messysc

I changed my transmission fluid and vibrations are gone! That did the trick!!!

SupraCoup3

I'm glad to hear it...


VQT -- Toyota does not release the chemical compositions of their fluids. I don't think any aftermarket ATF is the same as toyota.


John

messysc

I check around and was told that castrol is about to send their comparable ATF to the market, but there was nothing else out there yet.

Lex Luthor

supracoup, your right, Toyota does not release their formulations, so there is no currently available equivalent to the Type IV, messysc, what did you hear from Castrol?

messysc

I was checking with some autoparts store looking for the type IV, one guy had me told me this, I think he was from Autzone.

VQT

Did you drop the trans. oil pan?

messysc

no, I just drained the 2 liters or so the sits in the pan.

hyperopt

No need to drop the pan when you have a drain plug unless you want to change the filter or clean debris if any.

SupraCoup3

I don't mean to knock autozone, but merely to be skeptic. I have found those guys regularly don't know what the heck they are talking about. For example. This one guy in one sentance talked to me about putting forced induction on his ford probe. He used supercharger and turbocharger interchangably. He also told me he was going to run 30-35 PSI on a supercharger. The only thing he has done to his car is tinting his windows, and maybe an exaust. Oh yea... he's got one of those japanese writing visors across his windsheild.


That all said, I don't trust people who work @ autozone. I've found that the people going to autozone to buy stuff are more helpful. (Example: I was told by a toyota mechanic about 1 year ago, before I knew much about cars that my car used T-IV transmission fluid and that I wouldn't find anything like it @ autozone. The guy @ the computer eventually bumbled his way to the same information.)


Be careful with the advice you get there.... It may just be my autozone, but the stuff they say is VERY fishy.


John

SupraCoup3

Also, if they knew allot about cars, they proably would be a mechanic or something better than a clerk @ autozone.

By the way, I don't think anyplace except Toyota Dealerships & Lexus dealerships have the T-IV fluid. But I suppose you already found that out the hard way.


Take it easy... but not too easy....

Lex Luthor

John, I couldn't agree with you more, the guys at the auto parts stores here are worthless, almost as knuckleheaded as my local Lexus dealer
- JonJon

VSsc400

iTrader: (1)

I get all my fluid service done @ Castrol oil change station. So far I have done 2 complete tranny drain and fill. its 150 bucks and they used their own ATF fluid. its a complete drain and refill (all 8L of it) They also had tranny pan and filter gasket kit for the SC400 in stock!. I paid $150 for the whole thing. I go there once a year to do an entire fluid exhange. Radiator, injector cleaning, oil, tranny fluid etc etc. Its costs me like $300 bucks but I think its worth it. They used the ATF fluid they had and 30K miles later I have no problem so I'm thinking their fluid is good too.

PERRYinLA

...if they operate like the "E Z Lube" that I visited here in Los Angeles, they probably used an additive that is added to Castrol Dextron III/Mercon to increase its friction characteristics to the point where it approaches the Toyota Type T-IV ATF specs.

I know of two firms that make this additive; there may be others.

LubeGard makes a $15 additive (treats 10 quarts) called
"Lubegard Highly Friction Modified ATF Supplement"
http://www.lubegard.com/automotive/trans_atf_hfm.html

...and a newer, $18 additive called
LUBEGARD® PLATINUM Universal ATFluid Protectant
http://www.lubegard.com/automotive/t..._platinum.html

Justice Brothers also made an ATF additive product, called:
"Justice Brothers Highly Friction Modified ATF SUPPLEMENT"
Part No. ATFS/57P (Heavy duty formula)
http://justicebrothers.com.control.i...nadditives.htm
They say they recently discontinued this product, but there may still be some in the distribution pipeline.

[CASTROL UPDATE: Wed, 8 May 2002:] <powercenter.feedback@cnacm.com> writes:
Thank you for contacting Castrol regarding Castrol Automatic Transmission Fluid (Reference: 117684)
As of this time, we are not working on a Toyota-compatible product. Sorry!
-Susan Howell

VSsc400

iTrader: (1)

I will be due for another oil change in 800 miles or so so next next saturday I will find out what they used. I do distinctively recall they use alot of justice brothers products. When they do my injectors cleaning they use justice brothers product. I'll let you know in 2 weeks.