Best Value/Performance ATF for Chrysler van??

[Kaboomba]

Howdy all!

I will be doing a transmission flush on a friend's 2002 Chrysler Town&Country with 96K miles of fully-loaded road trips (more on the horizon).

I plan to install a Magnefine (of course

), and I am curious about the best option for ATF+4 type fluid. Aforementioned friend would appreciate lower costs, as well (that's why I offered to do the flush!).

I'm considering the following, but I am certainly open to other ideas:

1. Cheap ($3-$4/qt) Dex/Merc fluid from Farm&Fleet with Lubegard Black or Platinum
2. Cheap ATF+4, any variety (whatever I can find cheap), $3-4/qt
3. Valvoline Maxlife Dex/Merc (synthetic) + Lubegard Black/Platinum
4. Valvoline ATF+4 (synthetic)$5-6/qt
5. Mobil1 $8/qt
6. Amsoil ATF $10/qt
7. Redline C+ $10.50/qt

I personally like #3, #6, and #4 (distant third).

Is Amsoil or Redline far more durable in this application as it is in others?

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[pottymouth]

I would not use anything but ATF+4. Brand name really does not matter, but it must be ATF+4, not a universal fluid.

 

[shrooms]

Dex VI

 

[Kaboomba]

Do you mean "Dex-VI with Lubegard Black or Platinum"?

Do you have experience with converting Dex VI for use as a ATF+4? Comments?

 

[-Clayton-]

Originally Posted By: pottymouth
I would not use anything but ATF+4. Brand name really does not matter, but it must be ATF+4, not a universal fluid.


+1 Brand doesn't matter as long as it's atf+4.

 

[shrooms]

Originally Posted By: Kaboomba
Do you mean "Dex-VI with Lubegard Black or Platinum"?

Do you have experience with converting Dex VI for use as a ATF+4? Comments?


Personally no, I use it on the MPV, but my friend has a Caravan and he uses it. Says it's much smoother.

BTW, Dex VI is backed specked to ALL transmissions using Dex III.

 

[G-MAN]

Use the cheapest, licensed* ATF+4 you can find. I've used SuperTech ATF+4 in my Chrysler without issue.

*All licensed ATF+4 is chemically the same, so brand name is irrelevant.

 

[rshaw125]

Use +4 only.I buy mine from Walmart as well. I would be more concerned that the van has a transmission fluid cooler than a magnafine.

 

[J. A. Rizzo]

Yup, I'm on the "as long as it's ATF +4, it's fine" list, but I'd also add that Lubegard is an unnecessary risk that I would avoid, especially if it's somebody else's vehicle and you want to stay in that person's good graces. Anything you use to replace all the fluid (which is what I assume you mean by "flush") will probably be a massive improvement over what's in there now. Why risk adding something that wasn't intended to be there?

 

[meep]

IIRC valvoline is oem. I like the castrol +4 in my jeep, personally, but they'll all be good. it's a tight standard.

no Dex. no LG.

+4 only, period. other fluids will feel the same b/c the TCU will compensate, but the compensation reduces clutchlife.

 

[yeti]

what g-man said. as well-- chrysler stresses ONLY atf+4.if you use another type, and ANYTHING goes wrong, guess who will be the ****? take care

 

[Kaboomba]

It sounds like the Valvoline ATF+4 (blue bottle) is the way to go...BUT, I have to know: has anybody tried Amsoil ATF in these transmissions? Results?

 

[ahoier]

Why not the Royal Purple Max ATF if you are looking for "performance".....

Though it is kind of pricey at $9.52/quart - I think last time I was at Advance Auto Parts, they were selling it for like $12/quart though...heheh.


BTW, "value" and performance in the same sentence/line/request?

That's a tough one to beat

All else, just go with SuperTech or whatever you can find that meets the specs per the Owner's Manual.

I generally like to stay away from the "All in One" formulas....but if it's Royal Purple, it can't be that bad

I believe Castrol sells an "All In One" additive that states +4 compliance as well...

 

[unixguru]

I'd go with the option 4, just regular ATF+4. No need for lubegard or anything else to use your car as a test pig.

Lubegard Red would not hurt, but the best option is to rely on fluid specs and friction modifiers in the original fluid. Why do you need an extra headache if other combination does not work?

