World Standard ATF

I just spoke to my dealer about changing fluids and at what mileage. To my surprise he did not know the mileage for fluids.

He did say that the ATF fluid is "lifetime" and it is called World Standard. He did not know what the definition of "lifetime" meant and said "it's the lifetime of the vehicle".

I want to change from the dealer fluids to something better like AMSoil.

I occasionally tow and drive to AZ from CA and was told to look into a Differential cooler cover.

Any thoughts on this "World Standard ATF" fluid?

Thanks in advance

2015 Tundra CrewMax
5.7l Automatic
45000miles

 

They told me the same crap when I called the dealer I purchased the truck from. It all depends on which dealer you call, I called another Toyota dealer near me and they performed a Transmission fluid service for $250. If the truck's transmission was not sealed and too overly-complicated, I would have done it myself. It was worth it to just have the dealership do it. Many times the dealership will let you bring your own fluid up there and they will use it instead, if you wanted to use Amsoil instead.

I would call other local dealerships and see what they say, if they say the same thing, you could be hosed.
However one can perform the service himself, you just have to be very exact.

I am not sure about the differential cooler cover, I am going to say you should not need one but since you are in Arizona, it may not be a bad idea. I think I saw that someone else had one on here as well...don't remember who...

 

The WS ATF is the correct fluid for the transmission. The Tundra doesn't have a differential cover.

 

The WS ATF works just fine and it's difficult to properly adjust the level on your own with the transmissions currently used (has to be at a certain temperature and uses an overflow plug). It's called "lifetime" due to EPA regulations. Toyota has to certify that the fluid will last at least 100,000 miles or face extra fees (taxes) from the EPA. I wouldn't trust any hydraulic or lubricating oil to last the entire life of the truck and switch it out every so often. For the rear differential it's a third member (as opposed to cast centersection like domestic pickups) and has no cover. It has a carrier that you can pull out of the housing to re-gear on a bench though. You could always use some 85W-140 oil in the rear and put some copper tubing on the rear face to aid in cooling.

 

Just to give you an idea of what a third member looks like here's mine getting an ARB installed.

 

many other brand transmission fluids meet Toyotas ws criteria I personally use Valvoline maxlife full synthetic fluid change every 30k nothing is lifetime! also $250 for trans fluid change is crazy, my shop we charge $130 and we are on the higher price side for my area. you could have done yourself for $30 worth of fluid actually quite easy to do

 

Changing the trans fluid can't hurt but I would have a dealer or highly qualified independent tech do it. And would strongly recommend sticking with the factory fluid! How much time and money do you think the engineers spent coming up with what works for a trans that is designed and engineered to last at least 500k? But if you like to take chances. Go ahead and put something else in YOUR truck and let us know how far it makes it before your spending large for a new trans!

 

Didn't mean to be an ass, just that I don't think an automatic transmission is something that I personally would experiment on. Especially one as technically advanced as ours. Does amsoil make a fluid that they say is specifically designed for the tundra trans? If so, then it might be ok.

 

not to start an argument but do you really think Toyota makes their own fluids? its not worth it for a vehicle manufacturer to make fluids they just buy them from companies like mobil and Valvoline. do you buy your oil from the dealer? why would you right? oil is oil buy the brand you like. if a transmission fluid from a reputable company says it meets Toyota ws specs than it will work why pay dealer price for same thing? maybe I think that changing trans fluid on a tundra is easy since ive done it hundreds of times (I'm a tech) but it really is easy even for do it yourselfer

 

I would like to be able to change the fluid myself in the future. Could you create a guide or Youtube video. I am sure many people could do it themselves if they had to, without a guide. However I believe having the guide, would add enough confidence for many people, so that they would do it themselves.

 

I think this is pretty much what you're looking for....https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7M9OF-8bs8

 

OMG! Shut Up and Take my Money!!

How much? How Long did it take to install? Who installs? Where did you buy it? Do you like it? Any problems with it?

I'm may be moving to Idaho and will need to tell my wife I need this (....and a Camburg long haul package..)

 

My wife owns a BMW and on the top of the oil cap it says " BMW recommends Castrol Syntec...."

Not because they own Castrol oil but because (my theory) ....Castrol paid a large amount of money too them for that sticker to get placed on the oil cap.

If the oil is good quality then I'll keep it in there. I have heard it's no good for those that like to tow and to replace it. This is why I ask ...replace or not to replace.

 

Very similar to this
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/diy-full-flush-for-automatic-transmission.68462/

 

I haven't even looked up what fluid our trucks use. I have heard that the reason there is no dipstick is because they don't want Joe public messing with the trans and that it's not a good idea to fool around with the fluid. That info could be untrue. I do know that Toyota doesn't make their own fluids. But they do use high quality and some are specifically formulated to Toyota's specifications. Just seems like the safe way to go. But if there is a superior alternative that has no chance of causing damage, I'm all ears.

 

And I do buy the Mobil one from the dealer. It costs like $5.00 more to have them change it for me than it would to do it myself. I'm not even sure my drain pan would hold it all.

