T-4 fluid question?
#1
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Glenville, NY
Posts: 513
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
T-4 fluid question?
I'm getting close to 12K on my '03 and have been doing my own servicing so far, but thought I would let dealer do a 15K to satisfy the warranty requirements. I questioned them about the trans service included and they said my unit (4 spd) uses T-4 fluid which is Toyota Synthetic. Not that I don't trust them , but does anyone know for sure if T-4 is Synthetic? I have been using Mobil 1 since 1K, and have been thinking about switching to a synthetic trans fluid when I got to 15K, but was surprised to hear that it already was.
As an 'interesting' side note, while talking to the wrench, he mentioned that some of the new '04s now come with a 'sealed', as he put it, trans. There is no service requirement for them. He
said they can't be drained??? According to him, these units don't even have a dip stick to check the fluid level. He said, if there is a problem, they are supposed to replace the entire unit, not fix it. Anybody heard anything on this?
As an 'interesting' side note, while talking to the wrench, he mentioned that some of the new '04s now come with a 'sealed', as he put it, trans. There is no service requirement for them. He
said they can't be drained??? According to him, these units don't even have a dip stick to check the fluid level. He said, if there is a problem, they are supposed to replace the entire unit, not fix it. Anybody heard anything on this?
#2
Contributing Member
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Santa Cruz, CA
Posts: 883
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
That is a really interesting strategy from Toyota. Replace $100 worth of fluid or thousands worth of transmission.
Anyone got the answers to TechWrench's question??
Anyone got the answers to TechWrench's question??
#3
Contributing Member
Re: T-4 fluid question?
Originally posted by TechWrench
According to him, these units don't even have a dip stick to check the fluid level. He said, if there is a problem, they are supposed to replace the entire unit, not fix it. Anybody heard anything on this?
According to him, these units don't even have a dip stick to check the fluid level. He said, if there is a problem, they are supposed to replace the entire unit, not fix it. Anybody heard anything on this?
#4
The T4 is pretty expensive. My wifes RAV4 used to use type T but Toyota no longer carries it. At the next change I will have to get the T4. At almost $5/qt it should be synthetic!? I have a quart of it at home. I'll check the label and get back to you. I did ask what would happen if you didn't use the T4 and put it DexronIII instead. They indicated that the transmission wouldn't even shift. I haven't heard anything about the '04 A/T. but I would be surprised if it was sealed
Paul
Paul
#5
Contributing Member
Re: T-4 fluid question?
Originally posted by TechWrench
As an 'interesting' side note, while talking to the wrench, he mentioned that some of the new '04s now come with a 'sealed', as he put it, trans. There is no service requirement for them. He
said they can't be drained??? According to him, these units don't even have a dip stick to check the fluid level. He said, if there is a problem, they are supposed to replace the entire unit, not fix it. Anybody heard anything on this?
As an 'interesting' side note, while talking to the wrench, he mentioned that some of the new '04s now come with a 'sealed', as he put it, trans. There is no service requirement for them. He
said they can't be drained??? According to him, these units don't even have a dip stick to check the fluid level. He said, if there is a problem, they are supposed to replace the entire unit, not fix it. Anybody heard anything on this?
#6
I looked and it doesn't appear to be synthetic. Says it contains petroleum products. Pretty expensive if you ask me. I don't think there are any substitutes for it, especially if your transmission is under warranty.
Paul
Paul
#7
Contributing Member
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Santee, CA
Posts: 2,724
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Many new cars have what is called a sealed transmission--ford, vw, bmw, isuzu, just to name a few. But in fact they all have a way of being checked, they have to. Some have a small check plug that the level should be up to.
Trending Topics
#8
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Glenville, NY
Posts: 513
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally posted by Marc P
Many new cars have what is called a sealed transmission--ford, vw, bmw, isuzu, just to name a few. But in fact they all have a way of being checked, they have to. Some have a small check plug that the level should be up to.
Many new cars have what is called a sealed transmission--ford, vw, bmw, isuzu, just to name a few. But in fact they all have a way of being checked, they have to. Some have a small check plug that the level should be up to.
