I have a 99 GS3 with 150k and I once and a while get the slow shifting from 2nd to 3rd especially in traffic. I was wondering since for the newer models they have a different fluid that the guy said was more synthetic for the newer models. Can I use the new synthetic fluid for my old 99 tranny?

 

I am also considering adding some lucas to help fix this. Anyones opinions are appreciated

 

I known that with Castrol Transmax Z your tranny will be happy .. but i don't sure that any atf will help to your tranny now .. i think it need some repair ..

 

What makes you think it needs repair? I thought the sluggish shifting was normal for this car. Besides the certain gears being slow on traffic condition driving the car drives and shifts fine.

 

If you didn't watch ATF condition long time, seldom it changed, went by small level it is very probable that friction have burned. The tranny most of all is afraid of ATF overheat! Therefore the first that do it at tuning of a car put the big ATF cooler (with thermostat for cold weather places).

 

So doees ANYONE know if I can use the newer fluid on my tranny. I know honda recently came out with a new tranny fluid that replaced their old one. My boys tranny was hard shifting and slipping all day on his 07 accord. Finally he put the new fluid in and now it drives like a new car. I was hoping I can do the same with my car.

 

What tranny fluid are you using? You're supposed to have the Toyota T-iv in it. I just did a quick drain and fill and I'm amazed at how much better it's shifting.

 

Some say replace every 30K miles, but I do it every year. I get a smoother shifting feel everytime I change it. I only change it with Toyota ATF IV since I change it every year.

 

I did a drain and fill the other day as well. I can't believe how smooth it is now.

 

Use Toyota T-IV. Old spec is Dextron III. Both are interchangeable.

 

so you SURE I can use the new fluid (which the dealer said is more synthetic for newer models) on mine since its a 1999?

 

Why don't you do a search? There are many threads about this.

 

Really? You must be an expert searcher because I tried and didn't find anything answering my exact question if its ok to use the newer more synthetic fluid instead of the old one they gave me.

 

I just called the dealer and they said I can only use the dexron for my 99 I can't use the newer fluid. Can any dispute this claim? Because I don't wanna mess up my tranny by putting the newer fluid in

 

I don't really know what you mean by "newer synthetic" but if you take off your drain bolt, it's stamped on it "T-IV". That means Toyota T-IV fluid. I don't know why yours would be any different. I have a 98. You'll be fine.