The third generation of the legendary mid-size Japanese SUV Toyota Land Cruiser Prado J120, produced by the famous automaker from 2002 to 2009, received the most expanded arsenal of power units. Having gone through a planned restyling in 2005, this model range acquired a new 5-speed automatic transmission, which joined the 4-speed automatic transmission already installed on these vehicles. At the same time, Prado 120 automatic transmission oil is selected according to factory specifications, which we will talk about in this article.
Automatic transmission oils for Toyota Land Cruiser Prado J120
About approvals
The third generation mid-size SUVs Toyota Land Cruiser Prado J120 were equipped with:
- 4-speed automatic transmission A340F/A340
- 5-speed automatic transmission A750/TB-50LS
At the same time, the transmission fluid in these automatic machines, depending on the automatic transmission modification, is selected according to ATF Type T-IV or Type WS tolerances.
Transmission oil change interval
Let's talk about interval. If you do not observe the regular Prado 120 oil change interval, then at best the filter will clog, the pressure will drop and the solenoids will burn out. At worst, you will have to send the automatic transmission for major repairs, or even restoration.
Therefore, remember the timing of regular replacement and do not rely on what the manufacturer says. Maybe the automatic transmission of the Land Cruiser Prado 120 Series can and will cover 300,000 kilometers without major repairs in Europe or Japan, but not in the harsh Russian climate.
- 30 thousand kilometers for a partial oil change in the Prado 120 automatic transmission;
- 60,000 kilometers – complete change of transmission fluid in the automatic transmission.
All service centers usually use these regulations and provide a guarantee for this period after replacing the lubricant. Of course, if you don’t want to contact a service station or you don’t have one in your village, you can change the oil in a garage. There's nothing complicated about it.
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Setting up and adjusting the automatic transmission cable
The lubricant in the Prado automatic transmission must be changed in case of the following unusual symptoms that you might accidentally discover:
- jerks and jolts when switching modes or speeds;
- hum or vibration. This symptom may indicate both a lack of oil and a breakdown of the pump wheel in the torque converter. The malfunction could have occurred due to an insufficient level of transmission fluid in the Prado 120 automatic transmission from the previous owner, if you bought the car second-hand.
Attention! If you buy a Prado 120 secondhand, be sure to change the automatic transmission oil the next day, despite the seller’s assurances. You will save a decent amount in the future.
I’ll say right away that the Prado 120 automatic transmission loves only original oil. You should not buy any counterfeits of the original liquid, otherwise you will kill the machine ahead of time.
Write in the comments whether you comply with the manufacturer’s regulations or follow the advice of experienced mechanics at a service station in your city?
Toyota Land Cruiser Prado J120 oil for automatic A340F/A340 (4 gears)
Pre-styling Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 120 models were equipped with 4-speed automatic transmissions of the A340 and A340F modifications, developed by the famous Japanese company Aisin Warner. As for the transmission fluid, these machines, on the recommendation of Toyota, are filled with transmission fluid with ATF Type T-IV approval. Therefore, when servicing these automatic transmissions, we safely purchase both original Toyota ATF Type T-IV oil and analog transmission fluids that have this specification. For example Lukoil Atf Synth Asia or TOTACHI ATF Type T-IV.
Toyota ATF Type T-IV | 4 liters Article: 08886-01705 Average price: 3000 rubles 1 liter Article: 00279-000T4-01 Average price: 1200 rubles |
Lukoil Atf Synth Asia | 4 liters Article: 3132621 Average price: 2300 rubles 1 liter Article: 3132619 Average price: 500 rubles |
TOTACHI ATF Type T-IV | 4 liters Article: 4562374691025 Average price: 2000 rubles 1 liter Article: 4562374691018 Average price: 600 rubles |
Practical advice on choosing oil in an automatic transmission Land Cruiser Prado 120
The Prado 120 automatic transmission is designed only for original oil. Since ideally selected gear ratios, error-free operation of the solenoids require constant pressure.
Constant pressure can only give the same viscosity index. The latter differs for all types of oils. That’s why I don’t recommend using similar liquids, and especially don’t buy cheap fakes. Then you will pay more for automatic transmission repairs.
