Maxlife now recommended for CVT applications

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AngryScientist

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Interesting.

I've long been a Maxlife fan, it completely solved my trans issues on a Honda Odyssey years ago, and I've been happily using it ever since.

I don't know a whole lot about CVT transmissions, but I believed they needed a pretty specific fluid formulation. I was surprised to go to Valvoline's site and see they now recommend Maxlife for not only almost all ATs, but also most CVTs.

I recently acquired a Honda Accord 4cyl that uses a CVT, recently changed to Valvoline's CVT specific fluid, but now wondering if in the future I could just use the old reliable Maxlife.

Thoughts on this new recommendation?



https://www.valvolineglobal.com/en/maxlife-multi-vehicle-atf/
 
AngryScientist said:
Interesting.

I've long been a Maxlife fan, it completely solved my trans issues on a Honda Odyssey years ago, and I've been happily using it ever since.

I don't know a whole lot about CVT transmissions, but I believed they needed a pretty specific fluid formulation. I was surprised to go to Valvoline's site and see they now recommend Maxlife for not only almost all ATs, but also most CVTs.

I recently acquired a Honda Accord 4cyl that uses a CVT, recently changed to Valvoline's CVT specific fluid, but now wondering if in the future I could just use the old reliable Maxlife.

Thoughts on this new recommendation?



https://www.valvolineglobal.com/en/maxlife-multi-vehicle-atf/
Click to expand...
I'd consider it as a "Recommendation" if coming from the manufacturer itself, if not it's just advertising!
 
Valvoline makes a dedicated CVT fluid. That's what I use in my Suzuki (JATCO) transmission.

1721515432254.webp

Valvoline Global
 
They added the CVT rec to the bottle/jug a while ago now. While I've used Maxlife FSMV in Honda ATs and will continue to do so, won't use it in a CVT. Valvoline has a dedicated CVT fluid in a blue bottle (shown above), currently running it a Nissan Rogue.

I did use the current Maxlife (w CVT rec) in a neighbor's Civic with a simple d&f at least 9 months ago. All good. Afaik, viscosity has not changed, been ~5.9 cSt for as long as I can remember. The only difference I noticed in current MLFSMV, the strong odor is gone.
 
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Maxlife switched to the ATF/CVT combo a few years back after Castrol launched theirs :sneaky:

It is probably fine to use it, but I'd still prefer a dedicated CVT fluid. Also, Maxlife isn't the value it used to be, as Valvoline and the stores jacked up the price (though that came before the CVT reformulation)

Honda's factory CVT fluid is amber in color, like regular motor oil. Valvoline's dedicated CVT fluid is also amber. Amalie's CVT fluids are amber, too (this includes Amalie-made house brand CVT fluid such as Autozone/STP and AAP/Fram).

Maxlife is red, like traditional ATF. So is Castrol's ATF/CVT combo. There is nothing wrong with using something red, but some people are put off by it, in addition to being put off by ATF/CVT combo.

I'd trust the ATF/CVT combo in a regular automatic, but not a CVT :cautious:

NOTE: Toyota's ECVT hybrids aren't really a CVT, and the Toyota hybrid ECVT uses planetary gears like a regular automatic. Therefore, I'd have no problem using the ATF/CVT combo in a Toyota hybrid with the ECVT

If you are brave enough to use the combo fluid, at least Honda makes it very easy to change the fluid, if you actually have problems while using it.
 
Agreed, Toyota eCVT, sure I'd use it. Although I'd also use that "inferior" WS stuff too, as I don't think it'd matter at all.

In my CVT? as much as I was fine with Maxlife in prior Aisin transmissions... nah, the right stuff isn't that expensive for my CVT. Heck I elected to buy Aisin fluid off Rock for my Corolla transmission instead of the more expensive Toyota branded fluid.

I never thought I'd say it... but I don't mind my CVT. It simply does its job. Maybe if it breaks any time soon I'll change my opinion.
 
csandste said:
Had great luck in my 17 Soul six speed. I didn't notice any CVT customer reviews on their web site. Maybe there will be before my 23 Soul CVT needs a change. Wouldn't want to be the first.
Click to expand...

The SP-CVT1 seems to be green in color. So you should consider a dedicated CVT fluid in green such as Cam2 CVT. There is also Transtar, but it is out-of-stock. I found some on eBay, but it costs more than Cam2 (but maybe there's room to negotiate with the best offer option)

The good news is that changing the CVT fluid seems to be very easy on your Soul:


The guy in the video uses Valvoline CVT fluid, which is amber in color.
 
We were pondering over Castrol Universal and Valvoline Maxlife for high-mileage Suzuki CVT (Jatco), and we ended up getting Castrol because of its higher viscosity (and cheaper). Running fine...
 
I’d trust the cvt specific fluid and have used it in my 09 for over 100k. I did a double drain and fill in in my nieces 17 Altima with 150k. I don’t think I’d ever use a fluid that’s as universal as this stuff. For my warranty Nissans I use eneos or idemitsu or oem. I need the blue dye in case of a warranty issue. The only thing I noticed using valvoline in the 09 compared to eneos eco was a little louder trans when hot, but it just keeps chugging along.
 
I wonder if they have changed formulation on Maxlife, to make it more compatible with newer stuff. Might not be "great" for older stuff.
 
drew2024 said:
We were pondering over Castrol Universal and Valvoline Maxlife for high-mileage Suzuki CVT (Jatco), and we ended up getting Castrol because of its higher viscosity (and cheaper). Running fine...
Click to expand...
The higher viscosity is probably why I'll use Castrol Import vs ML when I service the Corolla (T-IV spec).
 
I’ve been pondering this since I spent $$$ on Valvoline (blue) CVT fluid for my Nissan Cube 2010 with 126k miles, no CVT service history. Car went into limp mode with a solenoid pressure code; new fluid (2 drain and fills so far) with a new filter and completely cleaned out strainer, so far running fine (400 miles) even though there was forbidden glitter in the pan.

My question is, I thought Nissan NS2 compatibility meant friction modifiers to help the belt grip the pulleys; an entirely different principle than how traditional ATF operates? How does Multi-Vehicle even work?
 
newoilguy1 said:
I’ve been pondering this since I spent $$$ on Valvoline (blue) CVT fluid for my Nissan Cube 2010 with 126k miles, no CVT service history. Car went into limp mode with a solenoid pressure code; new fluid (2 drain and fills so far) with a new filter and completely cleaned out strainer, so far running fine (400 miles) even though there was forbidden glitter in the pan.

My question is, I thought Nissan NS2 compatibility meant friction modifiers to help the belt grip the pulleys; an entirely different principle than how traditional ATF operates? How does Multi-Vehicle even work?
Click to expand...

I have always questioned a "universal" product like this.

Does Valvoline change the formula every time a new certification is added? Or is this just the biggest example ever of certifications just being money grabs by manufacturers?
 
pantygnome said:
I have always questioned a "universal" product like this.

Does Valvoline change the formula every time a new certification is added? Or is this just the biggest example ever of certifications just being money grabs by manufacturers?
Click to expand...
I get the impression that the universal fluids are probably "nearly" as good as specific spec fluids, for "most" of the CVT's, and almost always better than very used and dirty specific spec fluid.
I only know subaru CVT fluid specs, and they have different fluids for each CVT they make. And they are the one's designing, building, testing and warrantying them... I think they are chasing small(ish) gains in wear reduction, or efficiency, but I bought their car, so I guess I'm going to trust them with their fluid specs.
 
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