Fresh vs boutique atf

[Infomercial]

I drained a GM 6T70 a few months ago and filled with redline d6.

I later siphoned out a quart and a half to add royal purple max atf and lubeguard red.

This leaves me with under 4qt of previous fluid that was dark but smelled fine.

I recently got a cheap case of lucas low viscosity atf that meets specs

Would i be doing any good draining most of the mostly type iv to replace with type iii? I would be getting rid of more old fluid as well.

 

[Slick3914]

I would use a quality fluid and stick with it instead of changing brands

 

[clinebarger]

Just run Dexron VI & change it often.

 

[ctechbob]

First car was an 83 Camaro (bought in 1992) that got Castrol Syntec 5W-50. The 5.slow ran just fine on it.

In 1997 I bought a brand new Isuzu Rodeo with the 3.2 V6 that I ran Mobil 1 10W30 in until it developed the common HLA tick and Isuzu issued a tech bulletin to specifically run Mobil 1 0W30 in it.

I remember that 0W number really scaring me at the time, but it really did cure the HLA's.

 

[Infomercial]

Just run Dexron VI & change it often.

But that is a lower quality base oil. Redline is better in that way. Is there any evidence real dex does anything better?

 

[clinebarger]

Is there any real evidence Redline or any other boutique ATF will prolong the life of a transmission.

 

[kschachn]

Is there any real evidence Redline or any other boutique ATF will prolong the life of a transmission.

Apparently only in infomercials.

 

[ltslimjim]

Is there any real evidence Redline or any other boutique ATF will prolong the life of a transmission.

I’ve experienced improved shifting and solved a common transmission case whine after swapping to AMSOIL Signature Series ATF (ATL). Nearly 200k on this fluid, 345k total miles on transmission. So, at a minimum I believe the case wear is probably lower and the shifting is smooth. DW-1 wasn’t the best fluid in my case. .02 YMMV

 

[clinebarger]

I’ve experienced improved shifting and solved a common transmission case whine after swapping to AMSOIL Signature Series ATF (ATL). Nearly 200k on this fluid, 345k total miles on transmission. So, at a minimum I believe the case wear is probably lower and the shifting is smooth. DW-1 wasn’t the best fluid in my case. .02 YMMV

Still anecdotal, No magic ATF exists....Synthetics allow longer drain intervals, A GM 6T70 would benefit more from frequent fluid changes.

 

[JeffKeryk]

I’ve experienced improved shifting and solved a common transmission case whine after swapping to AMSOIL Signature Series ATF (ATL). Nearly 200k on this fluid, 345k total miles on transmission. So, at a minimum I believe the case wear is probably lower and the shifting is smooth. DW-1 wasn’t the best fluid in my case. .02 YMMV

I've experienced improved shifting by servicing the transmission. Manuals, traditional gear automatics and CVTs. I do use quality fluids, but not the boutique stuff. I just don't believe in them.

 

[Mainia]

I've experienced improved shifting by servicing the transmission. Manuals, traditional gear automatics and CVTs. I do use quality fluids, but not the boutique stuff. I just don't believe in them.

So no advantage of all the HPL I just put in my car, with the exception of engine oil?

GL4 to now GL4/GL5 for my dry dual clutch trans with front diff in same cavity, transfer case, and rear diff. So I could of use just Hyundai branded oil in my car that gets highly trashed daily? I suppose, just clean oil is good oil.

 

[JeffKeryk]

So no advantage of all the HPL I just put in my car, with the exception of engine oil?

GL4 to now GL4/GL5 for my dry dual clutch trans with front diff in same cavity, transfer case, and rear diff? So I could of use just Hyundai branded oil in my car that gets highly trashed daily?

Whatever floats your boat.

 

[Mainia]

I get your point, I was adding a comment while you were posting. Changing it so it is on the cleaner side is a bigger deal I would say as long as it is quality oil.

 

[ltslimjim]

Still anecdotal, No magic ATF exists....Synthetics allow longer drain intervals, A GM 6T70 would benefit more from frequent fluid changes.

Many people use Amsoil or boutique or alternative ATFs from OE with superb results. Contrary to magical, there have existed poor OE fluids and poor design in the history of transmissions; which lie at the feet of manufacturers. Sometimes, the difference in fluid means a long, trouble-free service life and outright failure. Amsoil and Valvoline MaxLife are specific use cases from early 2000s Honda Odysseys, that the fluid was the difference in a failed transmission or one that lasted a long time; despite some design problems the fluid difference did matter; and of course regular maintenance to your point. Hardly anecdotal when one of hundreds and likely thousands of use cases.

It can be the difference, going away from often “good enough” OE, but likely won’t cause problems as many claim. Poorly designed and/or poorly maintained is usually the failure root. Do we know if OE vs alternative yield longer service life for all? Who knows. But yes, I’ve had success doubling Honda DW-1’s 30k interval…60k and still close to unused fluid appearance/smell. Less down time. I don’t see any negatives going boutique; unless there are specific cases of sticking to OE.

 

[Revving2Redline]

Is there any real evidence Redline or any other boutique ATF will prolong the life of a transmission.

In a cvt transmission, it has definitely been much better than basic fluids. Im excited to see how much or little varnish there is in there. I think boutique transmission fluid is a no brainer especially when the cost isnt that much more. Its probably a better bet for drag racing, arctic cold, or someone who wants to get the most out of a transmission. A better fluid would help with extended drain intervals if you had started a regimen very early on.

 

[Rust_Belt_Pete]

From the limited research I gathered new ford 10 speed transmissions absolutely destroy the mercon ULV fluid and aftermarket fluids like AMSOIL and HPL tend to survive and perform much better.

 

[Revving2Redline]

First time removal of the CVT transmission pan on my 2017 Honda Accord Sport. Looking at the maintenance records, one oem hcf2 drain and fill on the day I bought, changed again with castrol transmax cvt fluid and bg cvt 303 additive every 10k miles. Somewhere around the 150-200k its been Redline Non Slip CVT Fluid and most with Hotshots Shift Restore additive. Provided enough fluid today that any remaining will be saved for my friend on her next cvt fluid service or if someone is stranded and might need. Already contacted @High Performance Lubricants and we are gonna start using them exclusively on the cvt fluid. Still fighting a rear main seep so Im just sticking with Valvoline Restore and Protect / Valvoline Extended Protection High Mileage 5w30 2:2 ratio and Schaeffer's #132 Moly additive.

 

[SubieRubyRoo]

But that is a lower quality base oil. Redline is better in that way. Is there any evidence real dex does anything better?

Wait… you’ve now mixed 4 different types of ATFs and additives and you’re questioning if the legitimate approved fluid is better? Wow.

 

[Infomercial]

Yes. From what I have read official gm dex vi has an additive others do not. If there is proof of it being the best i will use it.

Glad hot shot was brought up. I may try their lv atf along with the additive. I haven't seen much info on their base stock, nor royal purple max atf.

 

[kschachn]

Yes. From what I have read official gm dex vi has an additive others do not. If there is proof of it being the best i will use it.

Can you link to this that you’ve read? I don’t see how that would be permitted under the licensing rules.

Never mind whether it does anything if it indeed does have this unique additive.