Nice catch. I was thinking of my buddys LX and what he used. Obviously different. i edited my post above. I have not service my trans yet but no doubt would have figured out I was wrong when I went to go service it. Thanks ChuckB

Sorry OP if I mislead you.

 

Those of us that have used AMSOIL Universal Automatic Transmission know that it is far superior than the stock Toyota TIV. Toyotas' fluid gets quite dirty quickly, and the AMSOIL stays clean for a long time.

In my experience with 2 GS-400 in the last 5 years, AMSOIL is also much smoother than the Toyota fluid.

For those owners that choose to stay with Toyota, I say "good on you". You can't go wrong with the stock fluid, but you will have rto changemore often, and it will be dirty when it comes out.

I have used AMSOIL fluid in my Lexus transmissions since 2003 with fantastic results. I have a transmission cooler in addition to the AMSOIL fluid, so my transmission runs much cooler as well.

I have 179,000 miles on my GS400, and Toyota fluid was used for the first 60,000 miles with the previous owner. The last 120,000 miles have been troublefree in every respect, and the transmission is awesome. I change every 40,000 miles, and when I take it out, it looks like it really doesn't need it. There is no burned smell, (unlike the Toyota Type IV).

Sensing the need for a better fluid, Toyota themselves opted to make and use a better synthetic fluid in their vehicles. It is called the "WORLD CLASS" fluid. It is found in all 2005 and newer Lexus vehicles. On some Toyota /Lexus vehicles, there is NO drain interval. It is good for the life of the vehicle. I am not sure if the "world class" fluid will retrofit into the older Toyota / Lexus transmissions, but since I have the AMSOIL, I know I have better fluid than the stock T-IV.

So suit yourself, and use what you want. AMSOIL or Toyota fluid...either way you can't go wrong. I don't know about other fluids, but I would say that even Mobil 1 synthetic fluid is better than the Toyota fluid. I never used it in anything but my older Ford Transmissions, but it is good too.

 

how much does tranny fluid does an 04 GS430 hold total? I'm getting a torque converter with a tranny cooler soon.

 

but where can buy Amsoil fluids?? i've call around and they dont even know what im talking about...and how much is it???

 

You can buy it online, or find an AMSOIL dealer who will sell i to you. There arer a few dealers on our website. I get mine from a local distributor in the San Diego area. Try the website: http://www.amsoil.com The transmission costs about 9.00 a quart + shipping, but it is WORTH the cost because of how it performs. Since I do all my cars, I buy a 2 1/2 gallon container for about $100.00. That is 10 quarts. It is cheaper to buy the larger size than to buy separate quart bottles. I always have some in my garage ready to go, since I also use it in my Lexus power steering pump as well.

If you add a transmission cooler on top of the fluid like I did, the fluid will never get hot enough to cause a problem even in hot weather.

Each refill takes 2 quarts, or you can try to pump it all out by removing the return line from the transmission, which goes to the radiator up front. The return line is on the passenger side of the car, at the very bottom of the radiator.

Make sure the transmission is cold. Remove the line going to the radiator by taking off the squeeze type clip and pull back. Put the rubber end ionto a bucket or clear container. Have two peeople present during drain...one to hold the hose in the bottle, and theother to start the car.

Start the engine and the fluid will come out quickly and forcefully. AS SOON as the fluid quits comingout, turn the engine off, and put the line back on the radiator.

It will take more than 2 quarts to fillit back up. Bring the level to the add line on teh dipstick and start the engine. The level will drop as the torque coverter begins to fill. Then run the engine through all the gears to check for movement.

Recheck the fluid level, being careful NOT to overfill the transmission. IF you fill the transmission completely full while cold, it will then be overfilled when it gets hot, (which is all the time while driving).

Remember, transmission fluid expands as it gets hot, and the trick is to have the transmission level FULL only when it is hot.

Wipe the dipstick the first time while checking the fluid, and reinsert and recheck the second time for an accurate reading.

Good luck

 

I said it once and I'll say it again, use the Amsoil. I race and run my car hard, and that's the stuff I stick with. It's the only fluid I've used so far that does not burn up within 200miles of my driving style.

 

meh, I'll stick with the toyota fluid. I drain/refill mine about every 10k miles and it comes out looking almost like new.

I'm no tranny expert and this is just my opinion, but transmission fluid is supposed to clean out the trans which is why it gets dirty looking. maybe the amsoil leaves more of the "dirty stuff" in the trans and that's why it seems cleaner.

