Chemistry:Toyota Automatic Transmission Fluid

Short description: None

1988 Toyota Type T ATF

Toyota markets their own automatic transmission fluids under the Toyota brand name. Toyota does not license their automatic transmission fluid specifications to companies who wish to manufacture the fluid and sell it under their own brand names. Toyota dealerships and online retailers sell the Toyota branded fluids today. If the official Toyota logo is not found on the container, the fluid may not be Toyota approved and the fluid cannot be guaranteed to meet Toyota's specifications.

Toyota Automatic Transmission Fluids (ATF)

The original Toyota Type-T transmission fluid was not introduced until 1988. Over the years, the original specification was supplanted by Type T-II, Type T-IV, and the WS fluid, which is the latest fluid. Toyota has upgraded the ATF specifications over the years; the newer fluids are not always backward compatible with previous fluids. Newer 6, 8, and 10-speed transmissions as well as Hybrid-Electric (HEV), Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV), CVTs, and Electric Vehicle (EV) transmission technologies require specialized fluids to operate properly. There remains a market for older fluids that claim to meet the earlier fluid specifications. See the details below for backward compatibility of each fluid.

Before Toyota ATF - 1959 - 1988

1959 - GM Type "A" Suffix "A" Fluid

1963-1966 GM Licensed Mobilfluid ATF Type "A" Suffix "A" GM License No. AQ-ATF-752A

1963-1966 Mobilfluid ATF Type "A" Suffix "A" GM License No. AQ-ATF-752A

In 1957, General Motors (GM) released a new Type "A" Suffix "A" fluid specification. This fluid was better suited for the higher fluid temperatures caused by the unique torque converters and higher power engines of the day. The fluid specification was revised again in 1958, 1959, and 1960.

In 1959, Toyota adopted the GM Type "A" Suffix "A" fluid specification. Toyota recommended the following brands of Type "A" Suffix "A" fluids:

• BP ATF Type "A" Suffix "A" fluid
• Caltex Texamatic Type "A" Suffix "A" fluid
• Esso Standard ATF Type "A" Suffix "A" fluid
• Mobil Mobilfluid 200 Type "A" Suffix "A" fluid (see photos)
• Shell Donax T-6 Type "A" Suffix "A" fluid

This fluid was first used in the 1962 Toyota Corona (RT40, RS43L, MS43L, RT43L) used the following transmissions:

• 1959 A10 2-Speed Toyoglide Semi-Automatic transmission (Toyota's first semi-automatic transmission)
• 1962 A20 2-Speed Toyoglide Automatic transmission (Toyota's first fully automatic transmission)

1966 - Ford Type-F Fluid

1969 Texaco Texamatic Type-F ATF. Ford License No. 2P-600615

In 1966, Toyota adopted the Ford Type-F (M2C33-F) fluid specification. This upgraded fluid had improved low-temperature viscosity to provide for adequate shifting times in low temperatures. The fluid also had better oxidation resistance characteristics which resulted in longer fluid life.

Toyota recommended the following brands of Ford Type-F fluids:

• Castrol TQ Type-F
• BP ATF Type-F
• Caltex Texamatic Fluid Type-F (see photo)
• Esso Standard Glides
• Mobil Mobilfluid 210 ATF
• Shell Donax T-7
• White Rose Type 7 ATF

This fluid was first used in the 1967 Toyota Crown and Corona Mark II with the following transmission:

• 1967 A30 3-Speed Toyoglide transmission.

1969 - GM Dexron (B) Fluid

1967 GM Dexron (B) ATF. GM License No. B-10001

In 1968, Toyota adopted the GM Dexron (B) fluid specification. This upgraded fluid had improved low-temperature viscosity to provide for adequate shifting times in low temperatures. The fluid also had better oxidation resistance characteristics which resulted in longer fluid life. Toyota became a licensed reseller of the GM Dexron (B) fluid; it was marketed under the Toyota brand name.

This fluid is backward compatible with all Type "A" Suffix "A", but not Ford's Type-F fluid.

This fluid was first used in the following transmissions:

• 1970 Toyota A32 3-Speed Electronically Controlled Automatic Transmission (EAT) RWD.
• 1972 Toyota A40 (Developed with BorgWarner) (AW) 3-Speed RWD

1973 - Dexron II(C) Fluid

In 1973, Toyota adopted the GM (MS-7176) with GM Dexron-II(C). This upgraded fluid had new oxidation and rust inhibitors to replace the previous sperm whale oil additive. The fluid also had better oxidation resistance characteristics which resulted in longer fluid life. Toyota became a licensed reseller of the GM Dexron-II(C) fluid; it was marketed under the Toyota brand name. This fluid superseded the previous fluid.

