Castrol Multi Import or Maxlife Dex/Merc Syn-Blend

[Mr_Accord]

I'm going to be changing the ATF in my 92 Accord Lx A/T w/ around 210000 miles on her. I changed the fluid about 2 years ago and just drained what was in the pan (around 2.4L) and changed it with some Maxlife DEX/Merc Synthetic Blend from Walmart, the manual calls for a Dexron II fluid. The previous owners were really cheap so who knows what the other 2/3 of fluid is running through the transmission, probably the cheapest no-name stuff they could buy. I was planning on just buying another 5L jug of Maxlife from walmart again its only 20$, but i also saw the Castrol Multi Import ATF which caught my eye and checked that out as well. I started looking at the specs for both oils and the ATF that I normally would have ignored is starting to not look that bad and maybe better than Maxlife.

CASTROL

Viscosity at 40°C, cSt - 36.6
Viscosity at 100°C, cSt - 8
Viscosity Index - - 200
Brookfield Viscosity at -40 C, cP - 10,500
Pour Point, ºC (ºF) - -48 (-54)
Flash Point, °C (°F) - 208 (406)
Specific Gravity, 60°F - 0.862
Meets or exceeds JASO-1A requirements

Maxlife

Viscosity at 40°C, cSt - 28.18
Viscosity at 100°C, cSt - 6.11
Viscosity Index - - 173
Brookfield Viscosity at -40 C, cP - 8400
Pour Point, ºC - -51
Flash Point, °C - 202
Specific Gravity, 60°F - 0.843
JASO-1A requirements???


The other differences I can spot are Castrol is Conventional, and probably the Maxlife has more wear additives and is a synthetic. Tough choice both look really good.

 

[SLCraig]

I am not as up to speed on ATF's, but isn't the thicker ATF the better choice for an older Dex II application? I would have thought the Castrol would have been better for the older Honda, but I could be wrong. I know the Dex6 stuff has been known to be too thin in some transmissions. (Saturn being one of them, which I used to have) so I always ran Dex III compliant fluid, never Dex6. (Maxlife)

 

[sciphi]

Our Honda shifts better than ever on Maxlife ATF. So does the Buick.

 

[Sayjac]

Since Z-1 is discontinued, and syn DW-1 is the replacement, I plan on trying Maxlife next drain and refill. On a recent thread it was discussed that the DW-1 spec is now be closer to Maxlife.

Unfortunately Maxlife is not available at Wally in the States. Likely get it at AAP using on online discount code.

 

[ahoier]

If the manual and/or dipstick specs DexII, just go with the Maxlife...but I would reference both. I was in a predicament with my vehicle, many people said ATF+3/4, was "required, but when I actually looked at the dipstick, it was labeled specifically Dexron II

So....saved a bit of $$$ there anyways.....SuperTech ATF+4 is like $3-$4....pricey stuff...so I figured, may as well stick with the DexII...until I can find an adequate amount of ATF+4 (it's nearly always sold out.....) to do a complete fluid exchange. Then again, from what I been told the A413 3 speed transmissions are fairly "bullet proof" and shouldn't really need anything more than Dex....



@sayjac: my local Walmart recently "re modeled" their oil aisle....we no longer have ANY of the Castrol ATF...has been replaced with Blue Bottles od "dex/merc" valvoline ATF, and the red bottles of Valvoline "Dex/Merc" - beside their Super Tech Multi-Vehicle (glorified DexII/Merc.....etc....+ some other specs), a Super Tech "Dex/Merc", Ford TYPE F, and MERCON V, and 2 or 3 others in the Super Tech line....

So you may be getting the Valvoline line soon.....unless it's one of those things only certain stores are getting....

 

[PandaBear]

Both (as a matter of fact any off the shelf ATF recommended for Dex III Mercon application) would work fine because in 92 they probably didn't even spec Z1 yet, but if you want to stay closer to original spec, Castrol is thicker.

 

[charbaby]

What is the "Brookfield Viscosity"?
The higher the number, the thicker?

 

[The Critic]

I would fill it with ATF DW-1.

 

[Ramblin Fever]

I've used these 2 ATF's.....personally, I prefer Castrol Import, better shifting qualities in 3 different vehicles.

 

[K20FA5]

I also like the Castrol Import stuff in our Honda. It just seems to shift better to me? I am using the Maxlife in my Nissan since it's the only off the shelf stuff I can find that meets the Matic S my truck calls for.

I think you will be fine with which ever you decide to go with.