Any one using this CASTROL IMPORT MULTIVEHICLE

[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

 

[barlowc]

I've been thinking about using it in my mother-in-law's 2002 Civic but the input I got from most folks on one of the Civic forums has me wondering if I should just stick with the Honda-spec Z1. But at $3.99/quart at AAP and the $10 off $25+ purchase, I'm still thinking about trying the Castrol.

 

[lewdwig]

I use it in my wife's Mitsu Endeavor, no issues so far (~46k miles).

 

[timeau]

I don't like it. Probably it could be OK for some vehicles, but not for my Maxima 2005: it becomes dirty in 7-8k miles. I know that Maxima A34 is quite picky, but Amalie synthetic ATF works just fine for me, almost 15k and it still red. My .02c

 

[CharBaby]

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.

 

[Ursae_Majoris]

It's been in my Isuzu for the past 30K miles (sealed transmission, so dealer does the fluid changes). Works fine.

Changed it over second time about 4K miles ago. I got back the used AT filter after the second change. Fluid was still red after the 26K miles (and 4 years), no metal shavings or other debris in the filter.

Tranny calls for DexIII. If I ever buy a lift (so I could my own transmission and front differential service), and start doing the tranny fluid myself, I see no reason to change.

 

[mechanicx]

If the tranny calls for Dex III then why not use it since it is spec, cheap and available everywhere? Or better yet Dex VI.

 

[Ursae_Majoris]

Originally Posted By: mechanicx
If the tranny calls for Dex III then why not use it since it is spec, cheap and available everywhere? Or better yet Dex VI.

As said in my original post, it is a sealed transmission, no dipstick. No way to crawl under the car while it is level to check the fluid level in the overflow plug. Hence I want to buy a lift sometime in the future. Dealer uses Castrol IMV.

 

[mechanicx]

I understand all that but the dealer should put in what you tell them to or bring in, especially if it's spec fluid.

 

[mva]

Originally Posted By: mechanicx
If the tranny calls for Dex III then why not use it since it is spec, cheap and available everywhere? Or better yet Dex VI.


It depends on what you are trying to achieve:

Dex VI is thinner than a typical Dex III

Castrol Import is a little thicker than a typical Dex III

Typical Dex III

Vicosity at 40C = 36.3 cSt
Viscosity at 100C = 7.4 cSt

Castrol Import

Vicosity at 40C = 36.6 cSt
Viscosity at 100C = 8.0 cSt

http://www.castrol.com/liveassets/bp_internet/castrol/castrol_usa/STAGING/local_assets/downloads/p,q/pds_ImportMV.pdf

Dex VI

Vicosity at 40C = 29.8 cSt
Viscosity at 100C = 6.0 cS

http://www.castrol.com/liveassets/bp_internet/castrol/castrol_usa/STAGING/local_assets/downloads/p,q/pds_DexronVI.pdf

 

[mechanicx]

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

 

[EricF]

I'm using the castrol imv in an 02 nissan altima. So far so good. tranny shifts fine, nice red color dye to it.
It seems like the tranny isn't to picky if it's not the matic-j or the castrol imv.
No additives added either.

 

[Ursae_Majoris]

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.

GM transmissions used in Axiom and Rodeos can have issues. Castrol IMV has good reputation among the Isuzu owners. Why change to DexVI, if IMV works great? I never go more than 30K or 4 years on one fluid change. IMV is a whole lot cheaper from my dealer than DexVI.

 

[KrisZ]

Originally Posted By: Ursae_Majoris
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.

GM transmissions used in Axiom and Rodeos can have issues. Castrol IMV has good reputation among the Isuzu owners. Why change to DexVI, if IMV works great? I never go more than 30K or 4 years on one fluid change. IMV is a whole lot cheaper from my dealer than DexVI.


There are always people that will not deviate from manufacturer's recommendations, and that's OK if you are willing to pay the higher price. But go to a Honda forum and there are some that believe their tranny's will self destruct within minutes if anything but Z1 is used and that's just silly.

Meanwhile there are those that use a quality multivehicle ATF, such as Castrol, they enjoy smoother shifts and no price gauging from the dealer, to each their own, I guess

.

 

[The_Eric]

Hyundai forums are like that too. If you don't listen to them, then your tranny will unbolt itself, drop onto the road, throw a temper tantrum and then explode into a million pieces.

 

[BigRich954]

Originally Posted By: The_Eric
Hyundai forums are like that too. If you don't listen to them, then your tranny will unbolt itself, drop onto the road, throw a temper tantrum and then explode into a million pieces.


LOL yup pretty much what i was told reason im so freaked over working on this car now

 

[mechanicx]

Originally Posted By: KrisZ
Originally Posted By: Ursae_Majoris
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.

GM transmissions used in Axiom and Rodeos can have issues. Castrol IMV has good reputation among the Isuzu owners. Why change to DexVI, if IMV works great? I never go more than 30K or 4 years on one fluid change. IMV is a whole lot cheaper from my dealer than DexVI.


There are always people that will not deviate from manufacturer's recommendations, and that's OK if you are willing to pay the higher price. But go to a Honda forum and there are some that believe their tranny's will self destruct within minutes if anything but Z1 is used and that's just silly.

Meanwhile there are those that use a quality multivehicle ATF, such as Castrol, they enjoy smoother shifts and no price gauging from the dealer, to each their own, I guess

.


On the flipside there are people that believe everything they read on a forum as being more accurate than the manufacture. And how is Castrol IMV better than Dex VI, a very good fluid, or even Dex III in a GM transmission designed for Dexron? Castrol IMV is not less expensive or anymore available. Dex VI is available everywhere not just the dealer.

 

[MaximaGuy]

Castrol Import MV ATF stood up well on my maxima. Use it with confidence, stay away from DexVI (it is too thin for old vehicles).

 

[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.

 

[Ursae_Majoris]

Isn't nice to know that I own my Axiom and I can put any fluid I want, any fluid that works for ME into it, regardless of what anyone says? How can you tell from 5000 miles away what fluid performs better in MY vehicle, with MY driving style?

BTW who is telling whom to stay away from DexIII? OP's car is specked for SPII, IIRC.