1975 - Dexron II(D) Fluid

Toyota Dexron-III ATF

Toyota Dexron III Fluid Rear

In 1975, Toyota adopted the GM (GM6032M) with GM Dexron-II(D) fluid specification. The fluid had better oxidation resistance characteristics which resulted in longer fluid life. Toyota became a licensed reseller of the GM Dexron-II(D) fluid; it was marketed under the Toyota brand name. This fluid superseded the previous fluid.

This fluid was first used in the following transmissions:

• 1977 Toyota A40D 4-speed AT with Overdrive RWD (A World's First)
• 1979 Toyota A55 3-Speed FWD
• 1980 Toyota A43DL 4-Speed RWD w/TCC
• 1981 Toyota A43DE 4-Speed w/TCC World's first microcomputer-controlled RWD AT
• 1982 Toyota A140L/A140E World's first FWD 4-Speed w/TCC ATX - Camry
• 1984 Toyota A340L 4-speed AT for trucks
• 1984 Toyota A340H Electronic controlled AWD RWD 4-Speed w/TCC
• 1989 Toyota A341E Electronic controlled RWD 4-Speed w/TCC

NOTICE: The Dexron-II(D) fluid was superseded by the GM Dexron-III(H) fluid specification in 2002. (See Toyota Technical Service Bulletin TC001-02)

Toyota ATF 1988 - Today

1988 - Type T Fluid

Toyota Type T ATF

In 1988, Toyota released their first automatic transmission fluid specification; Toyota Type T Fluid (See Toyota TSB Volume 9-10 04-10-1988.)

This fluid was first used in the following transaxles:

• 1988 A241H AWD transaxle in the Corolla
• 1988 Toyota A540H Electronic controlled AWD 4-Speed transaxle w/TCC
• 1992 Toyota A341H Electronic controlled AWD 4-Speed w/TCC.

This fluid is not backward compatible with any previous Toyota recommended fluid.

1993 - Type T-II Fluid

1993 Toyota made several changes to their transmission fluid recommendations:

1. Toyota released the Type T-II ATF High-Performance Fluid Specification for A340Ei in 1993 Turbo Supra and others.
2. Replaces Dexron II(E) with Dexron III(G).

This fluid is not backward compatible with the previous Type T fluid.

This fluid was first used in the following transmissions:

• 1993 Toyota A340Ei Electronic controlled RWD 4-Speed w/TCC – Turbo Supra
• 1996 Toyota A350E Electronic controlled RWD 5-Speed w/TCC – Lexus GS300

1995 - Type T-III Fluid

In 1994-1995, some early OBD-II phase-in vehicles experienced a P0300 DTC (Random Misfire). Engineers determined that road forces being transferred through the Torque Converter Clutch (TCC) was affecting the normal rotational fluctuations of the crankshaft and tricked the ECM into thinking there was a cylinder misfire.

The solution was to create a new kind of TCC that would normally slip around 35 rpm. Toyota called theirs a Slip Controlled Lock-Up Clutch (SCLC), other manufacturers had their own names. Some SCLC systems had a shudder or vibration during normal operation. Engineers tried several computer calibration changes, but a revised fluid was also needed to address the issue.

• Toyota released the Type T-III ATF in 1995
• Ford released the new Mercon V fluid specification in 1996
• General Motors released the Dexron-III (G) fluid specification in 1998
• Chrysler released the MS-9602 Change C fluid specification (MS-9602) in 1998.

1998 - Type T-IV Fluid

Toyota T-IV ATF

In 1998, Toyota releases the Genuine ATF Type T-IV Fluid Specification (JWS3309). This fluid was the Next Generation High-Performance ATF for Slip-Controlled Automatic Transmissions. This fluid replaces Type T-III, Type T-II and Type T fluids in all vehicles. All vehicles produced after 1993 with Automatic Transmissions specified to use ATF Type T, T–II and T–IV. (See Bulletin TC003–99). Do not confuse this fluid with Chrysler's Mopar ATF+4, they are not interchangeable.

NOTICE:

• Type T-IV fluid is backward compatible with the previous Type T fluid.
• Type T-IV can replace Type T-II fluids; however, they should not be mixed.

This fluid was first used in the following transmissions:

• 1998-2003 Toyota P111 Hybrid Transaxle

2002 - WS Fluid

Toyota WS Fluid

2002 Toyota WS ATF for Japan

2002 Toyota WS ATF for USA

In 2002, Toyota releases the Genuine ATF WS (World Standard) Fluid Specification (JWS3324 or NWS9638). It is a mineral base fluid manufactured by Exxon Mobil.

