What automatic transmission fluid to use?

[jzwu]

I am going to change the automatic transmission fluid on my 2001 V6 Solara.

What fluid should I use? The owner's manual says use DEXRON II or III. I called local Toyota dealer and they charge $5.99/qtr.

Can I just use the cheaper stuff at Autozone? Any difference in the fluid? Does the Toyota fluid have some special additive as some people say?

[Ruski]

i don't know the answer to the additive part but i use only Toyota

[LEE337]

Ive never heard of an additive either.
Why go cheap on tranny fluid? Nothing but the best for my Lara.
I will never buy anything from autozone. Only Napa or Advanced Autoparts for my Gen 1. Every now and then I gotta go to he stealership.

[jzwu]

Well, I plan to do the drain and refill twice. Every cycle requires 5 qts per owner's manual. That's 10 qts total.

The Toyota fluid will cost $60 but the Vavoline fluid ATF Dexron III costs less than half. If there is no big difference, why not use Vavoline which is a reputation oil brand/company??

[Chinky420]

search, this topic has been covered before.

i'm using royal purple right now. RP has gotten mixed reviews from many different users on the board.

if you plan on doing a drain and refill twice, then you should use something cheap for the first time (since it's just being used to flush the system). and then the second time put whatever you want to keep in the tranny.

GL and have fun

[jzwu]

I have bought 10 qts Vavoline Max Life ATF at $4.49/qt for two drain and fills. It has pretty good reviews.

One question when I refill do I just add through the dipstick tube? Or, there is some other place to add the fluid?

[Dawgz]

I have bought 10 qts Vavoline Max Life ATF at $4.49/qt for two drain and fills. It has pretty good reviews.

One question when I refill do I just add through the dipstick tube? Or, there is some other place to add the fluid?

yes, thru the dipstick tube.

[lexmex]

Toyota Type IV fluid had an awful time with my RX when I was in Mexico City. I ended up having to change it frequently as the climate up there would wear turn that oil a lot darker a lot sooner (for lack of having access to other ATF fluids). When I got back to the US, I went with Amsoil ATF.

[jzwu]

For Gen 1, the correct ATF is Dexron II or III, not Type IV. My 2004 Sienna uses Type IV.

As I understand, different transmissions need to use their designated fluids. They are not interchangeable.