Transmission fluid

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.

 

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

 

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

 

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.

 

Here's what I used on my 2004. Price is about the same.

$48 Toyota 00279-000T4 Automatic Transmission Fluid, 192 Ounces, 6 Pack

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07BZ9P4BQ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I used the remaining 1.5 quarts to flush/fill the power steering system

 

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.

 

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.

 

Thanks everyone for your feedback

 

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.

 

Another MaxLife user here for over 100k miles and no issues. Drain and Fill. Then Repeat as needed.

 

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

 

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

going to grab a couple gallons of the max life.

 

Exactly, and with less expensive fluid you are more prone to change the fluid out more often, imo

 

Unless you spend it on tasty, frosty beverages...in which case you might buy the wrong fluid.