Amsoil Transmission Fluid Installed

I used to own a 2007 Honda Civic Si with a crappy 6 speed transmission. Shifting first thing in the morning was tough. Someone suggested that I try Amsoil MT fluid since I was desperate and Honda didn't initially acknowledge the problem. So I gave it whirl.

The Amsoil greatly improved shifting, although HOA eventually issued a TSB, which resulted in a complete transmission rebuild.

The Amsoil did make the transmission shifting better, and the issue a bit more bearable until Honda finally fixed it.

 

i guess i just don't understand the point. this oil, that oil, is there some humongous benefit?

 

I guess there is a percentage of Prius owner that their transaxle future want really matter.
Because they will trade it in, before it is broken in.
Or sell it short of a 100k.

 

Plenty of argumentative idiots indeed. You can always ignore them.
While I used WS in mine, I don't think the Amsoil will kill it. The experiment by Bob with increased copper had only test result, not enough to draw meaningful conclusions.

 

Searching my pdf of the US/Canadian Owners Manual, this is all I can find on the subject:



The grammar of the last sentence is a little mangled, but I think the message is clear.

I also searched my pdf of the Repair Manual, and found no spec for the transaxle fluid, just generic description. There is typically a little blue icon beside the generic description, saying INFO. I believe it's some sort of link, but it's broken in my pdf.

 

This discussion comes down to personal preference, you have the right to choose whichever fluid you wish to put in your cars. Just like motor oil, you don't have to go with the Toyota branded stuff, you can use an equivalent. I personally would stick with WS because it doesn't cost any more than the other equivalents on the market.

If you were buying a used car, there would be no way to prove the previous owner used WS fluid or not. Would that stop you from buying the car?

 

Prius owners are actually a VERY uptight bunch, which is why there a new post every week about 'Prius Hate'.
BUT...that's another topic.

OK.
So you're blazing a new trail.
There's nothing wrong with that, but (speaking of uptight) why not tell us why you've decided to experiment with Am$oil?
Is it cheaper?
Will it last longer than the 100,000 miles that the OEM stuff lasted?
Will it provide a measurable increase in MPG?

Keep posting, but also be mature enough to accept some mild criticism in a PUBLIC forum.
If your claims are valid, they will speak for themselves.
If our critiques are valid, they will speak for themselves as well.

I actually have an Am$oil (Ea) filter on my Harley VRSC-D....but that's only because I did a ton of research and prefer this filter over HD's already impressive OEM unit and I didn't want to go with a K$N filter because I like to keep oil OUT of my air intake system.

My impression is that the fluid will probably work about as well as the OEM stuff, and it might not damage your car.
If you claim increased fuel efficiency, then I'm going to throw a BRAVO-SIERRA flag on the field, because Toyota actually sells Priuses to be fuel efficient.
If Am$oil products were measurably better in this area?
They would already be in your car.

Good Luck!

 

Please say it isn't so!
Forget the amsoil thing, now, you are making a huge mistake.

 

No explanation is necessary.
If you regularly tow more than about 1600# with your Prius, then you are a shining example of someone who might have been educated beyond their intelligence.
If you're intent with using Am$oil products is to somehow indemnify yourself from the "abuse and neglect" clauses in your OEM warranty, then that also rather speaks for itself.

 

Thank you! Nothing wrong with towing with a Prius, as long as you remember the car's limitations. I *do* use genuine Toyota air and oil filters, coolant, and type WS fluid, but I would consider a quality oil like Amsoil if the price was right. Don't forget that Toyota stands to profit from spec'ing only their fluid. Anyone here remember the GM cars from the muscle car era, "Keep your GM car all GM"? That's the same thing Toyota wants!

 

Actually it looks like there is one huge benefit, he just increased the warranty on his tranny beyond the 100,000 or 120,000 mile oem warranty since Toyota will no longer cover any damages.

All in all though, I'm glad someone is going out on a limb for the general knowledge of others. This seems far less risky than adding extra battery to a new PiP or Prius.

 

^ You're saying an alternate transaxle fluid comes with an ironclad warranty, that if the transaxle fails Amsoil is going to be at his door with a fresh one?

Considering he's towing too, maybe this limb will snap sooner than later.

 

Ha ha aren't all warranties ironclad? My favorite are the surge protected power strip warranties for up $20,000.

Heck I thought you needed a lawyer for most of the third party ones anyways.

 

Sorry, didn't read through all of the thread. Amsoil's not a bad company. I'm actually a dealer. When looking for LL-01 5W-30 the tech there said they didn't have a product that met the specs. I trust them to tell you whether their product will work or not...

SCH-R530M ?

 

You didn't mention the miles on your Prius- but it's a 2004? Must have over 100K mi on it and no Toyota warranty left. Doubtful that Amsoil would warranty a 10yo high mileage car/transmission either.
Without a lab and experts at your disposal- Exactly how would you prove to Amsoil that it was their product that caused your transmission failure.
So, again... where's the up-side to using non Toyota transmission fluid?

 

It's smart of you to keep that email, although I'm not sure they'd be happy that you posted it on a forum, note the disclaimer on the bottom. Did you read the policy of their warranty? (I'm a dealer but I don't sell anything, so I've forgotten. I've purchased oil in the past...)

Is the transmission in the '04 Prius a CVT? (I'm not sure what the difference between eCVT and CVT is, but it sounds too close to my ignorant mind.)

If yes:

I'd drain that stuff out ASAP. Per this page:


AMSOIL Signature Series Fuel-Efficient Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid


"Note: Not for use with CVT applications."

If not:

You're set.

Hoping I'm wrong, but......

BTW- I went to read the lubricants warranty of Amsoil. I hate to say it, but if they find that you do something like tow, which is not recommended in the Toyota manual, you're out the Amsoil warranty, as it specifies under what is NOT COVERED:

"Failure of equipment when AMSOIL lubricants are not used in strict accordance with either the written recommendations of AMSOIL or the OEM for warranty coverage. The Consumer is solely responsible for determining a product’s merchantability or fitness (“suitability”) for a particular purpose and assumes all risks and liabilities when used other than in strict accordance with either the written recommendations of AMSOIL or the OEM for warranty coverage."

here:

http://www.amsoil.com/lit/g1363.pdf

Like I said, I'm not selling much and not really using much of their products....

 

The difference between a standard CVT and an eCVT is in the clutching.......
A standard CVT uses hydraulic clutching while an eCVT uses electric forces (coil/windings) to engage the transmission.

Sounds like you found the answer either way (ie Amsoil will not be buying anyone a new transmission for their Prius).

As I've said before I have no problem with others trying to blaze new trails (ie try new ATFs) on their own vehicles, but I do take exception when they are giving advice and passing these items off as great alternatives to relative novices for use on their car too.

 

Because you are too honest.

I don't see the point of using an ATF other than Toyota ATF WS, except as a way to demonstrate that you can make your own path in the world and are determined to defy group consensus.

The Toyota transaxle is mechanically very simple. The hybrid vehicle ECU is highly complex as it interprets accelerator pedal position and shift lever position and decides how much power to require from the gasoline engine and the traction battery, then that ECU spins MG1 as needed, provides power to MG2, and provides direction to the engine ECU to make this all happen.