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Transmission fluid

Discussion in '1st Gen Tundras (2000-2006)' started by shoe07, Feb 1, 2021.

  1. Feb 1, 2021 at 8:38 AM
    #1
    shoe07

    shoe07 [OP] New Member

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    I’m planning on doing two drain in fills of the transmission. I read Toyota’s owners manual and found they want type T-IV.

    I know idemitsu is a supplier of oil for Honda (unsure who Toyota’s is) and make quite good products. Their TLS is the Toyota equivalent type T-IV. This price appears decent for 5 qts.

    I was going to check in with the local Toyota dealer on their price for the oil.

    Do we have a consensus on oils for the transmission? My searching netted tons of gen 2 and gen3 stuff. Didn’t find much on gen 1

    I also plan on doing a coolant change. I read it takes 11+ qts. So I expect I’ll need 3 gallons? Was going to get the Toyota super long life.

    73A7D231-01FE-45B3-9343-51AA5107D224.jpg
     
    ick23 likes this.
  2. Feb 1, 2021 at 8:54 AM
    #2
    FirstGenVol

    FirstGenVol Brake Czar

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    I use Valvoline Maxlife. Best price is at Wal-Mart. When you do a drain+fill you'll get out 4-5 quarts.

    We have other members that like the non-synthetic version https://www.walmart.com/ip/Valvoline-DEX-MERC-ATF-Automatic-Transmission-Fluid-1-QT/15125788

    I'm sure you can't go wrong with either one. I'm not familiar with the one you linked but it seems expensive.

    A good alternative to Toyota coolant is Zerex Asian blend. It apparently check all the boxes needed for our trucks. FYI, there are two 10mm drain plugs on the bottom of the engine block used to drain all the coolant.
    https://www.walmart.com/ip/Valvolin...-006-1775e83003a03b&athancid=null&athena=true
     
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  3. Feb 1, 2021 at 9:04 AM
    #3
    shoe07

    shoe07 [OP] New Member

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    Thanks for the info, are these drain bolts obvious? Could someone refer their location out of the fsm?

     
  4. Feb 1, 2021 at 9:16 AM
    #4
    FirstGenVol

    FirstGenVol Brake Czar

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    As soon as you crawl under there you will see the pan for the transmission. Your 04 should be the same as mine. The drain bolt will be obvious. You will refill through the dipstick.

    upload_2021-2-1_12-12-31.jpg
     
    Darkness likes this.
  5. Feb 1, 2021 at 9:27 AM
    #5
    Mustanley

    Mustanley Two time totaler

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    Eibach Shocks/Coils|Doug Thorley Headers|Spintech 3000XL Muffler
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  6. Feb 1, 2021 at 9:35 AM
    #6
    Festerw

    Festerw New Member

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    I used Mobil 3309 in mine the last time since I was able to buy a case for $60. Next time I plan to use Valvoline Maxlife ATF since it now lists Toyota Type IV as a supported type.

    Bonus as it's only $18 for a gallon.
     
    ick23 likes this.
  7. Feb 1, 2021 at 5:58 PM
    #7
    SouthPaw

    SouthPaw The headlight guy

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    Another Valvoline max life vote here. It’s cheap, synthetic and available at any Wally World/parts store. Not sure how old/good my trans fluid was when I bought the truck but after the first drain and fill, it was immediately shifting smoother. It’s part of my oil change routine now.
     
  8. Feb 2, 2021 at 5:38 AM
    #8
    shoe07

    shoe07 [OP] New Member

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    Thanks everyone for your feedback
     
  9. Feb 2, 2021 at 4:50 PM
    #9
    tmac58star

    tmac58star New Member

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    In my neck of the woods, the Toyota dealer is hands-down favorite on price...competitive with Stuff Mart and certified approved for your truck.
     
  10. Feb 2, 2021 at 5:15 PM
    #10
    SouthWestGA

    SouthWestGA New Member

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    Another MaxLife user here for over 100k miles and no issues. Drain and Fill. Then Repeat as needed.
     
  11. Feb 2, 2021 at 5:26 PM
    #11
    Pucks18

    Pucks18 Fleabit peanut monkey

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    the Toyota stuff is just as approved as the DeX 3 valvoline atf I use. On my atf plug on my 01 tundra it says DeX 3 right on it, for parts I'm all about Toyota only, including oil filters and such. But fluids, eh
     
  12. Feb 2, 2021 at 5:41 PM
    #12
    shoe07

    shoe07 [OP] New Member

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    Checked with my dealer and they charge 8.25 a qt. No thank you.

    going to grab a couple gallons of the max life.
     
    Pucks18 likes this.
  13. Feb 2, 2021 at 5:55 PM
    #13
    Pucks18

    Pucks18 Fleabit peanut monkey

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    Exactly, and with less expensive fluid you are more prone to change the fluid out more often, imo
     
  14. Feb 4, 2021 at 5:56 PM
    #14
    tmac58star

    tmac58star New Member

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    Unless you spend it on tasty, frosty beverages...in which case you might buy the wrong fluid.
     
    Pucks18 likes this.
  15. Jul 22, 2023 at 12:45 PM
    #15
    TuffTundy

    TuffTundy I had a Tundra before it was cool.

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    Is there supposed to be a gasket on the bolt plug for the ATF pan? I’m doing a drain refill on my 2000 Tundra and there was no gasket on the bolt….
     
  16. Jul 22, 2023 at 2:06 PM
    #16
    bfunke

    bfunke Tundra Curmudgeon

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    My 2000 AC has a thin fiber washer on the ATF drainplug
     
  17. Jul 22, 2023 at 2:14 PM
    #17
    Jack McCarthy

    Jack McCarthy Truck repair enthusiast; Rust Aficionado

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    The original was fiber type washer (non-crushable). Subsequent replacements were a metal crush gasket.

    I’ve had my truck since new so I know.
     
  18. Jul 22, 2023 at 2:16 PM
    #18
    Jack McCarthy

    Jack McCarthy Truck repair enthusiast; Rust Aficionado

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    Goto the dealer and pick up a $2-$3 crush gasket. They all have them in stock.
     
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  19. Jul 22, 2023 at 2:25 PM
    #19
    TuffTundy

    TuffTundy I had a Tundra before it was cool.

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    Weird, mine didn’t have that. First time I’ve ever changed the ATF oil and I’ve owned the entire 23 years.

    I already screwed it back in with no washer and there are no leaks so far. :fingerscrossed:
     
  20. Jul 22, 2023 at 2:32 PM
    #20
    TuffTundy

    TuffTundy I had a Tundra before it was cool.

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    I also just unscrewed the ATF plug on my 2001 Sequoia and no washer/gasket either :monocle:
     
  21. Jul 22, 2023 at 2:48 PM
    #21
    Jack McCarthy

    Jack McCarthy Truck repair enthusiast; Rust Aficionado

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    Maybe they didn’t have them originally then later decided to have one in the middle of the production year?
     
  22. Jul 22, 2023 at 4:22 PM
    #22
    GreenMachineDream

    GreenMachineDream New Member

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    For what my two cents is worth I'd recommend always going with OEM fluid straight from the dealership. For the extra $3 a quart I get peace of mind dealing with a critical unit. However, I'm a big fan of either Aisin or even the stuff from WallyWorld. Cheers!
     

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