Maxlife ATF....replacing Amsoil ATF.

Status
Not open for further replies.
no one really knows how well maxlife atf protects the transmission.. only one can ASSume.. there arent any used oil analysis of maxlife atf that i know of..
 
There are advantages to running a synthetic ATF, but there is no substitute for fresh fluid. Even running a good product like Amsoil or Mobil 1 I would do a drain/fill every 30K if I had a drain plug. If the transmission is the buttoned up kind I would change out all the fluid and run 60K-100K with a synthetic depending on how hard the vehicle is driven.
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: Steelers
There are advantages to running a synthetic ATF, but there is no substitute for fresh fluid. Even running a good product like Amsoil or Mobil 1 I would do a drain/fill every 30K if I had a drain plug. If the transmission is the buttoned up kind I would change out all the fluid and run 60K-100K with a synthetic depending on how hard the vehicle is driven.


Why do you say fresh fluid? To get rid of wear metals? A filter can do that. If the used oil analysis showed the ATF was still in good condition why would you need fresh fluid?
 
I am pretty sure some will flame me for this, which is fine, I screwed up.

After about a week of using the Maxlife ATF, I notice a few different things.

1. The shifts started to get worse after about 1k miles of driving.

2. When I let off of the accelerater, the car felt like it had an engine brake at highway speeds compaired to the Amsoil ATF.

I was trying to save a little money, but ended up losing a little. (Well, I lost the cost of the Maxlife ATF) I needed to change the fluid in the transmission and decided to change from Amsoil to Maxlife. Seemed good at first, but really really quickly went down hill. So, today I decided to completely flush the trainy with Amsoil ATF again. It should have pretty close to 100% Amsoil ATF in it now. I did a drain and refill with a cooler line flush, drove for about 15 miles, and did another drain and refill. I think that should take care of it. I will probably do a used oil analysis of the ATF at about 20k and just do a drain and refill at that point to see where I am at fluid quality wise. At some point in time when the weather gets to be a little warmer, I will probably put an inline trainy filter in place and try to extend my ATF changes out to where they need to be.

I also replaced the Pennzoil Platinum 5w30 with AMSOIL Signature Series 0w30. Thats seems to be pretty nice stuff butt dino wise. No noise change at all from the engine, it is nice and smooth on startup. We will see if any mileage increase.

So, come on with the flaming. I know I messed up, I am curious as to what everyone else thinks. Should be amusing.
 
Originally Posted By: Cooper
I am pretty sure some will flame me for this, which is fine, I screwed up.

After about a week of using the Maxlife ATF, I notice a few different things.

1. The shifts started to get worse after about 1k miles of driving.

2. When I let off of the accelerater, the car felt like it had an engine brake at highway speeds compaired to the Amsoil ATF.

I was trying to save a little money, but ended up losing a little. (Well, I lost the cost of the Maxlife ATF) I needed to change the fluid in the transmission and decided to change from Amsoil to Maxlife. Seemed good at first, but really really quickly went down hill. So, today I decided to completely flush the trainy with Amsoil ATF again. It should have pretty close to 100% Amsoil ATF in it now. I did a drain and refill with a cooler line flush, drove for about 15 miles, and did another drain and refill. I think that should take care of it. I will probably do a used oil analysis of the ATF at about 20k and just do a drain and refill at that point to see where I am at fluid quality wise. At some point in time when the weather gets to be a little warmer, I will probably put an inline trainy filter in place and try to extend my ATF changes out to where they need to be.

I also replaced the Pennzoil Platinum 5w30 with AMSOIL Signature Series 0w30. Thats seems to be pretty nice stuff butt dino wise. No noise change at all from the engine, it is nice and smooth on startup. We will see if any mileage increase.

So, come on with the flaming. I know I messed up, I am curious as to what everyone else thinks. Should be amusing.

oh well we live we learn

its awkward why maxlife did that to your car. it worked fine in my accord for a couple of months before i switched to amsoil.
 
Well - Amsoil could not command the price they get for synthetic unless it performed better and lasted longer. I know you wanted to get away every once and awhile to do a drain and refill, now you can get away to use your pump to get a sample for a used oil analysis. Good idea to install the filter. The filter itself said something like 12-15K, but when I emailed Magnefine they said 30K. If you are going to run Amsoil for lets say 50K, maybe you change the filter at 25K.

A used oil analysis while expensive compared to an oil change is only the cost of 2-3 QTs of Amsoil ATF. At 50K with Amsoil ATF and an excellent used oil analysis and a Magnefine filter, I would continue on and not change it (unless you were severe like towing/plowing).
 
