A couple of WS Alternatives.

[triumph1]

AmalieStore:: Wolf’s Head Universal Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid, Transmission Fluids, 836-92866-56


AmalieStore:: Amalie Universal Synthetic ATF (CASE), Transmission Fluids, 160-72866-56

Spec Sheet:

http://www.amalie.com/specsheets/4b_trans_cvt.pdf

Free Shipping over $40.

Now I know several people are going to say "Why not go to the dealer and get the WS....blah blah."

I guess what I'm getting at with this post is that WS must not be that special, especially for the fact that even Wal-Mart has a fluid for WS.

I'll still probably get the Toyota fluid, but it's always nice to know we're not being held hostage.

When I had a Mercedes, everyone was using the MB $20 a bottle ATF, when all it was, was ATF+4, same stuff used in sister model Chrysler transmissions. I was using $3.50 ATF+4 Advance Auto brand, and sold that car with 121k, no problems with 3 ATF Fluid changes.

[dogfriend]

4 qts WS ATF @ $5.20 / qt + $0 Shipping (pickup at local dealer) = $20.80 + local sales tax.

[kohnen]

Originally Posted by triumph1

AmalieStore:: Wolf’s Head Universal Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid, Transmission Fluids, 836-92866-56


AmalieStore:: Amalie Universal Synthetic ATF (CASE), Transmission Fluids, 160-72866-56

Spec Sheet:

http://www.amalie.com/specsheets/4b_trans_cvt.pdf

Free Shipping over $40.

Now I know several people are going to say "Why not go to the dealer and get the WS....blah blah."

Let me give you some "blah blah."

The WS fluid in the Prius transmission is bathing electric parts that have 500V or so potential between them. This is because the Prius transmission also contains high power electric motors. Toyota is SURE that their WS fluid is electrically non-conductive.

Having high power electric motors in a transmission is relatively rare (because it's unique to hybrids using the Prius design or similar).

Other transmission fluids might work just fine for protecting the bearings and the gears of the Prius transmission, but might break down electrically near the terminals for the motor coils.

Are you sure that the other fluid manufacturers have formulated and tested their transmission fluid so that it won't ever conduct electrically? I bet an electrical flash-over inside your Prius transmission would just suck!

The Prius puts unique electrical demands on its transmission fluid that conventional cars don't. It has to act both as a transmission fluid AND a transformer oil (electrically non-conductive, no matter how many miles it has on it). This alone suggests to me that it would be wise to play it safe.

[triumph1]

"Are you sure that the other fluid manufacturers have formulated and tested their transmission fluid so that it won't ever conduct electrically? I bet an electrical flash-over inside your Prius transmission would just suck!"

The question is, are you sure that they haven't tested their transmission fluid so that it won't ever conduct electrically?

There really was no need to be such a smart ass.

[Skwyre7]

Originally Posted by triumph1

"Are you sure that the other fluid manufacturers have formulated and tested their transmission fluid so that it won't ever conduct electrically? I bet an electrical flash-over inside your Prius transmission would just suck!"

The question is, are you sure that they haven't tested their transmission fluid so that it won't ever conduct electrically?

There really was no need to be such a smart ass.

But you didn't answer the question. Who's being a smart ass now?
(Sorry about calling you a smart ass. I just had to point out the irony here.)

[triumph1]

Originally Posted by Skwyre7

But you didn't answer the question. Who's being a smart ass now?
(Sorry about calling you a smart ass. I just had to point out the irony here.)

I would think that before anyone claims their oil can meet the requirements of a given spec, it would be tested to do so. I can't tell you I've ever heard of Amalie, but Wolfs Head has been around forever. I will most likely use the WS, but would probably go with D6 if it were cheaper.

[richard schumacher]

Their specs say nothing about being compatible with high voltage motor-generator windings. Let us know how it works out for you.

[kohnen]

Originally Posted by triumph1

"Are you sure that the other fluid manufacturers have formulated and tested their transmission fluid so that it won't ever conduct electrically? I bet an electrical flash-over inside your Prius transmission would just suck!"

The question is, are you sure that they haven't tested their transmission fluid so that it won't ever conduct electrically?

There really was no need to be such a smart ass.

I wasn't trying to be a smart ass.

No, I'm not sure they haven't tested their transmission fluid to determine its high-voltage electrical properties.

If their fluid works, I don't see that you've gained much.

On the other hand, if it's not electrically compatible and your motor generator windings flash over, you'll likely be in a world of hurt.

Toyota would point the finger at the transmission fluid manufacturer, they would point the finger back at Toyota, and you'd be caught in the middle.

Sorry if pointing this sort of stuff out makes me a smart ass.

[edthefox5]

Originally Posted by kohnen

Let me give you some "blah blah."

The WS fluid in the Prius transmission is bathing electric parts that have 500V or so potential between them. This is because the Prius transmission also contains high power electric motors. Toyota is SURE that their WS fluid is electrically non-conductive.

Having high power electric motors in a transmission is relatively rare (because it's unique to hybrids using the Prius design or similar).

Other transmission fluids might work just fine for protecting the bearings and the gears of the Prius transmission, but might break down electrically near the terminals for the motor coils.

Are you sure that the other fluid manufacturers have formulated and tested their transmission fluid so that it won't ever conduct electrically? I bet an electrical flash-over inside your Prius transmission would just suck!

The Prius puts unique electrical demands on its transmission fluid that conventional cars don't. It has to act both as a transmission fluid AND a transformer oil (electrically non-conductive, no matter how many miles it has on it). This alone suggests to me that it would be wise to play it safe.

"might break down electrically"

What??? You must be kidding. How does that happen? Please...stop.

Every time someone discusses WS fluid HERE someone comes up with this dielectric nonsense...oh lookout there's electric motors in there. Which is just stupid. This is not transformer oil. WS is high quality low viscosity atf also used in many other Toyota vehicles ostensibly Tundra trucks. Period.

Do you have any idea how hard the conformal coating is on the exposed motor windings. So hard Toyota Engineers never gave it a second thought that hot ATF would affect that coating.

People come to this great site for facts not ridiculous opinions.

The original poster is absolutely correct. In our case its strictly a question of GL-4 gear lubricant.

I have been running Redline D6 in my 07 for 20K miles now and it runs perfect. Far better than WS fluid. Much smoother & quieter. You get what you pay for.

You want proof that I'm right there's no motor friendly non conducting additive in WS? Whats the WS look like after 40-50K miles. Gettin' pretty dark? That's because there's metal in the fluid. Liquid metal. Lots of it. That is kinda breaking down electrically isn't it? The factory doesn't seem to care about your non conducting issues either as they list WS as a 100,000 mile replacement. Have you seen 100K WS? Its almost black with metal. Get it?

[dogfriend]

Originally Posted by edthefox5

I have been running Redline D6 in my 07 for 20K miles now and it runs perfect. Far better than WS fluid. Much smoother & quieter. You get what you pay for.

Have you done a UOA yet on the D6? I'm wondering how it would compare to the WS fluid. I had a 10k factory fill sample done and another 10k sample after I changed out the initial fill.

I think D6 is also somewhat higher viscosity than WS. Have you noticed any change in FE?