Suitable substitutes for the Toyota ATF-WS transmission or transaxle fluid?

I haven't seen a negative post about that either.The G2 trans is a bullet proof trans. Engineering marvel really. Only thing it doesn't like is steep hills on a bad hybrid battery..

 

Yeah Chip your done on that fluid changes. It will look nice and red from here on out so don't bother on any more changes. . This Trans is very very easy on fluid after the initial break out fluid is removed. Its very very easy on fluid like Redline as its a superior lubricant. No wear.

After my third change with 50,000 miles on it it looked brand new.

 

I sometimes use Idemitsu Type TLS-LV.


iPhone ? Pro

 

But on your Prius?

 

How is you MANNOL oil goes? I am also considering buying it, but got second thoughts seeing the price compared to other brands..

 

Pretty much what I figured. I need to send a sample out for analysis but I'm not too concerned with it. The last analysis showed very minimal degradation. I do a lot of autocross and forced charging so I tend to change my oil and other fluids more often than I need to just to be extra safe. I know it's a bit of a wast of money but to me the peace of mind is worth it.

 

Updated summary of alternative ATFs used by people in this thread:

	Column 1	Column 2	Column 3	Column 4
0	Member Name	ATF Brand	Type	Total Distance with Alternative Brand ATF
1	danlatu	Valvoline	MaxLife	76000 mi. (2005 Prius 129k~205k)
2	danlatu	Valvoline	MaxLife	57000 mi. (2010 Prius 60k~117k)
3	danlatu	Valvoline	MaxLife	8000 mi. (2011 Prius 297k~305k)
4	Fred_H	Ravenol	T-WS Lifetime	153000 mi. (2007 Prius 157k-310k)
5	edthefox5	Redline	D6	150000 mi.
6	tvpierce	Aisin	WS	?
7	TheChip	Redline	D6	80000 mi.
8	4md	Yacco	ATF X FE	?
9	Simtronic	Millers	Millermatic fully synthetic	50000 mi. + ?
10	stanny101	Redline	D6	?
11	mjoo	Redline	D6	8000 mi.
12	@douglasjre and friends	Valvoline	maxlife	300000 mi.
13	Tim Jones	Wallvoline	Supertechmax	16000 mi. (2013 Prius v)
14	nssdiver	Amsoil	FE SS	230000 mi. (2007 Prius 100k-180k-250k-330k)
15	nssdiver	Amsoil	Std ATF	.…. mi. (2007 Prius 330k-.....)
16	@The Critic	Idemitsu	TLS-LV	?

 

the fluid is non conductive. the windings are in fluid that is how it gets rid of heat and lubricates the bearings.

 

I have been using this in place of WS in a variety of applications. No issues yet.

View attachment 188498 View attachment 188499

 

I don't understand WHY you would want to use anything except the Toyota fluid?
It is the same price, or in some cases, it cost less.
I just bought 2 gallons for $20.24 each gallon....

 

While I respect the engineering that went into developing WS, it’s quite old now and newer/better formulas are signs of progress.

Just like I believe the Mobil 1 Annual Protection I use is a better oil than Toyota oil.

 

Isn't LV merely fully synthetic where WS isn't?

 

I know LV stands for Low Viscosity. I do not know the viscometrics of the two beyond that...

 

I understand that. But since the system was designed to use WS, doesn't mean it would make it better for it.
It certainly won't hurt it.

I also use Mobil 1 or Castrol oil. Both are good. My van called for standard oil, but it ran better, and longer
with the synthetic.

 

I use Maxlife full synthetic in all the Ford and Toyota/Lexus hybrids I own and maintain for friends and family. It’s $17, fully synthetic, and I don’t have to drive 40 mins to a Toyota dealer. I’ve been using maxlife for years with no issues.

 

$17 a quart??

Considering the dire consequence warning in the Owner's Manual, I'll stick with Toyota ATF WS. Something else "may" be ok, but I'm not bright enough to second guess Toyota.

 

It's a little absurd to say some alternative is "newer", or "synthetic". How about "does it meet spec"? And the spec is "is it Toyota ATF WS".

Toyota doesn't pussy foot around with this one. Motor oil, no problem. Coolant, sure if it meets this that and the other. But the transaxle fluid, they're firm: just use our stuff, or risk damage.

Which brings the libertarians out of the woodwork, lol.

 

$17 for a gallon

 

You know WS is nothing special, and was used on many other Toyota models for 20+ years. It works great, but so do other fluids.

 

I know 2 fellers in here use amsoil signature series in theirs. $13.30 per quart and that’s excludes shipping fees. One of them changes every oil 3,000 miles