No surprises here. I've posted many times about the same beneficial results. Go ARX!
ARX in Automatic Transmissions
- Thread starter Big O Dave
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My Taurus got a full flush and fresh fluid every year like clockwork. Most miles in one year was 22,000. I'm convinced that's how it has lasted 170K and still going. Also, no towing with a front-wheel drive vehicle, period. That's what trucks are for.
I do not think a transmission cooler is necessary unless your exceeding the temp the fluid should be. The only way to know would be to install a temp gauge.
I would think a real filter would be a greater benefit on vehicles that do not tow ,haul heavy loads, or race frequently.
I would think a real filter would be a greater benefit on vehicles that do not tow ,haul heavy loads, or race frequently.
I'll bet that if a lot more cars had proper transmission coolers installed on them from the factory we'd have a lot less transmission problems.
I don't know why people are always concerned with their engines lasting a long time. I've seen engines easily make it past 200,000 miles. I've seen most transmissions start to go bad or die at 50,000-100,000 miles.
I don't know why people are always concerned with their engines lasting a long time. I've seen engines easily make it past 200,000 miles. I've seen most transmissions start to go bad or die at 50,000-100,000 miles.
I bet that in the hotter parts of the Nation, many transmissions run hotter than the fluid "likes," especially in stop-and-go traffic.
It certainly can't hurt in these climates to have a trans cooler!
It certainly can't hurt in these climates to have a trans cooler!
Ford ATs are not the bulletproof workhorses they once were in the days of the C6. There are several designs that are simply fragile and prone to failure, such as the AXODs in the Tauruses of the late '80s through the mid '90s. Transmission specialists LOVE this car (especially with the 3.8); it has put many of their kids through college.
So if your Ford transmission blows up, don't be too hard on yourself.
But heat is the #1 automatic transmission killer. Unless you must use a proprietary manufacturer spec fluid, an auxiliary cooler and synthetic fluid is the BEST you can do for extended, reliable service.
So if your Ford transmission blows up, don't be too hard on yourself.
But heat is the #1 automatic transmission killer. Unless you must use a proprietary manufacturer spec fluid, an auxiliary cooler and synthetic fluid is the BEST you can do for extended, reliable service.
Regular maintenance is critical, but when you buy a vehicle used (or if the seals have hardened in a regularly maintained vehicle) then additives definitely have their place.
In my experience, ARX works wonders in these situations.
In my experience, ARX works wonders in these situations.
JHZR2
Staff member
Youre right, nothing will fix factory defects, but 30k intervals is more than adequate to get well over 150k on an AT without issue.
ATs are kind of sensitive, IMO. Id bet most failure is due to driver's style, lots of downshifting, driving hard when cold, driving so it has to shift a lot, etc.
JMH
Shouldn't have to do all this stuff.
Why could a 70's MOPAR 904 Torqueflite have total service in 33 years/201,000 miles consisting of one rear seal change and two pan removals with associated filter and fluid changes. Only reason it got the second fluid change was a leaking transmission cooler in the old radiator and I was actually more worried about coolant in the engine oil from that. Got it from the folks and the old man kept scrupulous records. As far as I can tell, its never even had a band adjustment. I drive it every day. Its my only car here. It shifts like it did 30 years ago.
Problem is Chrysler and all the rest will sell you junk that will just barely clear the warranty period, and we put up with it. When I hear about $3,000 dollars transmission repairs on cars with less than 80,000 miles I cringe. Where do people get the money for that kind of luxury spending?
My $0.02
p.s. spent most of its life in Fresno--a most Hellacious place for those who have never been there.
Why could a 70's MOPAR 904 Torqueflite have total service in 33 years/201,000 miles consisting of one rear seal change and two pan removals with associated filter and fluid changes. Only reason it got the second fluid change was a leaking transmission cooler in the old radiator and I was actually more worried about coolant in the engine oil from that. Got it from the folks and the old man kept scrupulous records. As far as I can tell, its never even had a band adjustment. I drive it every day. Its my only car here. It shifts like it did 30 years ago.
Problem is Chrysler and all the rest will sell you junk that will just barely clear the warranty period, and we put up with it. When I hear about $3,000 dollars transmission repairs on cars with less than 80,000 miles I cringe. Where do people get the money for that kind of luxury spending?
My $0.02
p.s. spent most of its life in Fresno--a most Hellacious place for those who have never been there.
Yeah, we all loved the old boxes. Two forward gears, or if you were high-class, three (to go with the AC and power windows). Other than keeping them from leaking (Torqueflites were the worst), they often ran silently for 100k with virtually no maintenance. Even when they broke, you could still squeeze another 10k out of them.
But you want four or five forward gears, overdrive, a locking TC, integrated differential, and transverse mounting? Oh, and by the way, it has to be at least 100 pounds lighter than a RWD case, yet contain a bucket of computer-controlled sensors and valves. And it all has to fit in half the space. And run it on less fluid.
And with the newest performance engines, you're pumping about as much torque and HP through them as a '60s small block V-8.
And you wonder why these newer boxes are so delicate at times?
But even modern ATs, provided they don't have a design issue, can still go a VERY long time with prudent, REGULAR maintenance.
Case in point: our latest '97 Volvo 850. We haven't had it since new, but regular fluid changes, a good OE cooler design, and a sensible powertrain match have kept this sophisticated 4-speed FWD box shifting like a brand new one.
Only this one has nearly 170,000 miles on it.
It just finished an ARX treatment and is full of fresh M1 Dexron for the next 40k. And there's absolutely NO reason it can't go at least another 100,000 trouble-free miles.
