Toyota WS transmission fluid analysis results.

Decided to do an analysis on the WS transmission fluid. I have a 2016 4x4 OR DCLB and 45,614 miles. The fluid shows some metal content but I’m assuming that’s mostly from break in. Viscosity looks good.

And before people roll their eyes, the analysis was free and I like data.




Here is what I posted in another group:

Got the ATF fluid analysis back! Stick with me as I try my best to accurately explain the results.


Truck: 2016 TRD OR 4x4 with secondary large transmission cooler.


Mileage on fluid (never changed) was 45,614


Details of note: I am in 4x4 a good 1,000 miles annually in hot and dusty conditions. I live in Phoenix and also encounter stop and go traffic weekly. I have also been in water up to the bottom of my doors more than once.


Results:


viscosity was 5.9 @100C, virgin WS fluid is 5.4, the fluid was well within healthy range for this and the change can be attributed to normal use over time.


Wear metals were “elevated” but well within norms based on the few analysis results I could find on various makes and models of Toyota transmissions. In fact, it was well below others I found with similar miles. This could be attributed to initial break in and I fully expect those to level off after the first 5-10k miles. I just don’t have a fluid sample from then to say for sure. You’ll still add metal content to your fluid after that, but at a lesser rate.


Phosphorus was present in higher numbers but that’s a common additive so no concern there.


No water or coolant present.


The numbers along the bottom to the right are particulate counts of any type of a certain size. For example there was one particle at 70 microns (70 millionths of a meter) and that was the only one in the sample that could be seen with the human eye.


Summary: based on this one sample I could have easily gone to 60k or even more. The caveat is that if my assumption on break in metals is correct, then it doesn’t hurt to do a drain and fill or two early, and then go to a longer interval thereafter. Personally for the cost ($8.80/qt x 4 + $10 reusable hand pump) I plan on doing a drain and fill every 12-18 months or 15k miles going forward.


I’m also glad I did the analysis, I think every 30k I’ll send in another. It’s pretty cheap and if I see a spike after several data sets, I know something is going on.

 

Metal ppm on the top left, additives on top right.

Bottom row shows viscosity at 100c is 5.9

 

Justin what’s up man.
So the fluid looks like was good for longer maybe like 60k?

 

Hard to say with a sample of one but yeah it’s looks good. I’m guessing most of the metals were from initial break in and wouldn’t double or anything in the next 15k. I ended up doing a drain and fill since I was down there anyway and it’s easy and cheap enough I’ll continue doing so every 15k from here on.

I was able to find a few Toyota cars and a 4Runner and their metal contents were all equal or higher with similar miles so I think it’s good to go.