so i'm just wondering how often do you guys change your trans fluid? i just got to 106,xxx and should i start changing the fluid with synthetic fluid every two oil changes (10k miles)? i just want it to be healthy and last me. since i'm a BACK...

 

I personally change it every 15k miles.
Some do it every 30k.
I use only Toyota T-IV fluid from the dealer.

Color should be bright red and sweet smelling.

 

15K is about what I've been doing. It's about 15K since I got back from Mexico and I switched out to Amsoil ATF at that time, which I think is a step above the Toyota Type IV (at least for my bad driving habits).

I am going to give everyone a bit of a revelation, I may not be going with Amsoil the next time around. Nothing I'd say is wrong here with it, just that I may want to experiment with a different synthetic ATF just as I've done with other fluids.

I already have my tranny filter and gasket ready and just need to order or pick up some fluid and I am going to choose among the following ATFs for a test next time: Eneos, Mobil 1, Redline, Royal Purple and Wolf's Head. I know there's a few people on the forum using some of these fluids so I'd be interested to hear your thoughts so far if you're using one of the ones I just mentioned.

 

LexMex:

Given the popularity/availability with Mobil 1 synthetic ATF, I'd be interested if you decide on that, or if anyone else has had significant experience with it. I've been running Mobile 1 for about 40,000 miles now (since a flush at 95,000).

Fingers crossed!

 

Lexmex,

I am with sktn77a too. I too would be interested if you decide to go with the Mobil1 ATF. I bought a quart to use as my power steering fluid. The Mobil1 ATF does not smell "sweet" like Toyota Type T-IV. It actually smells awful compared to T-IV.

I just bought a case of T-IV recently, so once I have used it all up I may also switch over to Mobil1 ATF.

Let us know what you decide to run. Thanks, Lexmex.

 

i've been using wolfs head and it's doing well i think atleast because i'm what you call a "spirited" driver, but not 24/7. any one else using wolfs head?

 

[QUOTE=ivan1;5250465]i've been using wolfs head and it's doing well i think atleast because i'm what you call a "spirited" driver, but not 24/7. any one else using wolfs head?[/QUOTE]

I used it in my 2001 RX,and was very satisfied on how it firmed up the lazy shifts.

 

I'll keep all your comments in mind. I do have a slight frontrunner among the ones I mentioned (not including Amsoil), but I'll likely decide upon within the next week. I'm initially going to go only with 4 quarts and changing the filter, same as I did with Amsoil's change over about 2 years ago (because if something sucks, I don't want to blow any more $$$ on it).

I have to keep mind, too, and I have to remind myself, that my transmission is modified/upgraded and given my torque converter is, too, (and runs hotter), I've been paying very close attention to chemistry and numbers.

Interesting on Mobil 1 ATF. For years, I always had access to it, but never the one that covered Type IV. I do however remember there were a husband and wife diplomatic group that brought their Harriers over from Asia (that was a very unique sight in Mexico) and they actually used Mobil 1 ATF (prior to it being approved for Type IV), but I never found out how that turned how for them until they moved to South America for their next tour of duty. Wolf's Head does have a unique plus for me in the fact that it is a Florida company, just like the Restore Oil additive that is based out of Ft. Lauderdale among other Florida lubricant companies.

I been reading a lot on BITOG regarding comparisons and UOAs (where I can find them).

 

Love Royal Purple Max ATF. I have it in the RX and our Camry. I cannot tell any difference between RP and Amsoil.

The only reason I changed from Amsoil to RP was seeing what the RP gear lube did. I could be way off, but I thought....Gees! If the ATF is as good as the gear lub, I'm in.

 

I do it 2x a year when I do an oil change. Very much overkill, but costs $20 a pop and adds 15 minutes to the oil change. A "flush" from the dealer is $150 so I figure it's roughly the same cost as having the dealer do it every 4 years or so, but this way my fluid is always clean.

 

I'm not sure what Type IV is going for now at the dealer, but in Mexico I was getting it for 45 pesos, which at 10 to 1 equivalent to the dollar was $4.50, but at the time I was there, this pushed it under $4 USD a quart, and I had a Toyota dealer within walking distance both from the last place I worked and also in my neighborhood where I lived, and it was as you say very easy to do about every 6 months. For sure, It's easier than an oil change as long as you don't change out the filter.

 

I'm going to let the cat out of the bag, the one I'm going to try this time is Redline D4,

http://www.redlineoil.com/product.aspx?pid=51&pcid=9

I'm supposed to get it today and if it gets a bit warmer (it's 63 and chance of rain), I'll change out the fluid and filter.

I'm going to elaborate later why I chose this fluid to try.

 

Hi Ron,
How was the Redline D4 ATF? Is it worthy to clean the torque converter? I will replace Rear Main Seal after the 4th of july weekend. Thanks.

 

The Redline's been working just fine, though I'll have to run it about 2 years or the equivalent mileage (same time as I ran the Amsoil) to see how it fares.

The torque converter you really can't clean per se. It doesn't have a plug like say the torque convert plug you might see on a Mercedes.

Last time I had the tranny out of the vehicle, I had the converter opened up and modified to a high stall.

 

I think the question is ... can the two fluids coexist ... or one has to purge all fluid out (even from the TC)

Salim