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Anyone tried Valvoline Maxlife ATF?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Technical Discussion' started by kutcht1, May 23, 2015.

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  1. kutcht1

    kutcht1 Member

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    Just was at the local Walmart getting engine oil and was poking around at the ATF and noticed that Valvoline Maxlife is listed to be compatible with the Toyota WS fluid. Has anyone tried this or anything other than the Toyota branded fluid in the transmission? Also saw that Aisin Warner and Idemitsu have a compatible fluid but I can only get that online. My local Toyota sells the WS for over $12 quart, just wondering as I need to change mine out. See the link to valvoline pdf.
    http://www.valvoline.com/pdf/maxlife_atf.pdf
    TomK
     
    #1 kutcht1, May 23, 2015
  2. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    There's been a few brave souls trying alternatives. Something like this, so much riding on it: no way I'd use anything but the kosher fluid.
     
    #2 Mendel Leisk, May 23, 2015
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  3. tvpierce

    tvpierce Senior Member

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    I assume Aisin Warner makes the Prius transmission. So I'd trust a fluid sold by them. Heck, they probably make (or at least spec) the fluid for Toyota.
    Personally, I wouldn't roll the dice with the Valvoline.
     
    #3 tvpierce, May 24, 2015
  4. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    I agree, especially since the one Valvoline ATF is advertised on its website as being able to replace four Toyota ATF which have different viscosity levels.
     
    #4 Patrick Wong, May 24, 2015
  5. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    My worry not with it as ATF per se, but as an electrical insulating coolant for the Motor/Generators. I doubt Valvoline tested it as an insulator.
     
    #5 JimboPalmer, May 24, 2015
  6. kutcht1

    kutcht1 Member

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    Well, as some of you say "I rolled the dice" on my 2008 with 281,000 miles and changed the ATF with the Maxlife. After probably hours of reading on "bobistheoilguy" website even with what most Prius owners say there is tons of info out there that even have oil change companies using the Maxlife in these transmissions with no KNOWN ill effects (yes I know). So how can Valvoline say it is compatible with both Toyota transmission fluids as they are different, good question. As I now don't think the WS fluid is as special as most think, I figured it would be a good "let's see what happens" since I already had the fluid from when I did a service on my BMW. I had no know info on the current fluid that was in but it came out pretty much black. Currently the car shifts flawless and will keep updating as the miles go up and hopefully don't kill the thing:ROFLMAO:.
    TomK
     
    #6 kutcht1, Nov 26, 2018
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  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    at 280, you'll never know the cause of death.
     
    #7 bisco, Nov 26, 2018
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  8. kutcht1

    kutcht1 Member

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    So you are saying it is on borrowed time? Don't the GEN2 CVTs have a really low failure rate? I know the miles are getting up there but for me this Prius version has been damn near bullet proof. I am not as seasoned as many of you but also not green on these cars. Also know that anything fails if not taken care of and even more when ignored. Just read way to much about the Maxlife on that oil site and said why not.
    TomK
     
    #8 kutcht1, Nov 26, 2018
  9. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    There's plenty of alternate transxle fluid "support groups" here, folks that'll high-five and back-pat you for going with something else. The other fluids may be ok, who knows.

    I just figure: Toyota is very adamant about using Toyota ATF WS, cautions that using anything else could damage the transaxle, so why argue? There's a phenomena I guess, when someone tells you it's really important to zig, you want to zag.
     
    #9 Mendel Leisk, Nov 26, 2018
  10. kutcht1

    kutcht1 Member

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    If I remember in my manual is states to use Toyota WS or equivalent (I think or compatible) fluid. So whatever equivalent means we don't know. As with any other manufacturer they want to sell you their fluid. Since the CVT is still new technology, users don't know much of a track record and are somewhat afraid of using anything else. I used Castrol ATF in my 2002 and drove 40,000 miles or so with it without trouble. I just thought is was strange that most Prius users aren't using other fluids other than the Toyota fluid. Just thought I would follow-up with this question I had over 3 years ago when I bought my first GEN 2 which I did use the WS fluid in.
    TomK
     
    #10 kutcht1, Nov 26, 2018
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  11. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I set out to prove you wrong, but you are right, from the 2nd Owner's Manual:

    upload_2018-11-26_17-6-59.png

    Still, in the third gen Owner's Manual, they change it, no more mention of equivalent, and a warning:

    upload_2018-11-26_17-8-46.png

    Maybe due to more experience? Who knows, but I figure play it safe.
     
    #11 Mendel Leisk, Nov 26, 2018
  12. Skibob

    Skibob Senior Member

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    I believe in the US there is a law that prohibits a manufacturer from making a sole source fluid for any car. That’s the reason for that disclaimer.
     
    #12 Skibob, Nov 26, 2018
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  13. bobodaclown

    bobodaclown Member

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    I'm using it and have over 60k miles. No issues.
     
    #13 bobodaclown, Nov 26, 2018
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  14. kutcht1

    kutcht1 Member

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    Nice bob! I assume the Maxlife ATF is in your 2009, how many miles on the car?
    Mendel, that is interesting that it was changed when I swore in my manual it has (WS or equivalent). Could be an oversight or nothing at all. I did read that there are oil change chains doing ATF services that use the equivalent fluid and not the WS. I would think that would be risky for them if they read the manual that has the warning. Good info.
    TomK
     
    #14 kutcht1, Nov 27, 2018
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  15. TomB985

    TomB985 Member

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    I changed mine with MaxLife two weeks ago, and I'm not worried.

    It's listed as equivalent to the Toyota WS, and the Prius transaxle uses it for a far simpler purpose than most conventional automatics. There are no hydraulics or solenoids to foul, it's simply a glorified gear lube to my knowledge. It seems that Prius transaxle failures are rare even when neglected, so fresh fluid that meets the specs should be fine. Valvoline has recommended this fluid for the Prius for years, if there was an incompatibility we would see numerous failures by now.
     
    #15 TomB985, Nov 27, 2018
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  16. TomB985

    TomB985 Member

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    Just saw your location. Howdy, neighbor!
     
    #16 TomB985, Nov 27, 2018
  17. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    They love Maxlife over at Bitog. Lots of Prius running it with no issues at all. They despise WS there though lol.

    Our trans is a manual gearbox which would probably run on anything. Its a fantastic piece of engineering really.

    The only question is how high a quality GL4 lubricant you desire. I personally have been running Redline D6 for 11 years and 100,000 miles with excellent UOA's.

    There's some UOA's in the transmission sticky.
     
    #17 edthefox5, Nov 27, 2018
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  18. bobodaclown

    bobodaclown Member

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    132k on the Prius, about 4k ago changed our the pump for the inverter coolant loop. Now replacing the brake accumulator. That was a big hit to the wallet about $1800.
     
    #18 bobodaclown, Nov 27, 2018
  19. kutcht1

    kutcht1 Member

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    On my transmission I switched to Maxlife I pulled the unit with 290,000 miles and shifting as it should. Engine had a piston crack and replaced both units with low mileage ones. So not many miles to report on the CVT fluid change from Toyota WS.
     
    #19 kutcht1, Feb 10, 2020
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  20. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Well it doesn't "shift", but I assume it smoothed out.

    Was that the first fluid change? I'd speculate you'd have a similar improvement if the replacement fluid was the Toyota spec'd.
     
    #20 Mendel Leisk, Feb 10, 2020
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