Amsoil Universal ATF in GM FWD transmission?

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cousincletus

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Any long-term users of Amsoil ATF in GM automatics here? Just bought an Impala (2004 3.4, 4 speed automatic). Car has 13K miles on it now, but was interested in changing the transmission fluid @ 15-20K, since I don't know how the previous owner drove it (fluid looks like new, though). Amsoil is pretty expensive, transmission takes 7.5 quarts, and was wondering how shift quality and longevity of the transmission is with this oil. BTW I plan on keeping this car a long time, as I like it a lot. I just got 32 mpg on a trip to the mountains this weekend. Unbelievable for a fullsize car. Thanks in advance!
cheers.gif
 
Do a cooler line flush with DEXRON-VI ($6/qt under Valvoline brand) and don't touch it again for another 50k miles.

Or you can use Amsoil...but DEXRON-VI is just easier to obtain locally.
 
Used it since 1980 in all my vehicles. Currently have it in a 1993 Lumina 80,000 miles, **1992 Silverado 4x4 92,000 miles, 2004 GMC Sierra 4x4 31,000 miles. Note-Total miles on vehicles, all were changed over before 10,000 miles or less.

Note-Never one problem EVER.

**Note-This truck is used to plow snow in winter so it see's HD use.
 
2004 or later model you should use DexronVI which you can get at your GM dealer $3 cheaper per quart than Amsoil. I have it in my 06 GM truck. The Amsoil is pretty expensive and although the sales people say it will work they have no documentation to really back it up because it is NOT GM approved. So basically why pay 50% more for an oil that is not even aproved by the manufacturer of your vehicle. Just doesn't make sense to me. Now if Amsoil was $3 a quart that would be different.
 
1) Amsoil ATF is 100% synthetic fluid.
2) Amsoil ATF contains NO VII's.
3) Amsoil ATF contains the correct FM's to not only perform in GM transmissions but to actually perform better.
4) Amsoil ATF contains more and better AW and EP additives that will allow better gear protection longer transmission life
5) Amsoil has test data on their ATF and many miles and years of proven research as the maker of the first synthetic ATF. They stand behind the product 100%. Amsoil simply says they have a better product.
6) It costs $10 for 6 months, or $20 for a full year to become a preferred customer. Becoming a preferred customer allows folks to buy Amsoil products at dealer prices. Retail price is $107 case, PC price is $78 for a case.
7) Actually shipping cost is $9 for a case shipped anywhere in the USA. Not a bad deal (when gasoline is $3 gallon) to have something brought to your door.

If you don’t want to use the product, fine. But please don’t just make stuff up.
 
You guys are going to force me to defend Amsoil with all this negativity. (and I really despise the whole MLM concept)

The price for the product can be very competive to other quality fluids and the availablity depends on your local conditions(dealer). A 2004 spec'd DIII so whether a D6 product or a excellent synthetic DIII will work better is at best not clear.

I don't consider haggling with the GM parts man excellent availability. Excellent availability is on the shelf at 80% of the auto stores and Wal-mart class discounters for an everyday low price. D6 is not there yet.
 
Quote:

1) Amsoil ATF is 100% synthetic fluid.
2) Amsoil ATF contains NO VII's.
3) Amsoil ATF contains the correct FM's to not only perform in GM transmissions but to actually perform better.
4) Amsoil ATF contains more and better AW and EP additives that will allow better gear protection longer transmission life
5) Amsoil has test data on their ATF and many miles and years of proven research as the maker of the first synthetic ATF. They stand behind the product 100%. Amsoil simply says they have a better product.
6) It costs $10 for 6 months, or $20 for a full year to become a preferred customer. Becoming a preferred customer allows folks to buy Amsoil products at dealer prices. Retail price is $107 case, PC price is $78 for a case.
7) Actually shipping cost is $9 for a case shipped anywhere in the USA. Not a bad deal (when gasoline is $3 gallon) to have something brought to your door.

If you don’t want to use the product, fine. But please don’t just make stuff up.

Click to expand...


Show me the test data against Dexron VI or the GM approval certificate.....let's see who is making things up here. Plus for $9 you can drive 45-60 miles to the store. My point is that DexronVI is approved by the manufacturer (GM)and Amsoil is NOT and DexronVI is less expensive than Amsoil so why are you accusing me of making things up? It is clear that GM DexronVI is a better value for his application. Unless YOU or Amsoil can prove differently. After all YOU sell Amsoil right?
 
I never said Amsoil ATF is approved to Dexron VI.

Amsoil has their own test data. I don’t have it. As I have stated I have asked for it, and Amsoil is contemplating publishing the data.

Yes I sell Amsoil. Have I been hiding that fact?

GM’s Dexron VI is Group III oil at best. I don’t see the bargain there at $5/qt. I agree it is a vastly different fluid than Dex III. But to say, it’s cheaper per quart than Amsoil ATF therefore it’s better, makes no sense. Take Amsoil out of it for a second. Say Redline has a (unapproved) Dex VI for $8.XX/qt – is GM Dex VI better? I think the problem is you want complete equivalence and some folks want better than.

Also you wrote: “why are you accusing me of making things up?”

