Toyota dealer: "there is no automatic transmission oil change"

Do what you will. I just don't see any good reason not to use the factory fluid.

AFAIK, most every manufacturer has used their own (full) synthetic trans fluid for the past 10-20 years.

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

Same here; I’m just bright enough to not second-guess Toyota on this.

 

Thanks for the reply but there is no "Factory Oil" the WS is made by Exxon Mobile corp and is used in both CVT and Normal torque converter type transmissions. Valvoline Maxlife is full synthetic and recommended as a replacement for WS as well as many other makes.

I am a believer in Toyota parts and Toyota as a company but it seems like WS is just a catch all fluid just like Maxlife so why pay more for the Toyota emblem on the Exxon bottle?

It would be different if they recommended some type of transmission oil that was Hybrid or CVT specific with special additives someone could put their finger on but that doesn't seem to be the case.

Perhaps I have it all wrong but until someone can explain the added benefit that WS has that everyone else does not I'm just not seeing it.

If someone has some information I am missing here by all means set me straight I will be happy to convert.

 

The grammar's a little fractured, but the message is clear, at least to me:



Toyota Genuine ATF WS is readily available, only a bit pricier than motor oil (not by much these days...), and I'm not a mechanical engineer.

 

I found the video on the History of Toyota ATF (which includes mention of Toyota WS transmission fluid) by Prof Kelly of Weber fame in this thread post very informative. Check it out.

 

I really don't care. Maybe there ain't no difference. Maybe there is.

A few dollars per quart difference once every 4-5 years isn't enough for me to bother with.

I would use valvoline or whatever if that's all I had available. But I can get WS easily so that's what I put in.

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

Sounds like the Professor is not a believer in Maxlife.