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

There may be an alternate fluid that's ok, but there's really no upside to experimenting. This is something Toyota emphatically cautions against.

Even with coolant, they say you can use alternatives, if: and then there's a long list of parameters. I just glaze over, something I might do once in the car's life? I'll go with the Toyota product. Ditto for their brake fluid, even though that last likely is overkill.

 

I have one trans flush on each prius and two on the ridgeline. The ridgeline shifts smoother now, but not as smooth as the prius' cvt!

 

You do not 'flush' the Prius transaxle, it is just drain and fill.

 

@Rocketboy235 You got +230,000 so far on WS. Wisdom would suggest sticking with what works and is recommended...even if it cost $20 more that a question mark. Considering this is the first and likely last time you change the fluid...that's a smart $20 investment.

Your vehicle...your call.

 

yeah, i wouldn't use anything but toyota brand. Just my opinon. but last i checked at $9 or $10 a quart...$50 for 5 quarts. saving $30 isn't worth the risk.

 

That valvoline ATF isnt made for CVT transmission. It even says so on there website.

 

sorry meant to say drain and fill.

 

It says most, meaning honda, nissan, dodge etc. Their cvt's have a steel belt which has a very specific cvt transmission fluid that has to be used. These fluids have friction modifiers in them to make the transmission shift/slip into gear. Fluid that is worn out will result in slipping while incorrect fluid type can cause hard shifting/slipping, resulting in early belt/ clutch disc failure. Fluid is very specific to make and transmission type. These steel belt cvt spin the drive pulley using tension/friction. When they wear out, they will slip like clutch packs would in an traditional automatic transmission. So you are half correct. The prius does not have a steel belt cvt design.

 

In that sense, the Prius has no CVT, what it has is two 550 volt electric motors bathed in ATF to cool them. Toyota's ATF WS is a good enough electrical insulator to not short out (relatively) huge electrical motors. I worry that other vendors may not be testing for this as no other transmission employs that kind of electrical load. I do not think any of us are questioning the ATF as a lubricant.

Gen 1 used a different ATF and there were issues with it. I think ATF WS is the cure.

Gen 1 Prius Transmission Repair, P3009, P3120, P3125 - Luscious Garage | Hybrid Specialists

 

There will be no side affect to using this ws type transmission fluid because the prius uses a planetary cvt design. This design is far superior to anything on the market. Belts slip and snap, these planetary gears will probably last longer than the bearings holding the input shafts inplace. Transmission failure would be from a lack of trans fluid, overloading/abuse (towing).


Try doing this in a belt driven cvt. Honda, nissan, dodge etc would fail.

 

I always follow manufactures guidelines when it comes to fluids and such....at least 99% of the time until I run across an equivalent..not to say I purchase everything from dealer either...It's a matter of ECONOMICS and common sense!
Some fluids are special. Honda and Toyota I know have special fluids and I try not to second guess them...I used Ford synchronized tranny fluid in my MX-5 5 speed because I listened to others! and spent way too much $. I just needed to find some plain ole GL-4... which I did,on EBAY, for 1/2 the price! I'm ready at next service interval! Dealers know they got the goods and jack the price up. If your a regular, you can ask for discounted price and most times they will do it...once they look up your account and see you've spent monies there!
It didn't hurt that much to ask anyhow!
I'll certainly check out the VALVOLINE next interval on Prius. I think WS was rather costly but I bit the bullet and gulped!

 

The motors are wound and insulated with dielectric insulation. No lubricant would insulate the microscopic shavings coming from the planetary gear wear. If you ever have done a transmission fluid change, use a magnet, you would be surprised to see how much metal is on there. Valvoline is Toyota ws spec.

 

I had honda ATF-Z1 and was not happy in how the tranny shifted in the Ridgeline, Honda did change there fluid later to ATF-DW1. I still prefer the Valvoline Maxlife.

My old boss used a universal atf fluid on his f250, 10k later trans was toast.

 

I used the Honda ATF in the Acura...pricey as well
I'm glad there's the MAX LIFE! Getting flooded out by hurricane HARVEY but learning this makes it a good day! Thanks!

 

It does say this, but continues, "unless specifically noted"

Above it clearly notes "Toyota WS". This was written by a lawyer..... View attachment US_VAL_ML_ATF_EN.pdf

 

Oil is an insulator, and transmission fluid goes in the same recycle container when I go recycle as oil, at least at the knowledgeable ones...

Basically since we are talking about very high voltage, if it was bad for it it would be a gonner real quick...

 

That's my stance as well.

 

I often see comments like this, seeming to assume that the only risk is that the fluid might be conductive. That could be missing the point that the windings are coated with insulation. (After all, if they were not, they would short-circuit whether the fluid was conductive or not.)

On the other hand, how long would it take you to learn about any chemical effects of the fluid on that insulation coating? When I google for charts of chemical compatibility between different plastic and rubber resins and different oils and chemicals, the main thing I notice is how complicated and detailed the charts are....

-Chap