Impressed with Maxlife ATF
- Thread starter Chris142
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So far I've just stuck with Toyota WS since, for some reason, it is still cheap through my local dealer ($11/qt). About the same as Maxlife ATF around here. I might try it someday if the prices get wacky on the Toyota side like they do for their oem gear oils. I see a lot of guys run Maxlife over on the Tundra and Tacoma forums without any issues.
Was never a fan of multi vehicle ATF's - however both my transfer cases spec matic D, which is pretty much Dex3, and so maxlife is supposed to meet Dex3 and I had used it in my Transfer cases. There identical units, and it worked fine for some time. There basic cases - with a chain - no clutches at all.
However I think Maxlife thinned their formula recently - its now got a KV100 of 5.9. Dex3 is 7 something. Last go around they both started struggling to get in and out of 4wd. I probably would have just assumed getting old but they both started doing it. Changed back to Transmax which is the proper viscosity - and my issues vanished.
Not sure how this equates for use in a automatic transmission, but I have zero faith in Valvoline at this point. There new ownership doesn't instill confidence either.
However I think Maxlife thinned their formula recently - its now got a KV100 of 5.9. Dex3 is 7 something. Last go around they both started struggling to get in and out of 4wd. I probably would have just assumed getting old but they both started doing it. Changed back to Transmax which is the proper viscosity - and my issues vanished.
Not sure how this equates for use in a automatic transmission, but I have zero faith in Valvoline at this point. There new ownership doesn't instill confidence either.
I use MaxLife in every vehicle I own that has an automatic transmission, and in every vehicle I help maintain for others which includes a Ford, two Toyotas, a Mazda and a Chevrolet. I have never had any issue with the product whatsoever, and I just recently started using it in the Tiguan. My old Sienna and the Accord have been using it for a very long time as did my old BMW for many years before that. I also use it in power steering systems that call for a DEXRON product. Never an issue there either.
Not as inexpensive as it used to be at Walmart but still a good deal for a synthetic fluid.
Not as inexpensive as it used to be at Walmart but still a good deal for a synthetic fluid.
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He's saying he's getting WS for $11/qt at his dealer, not Maxlife
Ohh...I just got that...funny...42 days later
Yes. this. I didn't word things very good.
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I gotchu fam
I use Maxlife also & regularly drain the transmission sump every other oil chsnge
measuring what I removed and refill accordingly.
Our 2016 Volvo transmission is not serviceable but you can drain approximately 2.5 quarts I then refill with exact same amount.
Quick & easy and keeps tranny happy.
measuring what I removed and refill accordingly.
Our 2016 Volvo transmission is not serviceable but you can drain approximately 2.5 quarts I then refill with exact same amount.
Quick & easy and keeps tranny happy.
Loyal ML user here for the past 15 years or so. All my Toyota's have been using it. Recently, I've been using the Castrol Transmax ATF. Lots of folks on here also use in in their Toyota's so I started using simply because it's been regularly less expensive, I have found.
Do use use it in WS applications? I use the Idemitsu equivalent, but ML has been my go to forever.
Yes, all my Toyota's spec the WS fluid. It's rumored to be the closest to the OEM WS fluid also. Very happy with it so far but, let's be honest, I have it in 4 Toyota's and we all know they just seem to run forever regardless
A common misconception with the Dex6 vs Dex3 spec is the difference in viscosity. Any fluid that meets the Dex6 spec should have a more stable/durable viscosity to a typical Dex3 fluid, it's all in the spec.
Maxlife (Dex6) at KV100 of 5.9 should be heavier than any typical Dex3 fluid post break-in but I doubt viscosity is the source of your issue in the transfer case. I would never recommend an ATF or Dexron in a gearbox if a GL-4/5 fluid could do the job, not because of the viscosity but due to the EP & AW properties. I would also never use a Dex3 fluid if a Dex6 was available.
Having said that, I know there are gearboxes that have clutch/friction requirements and that's a different issue.
Well the factory spec is an ATF. There are no clutches. The Dex 3 equivalent that went back in has a higher viscosity than the max life that came out. The shifting issues vanished immediately - for 2 identical boxes - one has just under 200K and the other just over 400K.
So in this case it appears the fluid was the issue.
Yes and you know why because of what @martinq noted.
So your saying dex6 is higher viscosity and hence the lower viscosity post break in dex3 is better?
I somehow doubt the dex3 dropped viscosity the instant I poured in a transfer case, even if his assertion is correct, which I don’t think it is.
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The fluid change by itself is likely what made the difference. Unless you're using a high-grade, synthetic "Dex3" I can't imagine there would be any significant, fictional difference between a Dex6 / Dex3 / Maxlife fluid.
Changing the fluid before wear / contamination increases is always a good idea.
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