Original oil
To change the fluid, purchase Toyota WS oil only from authorized dealers. Transmission fluid is sold in cans. Used in automatic transmissions from the manufacturer Aisin.
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How to properly use tiptronic on an automatic transmission
The lubricant base is pure synthetics. It has a viscosity index of 171. And it hardens only when the ambient temperature drops to minus 44 degrees.
This oil increases the service life of the vehicle's automatic transmission. And the calcium present in additives allows the oil to have good cleaning properties. Protects metal parts from corrosion and oxidation.
Oil creates a reliable protective film around the rubbing elements. The components are not subject to wear for a long time. Protects against overheating, has a universal temperature regime that is suitable for all regions of Russia, including the northern ones.
Analogs
I do not recommend looking for any analogues of oil for the Toyota Cruiser Prado 120 series gearbox. Since no other type of oil can create ideal conditions for automatic transmission operation. This oil has only one approval.
The electronics of the Prado 120 box are sensitive to the level of transmission fluid in the Prado 120 automatic transmission. Therefore, underfilling or overfilling negatively affects its operation and the operation of the automatic transmission as a whole.
Automatic transmission oil Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 120 A750/TB-50LS (5 gears)
After restyling in 2005, the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado J120 line received a 5-speed hydromechanical automatic transmission A750, which is also called TB-50LS. The manufacturer of this automatic transmission is the same company Aisin Warner, however, the transmission fluid used in this automatic transmission has a completely different approval. Namely, the Type WS specification, which is possessed by both the original Japanese Toyota Type WS oil and its substitutes Petro-Canada DuraDrive MV Synthetic ATF, Aisin ATF AFW+ and so on.
Toyota Type WS | 4 liters Article: 08886-02305 Average price: 4000 rubles 1 liter Article: 08886-81210 Average price: 1300 rubles |
Petro-Canada DuraDrive MV Synthetic ATF | 1 liter Article: DDMVATFC12 Average price: 650 rubles |
Aisin ATF AFW+ | 4 liters Article: ATF-6004 Average price: 3000 rubles |
Checking the level
The ATF WS check procedure is carried out using the control plug, which is located at the bottom right of the automatic transmission. It is important not to overheat the oil when checking the level. Otherwise, more oil will spill out, and you will not know the exact level.
Level checking process steps:
- Place the Prado 120 on a flat surface.
- Locate the diagnostic plug on the left under the steering wheel.
- Close contacts 4 and 13 of Prado 120.
- Start the car.
- Slowly move the selector lever from the “Parking” mode to “L” Prado 120.
- Put the lever back.
- Quickly move the selector lever from “Forward” to “Neutral”.
- Repeat 6 times.
- You will see the Oil temp light come on for two seconds. Then it will go out.
- Wait until it lights up again.
- Get under the car and unscrew the control plug with a 5mm hex.
- The grease should drip out.
- If it doesn’t drip, then fill it through the filler hole near the transfer case until it flows through the control. The syringe filling procedure is performed.
Attention! All work is carried out with the Prado 120 engine running. Do not wait until the lamp starts flashing. A flashing dump indicates oil overheating; if it does not light up, it has not yet reached a temperature of 40 degrees at which you can check the level.
Look at the drained oil. If the liquid is black or dark, or has metallic shine, the oil should be replaced. If it smells burnt, change it immediately without hesitation.
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The automatic transmission of the car jerks when changing gears, shocks and jerks are felt
You may have to take your Prado 120 to a service center for repairs if the oil smells burnt. The clutches in the automatic transmission definitely burned out in this state of affairs.
Do-it-yourself oil change in automatic transmission Land Cruiser Prado 120
Before changing the oil, you need to prepare the Toyota Prado 120 box. Warm it up.
A complete replacement, if you do not have a high-pressure apparatus, will have to be carried out several times. But more on this in the block devoted to a complete change of lubricant. Now let's talk about partial oil changes.
Write in the comments, have you changed the operation in the Prado 120 automatic transmission?