Among our local circles, there are a couple of Chrysler K owners whose three speed FWD boxes are still purring along with well over 200k on them. That's as bulletproof a FWD design as you'll find. Again, they stay on top of the fluid changes.
Case in point: our latest '97 Volvo 850. We haven't had it since new, but regular fluid changes, a good OE cooler design, and a sensible powertrain match have kept this sophisticated 4-speed FWD box shifting like a brand new one.
Only this one has nearly 170,000 miles on it.
It just finished an ARX treatment and is full of fresh M1 Dexron for the next 40k. And there's absolutely NO reason it can't go at least another 100,000 trouble-free miles.
Among our local circles, there are a couple of Chrysler K owners whose three speed FWD boxes are still purring along with well over 200k on them. That's as bulletproof a FWD design as you'll find. Again, they stay on top of the fluid changes.
Indeed, they are technological marvels; and in too many cases they have proven to be fragile, tempermental, and rather expensive to operate considering the expense of periodic repairs and breakdowns at inconvenient times and in inconveniennt places. Fine in a racing car; but not so fine in the "family car".
But certainly no question why "...so delicate at times?"
As always...follow the $$$$. Transfer that cost to the consumer. Arguably, the Asian manufacturers have had a different philosophy which--in competition with "the big three"--may be more successful in "the long run"; witness the bond markets' current evaluations' of GM's debt instruments, as an example.
My$0.02
I don't buy that most modern ATs can't go long miles, foreign or domestic. I gave two FWD examples just above.
They just require more preventive maintenance than the old slushboxes of 35 years ago. Unfortunately, the maintenance philosophy of both the manufacturers (most of them) and drivers is still locked in 1970.
If you never change the fluid (as many owner's manuals STILL recommend and virtually all owners never do), you doom most modern automatic transmissions to effective lifespans of under 100,000 miles. It is indeed a "lifetime" fill, and not a long one. After 50-60k on the factory fill, the fluid and clutch plates are so messed up, if you change it then you only accelerate the demise.
Change the fluid - regularly - and most will go long miles just fine (Ford Taurus AXODs notwithstanding). Use synthetic, and you're a leg up on the designers in many instances.
They just require more preventive maintenance than the old slushboxes of 35 years ago. Unfortunately, the maintenance philosophy of both the manufacturers (most of them) and drivers is still locked in 1970.
If you never change the fluid (as many owner's manuals STILL recommend and virtually all owners never do), you doom most modern automatic transmissions to effective lifespans of under 100,000 miles. It is indeed a "lifetime" fill, and not a long one. After 50-60k on the factory fill, the fluid and clutch plates are so messed up, if you change it then you only accelerate the demise.
Change the fluid - regularly - and most will go long miles just fine (Ford Taurus AXODs notwithstanding). Use synthetic, and you're a leg up on the designers in many instances.
That is because the quality of the old cars were way way better than the quality of late model care. You see most people have no idea about the difference between quality and technology. The engineers have a marvelous device called the computer thal allows a product to be designed to the absolute minimum quality ,just enough to hopefully make it through warranty.
Put arx in my 1988 acura legend transmission, original, around 224,000 then drove to Vegas and back, I had the arx in the transmission for a bit over 2,000 miles, then had the transmission flushed, tech showed me used transmission fluid, pitch black. The transmission was fine before arx just wanted to get a good cleaning before flushing fluid, still shifts like a dream at 231,000. I've used arx in the motor as well and to me it seems like arx still is working long after the process, at least to me. But I'll beat on a dead horse and say arx WILL NOT help an already shot transmission or bad design.
Volvohead, great analysis! Concur.
Put arx in my 1988 acura legend transmission, original, around 224,000 then drove to Vegas and back, I had the arx in the transmission for a bit over 2,000 miles, then had the transmission flushed, tech showed me used transmission fluid, pitch black. The transmission was fine before arx just wanted to get a good cleaning before flushing fluid, still shifts like a dream at 231,000. I've used arx in the motor as well and to me it seems like arx still is working long after the process, at least to me. But I'll beat on a dead horse and say arx WILL NOT help an already shot transmission or bad design. Good story Acura having a good transmission.I had a 99 Acura CL the thing started slipping at 20000. I was told a bad design. I always wonder why they have to change a good thing.Even the TL had the bad transmission.I think buying Car of the year is a good way to go.I have had at least 6 new cars that were car of the year never had any real trouble with them.
I just finished 1,200 miles with ARX in the automatic trans of my F250. Today, we used our trans flush machine to flush out the ATF/ARX mixture and replace it with fresh ATF.
When I first bought this truck, back in April of this year, I flushed the trans using Justice Bros. trans flush kit, and replaced the ATF. That was about 3,000 miles ago.
The ATF/ARX mixture came out VERY DARK. I was pretty surprised, considering it had only been in the trans for 3,000 miles and 3 months. The ARX must have really done a job cleaning!
Today, when I drove the truck after the trans flush, I immediately noticed that the shifts are now silky smooth, barely perceptable. It's amazing! It is shifting like new.
I am impressed.
Also, I am learning that the most noticeable differences (with ARX usage) come after the cleaning phase. It is the real deal.
When I first bought this truck, back in April of this year, I flushed the trans using Justice Bros. trans flush kit, and replaced the ATF. That was about 3,000 miles ago.
The ATF/ARX mixture came out VERY DARK. I was pretty surprised, considering it had only been in the trans for 3,000 miles and 3 months. The ARX must have really done a job cleaning!
Today, when I drove the truck after the trans flush, I immediately noticed that the shifts are now silky smooth, barely perceptable. It's amazing! It is shifting like new.
I am impressed.
Also, I am learning that the most noticeable differences (with ARX usage) come after the cleaning phase. It is the real deal.
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