 

Amsoil is great stuff I use it on my bike, but on my GS I stick with toyota fluid only so either way you'll be good

 

Only the varnish free good stuff for my rides

 

Chuckb, if you want to think that AMSOIL leaves more residue inside the transmission that is fine. I can live with that. However, if you have had any experience with AMSOIL fluid like some of us have, perhaps your opinion would be different.

I already alluded to the fact that TYPE T-IV is good fluid. I have a lot of experience with it. It is good, but it has limitations.

Another way to look at the situation is PERHAPS the residue is not being formed withthe AMSOIL because the fluid does not get as hot, and as such, the clutch facings are staying where they should be...on the clutches, and not suspended in the fluid.

Have you asked yourself WHERE that dirt is coming from in a sealed system? There is no combustion like in the engine, so something is going on inside the transmission to make it dirty.

Heat is the enemy in all transmission fluid, so that is why I have an auxilliary transmission cooler AND the AMSOIL fluid in my transmission. City driving is worse on the fluid than high speed driving.

We do not have a gauge on our vehicles to tell us the temperature of the fluid, but you only have to drive a bit, then pull out the dipstick to feel the heat that transmission generates. Our transmissions are designed to shift quickly at slow speeds, and be seamless with the shifts as well. The vehicle will automatically shift to 5th gear with very light throttle at below 25 miles per hour. I see it all the time when driving in town.

That smoothness translates into a lot of slippage to make the car drive like the average Lexus owner wants their car to shift. With a shift kit in place, the shifts would be more abrupt, equating to less slipping, cooler fluid, and longer life, but an uncomfortable driving performance. The fluid gets hot, creates varnish, and attacks the clutch facings. You can see and feel that black grit and grime on the dipstick of stock fluid when it is time to change that fluid. Rub it between your fingers on the dipstick and see how much dirt is suspended.

20,000 to 30,000 mile stock fluid is never clean when it comes out. Fluid changes every 10,000 miles is great, but it is a lot of maintenance and extra expense, and I drive 30,000 + miles per year. That doesn't work for me.

I submit to you that perhaps if you add a transmission cooler to your car and stick with the Toyota TYPE T-IV even your fluid would stay cleaner longer than it currently does.

Just a thought, and thanks for listening

 

Amsoil does indeed stay cleaner longer than oem toyota. I've ran both and no doube Amsoil is the winner when it comes to retaining smoother shifts over a period of time. Coupled that with my tranny cooler, it's a win-win situation.

With that being said, my next flush is going to be with toyota type t-iv...only because I have a case in my garage that I got for free

 

will the dealer completely flush with amsoil if you brought it in?
what type of tranny cooler are you using
i may have to call exact to see if they do a complete flush
i want to use amsoil it seems like the results are obvious if so many people swear by it

 

It is the winner hands down. No comparison. I have 179,00 miles on my transmission and NO problems with shifting or leaking. Plus I use this same fluid in my power steering system. The fluid is immaculate and the reservoir is very clean. There are no leaks from the pump or the rack and pinion, and the steering is great.

I hate to sound like a commercial ( I am not being paid for this), but it really is so much better that the standard Type T-IV. Use what you like, and I like this stuff.

I have the Hayden transmission cooler. Here is the lnik to look at the coolers...http://www.transmissioncoolers.us/Me...ory_Code=guide

It is mounted in front of the air conditioning condenser at the very front of the car. I mounted it with the parts inside the kit. They have plastic "tie-ties" tatpush through the radiator fins and the condensor fins and lock the cooler to the front.

My hot fluid comes from the transmission on the passenger side of the car towards the radiator. The bottom of the radiator is the factory transmission oil cooler. The rubber line slides over the male fitting. I don't bother that side. I let the fluid go in that side and exit on the drivers' side. I disconnect the hose coming from the radiator cooler to the return of the transmission, and instead run a long hose through the front and connect to one port on the auxilliary cooler. The second line comes from the other port of the auxilliary cooler ad comes back to the return line going back to the transmission.

So the fluid is cooled once by thebottom of the radiator, and then again by the cooler up front, and thern back to the transmission about 40 to 60 degrees cooler than before.

It took about 1 hour to install, and it takes extra fluid to fill the tranny cooler.

It has been great for 3 years now, and there are no problems.

 

Would a cooler like this work well enough for our cars ?



1.5" X 1.5" X 24" with 11/32 barb fittings (optional -6AN fittings available also)

 

Yes, that looks like it would work fine. What isthe rating on that cooler? I am in California, so it rarely gets too cold (never freezing in San Diego), so I don't worry about overcooling. In colder climates, a small shuttle valve may have to be installed to allow cooling only when needed.