Is it synthetic? 100k mile interval, Toyota/Lexus must think it's good stuff.
What do you guys think is so special about the new WS transmission fluid?
- Thread starter SWUtah
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Yes synthetic IIRC, it is a low viscosity fluid to replace T-IV in the 5 speed autos, I expect the 6 speeds will have it as well. The 5 speed only came out for one year with the T-IV and then changed to WS I believe. I am hoping LEXUSBEN will chime in here, I am thinking of changing to WS but not sure as I have 8 litres of T-IV in the shed. Toyota stated there was a problem with the tranny when it was very cold, only happened till it warmed up, and WS fixes that. Can't remember what it was, will try to dig it out later. Only problem is the WS is not compatible with T-IV so dropping an oil line and doing a complete fluid change out would require a lot of fluid to maye sure there was no T-IV left in there, that is my main concern, if there is a reaction or globulisation of the small amounts of T-IV left in the tranny.
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- Thread starter
- #3
Even with a full exchange I would be concerned that you might not of gotten it all. You would need to run that by Toyota/Lexus before you did the exchange. JMHO
From Toyota
"If a vehicle with a transmission filled with ATF WS is replenished with other type of ATF, the vehicle might not start off at extremely low temperatures. However, it will start off after it has been warmed up for a few minutes."
I expect this is the reason for the change in fluid from T-IV to WS
"The T-IV type ATF (Automatic Transmission Fluid) of the A750F automatic transmission on the ’03 Land Cruiser has been changed to the WS type on the ’04 Land Cruiser. The reduced viscosity in the practical operating temperature range of the ATF WS enables to reduce drag loss and improve fuel economy.
The ATF WS is not interchangeable with other types of ATF (ATF type T-IV, or D-II). "
This last bit says it is not interchangeable with other fluid, however this may mean don't run these other fluids instead of WS as it will cause problems as the fluids mentioned are heavier viscosity oils. It doesn't say they are incompatible. Some more definitive info would be nice.
"If a vehicle with a transmission filled with ATF WS is replenished with other type of ATF, the vehicle might not start off at extremely low temperatures. However, it will start off after it has been warmed up for a few minutes."
I expect this is the reason for the change in fluid from T-IV to WS
"The T-IV type ATF (Automatic Transmission Fluid) of the A750F automatic transmission on the ’03 Land Cruiser has been changed to the WS type on the ’04 Land Cruiser. The reduced viscosity in the practical operating temperature range of the ATF WS enables to reduce drag loss and improve fuel economy.
The ATF WS is not interchangeable with other types of ATF (ATF type T-IV, or D-II). "
This last bit says it is not interchangeable with other fluid, however this may mean don't run these other fluids instead of WS as it will cause problems as the fluids mentioned are heavier viscosity oils. It doesn't say they are incompatible. Some more definitive info would be nice.
- Thread starter
- #5
I agree if it is a true 100K mile fluid and can be used by doing a complete fluid exchange then I would think all LC/LX owners would want to run this fluid. But we do need to know if it is ok to do a complete fluid exchange if you were running Type IV
Jim_Chow
V8_Fan
Don't know if I'd put WS in a T-IV tranny. 100TD's response suggests you can't put T-IV in a WS tranny.
https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=76711&highlight=world+standard+ATF
https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=76711&highlight=world+standard+ATF
Although the mechanics of the tranmission did not change much it is very possible that Toyota changed the friction materials inside when the change was made to the WS fluid. I would run what my vehicle shipped with.
from an SAE technical paper "The Evaluation of the Fuel Economy Performance of Low-Viscosity Drivetrain Lubricants and the Development of Oils With Improved Fatigue Life"
from an SAE technical paper "The Evaluation of the Fuel Economy Performance of Low-Viscosity Drivetrain Lubricants and the Development of Oils With Improved Fatigue Life"
Lower viscosities of MTFs and ATFs are expected to improve the fuel economy of automobiles by reducing the viscous resistance. Examples of low-viscosity ATFs already commercially available include Toyota Auto Fluid WS and ZF Friedrichshafen AG's ZNF 13014. ... The results of our study showed that our optimized lower-viscosity MTF, when evaluated in terms of its wear prevention, extreme-pressure properties, and fatigue prevention, has equal or better performance in each area in comparison with MTFs with conventional viscosities.
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Yes the WS fluid is synthetic, T4 semi synthetic (not quite a full synthetic). I agree with "run what the vehicle was originally equipped with". I know some people are running t4 in older trans w/o a problem, and good for them. The friction material on the clutch discs and brake bands are mostly matched with the type of fluid. I'd hate for someone to put ws in a t4 or d3 tranny only to find out the ws is "too slippery" and burn up the trans.
I know in the past Toyota/Lexus has said T type and Dex type are not compatible with each other, and they have said the same thing about ws and previous fluids.
My .02
As mentioned previousely somewhere, don't be suprised if your Toyota shop puts something else in your tranny and not the proper Toyota fluid. I just went to the local dealer and asked for a price on WS fluid and T-IV fluid and they said they don't have a price as they don't stock it, thet just use Castrol fluid!
- Thread starter
- #10
That must be an OZ thing. The local Toyota shop stocks WS and has since 2004 same with the local Lexus shop. It would cost them the cost of a new transmission and service if they put non compatible ATF in your transmission.
