Maxlife California Specs?

[Egg_Head]

As of 12/20/16 looks like there are alternate specs in CA per website:

http://content.valvoline.com/pdf/maxlife_atf.pdf



Suitable for use in:
Allison TES 389*, C-4
Audi/VW G-055-025-A2, G-052-162-A1/A2, G-052-990-
A2, G-055-005-A2, G-055-162-A6, G-055-540-A2, G-060-
162-A2, G-052-025-A2, G-052-162-A1 BMW LT71141, LA2634, M-1375.4, ATF 3.0, 7045E, ETL
8072B
Chrysler Diamond SP-III, NAG-1, 3403 M115
Ford MERCON®* (in California use Valvoline Dex/Merc)
Ford MERCON® V*, FNR5*, XT-9-AMMF5*, (in California
use Valvoline MERCON V)
Ford MERCON® SP*
MERCON® LV
GM 9986195
GM DEXRON® II, III and VI
GM Autotrak II
Honda/Acura ATF-Z1, DW1 (except in CVTs)
Hyundai SP-II, SP-III, SP-IV, SPH-IV,
SP4-M, SP-IV-RR
JWS 3309
JASO 1A
KIA SP-II and SP-III Fluids, Red 1
Mazda M-V, FZ
Mercedes Benz MB236.1, MB236.6, MB236.7, MB236.9,
MB236.10, MB236.12*, MB 236.14*, MB 236.15*
Mercedes Benz NAG-1
MOPAR AS68RC ATF
Miscellaneous OEMs – M1375.4, M1375.6, L12108, LT 71141,
ETL-7045E, ETL-8072B, 3403 M115, N402, AW-1
Mitsubishi Diamond SP-II, SP-III, ATF-J3, Dia Queen ATF-PA
Nissan Matic-D, Matic-J, Matic-K, Matic-S, Matic W
Saab 93 165 147
Subaru ATF
Subaru ATF-HP
Toyota / Lexus Type T, T-III and T-IV
Toyota WS
Volvo 1161521, 1161540, STD 1273.41, 97340
VW TL52162, LT71141
ZF TE-ML-14B, 16L, 17C
*Please note that legislation in California prohibits Valvoline from recommending MaxLife™ ATF in certain applications where the
viscometrics of MaxLife™ ATF do not match those of the official OEM specification. Valvoline therefore does not recommend the
use of MaxLife™ ATF in these applications in California.

 

[Danh]

Unless I'm missing something, it looks like California prohibits a manufacturer from recommending a product that could conceivably result in poorer fuel economy and/or increased CO2 emissions compared to that specified by the OEM. In this case, I expect MaxLife is thicker than OEM (viscometrics don't match) and could increase fuel consumption ever so slightly. I doubt there's an alternative MaxLife product just for California.

Maybe some of our California friends have better insight.

 

[blupupher]

There has always been a different spec for California. I noticed it several years ago when trying to decide to use in my F150 after the Merc V was taken off the label (but was still on the website).

 

[MolaKule]

Same formula, different labeling for Kali's Big Brother government, and lawyer infested society.

 

[Rhymingmechanic]

Originally Posted By: Danh
In this case, I expect MaxLife is thicker than OEM (viscometrics don't match) and could increase fuel consumption ever so slightly.
Maybe some of our California friends have better insight.


I'm not familiar with a lot of these fluids, but it almost seems to be the opposite. Maxlife IS being recommended for the lower viscosity fluids like Dex VI, WS, and Mercon LV, but not TES 389, Mercon, and Mercon V. All Dexrons are OK--maybe because GM back-specs VI for everything?