Transmission fluid

The transmission is a single planetary gear set. There are no clutches, nor any other gears to shift too. Past models used ATF simply because it was convenient. Toyota finally using a fluid designed for a hybrid transaxle is an improvement.

 

here you go.
The newer fluids are just like the 0w-16 oils, less resistance for better fuel economy.

Other vehicles will use the same thin oil in a transmission, transfer case and rear differential. Heck, I put Pentosin CHF 202 in a rear differential last week because it called for that fluid. It's like water.

It's counter intuitive but keep in mind that these tolerances are tighter than the .050"+/- we're used to seeing on domestics and fluid sheer is real with this system. Thinner oils, less resistance, better MPG.

 

Is there an aftermarket alternative to the Toyota Type TE yet? I didn't see anything on either the Aisin or Idemitsu websites.

 

I'm pretty sure all previous gen Prius took Toyota WS ATF. Looks like the 5th gen went to TE ATF; so if you got a gen1-4 Prius - you should be using Toyota WS ATF.
FWIW; the only alternative ATF I would use would be the Aisin ATF - since they manufacture those transmissions for Toyota. I'm assuming the OEM knows what their products needs to remain reliable.

Hope this helps......

The original OP shows a 2012 Prius, so wrong ATF - #3 poster has a gen5..... Details matter!!!

Sorry OP didn't change their profile....

 

I should have mentioned that the application is a Gen5 2023 Prius with 48k on the clock. The OEM fluid is readily available from a nearby dealer at a reasonable cost. It's just nice to be able to evaluate other options. Given that this oil was introduced with the 2023 model year and the OCI is 60k the market for alternatives is probably pretty thin.

 

I'd let others do the "evaluating":

 

It's not my car and I've been separated from it an the owner's manual. Toyota's site wanted a VIN before giving up the manual and I've been separated from that info as well. These degrees of separation are about to end.

One thing I've found puzzling are the contradictory recommendations on the web. For example Google AI says the car takes Toyota WS. Other sources seem to confirm the e-transaxle type TE. And then there is the complication of 2WD vs AWD. Luckily I have some time to figure this out.

BTW - anyone want to venture a guess as to who makes the Toyota fluid?

 

You don't need to give a VIN to get access to the manual.

You can't rely on Google AI for something like this because it can't fully understand the difference between different generations of cars, even if you tell it. It just sees more links of Prius and WS ATF, so it gives that as the answer.

There's no complication of FWD and AWD. They both use TE. 3.9qt for the front transaxle and 1.5qt for the rear.

 

Yes - I have seen numerous questionable Google AI results over the past week when it comes to automotive fluids. Their biased search engine results are heading towards a new level with AI. We have a new generation if not two generations who are incapable of critical thought. In the context of this discussion it probably doesn't matter as few of them are likely to service an automobile.

 

Google “Toyota Tech Info”, click on “manuals” tab on home page, pdf’s of all Toyota USA publications that are included with their cars are readily available there.

 

It is a very bad idea to go with an aftermarket ATF for a highly specialized transmission like the Prius transmission.

 

Understood - but Toyota doesn't make these fluids. Someone like Enos or Idemitsu probably does. It's always nice to have options.

There don't appear to be any options for our Gen5, but what about the 2017 Prius V? In spite of the huge difference in age these two vehicles both are either nearing or just above 50k miles. I want to change the fluids on both before they reach 60k.

 

I mean, I don't know why you'd bother with non-Toyota, but someone did the work a few years ago. I doubt anything's changed, but you'd be wise to doublecheck anything you're looking at to make sure it specifies it's replacement for Toyota WS.

Verified alternatives to Toyota WS ATF - Automaitc Transmission Fluid | Tacoma World


Genuine Toyota WS is just under $9/qt when it's on sale. I suppose you can find other cheaper options for around $6/qt, but I question whether saving a whopping $10 every 6-9 years is worth it.

 

Toyota doesn't make these fluids. They don't make the transmissions either; Aisin makes them. Aisin markets transmission fluids and must know what they are doing but they don't make transmission fluids. So Toyota and Aisin must have a pretty good idea of what to recommend.

And then there is Idemitsu who actually make the fluids. Hopefully my logic is clear. I don't want the lowest cost fluid; I want the best fluid from an authorative source.

 

It is not like the old days when Toyota used to specify GM Dexron. Don’t mess with it—use the OEM ATF. Chances are that It is propriety, and unlike GM Dexron, Toyota does not issue licenses for it.

 

Why I always buy new.

 

Rock Auto lists Idemitsu Type TLS-LV for the 2017 Prius V and yet the product label clearly states that it is not for use in CVTs. I am beginning to understand why some of you insist on sticking to the OEM fluids.

 

Maybe due to the emphatic warning from Toyota, too.

 

The Prius does not have an actual CVT transmission, just a hybrid transaxle, so that wouldn't apply. There are different Toyota formulations for CVTs (CVT Fluid TC and FE), and corresponding Idemitsu equivalents, but the Prius does not take a CVT fluid.

TLS-LV claims to be a substitute* for ATF WS, in which case there's probably no reason it shouldn't be fine for the 4G Prius, or at least as fine as it would be for any other Toyota wanting ATF WS.

(This is a handy reference guide to Toyota transmission fluids: What ATF/CVTF to use for Toyota? )

* Actually it may be ATF WS - I understand Idemitsu actually makes the stuff for Toyota.