Dextron VI. Is that the correct ATF grade for a 2011 Rav4 w/ I-4 engine?
Dextron VI ATF
Karlos33
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I have seen posts on this site saying that the WS is not the best, even though it's what Toyota calls for.
Well then, go ahead and put Dexron in there and see what happens.
There seems to be different opinions on this. If it was my RAV, I'd stay with Toyota recommended ATF, which is WS.
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I think the answer to this question is a definite [emoji2369].
This 4-speed transmission is shared with the Pontiac Vibe and Toyota Matrix, and the Vibe lists Dexron VI as the correct fluid. Toyota for the same year of Matrix lists T-IV as the fluid. The transmission carried into 2012 but as of 2006 in the RAV4 was listed for WS, which is what they cane with from the factory. So the answer appears to be “maybe.”
Like @TEKSMRT ; I have used Valvoline MaxLife in my 4-speed transmission and then used it hard with towing and city driving. I’ve had no issues with this for almost 100,000 km now, although it’s time again for a change. I will again use VML in my transmission. VML lists compatibility with most OEM fluids, including Dexron VI, Toyota T-IV, and WS, among many others.
I’ve taken a more optimistic view - that this older transmission can work with more fluids than simply the WS which Toyota specified but for which they have never published the specifications (making it proprietary.) Toyota (Aisin) also supplies transmissions to VW and Nissan/Renault, and it’s a version of the ones they put in their own vehicles. For Toyota vehicles they say only WS, but the similar transmission in other vehicles is noted as needing THAT manufacturer’s fluid…. Seems there is more in common than it seems - doesn’t pass the smell test for me on ONLY needing WS.
And apparently I have poured WAY too much effort into transmission fluid… [emoji1787]
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When it comes to transmission fluid, I will only use what the manufacturer calls for. Not a risk taker. I have read that some have said other transmission fluids will work with no issues, and I have also read that some have had issues with using other fluids than what Toyota recommends. Hopefully will be changing mine soon. I wanted to have it done by now, but haven't. I will be using the WS fluid from Toyota. I bought 2 cases. I know I will probably only use 3 quarts roughly. Each case comes with 6 one quart bottles.
My other vehicle has an Allison Transmission and it was factory filled with Dexron VI. There is an Allison Transmission shop locally that I visited and will use a different fluid than the Dexron VI being they are the manufacturer of the transmission. They sold me Dura Drive 668 which is even superior to the TES 295 fluid that everyone recommends over the Dexron VI from what I have read. They now factory fill the Allison with Dura Drive 668 as of January 1, 2021
You have to be selective and do your homework when it comes to fluids and what you think will work best. In my Toyota I will stick with the Toyota WS fluid.
My other vehicle has an Allison Transmission and it was factory filled with Dexron VI. There is an Allison Transmission shop locally that I visited and will use a different fluid than the Dexron VI being they are the manufacturer of the transmission. They sold me Dura Drive 668 which is even superior to the TES 295 fluid that everyone recommends over the Dexron VI from what I have read. They now factory fill the Allison with Dura Drive 668 as of January 1, 2021
You have to be selective and do your homework when it comes to fluids and what you think will work best. In my Toyota I will stick with the Toyota WS fluid.
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The reason I asked about Dextron VI, is that both the Valvoline MaxLife and a similar (?) Castrol product are listed for Dextron VI, along with some others. And if you go to the websites of Autozone, Advance Auto, O'Reilly or NAPA and search for ATF for this Rav4, they come up with Valvoline MaxLife or others that meet the Dextron VI standard (if "standard" is the right word here). I use Dextron III in my 2003 Tacoma with the 2.4 engine, and that works fine. If you go back to some old threads on AT there's one that seems pretty persuasive by a guy who said that Toyota went for the WS because of reasons having to do with environmental requirements, not AT longevity. If any of you watch Scotty Kilmer's videos on YouTube, he reminds us that the OEMs promise "lifetime" performance from their ATF, but for them "lifetime" is the length of their warranty. So if you have a 30,000 mi warranty, that's "lifetime." Scotty also recommends draining ATs every 50-70K miles and re-filling with fresh fluid--don't flush, and no filter change. That sounds like good advice to me, so long as you start that when the car is new. And I'm sure the OEM WS is ok if you drain and re-fill on something like the 50-70K schedule.
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With the research I’ve done over the years, I’m confident that the 4-speed can run various fluid types - it was designed with the older T-IV anyway. This can be important to Canadians, due to the stupid prices for WS here - even in 2019 I saw $20/L for it. The 5-speed and newer seem to have been designed for the WS (correlation of appearance on the market) so I’d stick a bit closer to the recommendation for those.
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I have heard of only the name before, but nothing more than that. Having said that, You may want to check bobistheoilguy.com for opinions and information.
As Toyota hasn’t published the spec for WS, all any 3rd party can do is create a compatible fluid - this is sometimes done using chemical and physical analysis of the original fluid.
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Ok, thanks. Didn't know about that site. Have to register, which I just did, now wait for approval.
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Anybody who really wants to "get into" ATF might be interested in this:
ATF: Amsoil Signature vs Toyota WS vs Idemitsu
I'm planning a maintenance schedule for my 08 Toyota Land Cruiser (5.7 V8 w/ Aisin AB60 trans). I'll be using Amsoil engine, transfer, and crank case oil, but figured I should stick with Toyota WS for the tranny, as deviating from OEM ATF is sacrilegious in most auto circles. Long story short...
bobistheoilguy.com
never seen it on the shelves however Idemitsu is a large Japanese producer of chemicals so if anyone knows how to brew a top ATF, then they should be able to. Japan's equivalent of ExxonMobil
priorty nr 1. the correct spec. specificly a WS only, if that's whats required, rather than a multi specification product. Some of those multi-spec products are labelled in fine print " for top-up only".
priorty nr 2. synthetic rather than non synthetic.
priorty nr 1. the correct spec. specificly a WS only, if that's whats required, rather than a multi specification product. Some of those multi-spec products are labelled in fine print " for top-up only".
priorty nr 2. synthetic rather than non synthetic.
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Well, we all need a little excitement once in a while!
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Toyota WS is not the correct coolant for any vehicle.
I have done a few drain and fills and never used WS. I think it is over price generic fluid. I have used Amsoil, Maxlife, and ready to throw in some Redline. I also do not think that the Toyota AT is very picky about fluid but you need to use the RIGHT kind of fluid. WS is a much thinner fluid than the old school Dex Merc type. Not sure the specs on DexVI. I would trust any major brand synthetic fluid that is listed as WS compatible.
Toyota WS is certainly not a correct coolant! However, as a transmission fluid it is not what I would call "generic". It's specifically meant for Toyota vehicles by the manufacturer.Toyota WS is not the correct coolant for any vehicle.
I have done a few drain and fills and never used WS. I think it is over price generic fluid. I have used Amsoil, Maxlife, and ready to throw in some Redline. I also do not think that the Toyota AT is very picky about fluid but you need to use the RIGHT kind of fluid. WS is a much thinner fluid than the old school Dex Merc type. Not sure the specs on DexVI. I would trust any major brand synthetic fluid that is listed as WS compatible.
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