Do We need to change the Toyota Lifetime ATF WS 08886-02305?

For those who are new to this automatic transmission fluid (ATF), the Toyota World Standard (WS) ATF 08886-02305 is considered lifetime fill in Toyota Vios (2007 generation onward), Yaris, Prius and Prius C. It is considered lifetime fill for vehicles operated under normal driving conditions.

Toyota Lifetime ATF WS 08886-02305
Toyota Lifetime ATF WS 08886-02305

This Toyota ATF WS does not required drain/refill unless the vehicle is used to tow. I pulled out the Toyota Vios transmission oil dipstick and I saw the note even stated “No need to replace ATF in normal driving condition”.

This  Toyota ATF WS does not required drain/refill unless the vehicle is used to tow
Toyota ATF WS does not required drain/refill unless the vehicle is used to tow

Nevertheless, I still proceed to change the Toyota ATF WS 08886-02305 in my Toyota Vios that already clocked at 80,0001KM just to verify if changing the ATF will improve the car’s performance.

80,000KM Mileages Clocked
80,000KM Mileages Clocked

The 4L of ATF WS 08886-02305 cost me RM180, from Toyota dealer and I had the ATF WS changed at local vehicle service center:

Refilling Toyota Lifetime ATF WS 08886-02305 in Toyota Vios Transmission
Refilling Toyota Lifetime ATF WS 08886-02305 in Toyota Vios Transmission

The drained out oil ATF WS is slight in darker red color, while the new and fresh ATF WS  08886-02305 is red in color as above photo. Then I drove my Toyota Vios for another week; and I found the car performance and the fuel consumption rate remain the same.

Conclusion, replacing the ATF WS  08886-02305 isn’t necessary as stated in the dipstick and it doesn’t improve the car performance even we replaced it.

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25 thoughts on “Do We need to change the Toyota Lifetime ATF WS 08886-02305?

  1. Jhosel says:

    Hi Sir, I have a Toyota Vios Model 2014 and already at 125K km odometer and the ATF fluid is already dark with slightly burnt smell. Shall I replace it even though it says in the deep stick that it requires no replacement or its lifetime.

    • Kelvin Ang says:

      is already 125,000KM, although is not necessary to change it but I would change for sake of to maintain the transmission system 🙂

  2. Danny Lim says:

    Hi Kelvin,

    I have a question with regards to Toyota ATF WS which I am currently using for my Vios year 2010 that has clocked 261K km. As you have mentioned in your above article, that we do not need to drain/replace at 80K km, then when should we drain/replace it? I am a bit confuse on this matter. Can you elaborate?

    Thank you and best regards,
    Danny

    • Kelvin Ang says:

      Hi Danny,
      First of all, congratulations on hitting 261Kkm with your Vios. That is impressive mileages. In Japan, the vehicle life cycle is approximate 10 years. That means that you don’t need to change the ATF oil in 10 years, but since people like us who drive our beloved car for more than 10 years, then the ‘lifetime is not applicable for us’.

      I would suggest you replace your ATF, and share with me the result.

  3. Kenneth Hoo says:

    Hi Kelvin,
    I’m back here after 2 yrs with more questions. I’m still driving this Dugong NCP93. Tough car that never disappoint me 🙂

    I realized there’s a filter screen in auto transmission and this requires attention i believe though not many really bother or don’t even know its existence. For me i did not find any information in Toyota service booklet about the filter change interval and i’m pretty lost. My car clocked at 150K and i experienced slight under power when gear kicking in and sudden surge of power occasionally during my daily ride though not very noticeable. Could that be the filter causing the symptoms. What mileage interval do you recommend for the transmission filter change?

    2nd question do you recommend a full transmission flush that get rid of most fluids out of the transmission or just simple drain and top up? I realized simple drain will get rid of only a quarter or maybe slightly more of what is inside and i won’t get a clean ATF mixing with the old fluids. What do you suggest and which option you apply to your Dugong?

    Confused Kenneth

    • Kelvin Ang says:

      Sorry for late reply, Kenneth Hoo. I hope you are still driving your Dugong NCP93 haha
      If at 150,000KM and you still want to keep the car going for next 5-10 years, It would be great to replace all the fluid in the system and change all filters.

      I know this gonna cause the pocket a big hole, but not much option we have unless change a new car.

  4. boris says:

    I have buddy with 97 camry over 300k trans never touched. My old camry had over 300k i flushed trans one time at 120k or so I killed the car at 318k miles when I noticed transmission not as smooth I added lucas transmission fix additive and then it went goodbye… if i never added lucas additive i’ll be driving it today! Now I got new camry with sealed trasnmission and dont know what i’m do when time comes probably leave it a lone or let dealer do it at 120 any suggestions ?

    • Kelvin Ang says:

      Hey buddy,
      thanks for your comment. Changing transmission oil is BIG THING in the car, so I would suggest changing transmission oils, brake oils shall be done by the authorise Toyota Service Center. While changing engine oil can be done by yourself or any dealers, but not changing transmission oils since we only change the oil every 120K or more.

      hope to hear from you again!

  5. Kenneth Hoo says:

    Hi Kelvin,

    I own a Vios NCP93 2nd gen too that runs on ATF WS.
    My question is why UMW recommends us to change ATF after certain mileage say 80K if it’s meant to last a vehicle life time? I find it so contradictory having had the ATF changed as according to the service booklet while Toyota claims that ATF WS drain and refill is not necessary driving under normal condition. Now which one is true?

    Confused Kenneth

    • Kelvin Ang says:

      Hi Kenneth, sorry for taking a longer time to reply you back as I was busy with my full-time job.
      The “life-time” meaning in automotive is actually 10 years. A standard vehicle’ life-time is 10 years, but most of us don’t really change our vehicle even after 10 years. The ATF oil is recommended to change after 10 years. Don’t change it like me at 80,000km; it was such as waste. The used ATF oil was still perfect light red when the staff drain off from my car. This mean the ATF oil still in good condition 🙁

      • Kenneth Hoo says:

        Hi Kelvin,

        Appreciate your reply. I have just bought it OMG. I bought it from local authorized Toyota dealer priced at RM159, but cheaper still vs UMW that priced at RM260.

        I will do ATF change since I bought one. That dealer told exactly as what you told, that we/ most Malaysian keep our car longer than 10yrs, and drain and refill driving under normal condition generally doesn’t apply here. Some countries they sell off or dispose the car exceeding 5yrs, and it starts to make sense why Toyota put that label on the stick.

        Thank you for your time to reply bro!

        Kenneth

        • Kelvin Ang says:

          HI Kenneth,
          No problem. Helping each other is fun, moreover, we are sharing the same passion. If you don’t mind, please share this good pieces of article to your friends 🙂

    • Kelvin Ang says:

      I replaced the ATF oil at 70,000KM mileages, and the ATF oil is still clear when I replaced it. It proven that the ATF oil doesn’t degrade…

      • Nevada Smith says:

        I just changed mine at 28,000 miles and the old fluid was black. BUT it was ten years old. Yes our RAV4 is a 2009 model but only has 28,000 miles on it.

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