I am about to change the auto tranny fluid on wifey's 99 Lexus RX300 and I would prefer not to have to pay the premium price of the Toyota brand at the dealership if there is a domestic brand that is functionally equivalent.

Any recommendations?

 

You might like to check Amsoil. I think they have a Dexron III ATF that meets Toyota T-IV requirements.

HTH.

 

Thanks, Roy, I might consider that.

But is the Toyota T-IV similar to either the Mercon or Dextron III or Ford type F, or is it completely different? I'd like not to mix dissimilar fluids on a regular fluid change where not all the tranny fluid is exchanged.

Surely not every one on this board with an auto tranny uses the Toyota brand fluid. What do the rest of you use?

 

I use Dexron 3. Dex 3 and Type F are totally different fluids for the different types of clutch materials used in the tranny so you cannot mix them. I was unaware that Toyota had a different type of fluid.

 

Toyota specified Dexron II or higher for my truck's tranny (A340F). I use Red Line High Temp ATF which meets Dexron III requirements.

Toyota came out with a T-IV ATF early in the 1990's, I think, but they reverted back to Dexron II/III. However, I was told that late model Land Cruisers (UZJ100) came out specified with Toyota T-IV atf. It is my understanding that Toyota T-IV atf meets Dexron II/III requirements. I just don't know if Dexron II/III meets Toyota T-IV requirements.

EDIT: High-end ATF brands (such as Red Line and Amsoil) usually meet both Dexron III and Mercon IV requirements. Product specifications and referenced standards are usually indicated in the product label. But I think Type F should NEVER be mixed with either Dexron or Mercon atf.

HTH.

 

I have limited experience with Toyota products. All I know is that my wife's '99 RX300 just specifys T T-IV and the same for my daughter's '03 Corolla. I have used Redline products with good results in several GM vehicles over the years. Perhaps I should research Redline's website to see if they mention compatibility with T Type-IV.

It is interesting to hear that Toyota has specified Dexron in the past.

 

Here you go:

http://www.amsoil.com/products/trans...fluid_rec.aspx

I tried the Red Line site but there was no mention of a Red Line ATF that's compatible to Toyota T-IV requirements:

http://www.redlineoil.com/products_g...sp?subcatID=19

HTH.

 

Roy, thanks for the Amsoil link.

Well, earlier today I went to the Toyota stealership and they gave me a discount on a 12 qt case of T-IV. So I bought it. I was told by the parts guy that they get asked that question about compatibilty with Dextron. He claimed that the T-IV is synthetic and also that Dextron III is really not compatible. I guess that is what I would expect him to say.