Amsoil for Tundra 2020 Towing ATF and Dif

After reading all the hubbub about Trans Cooling issues in the 19+, I am looking to see opinions on Amsoil full synthetic ATF and Dif fluid changes and thoughts on better temp management... let’s talk!

 

Highly unlikely that the temps would be reduced by any significant manner.

 

The temperature will not drop significantly as so much of the temperature is contributed to the hydraulics of the torque converter. If under warranty, non Toyota tranny fluid is a great way to get warranty work voided.

 

I've heard of Amsoil. Is this what you mean?

 

Amsoil users are like those people that knock on your door at inopportune times. Now that you've mentioned it, they're going to come to your door asking if you've met their lord and savior Amsoil, then give you a pamphlet as big as the phone book. They're like the Falken Wildpeak AT3 users.

 

I wouldn't change the fluid unless it is time on maintenance schedule. It would be interesting to be able to see the difference with a Temperature scanning device. Is the Amsoil fluid rated for higher temps? It may not lower the temps but if rated for higher Temps.......

 

Amsoil is the best oil. Tests have shown it is the best.

 

Not to be an ass, but if it is so good why don’t they get approval from Toyota as an approved replacement? Not saying that it is not better; it’s just a big gamble on a warranty. Also, do they really have your back? Or are they just trying to sell product?

Sorry for the rambling but I have just been listening to the same thing for 20 years.

 

I think OP was thinking the AMSOIL would handle the heat better and avoiding issues with stock fluids.

 

Are you saying the newer Tundras don’t have a transmission cooler? Let’s talk about this.

 

Fixed it for you.

 

Sounds like you have a solution in search of a problem. The debate is around the lack of cooler, not that Toyota’s oil is insufficient. No one has shown the OEM oil is not up to the task.

If you are concerned with cooling, get a cooler. If you are just trying to talk yourself into the expensive oil, well there’s nothing anyone can do here to help. We all suffer from the “Must Justify” flu on occasion.

 

There is already at least one thread dedicated to it.
Seems it may be a cost savings by Toyota. But their engineers had to be on board.
Folks are adding back the cooler to their newer models.

 

I was just being an A hole. I’m well aware of the hoopla on this site.

 

I should have known better, LOL

 

Thanks... I have researched the crap out of the missing cooler issue was just thinking Amsoil might have higher viscosity and breakdown temperatures. I don’t believe Toyota would remove the cooler if it was bad for the truck transmission. Just wanting to see if anyone had looked into the “hot fluid” reduction of a aftermarket oil.

 

I don't know about automobiles, but I have switched to AMSOIL in my 2001 GSXR 750, many years ago, and immediately noticed smoother shifting. Especially, going from N to 1st, and 1st to 2nd.

 

*looks away and whistles softly*

 

Because while Amsoil is better and surely exceeds Toyota’s standards, it is not cost effective for a manufacturer who sold 2.1M vehicles in the US last year. This is the same Toyota that deleted items like the drivers grab handle and the trans cooler from the Tundra. Also, Toyota gets cheaper oil elsewhere (Mobil1 engine oil, for example) that meets their standards.

Suppose the fluid can handle extremely high temps. Does it then follow that those temps are good for the transmission itself?

We have one Toyota engineer directly involved with the trans cooler, a contact of ColoradoTJ’s, speaking (1) NOT in a Toyota PR capacity and (2) on condition on anonymity that the external trans cooler deletion was a mistake, a penny pinching measure that will end up costing Toyota dollars when the failures from high temps—which this engineer said they’ve already seen—start to show up.

What I want to know is, how many miles were driven under what conditions that caused the failures this Toyota engineer is talking about?

I added an ext cooler, which was a very simple install, and will stick with OEM trans fluid for the remainder of my warranty. Then it’s Amsoil for me!

 

Amsoil outperforms all engine oils. It is more expensive than Mobile 1. What is your argument against it?

 

Amsoil signature ATF is 100% synthetic , Toyota Ws atf is a semi synthetic made by exxon mobil for toyota , its a mediocre atf , nothing special . Amsoil atf clearly states on that it can be used in place of Toyota WS . No reason to think that warranty will be a concern . On my 2019 I retrofitted my own trans cooler and swapped out the atf for amsoil signature series , I noticed an instant improvement in shift quality. I also run amsoil severe gear 75w90 gear oil in my Diffs.

I tow my 6500lb Jayco TT in the summer , trans temps stay nice and cool around 200 consistently.

 

Where do you buy amsoil products for a reasonable price?

 

Just like adding an additional cooler, adding the AMSOIL full synthetic will give you some additional margin of safety if you are towing at full capacity all the time. Changing fluid won't affect heat transfer in this situation.

There are also higher capacity aluminum pans with cooling fins. PML Toyota AB60E, AB60F Deep Transmission Pan (yourcovers.com)

There are group iii synthetics and group iv synthetics. This came from the improved processing of group ii oils into what is known as group iii oil but also a lawsuit between Mobil and Castrol.

Group iv synthetic is a PAO based oil that isn't 100% derived from a refinement of crude oil. Group iii synthetics are derived from a crude oil but are processed extensively including catalytic dewaxing and a process called severe hydrocracking.

The amsoil full synthetic is a PAO based (group iv) oil. Its ability to sustain >300F temps is greater than a group iii oil (like WS). Group iii oils are technically considered synthetic and have performance very near to a PAO oil. A major oil OEM (an oil super-major) I've recently worked with has tested their group iii base oils to 280 F and found no thermal degradation (inferred by acid concentration). Degradation was perceptible at temps above 300F. Group iv PAO synthetics are capable of >350F with no thermal degradation.

So the PAO group iv stuff can give you some extra margin at higher temps. The boutique oil manufacturers also have different additive packages that can assist in lowering wear on mechanical components. Word of caution--when switching to a PAO make sure the oil manufacturer has thoroughly tested the oil blend for adverse effects on soft goods like seals and o-rings. Some materials don't work well with PAO...

For reference Base Oil Groups Explained (machinerylubrication.com)

 

No it's not. As long as it is in spec with Toyotas requirements, any fluid is valid, and Toyota would have to prove it was the fluid that caused the issue.

 

Very harsh comment...But I like it and it is spot on.

 

I just order direct off their website.

 

The problem lies with manufacturers not releasing formulas and not approving companies like Amsoil to offer a replacement fluid. They have been doing this for decades. You may win out in the end with Toyota. But that would be a long and expensive battle. Heck, it probably would be cheaper to replace a transmission yourself than battle an automotive manufacturer about whether Amsoil contributed to the failure.