MTL_4runner

David, I hope I'm not sounding confronational as I certainly don't intend to do so. Also good info on the top treat marketing (which certainly makes sense), but I'd still like to see some numbers on the differences between Dextron III, Dextron IV and Type T-IV fluid. Its just like coolant, unless you know what's in there you have no idea how they work or why one is better under some situations that others. I mean I was running an off the shelf long-life coolant until I really understood how each one works and why one was better than another in certain situations.....in the end it completely changed my view on the importance of running proper coolant. I can spend time digging it all up on tranny fluids too, but it sounds like you might know this stuff already so please post it so we can all benefit. Most of us on YT are fairly technical so the more technical info for comparison the better (fluid characteristics, base stocks, etc).....I don't doubt you, but show me why T-IV is better than Dextron III

rearviewmirror

If not running the Toyota ATF then I would recommened this. " Mobil ATF 3309 is recommended for use in transmissions made by Aisin-Warner requiring a fluid approved against Type T-IV, JWS 3309, GM 9986195 and Audi G-052-025-A2. These Aisin-Warner transmissions are used in CERTAIN domestic and foreign vehicles, including Toyota, Lexus, Audi, Saturn, Ford, Volvo, Volkswagen, Saab, Porsche and Mitsubishi."

http://mobil1.com/USA-English/MotorO..._ATF_3309.aspx

http://www.mobil.com/USA-English/Lub...scriptionTitle

mt_goat

Have you seen that anywhere or is it just a special order thing?

rearviewmirror

I have seen it locally a few times, if they don't have it ask them to get your some. It's in most large auto part stores database. Mobil1 might actually be the maker the of the Toyota T-IV, I mean someone has to fill those bottles. That's the thought over at Bob is the Oil Guy anyways. Just waiting for someone to pony up some virgin samples of both so they can be tested against each other.

This is direct from the Mobil1 site:

http://store.avlube.com/mobilatf3309.html

Or buy Mobil products online at:

Autobarn.com
Avlube.com
Eliteetc.com
MSCDirect.com

nrgetic99

Jaime et al...

It will take me a few days to get some stuff into the right format but without insulting anyone's intelligence, this conversation IS my job.

I can quote tests which are meaningless to you but would answer your question defintively.

Just to get us all started.

The word is DEXRON and should have a copyright symbol. Its is not DEXTRON or some other variant. There was a 'II', a IIE' a IIIG and a IIIH but as each spec replaces the last, these subtleties are difficult to see.

There never was an IV but there is now a VI.

Toyota have had a T-III and now a T-IV since their transmissions took a significant departure from GM transmissions.

The key here is to find soemthing that is meaningful based on everyones background knowledge.

Give me some time ...

David

MTL_4runner

David, no worries and that's exactly why I asked you to educate us all.
I would be nice to have a thread we can all refer back to when people ask about tranny fluid in the future.

mt_goat

Thanks for the good info David, it's been 5 years now and I still refer back to this. Any thing new now to add?

mastacox

For what it's worth I've been using the Amsoil heavy duty transmission fluid for a long time now and have great shifts (with a tightened kickdown cable, no VB job). I have drained the pan every 50,000 and the fluid comes out nearly as red as it goes in.

Good stuff, I'm sold!

mt_goat

Hey Brian, I was checking into that on the Amsoil site and noticed the Multi-Vehicle ATF has the Toyota T-IV rating but the Torque-DriveŽ doesn't so that is the only thing that has me shying away from that choice. I'm sure both choices are better than most ATF on the market though. Thanks my friend.

mastacox

Works for me, I went off the recommended products list for my year 4runner- it lists both the "standard" multi-vehicle ATF, and the Torque Drive. I just went with Torque Drive, but looking at their specs side by side they're basically identical as far as I can tell (numbers are a little different here and there, but it's hard to say what the relevance of each number is to the performance of a transmission).

Either one probably works the same for us, and they both cost the same so it could be that for all intensive puproses it doesn't even matter.