Any one using this CASTROL IMPORT MULTIVEHICLE

[mva]

Originally Posted By: mechanicx
Except a maxima isn't a GM transmission, Dex VI is sheer stable and has a high VI and is backspeced for all Dexron automatic applications. It's makes no sense to tell people to stay away from Dexron where it's called for.


Dex VI is a good fluid but it is significantly thinner than Dex III and Castrol Import. Castrol import should work better than Dex VI or Dex III in a high mileage tranny that has significant wear, due to its higher viscosity.

 

[mva]

Originally Posted By: mechanicx
Right but Dex VI is more sheer stable, seems to have a higher vi and is backspeced for Dex III in automatic transmissions.


Castrol Import actually has a higher viscosity index and much lower pour point than Castrol Dex VI. Both meet Dex III.

Castrol Import Vicosity Index = 200

Castrol Import Pour point = -48C


Castrol Dex VI Viscosity index = 151

Castrol Dex VI Pour point = -40C

 

[mechanicx]

I don't know. Dex VI has to be a blend or full synthetic base. So I'd assume it has a high VI. I don't know about Castrol IMV, but you can use pour depressants and vii in conventional and look good on paper.

 

[hooligan24]

We have been using it in our 03 Xterra 4x4 trans, transfer case, and power steering res. No UOA's, but seems to be working fine with consistant smooth shifts

 

[CharBaby]

Originally Posted By: Char Baby
Well, I just recently installed Castrol IMVF in 3 of our vehicles and they all opperate fine thus far. I'll see in time how well it holds up in each auto tranny. Haven't noticed any differences in shifting from what was in each tranny prior to the change.

01 Lexus RX-300 - was using T-IV...Drain/refill about every 18 months with fresh T-IV, now with 66,000 miles, Castrol IMVF.

04 Nissan Altima 2.5s - was using Mobil 1 ATF...Changed out the factory ATF to the M-1 at 11,000 miles and again as mentioned to the Castrol IMVF at 44,000 miles.

06 Mazda3 2.0L - unknown but looked fine before the change. Purchaced the car used(Aug 09) with 50,000 miles on the OD and the ATF was cherry red. Changed the ATF to the Castrol IMVF(May 2010) with 63,000 miles.

They all looked fine before changing but, I like to keep the ATF fresh in my cars as automatic tranny's seem to be a week link in today's vehicles.


I may have to retract this statement on my Altima! I just drove from Rochester to Baltimore(355 miles/6 hours) straight through. Car handled great and seems to have gotten good Highway mileage. I haven't had to fill up with fuel yet. I want to check the MPG. The Altima has a 20 gal tank and my gague is between 1/2-1/4. Im at the Hotel now writing this...Going thorugh PA, up hills when the auto tranny down shifted to make a bit more power, on the upshift(3rd to 4th) the tranny felt a bit clunkey unlike ever before. Im not sure if this is the new tranny fluid(Castrol IMV) that I just(just installed) or if Im actually starting to have tranny issues. Felt a little weird a couple of hours into the trip. Never noticed any thing with the factory fill nor the Mobil 1 syn DexIII/Merc. This Mobil 1 syn was before Mobil came out with the Multi Vehicle Formula. Although I should have checked the ATF level while in front of the hotel, car still running, unless I lost some fluid on the way, I beleive she is still full as I only did a drain/refill and refilled with the same amount that came out(5+qts). Each time that I checked the fluid warm prior to this trip, all was good. During the trip, just driving along 70-80 mph, I noticed nothing else. Driving around town prior to this trip, I only started to notice juuuuust a tiiiiinnnyy bit of shift feel as compared to the Mobil 1. Nothing to be alerted about, not for me anyway but someone else might complain. That's it for now!

 

[MaximaGuy]

Char baby: Castrol IM ATF will do well in ur vehicle -- don't do anything irrational like dumping it and putting back M1. Give the tranny some time to settle down, did you disconnect the battery overnight to help the tranny relearn all over again!!!

 

[CharBaby]

Ya Know Max, I haven't driven this car through PA in the past but I have driven older 4Cyl Accords through PA and they acted a little weird too IIRC. The mountains and lot of down shifting going up these steep inclines may cause a bit of weirdness. Im leaving MD this afternoon sometime and I sure the car will be fine. It's just me paying a little too much attention to everything the vehicle is doing. I be home tonight and we'll see how thing go. Thanks for the encouragement. Im sure the Castrol IMV ATF is just fine. I'll report back as I do read BITOG daily.

 

[Ramblin Fever]

FWIW...the isuzu vehicles, transmissions appear to really thrive on the thicker Castrol Import atf fluid, whenever someone decides to use Dex VI in these vehicles they generally start to feel harshness or slipping.

