The Soobs I used it in were a 2007 Outback wagon and a 2010 Forester. Both 4EAT, but possibly newer than what you tried it in? No difference in shifting/performance. I know at least the 2010 is still in use by my niece.
Bad Experiences with Maxlife ATF?
- Thread starter BMW Dom
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The Soobs I used it in were a 2007 Outback wagon and a 2010 Forester. Both 4EAT, but possibly newer than what you tried it in? No difference in shifting/performance. I know at least the 2010 is still in use by my niece.
Trust me I know that. My sources are very reliable. In fact a few well respected members, one of which I speak with often echoes my feelings. I trust his recommendations.
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My Honda Accord V6 doesn’t care for Maxlife or any other fluid then the DW-1. The torque converter will make a shuddering noise that can be heard and felt.
@Trav, over here, and an A-tech Jeep buddy of mine for starters. There's more, including a transmission expert, but there's absolutely no point in me listing them. If you think it's good in your application, go for it. As I mentioned I thought it was good for my 2000 Buick Century and rolled the dice, thanks go to @Trav for that too. But in my Jeeps I'll pass.So just who are your sources? If you're confident in them lets know who they are.
Hi.@Trav, over here, and an A-tech Jeep buddy of mine for starters. There's more, including a transmission expert, but there's absolutely no point in me listing them. If you think it's good in your application, go for it. As I mentioned I thought it was good for my 2000 Buick Century and rolled the dice, thanks go to @Trav for that too. But in my Jeeps I'll pass.
May i ask which transmission your Jeep has.
NAG1. For the cost of ATF+4, for a good shopper there are zero reasons I can see to use anything else, even for those on a tight budget. I recently bought Castrol ATF+4 for under $30 for 6 quarts.
I've used it in probably at least 10 vehicles, no issues in any of them. Full disclosure I always add lubegard to any ATF that I use. Either way, no shifting issues with the max life
Hi.
I have a very similar transmission in my diesel jeep. I started a thread a few years ago about whether to use the Mercedes fluid or ATF+4.
I like the Transmission. Only thing i could fault is the need for a higher fifth gear. I just got five litres of the Ravenol ATF+4 fluid.
https://www.ravenol-direct.uk/ravenol-atf4-transmission-fluid.html
I did look at the many multi use fluids but got a little confused. How can an ATF+4 be mentioned in the same list as GM vi and MB 236.14. Both lower viscosity than the ATF4. https://www.commaoil.com/passenger-vehicles/products/view/180
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That entered my mind as well over the years when these discussions came up. How can one fluid be good for so many applications, foreign and domestic? I came to the conclusion that it might be bad for some, OK for some, good for others, even great for a few. Aside from testimonials here I didn't have much else to go by. So I did my homework, came to my own conclusions and stuck with the ATF+4. For me when I see a good deal on ATF +4 I grab it, and those deals weren't that much more than Maxlife.
ATF+4 was specced for the LX vehicles before local production of the NAG1 was established in indiana. These transmissions were off the shelf german produced units probably filled when the cars were assembled.
ATF+4 is now the official fluid for transmissions that originally specced Dexron II, i.e any of the torqueflites. Remember that MB 236.12 is stated to be Dexron III generation by its only manufactuer, Fuchs.
The Crossfire (imported M112/W5A580 powertrain) suggests synthetic Dexron III when genuine 236.12 ATF is not available.
it appears the heavy friction modification of ATF+4 will not cause any ill effects in a transmission designed around dexron. early mopar electronic transmissions like ultradrive family require it, as evidenced by their 3 previous failed attempts at making a fluid for them.
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Works swell in our 07 FJ cruiser.
I’ll second an above post where it seems to shift softer that amsoil and the original toyota WS where I’ve tried it in toyota applications, though my friend, the owner, can’t tell a difference in it and is happy with it.
I’ve posted a few times here, it damaged a 97 CRV we had it, making shifts worse in 3 months and dangerous in 4; a flush back to honda fluid brought the trans about halfway back to normal but still sketchy. It had a hard time shifting out of 2nd, like stuck VB. This forum loves It, but I won’t dare put it in a honda after that. Honda fluid or amsoil, done.
I’ve posted a few times here, it damaged a 97 CRV we had it, making shifts worse in 3 months and dangerous in 4; a flush back to honda fluid brought the trans about halfway back to normal but still sketchy. It had a hard time shifting out of 2nd, like stuck VB. This forum loves It, but I won’t dare put it in a honda after that. Honda fluid or amsoil, done.
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Amsoil says otherwise
Ive used Maxlife atf in a 2012 Acura mdx and a 2018 Nissan Titan 5.6 gas with mixed results. First impressions were great with improved shift feel in both vehicles but the shift quality seemed to deteriorate a lot within 15,000 miles. now both vehicles are shifting very firm/harsh. I may try to add lubegard red in both vehicles and see how much that may help before giving up on maxlife atf.
