The Castrol fluid is less expensive and easier to get a hold of. I change the fluid once a year.
Anyone have advice on their favorite fluid??

 

Is Toyota fluid that expensive in your area? They're normally priced about $4/bottle from the Toyota dealer while the Castrol stuff is about the same.

Although Castrol claims it's compatible with Toyota that requires T-IV, I would still go for the Toyota ATF if you only change fluids once a year. That's a $10 difference for a peace of mind?

Another option would be the Mobil 3309 if you can find it in your area, though I doubt it'll be as cheap as Castrol.

 

I use Castrol Import Multi-Vehicle, I've changed the trannsmission oil 5 times so far (over a period of 3 years), so it's now 100% Castrol Import Multi-Vehicle. It shifts great, I just came back from a 2,000 miles trip that I do every other month, and it performed flawlessly like always, it pulled up those steep grades easily, and downshifted smoothly.

 

I switched to Mobil 1 for my transmission at 95,000 miles. Car's still going strong at 140,000 miles (touch wood).

 

I've got about 170,000 and want to get to 250,000. May be too late to change to full synthetic from what ive heard. Thanks for the replies.

 

GS- I recently bought T-IV at a local TOYOTA dealer and the price was $5.99 a quart for 12 qts. When I priced T-IV at a local Lexus dealer (So. Cal.) in May of 2006 they wanted $7. a quart then. I stopped at a good sized Mobil dealer close to me before I bought at Toyota to inquire about the Mobil 3309 and he sent me around to the service area to ask the mechanic, and he told me they didn't carry it and if they did it would probably be as much as Toyota. Toyota has it made by Mobil, but makes it hard to buy it anywhere but from them (Toyota).

 

Mobil1 Syn ATF is currently not available on the shelves. It was pulled for recalls.

 

Check the local Mazda, Ford, and Volvo dealership. They may have some T-IV since many of their cars use the same fluid, but labeled under their own name so it may not necessarily have Toyota on it. They're all the same though.

If it's too much trouble, then just get the Castrol. I've used it other applications that calls for "OEM" fluid only and it works fine.

 

GS- Do you have any idea how Ford or the others that use that fluid price it compared to Toyota? It would be interesting to know, though I won't be needing it any more. I just did a complete change (drained and pumped through 12 qts.) on DIL's RX and at 148k mi. She probably won't need to change it again in the time she has the car. I did a complete drain and pump through on my wife's '02 Camry before delivering it to Alabama for our grandson. My wife's new 2011 Camry uses a different fluid in the 6 speed. I am guessing it's probably full synthetic. No way to check it or even look at it.

 

It's a hit and miss. Sometimes I see them for the same price while other times they're more expensive. The cheapest out of the three would be from Ford if I remember correctly.

Where in CA are you? If you're around the LA/OC area, then you can get them for under $4 a bottle. I racked up a few boxes of them just because it was so cheap.

 

Call and say you work for another dealership. Ask for "dealer" price ing... I bought a box of the stuff oem Toyota, for 40$ and change. Cost is around 3$/ bottle.

 

I live in Fountain Valley. I shouldn't need any more T-IV but if I do I'll try Ford. The same dealer (Toyota) sold the T-IV to me for $4.25 a qt. by the case in '06 but they gave me a good deal on it then and they no longer are so charitable. Even the online parts places where you can get really good prices on OEM parts have never had the T-IV or Anti-freeze at a reasonable price, although they sell the OEM Toyota.

 

Try heading up to Norwalk Toyota. They usually have coupons and they're on sale for $3.69 right now. It's the cheapest place that I know of where you can just walk in and buy a case. It's probably out of your way, but may be a good place to look at if you're ever in the area.

I live in Westminster so I normally go to Elmore Toyota for other parts, but their pricing on fluid is pretty expensive.