Professor John Kelly from Weber University just released his new video on the history of automatic transmission fluid.
It might be in an actual automatic transmission that is running the fluid through a cooler. I believe Toyota put it in their hybrid transaxle, instead of a gear oil normally used in a manual transmission, because of the lower viscosity and ease of availability. They didn't expect the temperatures to get as high as they do, so the gen4 now has a fluid cooler like an automatic.
The early Honda civics and etc... like 80's are pretty close to newer transmissions. They never even use a cooler. straight up like the prius and they use dextron then domestic atf fluid. Ive seen those transmission take an abuse never even changing the oil to 180k by accident. They still run well. Today we have much better fluid technology. I just came back from the dealer to buy a transmission fluid for the 2007. That's exactly what they said. WS fluid is synthetic goes to 100k miles before changing. I guess that's good for a lot of consumers. Just a personal preference, I wont go that far.
After an initial change to remove the left over manufacturing debris, wear-in polishing, and silicon seal leaching, it is easily a +100,000 mile oil. Just get that initial factory load out in 2-5,000 miles with another at 15-25,000 and it will be +100,000 until the wheels fall off. Bob Wilson
Cant believe its that time again to change transmission fluid on my car. It felt like I just did it not too long ago with a slight memory lapse. How many quarts do I need to buy again?
For 2nd through 4th gen: 4 quarts (or litres) is more than enough; expect to use about 3.5. Fill with the car raised and level, till it starts coming back out.
That's a great video. I currently have a 1986 Toyota pickup (not truck and I don't know if that makes a difference) with 256k miles. It still runs great with everything original besides minor to major tune ups and I changed the timing set to double chain long time ago... All I remember is I change the ATF every 25,000 miles. Ive driven so many Toyotas since I was in my teens and I can easily compare the transmission feel and condition off the one on my pickup is like new. There are no slippage or symptom of any kind. Knock on wood and I hope it stays that way. I just use it as a utility.. If I need one.
