I had heard changing the tranny oil to something other than Toyota oil was bad. I did a search here though and could not find a discussion about it. I know Audi guys have experienced bad shifting and even tranny failures when using non-Audi ATF. The bad shifting trannys "fixed" them selves when they received Audi ATF. Also, the GM 5 spd truck trannys of old trannys are sensitive to non GM gear oil ( know this from experience in my old TLC).

I ask only because I would love to run Redline ATF but am fearful. Any thoughts on running non Toyota ATF?

 

I don't remember the specific thread ( try a search for Type IV ), but as I understand it, the new trans use Type IV toyota fluid which is a synthetic. And using a different fluid that doesn't match their foumula could result in performance problems.

 

Not sure but I would suspect that redline would be a better oil than the yota one... I for one love redline productions but it's abit too $$ for me.

 

Can you tell us what your owners manual states? You should be able to use any brand that conforms to the spec that Toyota tells you is OK in their manual (IE if it calls for dexron III then you can use redlines Dexron III). I can tell you that there are big differences between fluid specs such as mercon , dexron , and ATF +3 & +4 . You cannot interchange any of these fluids as as replacment for another. You must use what the manufacturer states is the correct fluid.
Hope this helps,
Richard S.

 

You need to use any oil that meets the spec of the required type. (I think the 04 uses T-IV) If the redline matches that spec, it should be OK. All the different manufactures (ford, chrysler, etc) are using different "friction modifiers" in their oils. You need the correct one for your vehicle, but it could be made by anyone that meets the specs.

 

The manual states very clearly to only use Toyota ATF, cant remember the type, etc. So it would probably be best just to stick with and change it when needed.