If you have an Isuzu, do NOT use the thinner Dex VI versions; I've been using Castrol Import ATF in my rodeo for the last 5-6yrs, this truck gets drove over 11,000ft mountain passes consistently. Fluid remains very clean and red, but I do drain/refills every 10k miles.

Castrol Import IS a dex III fluid, which is what GM/Isuzu has specified for our auto transmissions in the Axiom/Rodeo/Troopers....so I don't understand why one is telling an Isuzu owner he needs to use something else??

 

[CharBaby]

Originally Posted By: Char Baby
Ya Know Max, I haven't driven this car through PA in the past but I have driven older 4Cyl Accords through PA and they acted a little weird too IIRC. The mountains and lot of down shifting going up these steep inclines may cause a bit of weirdness. Im leaving MD this afternoon sometime and I sure the car will be fine. It's just me paying a little too much attention to everything the vehicle is doing. I be home tonight and we'll see how thing go. Thanks for the encouragement. Im sure the Castrol IMV ATF is just fine. I'll report back as I do read BITOG daily.


Well, a few miles into my trip back home the "Service Engine Soon" light came on. I traveled about 60 miles before stopping for fuel, filled up and finished the trip back home(6hrs). So, there is something wrong and I was feeling it. I'll get it checked out(get a code) at AAP or AZ as they both do it for free. The upshift clunk that Im feeling in the tranny(going from 3rd ro 4th) feels like I have a broken tranny/motor mount.

 

[CharBaby]

I don't beleive that I have a broken mount as I don't really beat on the car and I have held the brake while pressing on the excellerator pedal(brake stand style) and there is no extra noticable movement nor clunking. The clunk Im feeling is deffinatly in the tranny itself. Maybe the shift points are all off, IDK!

 

[CharBaby]

Just got back from AAP and they read the code(s)
There is a bad Crank Shaft Position Sensor(#P0335) and
Vehicle Speed Sensor(#P0725).

I'm sorry if I put a scare into anyone about the
Castrol IMV ATF. I've kinda known about the Crank
Position Sensor as I was having trouble starting
the engine after the engine was already HOT,
but, no issues when the engine was COLD and no
"Service Engine Soon" light until now! This long
starting issue began last summer '09 but was perfect
during the winter of 2010.
The Vehicle Speed Sesnor may be causing the tranny
clunking/harsh shifts according to my HAYNES Manual.
The Haynes Manual only makes a small mention about this
but, this is what I gathered from reading it.

Now, if I can only find where the sensors are located!
Any help there would be great from BITOG members.

Thanks,
CB

 

[MaximaGuy]

The VSS is on the tranny and can be accessed by removing the wheel on the side of the tranny and splash gaurds, you will need to clean it with brake cleaner and reinstall. If the code doesn't go away, need replacement.

The sensor looks just like an ABS sensor (both the ABS and VSS are magnetic and collect grime).

 

[CharBaby]

Thanks Max...Do you or anyone else here know where the Crankshaft Position Sensor is? My understanding is that the Crank and Cam sensor are the same part #

 

[StevieC]

Originally Posted By: BigRich954
Is anybody using CASTROL IMPORT MULTIVEHICLE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID?

Im driving a 2000 2000 Mitsubishi mirage Trying to change the fuild and use this stuff


You can use that stuff no problem... Hyundai/Kia use the same transmission fluid and almost all the same parts as Mitsubishi Trannies and I have used this fluid in my mothers KIA Spectra that calls for SPIII. It's perfectly fine.

 

[Spazdog]

I put 30,000 miles on Castrol Import Multivehicle.

My first change at 30K was on Toyota ATF Type IV. The Ford dealer did not yet have T-IV and the Mazda dealer tried to sell me MV so I got it at Toyota.

At 60K I used Castrol IMV.

The shifts might be a little softer....or the transmission just might be showing it's age, but otherwise no reduction in performance. more importantly, no failure.

Now (@90k+) using Valvoline Max Life. Still no difference.

 

[CharBaby]

I repeate from my last post about the Castrol IMV ATF back in June. All 3 of our vehicles auto trannys are shifting as they should.
'01 LEXUS RX 300, '04 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5 S & '06 mazda3 2.0L.

In some of the above statements that I made about the ATF, I just want to reassure everyone that the issues that I experienced with the Altima back in June was in fact the cam/crank position sensors and after replacing them, all is well!

 

[Boss302fan]

Use Maxlife... ha ha.

 

[CharBaby]

Originally Posted By: Boss302fan
Use Maxlife... ha ha.


Are you using MaxLife or are you suggesting to use it? I have heard good things about ML.