Transmission Fluid, Dexron III Replacement

Purchased an 02 Tacoma with Dexron III fluid that’s in need of changing. I know Valvoline makes a solid product but I have two options. Valvoline Full Synthetic MaxLife or Valvoline Dexron/Mercron II/III. Which do you think is best? If I do synthetic, will it be okay mixing with the factory tranny fluid? I’m just doing a simple pan drain, clean and reseal. Refill what I removed basically.

 

Maxlife. It will be ok.

 

Looks like both would work.
MaxLife actually list the Toyota spec at D-II

https://sharena21.springcm.com/Publ...2d889bd3/3fa3136a-09bd-e711-9c12-ac162d889bd1

 

Yeah Maxlife - just did a flush with it on my 3rd gen 4runner. Also used some additive from this thread:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...sions-write-up-your-4-speed-automatic.325531/

Here’s a good video to follow for the flush:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=RumPXivBlk8

 

Ok! Thanks for the input everyone.

 

Only the original DEXRON II from GM Delco in a metal can. LOL -- Considering our trans note this ancient D-II fluid, any modern DEX II/III equivalent will work.

We see many good reviews from Valvoline Full Syn Maxlife. I've changed all of my vehicles to use that fluid.

 

Yeah the max life is the way to go.....
and it works great on power steering......

Pressurize hydraulic hoses have to be replaced every 5 yrs....
they degrade inside out from the heat and the break down of the protective additives in the trans fluid over time...
just like the coolant flowing thru your aluminum heads.....
changing fluids ahead of time is how to get max life out of your tools....

Old brake fluid is extremely corrosive....

and the Valvoline syn gear lube for the back diff.....


If you fail to replace hoses they put CRAP thru steer motors, valves ect, as they break down.......never even know it....til one day......

 

Been doing drain and fills for a few years. I’m about 70% MaxLife 30% WS.

 

You bet. I switched to the new Valvoline flex fill bottle for diff lube. Easy to dispense. No messy pumps.

 

When I dropped the tranny pan it was a complete waste of time...
that metal screen had zero refuge on it.....

So from now on I use external transmission filter (raybestos) and only do changes using a hydrolic oil syphon pump.....

Everyother oil change I suck 2 qts max life out of dip stick tube...
and put two back in......
should give me a complete turn over every 20K or so....


But for the conversion it was a major deal to flush out 9 qts including torque convertor...took a lot of work and sauce......
You never want to mix old with new in anything petro based.....
think it took me 4 gals+ /($100).....and since tranny was well used.....I opted to put in half a bottle of the lucas tranny conditioner to be safe......

There's video on how to pull trans line cooler hoses....flushing and using a hydrolic transfer pumping fresh right back in.....

https://www.northerntool.com/shop/t...x919Z6ZvvKC_vOcrb40aArYwEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

$20 Tool Makes Car Service Painless - YouTube

 

Dont buy max life from auto stores.....wally .dot com and amozon is almost half price....
18 vs 29

just got to work the free shipping thing....min order....

Wally box stores around here are out of stock....so online was only option...

 

I'm doing it THIS WEEK!

 

I just did mine a couple months ago. I used amsoil. I bought 13 quarts and just did the DIY flush method with the cooler return line removal.