 

[mark pruett]

Originally Posted By: G-MAN
Use the cheapest, licensed* ATF+4 you can find. I've used SuperTech ATF+4 in my Chrysler without issue.

*All licensed ATF+4 is chemically the same, so brand name is irrelevant.


Well, not "chemically the same", but it does meet the same specs, uses one of a very short list of base oils, and also requires a specific additive package.

So realistically, there are what... 3 possible variants of ATF+4? Shell XHVI basestock, PetroCanada basestock or Korean Super-K basestock are the 3 I know about.

There are slight differences among ATF+4- see the Valvoline ATF+4 vs the MAG1/Supertech for an example of different flashpoints, slightly different viscosity, etc...

All that being said, go get the cheapest licensed ATF+4 you can find- there's no bang for the buck to buy a more expensive one, because the specs and requirements are so tight for licensing.

 

[NHHEMI]

Originally Posted By: shrooms
Originally Posted By: Kaboomba
Do you mean "Dex-VI with Lubegard Black or Platinum"?

Do you have experience with converting Dex VI for use as a ATF+4? Comments?


Personally no, I use it on the MPV, but my friend has a Caravan and he uses it. Says it's much smoother.

BTW, Dex VI is backed specked to ALL transmissions using Dex III.


Forgive me if this sounds rude( not my intent )but why are you recommending a GM transmission fluid for a Chrysler? Dex VI is for GM's. The vehicle in question is a Chrysler and calls for ATF+4. Dex VI and ATF+4 are totally different fluids.

Dex VI being backed spec'd for vehicles calling for Dex III is great for old GM's but has no bearing on a Chrysler.

 

[NHHEMI]

Originally Posted By: Kaboomba
Howdy all!

I will be doing a transmission flush on a friend's 2002 Chrysler Town&Country with 96K miles of fully-loaded road trips (more on the horizon).

I plan to install a Magnefine (of course

), and I am curious about the best option for ATF+4 type fluid. Aforementioned friend would appreciate lower costs, as well (that's why I offered to do the flush!).

I'm considering the following, but I am certainly open to other ideas:

1. Cheap ($3-$4/qt) Dex/Merc fluid from Farm&Fleet with Lubegard Black or Platinum
2. Cheap ATF+4, any variety (whatever I can find cheap), $3-4/qt
3. Valvoline Maxlife Dex/Merc (synthetic) + Lubegard Black/Platinum
4. Valvoline ATF+4 (synthetic)$5-6/qt
5. Mobil1 $8/qt
6. Amsoil ATF $10/qt
7. Redline C+ $10.50/qt

I personally like #3, #6, and #4 (distant third).

Is Amsoil or Redline far more durable in this application as it is in others?

Thanks in advance for your help!

Best fluid IMO would be one of the premium boutique brands like Royal Purple, Amsoil, or Redline. They are expensive however. For this application I see no reason why Valvoline ATF+4( full synthetic btw )would not do a good job. Use an ATF+4 fluid or one of the boutique fluids that are compatible with it. Not a fan of using a different fluid like Dexron and using additives to try and turn it into an ATF+4.

 

[G-MAN]

Group III base oil and the ATF+4 add pack made by Lubrizol = "chemically the same."

Originally Posted By: mark pruett
Originally Posted By: G-MAN
Use the cheapest, licensed* ATF+4 you can find. I've used SuperTech ATF+4 in my Chrysler without issue.

*All licensed ATF+4 is chemically the same, so brand name is irrelevant.


Well, not "chemically the same", but it does meet the same specs, uses one of a very short list of base oils, and also requires a specific additive package.

So realistically, there are what... 3 possible variants of ATF+4? Shell XHVI basestock, PetroCanada basestock or Korean Super-K basestock are the 3 I know about.

There are slight differences among ATF+4- see the Valvoline ATF+4 vs the MAG1/Supertech for an example of different flashpoints, slightly different viscosity, etc...

All that being said, go get the cheapest licensed ATF+4 you can find- there's no bang for the buck to buy a more expensive one, because the specs and requirements are so tight for licensing.

 

[UncleS2]

WalMart Supertech ATF+4 was less than $4/qt when I bought some in June.

 

[wgtoys]

I would use any licensed ATF+4 (Chrysler's license is very tight for this fluid). I would not use a "conversion" product such as Lubeguard to try and work magic on the wrong fluid.