Help with transmission fluid pls?

Tiny
DICKSONRED2
  • MEMBER
  • 2002 LEXUS ES 300
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 220,562 MILES
My ex told me transmission fluid was leaking from CVS axle seal and it was low when I checked it.I was in a hurry and remembered it called for Toyota (t4) fluid &I guess I just seen the 4 on Valvoline synthetic ATF+4 and grabbed it. It's shifting super hard and erractic now and I'm not sure what to do. Iv also read you shouldn't drain them with this many miles (220000) so I'm not sure should I just leave it, try to drain a little refill or try to flush. Iv been driving it like that so pretty sure it's mixed in good it's shifting really hard now so I'm worried I really messed up. Like it with buck pretty hard when accelerating from a stop, and you have to let off of the gas to let it catch. Im including pics of both fluids the blue one is the accidental one. Let me know what you would do pls. Thanks
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Friday, February 13th, 2026 AT 5:52 PM

4 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,884 POSTS
Yes, you need to have the correct fluid and it sounds like you need to flush the system and add new fluid that is the correct kind.

Correct fluid spec: Toyota Type T-IV (NOT ATF+4)

ATF+4 and Toyota Type T-IV are not compatible fluids.

The transmission is not damaged, it just needs the correct fluid, remove the pan, this will drain about 4 quarts and then read the correct fluid to see what happens, you might need to do this more than once. FYI. Please let us know what happens.
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Wednesday, February 18th, 2026 AT 5:36 PM
Tiny
DICKSONRED2
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Well dang it that's not what I wanted to hear since it's like $19 a quart am I going to need to buy a full 9 quarts I guess I am if I'm going to flush it huh? Well the situation has actually gotten a lot worse and now I'm confused on if it's the transmission shifting hard or something else it's gotten way worse it's shifting it feels like it's shifting hard now on top of down shifting while I'm going down the road is what it feels like it literally bucks back and drags it literally feels like it down s*** is hard when I'm going to the going down the street is done this on the highway on the regular road it just started this yesterday and now I'm pulling codes p0430 p0741 p0766 p0128 p0420 p0441 p0442 p0446 and p0771! Wtf! I know the p0430 is an oxygen sensor basically it's something to do with catalytic converter right if anybody has any idea if y'all have any idea what this could be I'd appreciate it I don't think it would have made the transmission start doing this all of a sudden that doesn't seem very plausible to me but I would love a second opinion thanks for your help
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Wednesday, February 18th, 2026 AT 5:43 PM
Tiny
DICKSONRED2
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I'm sorry other quick question I've heard when it has this many miles on it it's got 220740 mi right now that it's not good to do to flush the transmission that you can send it into shock I don't know if that's just a myth or what but is that true or will it be okay was that many miles on it? Thanks
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Wednesday, February 18th, 2026 AT 5:45 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,884 POSTS
Yep, that is true, that is why I suggested dumping the pan, and if needed twice but once should do the trick, the fluid is why it is shifting so hard/erratic. It was fine before the fluid addition correct? If so do the flush, also for the trouble codes, clear them and the ones that come back please start a new post for them. please post your new question here, you must be logged in.

https://www.2carpros.com/questions/new

Cheers, Ken
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Wednesday, February 18th, 2026 AT 6:18 PM

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