1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

ATF fluid changes ARE Required.

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Bill Norton, Dec 15, 2012.

  1. Elsiediveley

    Elsiediveley New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 25, 2014
    5
    2
    0
    Location:
    Chunky, MS 39323
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    V
    OK, then, as I plan to see if I can get 300,000 miles from this 2014 [ Elsie's first Prius-- a 2005-- was sold to a family friend,, it now has over 300,000 miles on it, no problems ] I will change mine early also. I guess I should suggest to her to get hers changed also. [ E.T.A.,, just advised Elsie to have hers changed, she said, ''OK'' ]
     
    Mendel Leisk likes this.
  2. NutzAboutBolts

    NutzAboutBolts Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 5, 2013
    1,476
    1,551
    0
    Location:
    Bay Area
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    The problem I see here is that you need a stubby hex and not the long hex that you have to fit your breaker bar without the extension. I used the stubby hex and it works fine.
     
  3. lester williams

    Joined:
    Jun 22, 2014
    227
    68
    0
    Location:
    mississippi
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    Home now, Elsie will get hers changed this week--- we are going on a week long ''motor trip'' to Colorado a few weeks into Sept., it will be time for my ''10,000 mile oil change'' from dealer upon return [ had first and paid for one at 2,050 ] and will pay for the ATF then. Sometimes,,, this stuff is cheap....
     
  4. kenichols29

    kenichols29 Active Member

    Joined:
    Jul 16, 2014
    250
    109
    0
    Location:
    Mckinney, Texas
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    I hate to bring up an old argument, but here it goes. I am planning to change my fluid at the dealer for first time at 10k then I plan to do it myself at 30k, which will be less than a year from now. I have always been a fan of Mobil and Amsoil lubricants and I checked today at the local autoparts store and the Mobil says it is not compatible with the Toyota ws. I also checked Amsoil's website and they now have 2 fluids that are compatible with Toyota ws. That being said what do I have to gain using Amsoil for my second change over using Toyota ws? I trust Amsoil and I have easy access to it considering I drive within one block of one of their warehouses everyday (and I checked I can buy it there if I want to). I
     
  5. SageBrush

    SageBrush Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 4, 2008
    11,627
    2,530
    8
    Location:
    Southwest Colorado
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Two
    Say what ?
     
  6. kenichols29

    kenichols29 Active Member

    Joined:
    Jul 16, 2014
    250
    109
    0
    Location:
    Mckinney, Texas
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    I read this entire thread and people have been arguing over wich is the best, mobil, redline d4 or d6, Toyota ws, and amsoil. I don't have access to redline products where I live. I just want to know if people recommend amsoil now that it meets toyota ws standards.
     
  7. SageBrush

    SageBrush Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 4, 2008
    11,627
    2,530
    8
    Location:
    Southwest Colorado
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Two
    Ah.

    The peeps that use Amsoil recommend it.
    On the other hand, those who use WS do not.
     
    kenichols29 likes this.
  8. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    54,710
    38,247
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    I wouldn't risk using anything other than Toyota ATF-WS.
     
  9. gliderman

    gliderman Active Member

    Joined:
    Aug 2, 2011
    751
    223
    0
    Location:
    Texas
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    I think you should do the research and make up your own mind. All Amsoil dealers are going to swear by their product. Toyota will always stand by theirs also. So you pick whatever you want and go forth. If your just looking for a healthy debate, try reading all the transaxle fluid change threads. There is plenty of advocates either way you go. Good luck!
     
    irrational likes this.
  10. NutzAboutBolts

    NutzAboutBolts Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 5, 2013
    1,476
    1,551
    0
    Location:
    Bay Area
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    Be safe than sorry, what happen to that? go with Toyota WS lol, or read the label on the product and see if its equivalent to the WS fluid.
     
  11. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 19, 2012
    7,848
    3,102
    0
    Location:
    Honolulu, HI
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Yeah, and see if they not only say it's compatible with Toyota ATF-WS, but back it up in writing. As in, will they buy you a transaxle if their fluid causes yours to fail? ;)

    SCH-I535
     
    kenichols29 likes this.
  12. SageBrush

    SageBrush Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 4, 2008
    11,627
    2,530
    8
    Location:
    Southwest Colorado
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Two
    I'll be happy to provide that warranty*.


    *All owner has to do is prove causation.
     
  13. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    54,710
    38,247
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    I'm surprised (or maybe not) that people can read this in the Owner's Manual:

    Capture.JPG

    And then the next question out of their mouths is: what alternatives can I use?
     
  14. SageBrush

    SageBrush Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 4, 2008
    11,627
    2,530
    8
    Location:
    Southwest Colorado
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Two
    LOL

    The even more curious thing is that the alternative is not cheaper and not superior. So where is the advantage ?
    Choking on gnats but swallowing elephants comes to mind.
     
  15. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    54,710
    38,247
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    ^ Yup. Well, more expensive equals better, right?
     
  16. frodoz737

    frodoz737 Top Wrench

    Joined:
    Aug 26, 2010
    4,297
    2,347
    33
    Location:
    Texas
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Four
  17. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    54,710
    38,247
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    Saw that movie, with the kids, pretty much the night it opened. The audience basically exploded during that scene.
     
  18. Bill Norton

    Bill Norton Senior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 15, 2012
    1,822
    595
    0
    Location:
    MONW, Ks.
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    Expensive/Synthetic usually does = better.
    Isn't that the theory with your engine oil?

    WS is the house brand of a generic ATF that Toyota uses in their entire fleet. There is nothing unique about it.
    It has a viscosity spec. If a synthetic has a similar spec wouldn't that be a better lube?
    The eCVT in the Prius is a box of gears and bearings. It's surprisingly simple! It needs a clean lube (no filter, no magnetic drain plug).
    Anything similar to ATF could probably be used with no problem.
    Amsoil makes an 'FE' (?) version of ATF that has a similar viscosity spec to WS.

    Remember: Toyota is not 'All Knowing' on this subject. They don't tell you to change this nasty brew that develops in the transaxle.
     
    frodoz737 likes this.
  19. Feri

    Feri Active Member

    Joined:
    Jun 25, 2011
    761
    144
    0
    Location:
    Maldon Victoria Australia
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    No but they tell the trainee technicians! I would want to know if non Toyota brands could guarantee no damage to the electric motors.
     
  20. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    54,710
    38,247
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    Bill, you really carry the torch for this subject. The way I look at it: if they tell me adamantly to use their fluid, and it's a multi-grand transaxle repair in the balance, I'll go fry other fish. ;)

    Cripes, you traded your's in about a year back. And I recall you saying "I'm outa here".