benchmark was picking up a case of 12, full synthetic, for $48 2 yrs. ago. But those pricings have been long gone. I got a gal jug of AC Delco full synth with all these deals on amazon for $21.xx. Came across Amalie on amazon, same price at their website, so I ordered at $55.19 for 12, palatable. Then I got curious about if they make a Toyota WS.....

https://amaliestore.com/product/amal...tic-cvt-fluid/

 

I've never EVER been a fan of anything 'universal', especially for such specific fluids for our specific cars. Most likely they will be cheaper in price than the OEM recommended fluids, but I'm not willing to take the chance on ruining an entire transmission SYSTEM, or power steering SYSTEM, just for convenience (having 1 fluid on your garage shelf that you can use in the Chevrolet and the MB and the Lexus.

I liken the universal fluids to an elixir that's great for pain relief, dyslexia, flexibility, dementia, and diarrhea. Yea---it MIGHT work on all those issues, but do you really need to use that product that has all those 'ingredients' for all those other issues when they don't apply to your specific need? What's the benefit not buying the OEM recommended fluid again? lol.

Discussing other systems such as the lubrication (engine oil) or rear diff oil, or even the cooling (antifreeze/coolant) system is a different conversation. I recently ate crow when I was preparing to change the rear diff oil on the LS. I thought I saved $8 per bottle of diff oil by buying Walmart's brand versus 100% synthetic (what the book calls for, and what's placarded on the actual rear differential housing!). I returned my 3 bottles back to Walmart, and exchanged them for Mobil-1 100% synthetic gear oil. The Walmart brand, I believe, was a synthetic BLEND. Could be 95% dino/5% syn, or any combination in between. I wanted to change my gear oil before my 12 hour Nashville drive, but found out I didn't have the proper torx, or is it star, or is it allen, or is hex or is it...? lol to remove the fill and drain plugs on the rear. I went on a ratchet bit buying spree on Ripoff-Azon and will do the rear diff oil change soon.

Back to the discussion.......I would never personally use a 'universal' fluid for transmission fluid, to save a couple bucks, or to prevent having multiple brands of bottles sitting on your garage shelf. It's simply not worth the risk, and also the anxiety that I'd experience if going the universal fluid route. Final thought---my work buddy and his father-in-law decided to drain and clean his wife's Accord's transmission with some UNIVERSAL fluid, before the final fill with Honda ATF. Their 06 Accord (same year as my GF's) had almost 200k on the ticker. After they did their 1st drain & fill with the 'UNIVERSAL' fluid (against my suggestion), he told me the car drove like $h!t, and they had to have it TOWED and........have the transmission replaced!!!! I am not kidding you. Was it the universal fluid's fault? Who knows. Would this have happened if they used Honda ATF to begin? Who knows. My bottom line----not worth the risk nor the anxiety.

 

I agree, but can Amalie put Toyota WS on the bottle, if it is not approved? It seems very gray, because Mobil 1 0W40 was approved for BMW LL-01, and then late '15 it was dropped. Yet still good for Porsche, AMG, Corvette, VW, etc. The oil likely didn't change, endorsements and fees paid etc. changed. Those of us who wanted an approved alternative to $8/qt BMW branded oil, found Castrol Edge Euro at Walmart. But the forum exploded again into just because it says LL-01, doesn't mean it is, etc. Whereas the LL-01 was clearly removed from all bottles of Mobil 1 (some of us sped down to Delaware to get some of the last approved stuff still on the shelves).

So I'm just curious what allows a mfg. to say it is good for.....and then all makes and their designations are listed (can they do that if not true, or it is true?). Is it even possible to exceed all original specs and it's even better than the original, across many makes?

Another example, when I was stocking up with my Delaware rebate oil (haha) I could only get 3 Pennzoils that I usually use, and the fourth one was a 5W30 Euro. I had to buy it, it's all that Walmart had for me to get 4 jugs--but it said, approved for Dexos1. So I took that literally and used it in my wife's GM. I like to be by the book, but I also like to question and understand as well....

btw another tidbit, the Amalie I ordered says Dexron VI, not the universal that I linked to (that was to represent Toyota WS). The Dexron 6 is about $10/case cheaper, so that implies there is a difference between straight Dexron VI, and universal?

 

I can save you some time and effort when you desire to do some shopping in tax-free Delaware. It might cost you some $$$ in convenience fees, but hey, it's proven that people will not balk when asked to pay 10% or 20% or 30% to the value of what's being desired (ATM withdrawal fee).

 

I ordered the Dexron VI case of 12 full synth (not the universal) from Amalie, so in my mind my wife's car is set for life with drain/fill #1 at 72k (we want to drive until the wheels fall off). In retrospect, I think that maybe a person should plan on 3 drain fills, with the last one being accomplished by the mileage that one thinks a total replacement is needed or warranted. From then on maybe every 2 yrs? At least when there is a dipstick?

On the taxes, we're getting spanked in PA. If I'm not mistaken we are one of the first where you are to declare everything you purchased over the past year, on which you didn't pay PA tax. This was shot down years ago where VT was doing that. It had to do with a couple who moved to VT from NY, and were assessed 5% tax on the value of their car. Long story short is it went all the way to the US Supreme Court, who refused to hear the case, and so the Fed appeals court's ruling stood, that VT could not do it. Yet today, amazon collects sales tax for PA on behalf of 3rd party sellers. I ordered parts from a Miami Toyota dealer, they collected sales tax for PA. I dunno, if a case of beer is $47 in town, and $27 over the border, why can't we buy it where it's more affordable (and we do, go to a store at 9 AM on a Saturday and look at the plates on the cars in the parking lot!).

On my wife's tranny leak from the plug I reused--the factory plug comes with sealant, and I believe it's referred to as a tapered plug. I happened to have one and swapped it, losing about 2 tablespoons of fluid--I never would have thought that little bit of yellow sealant would make so much difference....no more drips! (I ordered sealant, but am thinking if I get these plugs for $2.xx at rock, just use a new one each drain/fill).