#10
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Glenville, NY
Posts: 513
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally posted by Marc P
I think it is to put a wrench in the spokes of quick lubes, and general repair shops---its all a conspiracy
I think it is to put a wrench in the spokes of quick lubes, and general repair shops---its all a conspiracy
#12
It would seem that TechWrench has a Toyota SUV judging from the photo by his name, so what I'm about to say may not apply.
I just bought a 4x2 2004 Tacoma with an automatic transmission.
The owners manual makes no mention whatsoever about where/how to check the automatic transmission fluid level.
Somewhere on the WEB, I saw a photo of a 2.7l Toyota 4x4 with an arrow pointing to where the auto-tranny dipstick was. Looking at it from the front, this stick is on the passenger side under the hood. My 4x2 has the 2.4l engine. I looked and no stick?
Got to looking around some more and found it on the drivers side just below and to the left of the master cyl fluid reservoir.
The end of the stick has a small orange handle.
What was said earlier about checking the fluid from below may apply. In '96(maybe '97), Isuzu removed the tranny dip stick from their Rodeos. The Haynes manual showed how the fluid level had to be checked from underneath with a dealer tool.
Wouldn't surprise me if Toyota went this route for some of their vehicles.
As time goes by, they are making diyer maint. harder to do.
I just bought a 4x2 2004 Tacoma with an automatic transmission.
The owners manual makes no mention whatsoever about where/how to check the automatic transmission fluid level.
Somewhere on the WEB, I saw a photo of a 2.7l Toyota 4x4 with an arrow pointing to where the auto-tranny dipstick was. Looking at it from the front, this stick is on the passenger side under the hood. My 4x2 has the 2.4l engine. I looked and no stick?
Got to looking around some more and found it on the drivers side just below and to the left of the master cyl fluid reservoir.
The end of the stick has a small orange handle.
What was said earlier about checking the fluid from below may apply. In '96(maybe '97), Isuzu removed the tranny dip stick from their Rodeos. The Haynes manual showed how the fluid level had to be checked from underneath with a dealer tool.
Wouldn't surprise me if Toyota went this route for some of their vehicles.
As time goes by, they are making diyer maint. harder to do.
#13
Registered User
Join Date: May 2003
Location: northern N.J.
Posts: 88
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
From what I've read in thier "owners" manuals Toyota seems to be very sketchy about most of their change intervals, and in the 2003 taco manual the auto trans fluid refill quantity is wrong. Supposedly Amsoil 's synthetic atf is going to be an alternative to the T4 toyota fluid but I haven't seen it in writing from Amsoil yet .If and when that happens I'll post it. :pat:
#14
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: El Paso, TX
Posts: 1,705
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My VW has a sealed transmission. There is no dipstick in the engine compartment. To be checked the tranny fluid has to be at a specific temp (read hooked up to a diagnostic machine) and then a bolt and the plug behind it are removed and the fluid is checked just like on an axle. VW doesn't even recommend changing their fluid EVER which is disturbing at the very least.
#15
Contributing Member
On my 97 BMW I check the temp range of the ATF with a meat thermometer held against the bottom of the oil pan and covered with a towel to hold the heat in. The engine must be running when removing the fill plug to check the level. If the engine is not running ATF will come pouring out the fill plug. A real pain in the a$$ without a lift.
BMW's idea of "lifetime ATF" is the lifetime of the transmission not the lifetime of the car. And one must keep in mind they want you to buy more cars and parts from them. I've heard of some auto trannys with "lifetime ATF" only last 100K-150K miles. I changed the "lifetime ATF" in my BMW at 80K miles with some fresh Mobil 1 ATF. I also dropped the pans and changed the ATF filter and cleaned the magnets and pans.
BMW's idea of "lifetime ATF" is the lifetime of the transmission not the lifetime of the car. And one must keep in mind they want you to buy more cars and parts from them. I've heard of some auto trannys with "lifetime ATF" only last 100K-150K miles. I changed the "lifetime ATF" in my BMW at 80K miles with some fresh Mobil 1 ATF. I also dropped the pans and changed the ATF filter and cleaned the magnets and pans.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
jasonty
Pre 84 Trucks (Build-Up Section)
41
12-23-2018 01:00 PM
the1998sr5
95.5-2004 Tacomas & 96-2002 4Runners
6
07-16-2015 06:20 AM
Poncho0206
95.5-2004 Tacomas & 96-2002 4Runners
3
07-10-2015 06:21 PM