Quote:
Originally Posted by cary
The Specs for T-IV and Dexron are entirely different, one oil does not meet both. DO NOT USE ANY OIL WHERE T-IV IS CALLED FOR EXCEPT FOR T-IV. The price the dealer charges for the T-IV is reasonable.
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Are you sure ? The T-IV is no longer an unknown and the major blenders are recommending their "Multi-vehicle" fluids for T-IV applications. These fluids all exceed the Dexron III standard and most meet the Mercon V standard with it's tougher base oil requirements.
Valvoline
Valvoline Maxlife
- Suitable for T-IV
- "Exceeds Dex III-H"
Pennzoil
PENNZOIL MULTI-VEHICLE ATF is Suitable for use in applications requiring:
• DEXRONŽ, DEXRONŽ-II, DEXRONŽ-III
• MERCONŽ, MERCONŽ V
• Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep/Plymouth except NAG1 that requires Shell 3403 ATF
• Toyota T, T-III, T-IV
Castrol
CASTROL IMPORT MULTIVEHICLE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID IS FOR USE IN MOST HONDA, TOYOTA, NISSAN AND OTHER IMPORTED VEHICLES.
* Premium Synthetic Blend formula
* Recommended for use in vehicles that require:
o Honda, Acura — ATF–Z1 (except in CVTs)
o Toyota, Lexus — Type T, T–III, T–IV
o Nissan, Infiniti — Matic–D, Matic–J
o BMW — LA2634, LT71141
o Mitsubishi — Diamond SP–II, SP–III
* Also meets requirements of
o Ford MERCONŽ, MERCONŽ V
o General Motors DEXRONŽ–III H
Chevron
Chevron Multi-Vehicle ATF
Can be used in
- Dexron III
- Mercon V
- Toyota JWS 3309/T-IV
- Mercon SP
- Toyota WS 
(I'm surprised at this one.)
The Mercon SP and WS recommendations for the Chevron fluid both surprised me, probably a sign of a very good fluid.
https://www.cbest.chevron.com/genera...DS27291637.PDF
Several companies (ConocoPhillips, Quaker State, Havoline) don't list T-IV directly but say for use in all Toyotas except WS models.
The only major without a Multi-Vehicle fluid recommended for T-IV is Mobil. They make 3309 for these applications and probably for Toyota.
The after market blenders are becoming increasingly sophisticated and it is hard for the OEMs to keep their hold on the service fill market with inferior products or ones with only minor differences from well known standards. This is why GM moved away from a performance based standard to a formula based standard for Dexron-VI.