Don't procrastinate on your ATF changes!
05-09-07, 07:26 AM
#31
How about Dexron IV? That's what they sell nowadays.
05-09-07, 02:10 PM
#33
Toyota Type IV is synthetic right?
05-11-07, 04:24 PM
#34
Lead Lap
Thread Starter
No! All ATF is synthetic in that it is made of base stock with additives but Type IV is not synthetic in the usual marketplace assumption of the word. However, I am wondering if there are ANY synthetics out there that meet Toyota/Lexus Type IV criteria?
05-11-07, 06:49 PM
#35
Technically, no. The ATF T-IV sold under the Toyota label is a synthetic blend. Let me reiterate some of the comments made previous by salimshah and TunedRX300.
The T-IV spec is actually an Aisin-Warner requirement. Anyone using these transmissions has an identical specification: Type T-IV, JWS 3309, GM 9986195 and VW/Audi G-055-025-A2.
ExxonMobil sells an ATF 3309 and any Ford, GM, Audi, VW, Mazda, etc. which sell ATF that meets one of the above specs is selling an ATF you can use.
Several of the major oil companies recommend their "universal" or "multi-vehicle" products for the same specification. These are synthetic blends as well.
Pennzoil® Multi-Vehicle ATF
Castrol Import Multi-Vehicle
Would find it hard for anyone to convince me that the Mazda labeled T-IV (picture at bottom) is any different than the Toyota T-IV. Any of the above should be fine. Now, does Amsoil sell the only "fully synthetic" T-IV qualified ATF? I know of several Toyota WS spec ATFs that are fully synthetic. However, WS spec may be so strict that it can only be met by a fully synthetic ATF. And their cost is nearly $9 a quart which puts it right there with Amsoil.
Personally, I do not think it matters which you use, full or part synthetic. More important to flush and change the ATF at the proper intervals if not sooner. If you have a bad trans, it is only a matter of time regardless of the type oil. However, this is just one man's opinion.
The T-IV spec is actually an Aisin-Warner requirement. Anyone using these transmissions has an identical specification: Type T-IV, JWS 3309, GM 9986195 and VW/Audi G-055-025-A2.
ExxonMobil sells an ATF 3309 and any Ford, GM, Audi, VW, Mazda, etc. which sell ATF that meets one of the above specs is selling an ATF you can use.
Several of the major oil companies recommend their "universal" or "multi-vehicle" products for the same specification. These are synthetic blends as well.
Pennzoil® Multi-Vehicle ATF
Castrol Import Multi-Vehicle
Would find it hard for anyone to convince me that the Mazda labeled T-IV (picture at bottom) is any different than the Toyota T-IV. Any of the above should be fine. Now, does Amsoil sell the only "fully synthetic" T-IV qualified ATF? I know of several Toyota WS spec ATFs that are fully synthetic. However, WS spec may be so strict that it can only be met by a fully synthetic ATF. And their cost is nearly $9 a quart which puts it right there with Amsoil.
Personally, I do not think it matters which you use, full or part synthetic. More important to flush and change the ATF at the proper intervals if not sooner. If you have a bad trans, it is only a matter of time regardless of the type oil. However, this is just one man's opinion.
05-12-07, 05:08 AM
#36
How do you comare this with the Honda-Acura ATZ ATF....they also claim that this is the only tranny fluid we need to use. The ATZ is not synthetic. I keep a case of the ATZ and do my drain and fill every 2 oil changes...for my TL.
05-12-07, 07:32 AM
#37
Lexus Test Driver
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AMSOIL is 100% Synthetic ATF. You can get it for much less then the $9.05 list price if you go to their webpage & cllick on "Preferred Cust." Then register for a 6 month($10) or 1 year($20) order member & save big $$. Use my Customer #66180 to get the oil flowing.
05-12-07, 08:10 AM
#38
Super Moderator
Amsoil has been fine thus far with some that use it in the RX300 forum for ATF. If I could get it down here or import it without red tape and $$$, it would go in my RX in a split second, but for now Type-IV at Toyota will do.