 

This is an excellent DIY. It is too bad that it is fro a 2WD Tacoma; However I am sure that the overall process is likely quite similar.

 

The differential was about $1100, the compressor about $150 (this can be more if you get one that can inflate tires), I bought it from 4-Wheel Parts, had it installed by a local mechanic I trust, and took about 12 hours of total work to set up. I've had no problems and most people that do didn't have a good mechanic install it (air leaks are the most common problem).

It's supposed to be more accurate than a dipstick.

 

It's pretty much the same process of the 2000 Landcruiser video posted a few posts earlier. I'd check and verify type of fluid to use, verify line coming back from oil cooler, and verify what pins to jump to put it in temp check mode. Probably virtually the same steps for all Toyota sealed transmissions. I did my 4x4 Tacoma a few weeks ago and it was easy... but I'd definitely try to verify a couple things first.

 

There is a DYI on transmission fluids on the site somewhere, including opening the thermostat to get the fluid from the cooler.

Basically drain pain, fill pan, run engine pumping out about 3L from return line, stop, drain pan, fill pan and repeat a few times. I think mine took 12L of fluid.

Temp check mode for volume involves a series of shifts of transmission, also listed in write up.

All in all, an easy enough job. Just get some tubing to snake down to the filler on transmission, pumping by had gets old fast.

I'd look for a link but I'm in bed and my wife is wondering what's going on on my phone!

 

I posted this same question on teh Bobistheoilguy forum:
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/u...ue/Re:_World_Standard_Toyota_ATF?#Post4457137

Sounds like this "World Standard" is a below mediocre fluid. I'd like to see if someone has tested it against known top performer fluids.

 

This is a World Standard fluid change:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiGPFhJdTwg

I don't want that in my truck. If there is no dipstick then how can someone check it?

 

Anyone know if this is the right way to change the fluid out? I know it's not on a Tundra but....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=maK7HsGEEls

 

I came across this site as well. Anyone use it?

https://techinfo.toyota.com/techInf...nfpb=true&_pageLabel=ti_home_what_is_tis_page

 

Guys over at Tacomaworld are claiming great accuracy with the Scangauge II for checking trans temperature

 

I don't understand why Toyota has a sealed transmission. I was just at the dealer and the Service Rep. said to syphon the ATF fluid out of the dipstick "if there is one" and refill through the dipstick. Then I asked about the sealed transmission and he laughed and said "Thats why I have a 2012 Tacoma". He didn't understand the reasoning behind the sealed transmission either.

There is a good article over at TundraHeadquarters. I'm doing the drain and replacing with AMSoil.

3 Golden Rules of Automatic Transmission Maintenance


1. Do not ‘flush’ an automatic transmission. Drain and then refill it. “Flushing” a transmission via some machine is a bad idea because:

• As time goes by, various particulates (clutch material, sludge, etc.) accumulate inside your transmission
• Most of this accumulation settles into the nooks and crannies of the transmission valve body
• If fluid is forced thru the transmission, it disturbs the accumulation
• If the “power flush” is sufficiently powerful, it will dislodge years worth of particulates all at once

As you can imagine, years worth of particulates floating around in some fresh transmission fluid are bad for your transmission. These particulates can even lead to failure.

So, tell the shop not to flush the transmission. Just drain and refill.

NOTE: Draining doesn’t get rid of all the fluid in the transmission – it’s true. Something like 1/5th of the old fluid remains in your transmission. As bad as that is (not that bad), it’s much better than disturbing all the “gunk” that’s harmlessly settled away inside your transmission.

2. Do not change fluid more than the factory recommends. While new fluid will not harm your transmission, the process of draining and then refilling it is not always followed correctly. Many shops will complete this process incorrectly, in fact, which is why Toyota issued the TSB we’re sharing above.

Think about it this way: If Toyota has to explain the proper process to their dealers, odds are good someone is going to screw up your transmission service if you give them a chance.

Therefore, do not change your fluid any more (or less) than recommended by the factory maintenance manual.

3. Do not listen to people who’s advice disagrees with the factory. Toyota has a global reputation for quality. If Toyota says that you should not “flush” your transmission (and that is precisely what they say), than you should not flush the transmission.

Unfortunately, a LOT of people (be they independent mechanics, dealership service advisors, or internet know-it-alls) recommend flushing your transmission and/or draining and refilling it more than recommended. If you encounter one of these people, take their advice with a grain of salt.

Bottom Line: Consult your maintenance manual. All the answers to your maintenance questions are in there.

 

Meaning he had a 12 Tacoma because he didn't like the thought of no dipstick?

 

It's been a while now but I want to say $800 counting the installation of the compressor and switches as well. This can vary greatly depending on if you want a custom compressor bracket made, have some sort of electrical control circuitry installed, and whether you go to an actual shop or just a friend that you trust. You want to find someone who will take their time; it's a real problem if you have to yank the carrier out because it's leaking air. It's definitely a two-man lift to get the 10.5" carrier out safely and without damage.