Draining old oil
The procedure steps for this phase of lubricant change are as follows:
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Reasons for the appearance of shocks in the automatic transmission after an oil change
- Place the preheated car on an overpass or pit. If the car is raised on a jack, then it will not be very convenient for you to climb under it.
- Unscrew the drain plug and place a container for drainage.
- Wait until the oil in the automatic transmission is completely drained. You will have to wait about 20 minutes. To speed up the process, you can unscrew the filler plug. Access to oxygen on the other side will increase the oil yield.
- Then remove the bolts that hold the pan in place.
- Carefully remove it. There may be transmission fluid residue in it.
- Drain the remainder into a drainage container.
This completes the first stage of changing the transmission fluid in the Prado 120. Let's move on to the second.
Washing the tray and removing chips
Now rinse the pan with carbocleaner, after removing the magnets. The latter may be surrounded by shavings. These are wear products. Clean the magnets with a wire brush.
Reinstall the magnets and cut off the old gasket on the pallet with a sharp knife. Degrease the edges of the pan and install a new gasket.
After this stage of washing the Land Cruiser Prado 120 automatic transmission has been completed, proceed to removing the filter.
Replacing the filter
To change the filter, you will need to unscrew three bolts. Then remove it and install a new filter device. Tighten the bolts. After this, install the tray, the edges of which are lubricated with silicone. And tighten the pan bolts.
Old Prado 120s are usually equipped with an additional fine filter. It is built into the automatic transmission cooling system. It will need to be removed and replaced as well.
Filling with new oil
Now the stage of filling a fresh transmission begins. To do this, take a syringe and draw oil into it.
- Insert it into the filler hole and press the piston. The control plug must be unscrewed.
- Fill until transmission fluid flows out of the inspection hole.
- Tighten the plugs.
- Start the engine and warm up the Prado 120 automatic transmission.
- Take a car ride.
- Stop on level ground.
- Check the lubricant level in the Prado 120 automatic transmission.
- Top up if necessary.
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Now you know how to partially change the transmission fluid in a Prado 120 automatic transmission.
Repair and maintenance of Toyota Prado 120
Our technicians invariably emphasize the important role of competent and regularly performed vehicle maintenance, along with diagnostics. By combining them, you can get the desired result: optimize repair costs, eliminate the risk of breakdowns on the road, and drive safely and comfortably. We provide a full range of services in this area:
Repaired units and systems: | Maintenance activities: |
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Body repair is another area of our activity, and the range of services for it includes everything that a vehicle may require: from removing scratches from paintwork and local painting to restoring body geometry and replacing side members. Contact Toyota Taganka and be confident that your car will always be in perfect condition!
Materials for a comprehensive oil change in the Land Cruiser Prado 120 automatic transmission
Before you start changing the lubricant in the Prado 120 automatic transmission, purchase the following materials and tools:
- original oil with catalog number 08886-02305 - 12 liters for a full change and 5 liters for a partial change;
- box filter with catalog number 35330-60050;
- gasket for pallet 35168-60010;
- O-rings;
- gloves;
- container for drainage;
- five liter bottle;
- lint-free cloth;
- carbocleaner or WD40, kerosene;
- syringe for filling;
- wrenches, hexagons and ratchet sockets.
Changing the oil in an automatic transmission is carried out in several stages.
Complete replacement of transmission fluid in automatic transmission
The procedure for a complete oil change in an automatic transmission is identical to the partial process. Only after you fill the machine with lubricant, you will need to tighten the plugs and remove the hose from the return pipe. Connect a long hose to it and lead it outside.
- Insert the remaining end of the hose into a five-liter bottle.
- Call your partner and ask him to start the Prado 120 engine.
- A black liquid will flow into the bottle.
- Wait until it changes color.
- If you haven’t changed it, then turn off the Prado 120 engine and top up the automatic transmission with oil again.
- Repeat the procedure. Do this until light oil runs.
- Turn off the engine and install the hose back. It should take you up to 12 liters for a full shift.
- Take a Prado 120 for a ride and check the level.
Add lubricant to the automatic transmission as necessary. Now you know how to carry out a complete fluid change.
Write in the comments what method have you already used to change the lubricant?