This fluid was first used in the following transmissions:

• 2004 Toyota P112 Hybrid Transaxle
• 2006 AB60E 6-speed transmission
• 2006 U660E 6-speed transaxle
• 2007 AA80E 8-speed automatic (World's first 8-speed light duty transmission)8
• 2017 AGA0E 10-Speed Transmission

2011 - CVT Fluid TC

In 2011, Toyota released the CVT fluid TC fluid specification for Continuously Variable Transmissions (CVT).

This fluid was first used in the following transmission:

• 2012-2013 K41B (Scion IQ)

2013 - CVT Fluid FE

In 2013, Toyota released the CVT fluid FE fluid specification for Continuously Variable Transmissions (CVT).

This fluid was first used in the following transmissions:

• 2013 K313 (Corolla)
• 2014 K41B (Scion IQ)
• 2017 K114 (C-HR)
• 2017 K312 (Yaris Thailand, Rumion 2013)
• 2020 K120 (Corolla)

Toyota "Lifetime" ATF

Example Maintenance Schedules

Toyota ATF Change Interval under "Normal Driving" Conditions*
Fluid Specification				Miles
1959 GM Type "A" Suffix "A"			15,000
1966 Ford Type-F			24,000
1967 GM Dexron (B)			24,000
1973 GM Dexron-II(C)			50,000
1975 GM Dexron-II(D)			50,000
1988 Type T			50,000
1993 Type T-II			50,000
1995 Type T-III			50,000
1998 Type T-IV			100,000
2002 WS			120,000
*See your vehicle maintenance guide for definition of "Normal Driving" conditions and recommended service interval

Toyota ATF Change Interval under "Special Operating" Conditions*
Fluid Specification				Miles
1959 GM Type "A" Suffix "A"			7,500
1966 Ford Type-F			12,000
1967 GM Dexron (B)			12,000
1973 GM Dexron-II(C)			25,000
1975 GM Dexron-II(D)			25,000
1988 Type T			25,000
1993 Type T-II			25,000
1995 Type T-III			25,000
1998 Type T-IV			30,000
2002 WS			60,000
*See your vehicle maintenance guide for definition of "Special Operating" conditions and recommended service interval

Toyota Lifetime automatic transmission fluids made from higher quality base oil and an additive package are more chemically stable, less reactive, and do not experience oxidation as easily as lower quality fluids made from lower quality base oil and an additive package. Therefore, higher quality transmission fluids can last a long time in normal driving conditions (Typically 120,000 miles (193,121 km) or more).

The definition of 'Lifetime Fluid" differs from transmission manufacturer to transmission manufacturer. Always consult the vehicle maintenance guide for the proper service interval for the fluid in your transmission and your driving conditions.

2018 Camry Example

According to the Scheduled Maintenance Guide of a 2018 Toyota Camry with WS "Lifetime Fluid" and an 8-speed automatic transmission, the automatic transmission fluid never needs to be changed under "Normal" driving conditions; however, there are Additional Maintenance Items for Special Operating Conditions:

Normal Driving

• Carry passengers and cargo within recommended limits on the Tire and Loading Information label
• Driven on reasonable road surfaces within legal driving limits.

Under "Normal" driving conditions, the automatic transmission fluid never needs to be changed.

Special Operating Conditions

• Driving while towing
• Using a car-top carrier
• Heavy vehicle loading
• Extensive idling and/or low speed driving for a long distance such as police, taxi or door-to-door delivery use.

Under "Special Operating Conditions", replace automatic transmission fluid and filter every 60,000 mi (96,560 km) or 72 Months.

2018 Tacoma Example

According to the Scheduled Maintenance Guide of a 2018 Toyota Tacoma with WS "Lifetime Fluid" and an 6-speed automatic transmission, the automatic transmission fluid never needs to be changed under "Normal" driving conditions; however, there are Additional Maintenance Items for Special Operating Conditions:

Normal Driving

• Carry passengers and cargo within recommended limits on the Tire and Loading Information label
• Driven on reasonable road surfaces within legal driving limits.

Under "Normal" driving conditions, the automatic transmission fluid never needs to be changed.

Special Operating Conditions

• Driving while towing
• Using a car-top carrier
• Heavy vehicle loading
• Extensive idling and/or low speed driving for a long distance such as police, taxi or door-to-door delivery use.

Under "Special Operating Conditions", replace automatic transmission fluid and filter every 60,000 mi (96,560 km) or 72 Months.

See also

• GM DEXRON automatic transmission fluids
• Ford MERCON automatic transmission fluids
• Chrysler's Mopar automatic transmission fluids
• Automatic Transmission Fluids (general information)

External links

• A Look at Changes in Automatic Transmission Fluid
• The History of Automatic Transmission Fluid - ATF History Part 1
• 60 Years of Toyota Automatic Transmission Fluid - ATF History Part 5
• Changing Gears: The Development of the Automotive Transmission
• Toyota Service Information Subscription Access