I am finding conflicting facts about toyota atf WS. The 2010 rav4 3.5 with 250,000KM I just purchased. I want to buy TF and have it on hand before I need it. I am a firm believer in using the OEM TF. Found out that WS is now their best. Further research from transmission mechanics say '' WS is the proven fact that it cant handle the heat and breaks down to acid in a short period of time .'' Now I don't know which way to go. Dont even know whats in it since I have only owned it 3 days, please help.
I have a 2007 RAV4 3.5 and was wondering the same thing. I've looked at the Valvoline Maxlife synthetic ATF and am thinking about using this because it's $20/gal at Walmart and the OEM WS formulation is $22/quart at the Toyota dealer. I was looking at the Valvoline Maxlife reviews in various forums, including Amazon, and there appear to be many people, including mechanics that are happy with it and have used it for years.
I've asked this question to this forum and am awaiting input.
Interesting that the Valvoline Maxlife synthetic ATF states that, while it is compatible with the WS type of ATF, Valvoline does not recc using it in cars with CVT automatic transmissions. Maybe best to stick with the expensive WS fluid from Toyota.
I saw a vid of a guy that was a pro on oil, worked with it all his life, he said he would NOT use valv max life in anything, stay away from it, it is not certified. This is the link if it works https://youtu.be/t73jM6mT8sU
The ATF WS is totally fine for Toyota. Realize that Toyota does not make oil or transmission fluid.
I just got thru chatting with the Valvoline people as well as a Parts technician at out local Toyota Dealership. My 2007 RAV4 does not have a CVT transmission, so the MAXLIFE ATF can be used in my car. The Parts person did say that the 2010 and later models had CVT, so my suggestion would be for you to either go to the Valvoline website and chat with them or call your local Toyota Parts Dealer (have the VIN number ready) and find out whether you have a conventional automatic transmission or one that's a CVT (continuously variable transmission). If it has a CVT then you've got to use the recommended CVT fluid, which I guess is the Toyota WS fluid. If not, then I would go with the Valvoline Maxlife fully synthetic ATF.
isn't it obvious if you have CVT? you can feel conventional AT's shift through gears. CVT doesn't have individual gears.
Just saw the video posted by Timaay. Wow. Excellent video. I guess that answers our questions.
You could look up "2007 Rav4 transmission":
https://www.google.com/search?q=2007+rav4+transmission&rlz=1CAPPDO_enUS861&oq=2007+rav4+transmission&aqs=chrome.0.0i19l7j0i19i395l3.4344j1j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
And you would see that it does not come with a CVT, at least in the US.
Also the Rav4 did not get a CVT ever US spec, so I assume you are not in the US. Maybe in Canada it does but here. There is a 4, 5,6, and 8 speed auto.
Sorry, it's a 5 speed auto, I live in ontario canada. I do not like the idea of calling manufacturer for their opinion. Thats like asking damler chrysler if their vehicles are reliable.
Toyota has fake shift points added to some CVT trans.
Yup my RAV has a conventional transmission. Sorry for the confusion. There was a very long thread at another website for Tacoma owners about what type of ATF to use in Toyotas that specified the WS ATF. The participants had varied backgrounds and there were many engineers in that thread. Many submitted their oils to an independent oil analysis company (I believe it was called Blackstone). In addition they cited specs on several oils and the WS and Maxlife ATF differered mainly in the lower viscosity of the WS fluid. The participants used various ATF's and in fact one use the Mobil 1 synthetic ATF (which did not claim to be compatible). No one reported any problems and the general consensus was that products like Valvoline's Maxlife (or whatever ATF you thought was compatible based on the label) was probably just fine. Mind you this was a forum for Tacoma owners and they were only using in their Tacoma transmissions.
After viewing the video from the Weber State college I was convinced that the Maxlife ATF was not good, but now I am not convinced of that. True, the Maxlife is not "certified" for WS but it looks like there are many people out there using it in their Toyotas without problems. That institution also appears to have a relationship with Toyota, so again there may possibly be some bias.