2002 is Gen 1 so ask there: https://www.siennachat.com/forums/problems-maintenance-and-repair-gen-1.62/

You'll get every answer from MaxLife is okay to T-IV only. A gallon of MaxLife is $26 at Walmart and you can get T-IV for $7 a quart online plus shipping. Is that a big enough difference? A common position is T-IV is cheaper than a transmission.

Sixto
04 LE FWD 240k miles

 

Thanks Sixto,

But Maxlife is even cheaper than a transmission.

 

The correct fluid should be stamped on the dip stick. Replaced 12 or 13 qts in my 99 seven years ago... and it had a lot more miles than yours.
If I were to just replace a couple qts, like you plan, I'd use the same (new) fluid that's already in there.

 

Thanks Circus. The dipstick says Dexron II or Dexron III. Nothing about T-IV. Almost sounds like a way for Toyota to make money on ATF. Appreciate your pragmatic approach.

 

T-1V

 

But why?

 

Thanks All! Very much appreciate your time and expertise.

 

Thread moved to Gen 1.

 

Thanks - I thought I was in Gen 1 when I created the new thread.

 

@Joeitenif It looks like you made a thread in both Gen 2 and Gen 1. I deleted the second one now that this one with replies has been moved to Gen 1.

 

Thank you!

 

Some how, before I got my shop manuals, looked at the web, and ended up with a case of 12, Toyota T-IV.

Edit: (prior info, was "Supposedly" backwards compatible, the Professor shows "Nope" on a report).

Had a filter done at the trans shop, he mentioned "D" III, later I found the "D" II/III in the manual LMAO.
Why I FORGOT THE STAMPING ON THE STICK!? LOL.

Edit: (btw, I did remember I looked at it, and went searching for D-II lol)

Soon, I was going in for another fill, spoke to the trans shop owner, he mentioned simple D II, or D III, nothing fancy, not synthetic, or expensive. I like to stay with the same quality, and classification with fluids, not mixing, OOPS, so will have a full exchange done.

I studied the II, and III fluids many years ago, crap...CRS for seniors is not helping.
Well, if I forgot to read the stick, I better leave it to the professionals lmao.

Edit: Here is the professor showing the info:

I will get a case of the DII/III, and take it down to the High Desert trans shop for a complete change. Spoil my van and it spoils me back.

8/11/25, van is still at the NAPA care care center for an Aisin timing belt/pump kit (TKT-024 and SKT-004 seal kit) control arms, possibly a drivers axle...dang

 

I wanted the "BEST" fluid, as we all do, and couldn't make up my mind so I went with Red Line D6-ATF. Being that I've never driven another Sienna I can't compare it's performance and note the little glitches I feel with this tranny but it shifts smoothly up and down, it's just when I abruptly let off and put on the gas that I notice some clunkiness.

 

Valvoline Maxlife is a good synethic ATF it claims to be compatible with T-IV and WS fluid. I’ve used it in my 2015 Sienna that calls for WS with good results. 50K miles since ATF change and it is still good, transmission shifts smoothly.

you can get 3 gallons cheaper on Amazon and first time you do it, you might want to get as much of the existing fluid out as possible. I did a flush but that’s too much to get into and not for most people. Just do 2-3 drain and fill.

 

A common position is T-IV is cheaper than a transmission.

A whole average 2002 Sienna today most likely is cheaper than a transmission, especially if you don't have means to swap it yourself. So from that perspective, maybe 20 $/gal options do look more enticing than 20 $/qt ones, no?

Since it's a 2002 with U140E 4-speed...

Wrong. 2002 Sienna has A541E transmission.


And for A541 Toyota has never specified anything but Dexron III (Dexron II) under their Part # 00718–ATF00, as per the attached TSB TC001-02.
Earlier 1999 Toyota TSB TC003-99 explicitly shows T-IV only backward compatible with with previous Type-T fluids, but not with Dex III/II.

 

"Valvoline Maxlife is a good synethic ATF"

Yup.
It's what I've been running in my 2008 gen2, and if anything, it diminished some slipping problems I had. Certainly didn't hurt anything.

 

"Valvoline Maxlife is a good synethic ATF"

Yup.
It's what I've been running in my 2008 gen2, and if anything, it diminished some slipping problems I had. Certainly didn't hurt anything.

Thanks!

 

Been running MaxLife in my 06 since 100K miles when I bought it. I vacuum out a gallon every few oil changes. Just turned over 271K. Transmission may take a dump tomorrow, but getting 271K out of a minivan transmission is a testament to the fluid. Remember….fluids are cheap.

 

Thanks! I went with what the manufacturer stamped on the dip stick. I drained a gallon out and added a gallon back in. I will probably do like you and exchange a gallon every few oil changes.