My wife's car is a 2004 Matrix (2WD), automatic. So, when I looked in the owners manual about what trans fluid it uses, it says Toyota T-IV or Mobil 1 J3309. I do my own maintenance and it's at 30K, which is time to change the filter/fluid, etc. I can't believe the #@!@#$ the trans tube says that it shouldn't have to be fooled with "in normal service". They trying to make people believe nothing wears out? Since I'll never use a dealer for anything, the task was to find Mobil
1 J3309. Of the 6 stations I called, no one had it and no one would not order it. Very nice! My local parts house directed me to the Valvoline ATF. The Max-Life version is Dexron III-Mercon and says it's compatible with a whole list of ATF's including Toyota T-IV. The Mercon V is a synthetic and says it fully compatible, even for top off's. They both state that they will NOT void any Toyota warranty. An email to/from Valvoline confirmed it's compatible, but the only glitch is that Toyota hasn't confirmed this finding. Back to my local Service Station.... they use Cam 2 and say they've been using it for years and recommend a full flush and refill with it. Never a problem.. Anyone ever used any of the general fluids vs the Toyota blend ( @ $10.00 /qt) thx- posted
17 years ago