05-12-07, 11:03 AM
#39
Thanks RX330inFL to post a Mazda T-IV picture.
Mobil 3309 and Toyota T-IV have the same shaped bottle.
It is obvious that Mobil just use put differnet labels on similiar shaped bottle, but use the same assembly/package line to package these ATFs.
Honda Z1 is different than T-IV. I researched about experience of Amsoil users in both Lexus and Acura forum but there is no one reported any shift problem or failure. That gave me the confidence to buy a case last year.
Now I have used Amsoil Universial ATF for 13K in my 2G TL and 20K in my RX300 with no problem. Both trannies are suspectible, I want additional high temperature oxidation resistance so synthetic ATF to give additional protection.
Mobil 3309 and Toyota T-IV have the same shaped bottle.
It is obvious that Mobil just use put differnet labels on similiar shaped bottle, but use the same assembly/package line to package these ATFs.
Honda Z1 is different than T-IV. I researched about experience of Amsoil users in both Lexus and Acura forum but there is no one reported any shift problem or failure. That gave me the confidence to buy a case last year.
Now I have used Amsoil Universial ATF for 13K in my 2G TL and 20K in my RX300 with no problem. Both trannies are suspectible, I want additional high temperature oxidation resistance so synthetic ATF to give additional protection.
Last edited by TunedRX300; 05-12-07 at 11:09 AM.
05-16-07, 06:29 PM
#40
For now, I will stick to Oem recommendations. I use Z1 for my TL, every 15k~20K miles (every 3~4 oil changes, depending on how the fluid looks and smells). And I will use Type IV for my RX, I am just waiting on trying to get some from a Toyota dealer, I have 24K now, will probably do it on 30K.
04-09-08, 09:17 AM
#41
Driver School Candidate
Ok, searched for a few days for a DIY transmission fluid change for RX330, but did not find one.
I found one for RX300, which I don't think differs greatly.
It's here:
http://rx300how2.home.comcast.net/~r...id_change1.htm
Q 1: Anyone know of a 2nd Gen RX ATF change DIY, prefferably with pics?
I am planning on using the Toyota T-IV, seems much more readily available. Also found amsoil atf on their site.
Q 2: How much is the amsoil ATF per quart with the discount program??
I found one for RX300, which I don't think differs greatly.
It's here:
http://rx300how2.home.comcast.net/~r...id_change1.htm
Q 1: Anyone know of a 2nd Gen RX ATF change DIY, prefferably with pics?
I am planning on using the Toyota T-IV, seems much more readily available. Also found amsoil atf on their site.
Q 2: How much is the amsoil ATF per quart with the discount program??
04-09-08, 09:32 AM
#42
Fairly easy. Just like changing your oil. You have to tear down the underside cover, revealing the tranny plug-bolt. Drain, and fill. The manual confirms how many quarts required for your car, RX330 and RX350. I bought a case of the T-IV fluid and have drained and filled every 15,000 miles, minimum.
08-25-08, 11:11 AM
#44
Fairly easy. Just like changing your oil. You have to tear down the underside cover, revealing the tranny plug-bolt. Drain, and fill. The manual confirms how many quarts required for your car, RX330 and RX350. I bought a case of the T-IV fluid and have drained and filled every 15,000 miles, minimum.
08-25-08, 12:17 PM
#45
As I have read, there's not much to complain about the Lexus Rx's, so people still pick on something....and that's the weird operation of the trannies. So far, is it true that there are no recalls for the 04 RX330? My 98 TL has 2, it was listed in the Acura website, fortunately done while I was not the owner yet. That confirms how good the reliability is.
I haven't heard of outright transmission failure on the 2nd gen RX330/350, but if you go by the 1st gen RX transmission you better sure hope it is a lot better.
PS. Just had a complete rebuild of my fathers ES300 transmission. Transmission just crapped out on him. Same problem as with my moms older ES300 but it cleared up long enough for us to get rid of the car.