Does brand of ATF matter?

[Carlostrece]

In regard to my 1997 Buick Park Ave and my neighbor's 2011 Hyundai Elantra...

I don't know much about ATF and I'd like to know more.

Does brand of ATF matter? Is all ATF synthetic these days? Are high mileage or extended protection ATF better or different than regular ATF? If so, how?

 

[Kira]

Spec matters. ATF brand doesn't, substantively.
No, all ATF is not synthetic these days.
High mileage and extended protection are attributes more often associated with motor oil than ATF.

 

[JavierH19]

For the most part no but if a brand looks sketchy and suspicious I won't trust it at all. pqia has tested many motor oils that lied about meeting minimum and being unadditized and very under formulated and dangerous to use in anything but a clapped out bug fogger that was getting thrown out next month anyway.

 

[gman2304]

I used Supertech non synthetic in my 2005 4L60e for years and it shifted like butta when I sold it last year at 248,000 miles.

 

[Dino01]

As long as it’s one of the licensed/approved ones brand won’t matter IMO

 

[HyundaiAbuser]

1: no if you are sticking with the well established brands
2: no but the synthetic ones typically state that they are
3: Very few if anyone outside the field know have any real insight, talking to our amsoil and HPL reps could serve you well.
Personal opinion is any dex vi (factory approved option) or similar multi vehicle compatible synthetic like valvoline extended protection, HPL's fluids or amsoil will work for you and your neighbor.
There are also aftermarket application specific synthetic fluids like aisin's atf series if you or your neighbor don't want to spend oem money but want a more specific use case synthetic fluid. I use them for my hondas.

 

[Carlostrece]

High mileage and extended protection are attributes more often associated with motor oil than ATF.

Valvoline offers HM ATF & EP ATF choices. I was wondering what those offer that regular ATF does not, if anything.

 

[Carlostrece]

1: no if you are sticking with the well established brands
2: no but the synthetic ones typically state that they are
3: Very few if anyone outside the field know have any real insight, talking to our amsoil and HPL reps could serve you well.
Personal opinion is any dex vi (factory approved option) or similar multi vehicle compatible synthetic like valvoline extended protection, HPL's fluids or amsoil will work for you and your neighbor.
There are also aftermarket application specific synthetic fluids like aisin's atf series if you or your neighbor don't want to spend oem money but want a more specific use case synthetic fluid. I use them for my hondas.

Speaking of Honda ATF... According to a CR-V forum I joined... Idemitsu makes Honda branded oils. So if a person wants to use Honda PSF or ATF, it's made by Idemitsu. The same oil can be purchased in Idemitsu branded bottles much cheaper than Honda branded bottles. It's the same oil. Idemitsu oil is especially affordable from RockAuto. Like Walmart bargain prices.

 

[Kira]

Yes, comparing the recipes would be interesting.

With ATF, it's always whether the fluid is correct and clean. Maybe the HM has seal swellers?

 

[Carlostrece]

Yes, comparing the recipes would be interesting.

With ATF, it's always whether the fluid is correct and clean. Maybe the HM has seal swellers?

I did look into Maxlife ATF a while ago. IIRC it's a syn blend with extra seal conditioners. I think it's OK for lubricating, but not the best. I think it's good for slowing, stopping, or preventing leaks.

However, I have no trans leaks and my trans output shafts' seals were recently replaced, as was my trans pan gasket. So I have no need for Maxlife ATF in my car.

Of more interest to me is Valvoline ATF EP. I'd like to know more about it and other highend good synthetic ATF choices.