After searching various posts, I understand that Dexron III/Mercon ATF is a good quality ATF, in general. It is a Dino based fluid, usually a Group II+ mix, right? Then the 'multi-vehicle' ATF's seem to have more synthetic properties, possibly hence they can be used in more applications. Valvoline recommends using their MaxLife ATF Dexron III/Mercon in place of ATF+3 and ATF+4. The ATF+4 by nature is a group III base oil + more, right? So, would it be safe to say that MaxLife ATF is much more synthetic than regular DexronIII/Mercon, or ever ATF+3? It typically runs 2X the price of the regular DexronIII/Mercon fluid. Would it be safe to assume it is at least the same amount of synthetic as Mercon-V? I am very curious, because of needing an ATF to withstand high speed driving and the excessive heat it can build. Personally, I have seen the MaxLife ATF do wonders in GM and Ford products, but when valvoline installed in in the last stratus, the transmission acted strange, up-shifting much sooner than it did with ATF+3, lugging the engine and eventually the ATF was pink (not burned) with a lot of sooty black particulate material in it. At any rate, any idea what group number the oil are that make this ATF? How about regular dexIII/merc. mercon-V and ATF+3? Would you recommend using this product?
MaxLife ATF questions
- Thread starter DSteven
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I used Maxlife ATF in two of my cars. It seemed to work fine, but is now burnt smelling and dark after only 1 year. This time I used Chevron and it is twice as clear out of the bottle as other ATFs I used.
According to several posts here most ATF is Group I, and judging by my experience I would doubt any of the Valvoline stuff is Group II, except maybe the Durablend stuff.
The Chevron states Iso-syn on the bottle, which means Group II. It's the only ATF that's I've found that is GII for certain.
-T
According to several posts here most ATF is Group I, and judging by my experience I would doubt any of the Valvoline stuff is Group II, except maybe the Durablend stuff.
The Chevron states Iso-syn on the bottle, which means Group II. It's the only ATF that's I've found that is GII for certain.
-T
Interesting. No wonder why the Mercon-V is liked so much! It is a Group II/III blend, right?
MolaKule
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Not really. Most Dexron III/Mercon's below the "H" spec were Group I paraffinic base oils with special friction modifiers, some of those being esters.
The new DexronIII(H) spec will require base fluids to be Group II or II+, or GroupIII at the minumum for oxidation resistance.
Interesting phenomena.
Aren't these transmissions full electronic control? Shift points determined by speed and throttle position?
--quote--
Infineum’s Richard said the viscosity and shear stability requirements of [Mercon®]SP will drive formulators to use Group III and partial synthetic base stocks, compared to Mercon and Mercon V, which can be formulated with Group I and Group II base stocks, respectively.
--end quote--
http://www.lubereport.com/e_article000311697.cfm?x=b3G8K8K,b19p9DCt
Infineum is one of the large world-wide suppliers of lubricant additive packages. It is owned by ExxonMobil and Royal Dutch/Shell.
DStevens,
The friction characteriscs of the ATF are the most important consideration. +3 and +4 are quite different from Dexron-Mercon-MerconV, and evidently the compromises made in the Valvoline ATF to make it a multi-vehicle formula don't work well in your Dodge.
Ken
[ October 07, 2004, 01:35 PM: Message edited by: Ken2 ]
Infineum’s Richard said the viscosity and shear stability requirements of [Mercon®]SP will drive formulators to use Group III and partial synthetic base stocks, compared to Mercon and Mercon V, which can be formulated with Group I and Group II base stocks, respectively.
--end quote--
http://www.lubereport.com/e_article000311697.cfm?x=b3G8K8K,b19p9DCt
Infineum is one of the large world-wide suppliers of lubricant additive packages. It is owned by ExxonMobil and Royal Dutch/Shell.
DStevens,
The friction characteriscs of the ATF are the most important consideration. +3 and +4 are quite different from Dexron-Mercon-MerconV, and evidently the compromises made in the Valvoline ATF to make it a multi-vehicle formula don't work well in your Dodge.
Ken
[ October 07, 2004, 01:35 PM: Message edited by: Ken2 ]
I just got off the phone with a Valvoline rep (hopefully not the usual lying rep). Anyway, he said the MaxLife ATF meets the 'H' spec of ATF. I mentioned using it in an 02 Stratus that requires ATF+4, which has synthetic and at least group II/III fluids. He stated the MaxLife ATF has more synthetic in it than even ATF+4, but wasn't allowed to give out the group base stocks used. Is this believable? If it is, it should be one of the best ATF's available, huh.
I am considering using it with an additive for friction modification, if that statement holds true. Thanks for the replies.
Nascarnation:
Also, yes the 41TE is one of the most electronicaly monitored transmissions; however, I was told the Dex/Merc ATF is much more 'grabbier', causing the trans to shift early at times. I was told it becomes a battle between the computer and the clutches...the computer is trying to wait, but the clutches are grabbing to attempt a shift; hence the premature wear. There must be more slipping happening when using a regular Dex/Merc ATF, I would presume.
Nascarnation:
Also, yes the 41TE is one of the most electronicaly monitored transmissions; however, I was told the Dex/Merc ATF is much more 'grabbier', causing the trans to shift early at times. I was told it becomes a battle between the computer and the clutches...the computer is trying to wait, but the clutches are grabbing to attempt a shift; hence the premature wear. There must be more slipping happening when using a regular Dex/Merc ATF, I would presume.
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