Because you wrote:

“you have to pay $20 or $30 to be a "preferred customer"????”

And

“have to pay shipping of $10 per case”
 
This car is still under warranty correct ,, then dont use Amsoil because ITS NOT ON THE GM APPROVAL LIST ,I HAVE THE LIST RIGHT IN FRONT ME AND AMSOIL IS NOT ON THE LIST. Either take this car to a GM dealer and let them service the trans. and if it blows its there responsibility or wait about a month and the new VALVOLINE DexronVI will be available.
 
I'd go with the Dexron VI, myself- for several reasons.

It's available at lots of parts stores and all GM dealerships... and it'll only become more available with time. You don't have to go to the trouble of ordering it... or paying a $10 bi-annual fee for the privelege of paying the same price as Huck & Buck's Garage down the road.

Now I'm not suggesting that Amsoil would cause any problem at all with your transmission- I'm sure it's good stuff- but if your transmission DOES have a problem for whatever reason... you're going to have a lot less hassle when your service records show Dexron VI. I doubt that a dealership could get out of a warranty claim for running an unapproved universal ATF like Amsoil... but personally, I'd prefer to avoid playing phone-tag with some obtuse service manager.

I'm sure that Amsoil is good stuff, but it's NOT demonstrably better than Dexron VI (unless Amsoil decides to publish some data to back up their claims). Dexron VI may be a group III base (often sold as "synthetic", but doesn't meet some definitions of the word). For what it's worth... Penzoil Platinum motor oil is also a group III base- and it's been showing some of the best oil analysis numbers around lately. The Dexron VI meets some pretty specific (and published) tests, whereas Amsoil is backed by claims and a couple of graphs. To me that's the difference between solid data and hearsay.

And of course, there's the price difference. If you're a dyed-in-the-wool BITOG member, then you may not have a problem with buying four extra quarts to get that dollar or two discount- and just stack them in your oil $hrine for the next time you change transmission fluid. But you probably only want 8 quarts. That means you can run down to the GM dealer or Pep Boys and pay $45-$50 for what you need... or you can take Pablo up on his offer...pay $10 PC fee, $78 for a case of Amsoil ATF, plus $9 S&H, for a total of $97. I know which one I'd choose.
 
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Quote:


Amsoil has their own test data. I don’t have it. As I have stated I have asked for it, and Amsoil is contemplating publishing the data.

Yes I sell Amsoil. Have I been hiding that fact?

GM’s Dexron VI is Group III oil at best. I don’t see the bargain there at $5/qt. I agree it is a vastly different fluid than Dex III. But to say, it’s cheaper per quart than Amsoil ATF therefore it’s better, makes no sense. Take Amsoil out of it for a second. Say Redline has a (unapproved) Dex VI for $8.XX/qt – is GM Dex VI better? I think the problem is you want complete equivalence and some folks want better than.

Also you wrote: “why are you accusing me of making things up?”

Because you wrote:

“you have to pay $20 or $30 to be a "preferred customer"????”

And

“have to pay shipping of $10 per case”

Click to expand...


I called Amsoil and they said they never tested their ATF against DexronVI and they didn't have any data. SO who is telling the truth you or them? And yes you DO have to pay a fee to be a preferred customer and OK shipping is $9 not $10. So you are making up phony test data that doesn't exist. Because as far as I am concerned if you don't publish data it doesn't exist to back up these wild claime you are making. Dude put the test data on the board or put it on the bus......you are probably violating Federal Trade Commission advertising laws here.
nono.gif
 
I already told you Amsoil never said they are Dexron VI approved. Who keeps telling you they are? Please define tested "against DexronVI" because I think the supposed Amsoil person on the phone thinks you are asking if it's tested and approved.

You were wrong on the PC fee, why can't you admit that simple error?

Please show me this "phony test data"? "violating Federal Trade Commission advertising laws here." What? What wild claims am I making?
 
Pablo: You are the oil salesman here...not me. The burden to prove the benefits of your product are on you...not the customer to disprove it. You can't because you have no data. SO you call me a liar. SO show us the data. Call Amsoil and get the test data. I'll wait.
 
I am waiting, too. If I had the data I would post it.

But you are being untruthful when you say Amsoil hasn't tested the ATF and I think you know it.

I'll make it simple:

Has Amsoil ATF been tested by GM to Dexron VI requirements? NO. (And has anyone said it was?)

Has Amsoil ATF been tested by Amsoil and a third party lab to various specifications, many of which are more vigorous than Dexron VI? Yes. Has Amsoil published this data as a white paper? No. Why? Here:
Quote:

From: Dinwiddie, Kevin Sent: Wednesday, March 21, 2007 8:37 AM
To: Mail TechService
Subject: RE: Technical Service Contact Form



Paul,



AMSOIL lists all the specifications that we recommend our ATF for in our
TDB and on the Web including T-IV. I have been updating our TSB's to
reflect the newest specs in an order to provide the Dealers with more
information to sell our ATF. Test data for all of our products are for
in-house use only and not for publication.



I hope this helps,



Sincerely,



Kevin Dinwiddie

STLE/CLS

Technical Product Manager

Drivetrain and Power Transmissions

AMSOIL INC.

Click to expand...
 
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