Last edited:
My wife's 03 altima has 60K with the original fluid in it. Changed to Amsoil last weekend and now the torque converter is finally locking up and it never really did it in the past. I wonder if it is thinner fluid helping it to lock up but at this point I am sold on it.
 
At least you had the cajones to admit you made a mistake. Good luck with the Altima and Amsoil!
 
I am not going too say anything bad or flame you, at least you went back to Amsoil ATF, the reason I put it in my transmission was because of all the wonderful things I read about it on this board.
 
I think we have an trans oil change addict ! Seriously, you just want to change the oil all the time.....i think he needs to revise his oil change plan from 10,000 to every 1000miles for trans and oil and filter change every 100 miles.
 
I have always been a believer in the top of the line ATF's, Redline and Amsoil. I dont see any problem with spending more $$$ because it shifts nicer, lasts longer and gives you that good feeling. Some have had good luck with lesser ATF's but after you run one of these for some length of time with no issues whatsoever it makes you a believer real quick. I think theres something to be said for Cooper here. He experimented with other possibilities and found that his original plan was a better one. I think all of us have been there. I know I have. There is no knocking that.
 
Originally Posted By: AzFireGuy79
I have always been a believer in the top of the line ATF's, Redline and Amsoil. I dont see any problem with spending more $$$ because it shifts nicer, lasts longer and gives you that good feeling. Some have had good luck with lesser ATF's but after you run one of these for some length of time with no issues whatsoever it makes you a believer real quick. I think theres something to be said for Cooper here. He experimented with other possibilities and found that his original plan was a better one. I think all of us have been there. I know I have. There is no knocking that.

I'd have to disagree. Many of you may be "paying more for less." Using these so-called "premium" products that are not OE approved for the application does not guarantee better performance. There is no proof that these products truly meet or exceed OE performance levels. Sure, the base oils may be superior, but what about the additive package? There's a lot of hype on this site about using "synthetic" products, but the additive package is just as important. You could have the best base oils in the world but if your additive package is not meeting the OE requirements, it's meaningless. The additive package is extremely important in automatic transmissions as the correct frictional properties are needed for proper operation.
 
Where is your proof? Kinda funny how Cooper switches to Maxlife and after a few miles the shift quality starts to fall off! Must be because Maxlife has so much more in the way of additives!!??ha. Do you work for Honda, Toyota or GM?? Sure sounds like it to me.

I have used Redline ATF for well over 13 years in many different applications mind you. I have also used factory Dex II and III. Here is what I have found. No more transmission failures due to heat( had many with stock atf) better shift quality,reduced temps and longer drain capability. This is "real world" experience. You are supposing that these synthetic atf's don't have the additives. Pure speculation until you prove your theory Critic!
 
I'm with the Critic on this. Try reading SAE 2007-01-3987.
After you have done that then if you want to get back to me on this subject then you are more than welcome.
 
Originally Posted By: AzFireGuy79
Where is your proof? Kinda funny how Cooper switches to Maxlife and after a few miles the shift quality starts to fall off! Must be because Maxlife has so much more in the way of additives!!??ha. Do you work for Honda, Toyota or GM?? Sure sounds like it to me.

I have used Redline ATF for well over 13 years in many different applications mind you. I have also used factory Dex II and III. Here is what I have found. No more transmission failures due to heat( had many with stock atf) better shift quality,reduced temps and longer drain capability. This is "real world" experience. You are supposing that these synthetic atf's don't have the additives. Pure speculation until you prove your theory Critic!


Are you suggesting that OE fluids are not field tested? That simply isn't true.

Transmissions have changed a lot over the last 13 years. There have been some significant changes over these last few years. What worked in the past may not work with the current transmissions. Changes such as clutch-to-clutch operation, reduced fluid capacities and greater power output has greatly increased the demands on transmission fluids. A fluid with a synthetic base oil alone isn't going to address all of those demands if it does not utilize the proper additive chemistry.

Like Whitewolf said, read the SAE paper, then get back to us.
 
Im getting back to you now. You assume that I have yet to read this fine SAE paper authored by two GM employees. Its old news. Big surprise that two GM folks would want to slant things to GM's favor! I remember seeing nothing regarding Amsoil, Redline etc, especially with respect to additive packages of these aftermarket fluids. You and your boy Critic can agree all day long. Where is your proof that Amsoil and Redline have LESS additives!?
 
Critic- Again keep doing internet searches finding interesting tidbits because its obvious the amount of hands on wrenching you have. Where did I refute that these fluids were field tested??? Thanks for the heads up on changing technology. Man I'm glad I have an eduacated advisor to the ways of the world. Again prove your theory about additives.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top Bottom