ATF+4

[zrxkawboy]

I was under the impression that Chrysler specs the base oil and add pack for ATF+4. I also believed that the base oil is group III. This was confirmed by the label on the Valvoline ATF+4 I've been using, which says "Full Synthetic".

Yesterday, I saw some QS ATF+4 that is priced lower than what I've been paying for the Valvoline. Just out of curiosity, I found the data sheet for it, and it says that this fluid uses group II+/group III base oils.

I thought all ATF+4 was essentially the same, regardless of brand. Can anyone shed any light on this? Thanks!

 

[bulwnkl]

Reading old posts from Molakule and certain others will answer your question(s). Without looking them up right now, my recollection is that licensed ATF+4 will be essentially a group III base, and I believe the add pack is stipulated as well.

 

[Johnny]

To have or meet the ATF+4 license/specs the fluid has to meet certain specs. But I do not believe one of the requirements says it has to be made with a Group III base stock.

 

[bulwnkl]

I agree that GIII is not an explicit requirement. My recollection had been that the performance requirements were such that you'd essentially always see a GIII base (or better, I suppose). Does that differ from your recollection?

 

[zrxkawboy]

I found this from Chrysler: http://centerforqa.com/licensingprogram.html

 

[G-MAN]

Originally Posted By: zrxkawboy
I was under the impression that Chrysler specs the base oil and add pack for ATF+4. I also believed that the base oil is group III. This was confirmed by the label on the Valvoline ATF+4 I've been using, which says "Full Synthetic".

Yesterday, I saw some QS ATF+4 that is priced lower than what I've been paying for the Valvoline. Just out of curiosity, I found the data sheet for it, and it says that this fluid uses group II+/group III base oils.

I thought all ATF+4 was essentially the same, regardless of brand. Can anyone shed any light on this? Thanks!


The CAS# for Group II, II+ and III is the same. The only exception is a Group III wax isomerate (like Shell's XHVI) which has a different CAS#. Bottom line: Unless it's a wax isomerate, you can't tell from the MSDS if the base oil being used is Group II, II+, or III.

 

[zrxkawboy]

I wasn't looking at the MSDS, but at a product data sheet on the QS website. It specifically stated Group II+/Group III. However, that was in Nov. Now, the QS site says ATF+4 Full Synthetic, so apparently the formula was recently changed.

 

[G-MAN]

Originally Posted By: zrxkawboy
I wasn't looking at the MSDS, but at a product data sheet on the QS website. It specifically stated Group II+/Group III.


Then it was an error by QS's marketing department on the PDS. Chrysler requires Group III in a licensed ATF+4.

 

[zrxkawboy]

Thanks - that's what I had always thought.