New Valvoline Import Multi-Vehicle Full Synthetic

[Stucker21trt]

Hi all,

Just wanted to see if anybody has heard about Valvoline's Import Multi-Vehicle Full Synthetic. Part number is 788699, which is not the same format as the other Valvoline line (usually VV###). Might be an alternative to the Mobil 1 ATF that was pulled out of California a few years ago.

I found it at an O'Reilly in Costa Mesa, CA last week. I can't find anything about it on BITOG, Google, or even Valvoline's website. It's going for 6.29 per quart, a bit more than MaxLife. It appears to meet similar specs as MaxLife, but drops the DEX III and DEX VI compatibility. That said, it does meet Toyota Type T, Nissan Matic-D, Mazda M-III, and Volvo 97340, all of which I believe are very similar to DEX III. Seems to be more Syn and less Max.

Here is the information from the back of the bottle. Sorry about no picture.

Recommended for use in:
- Toyota/Lexus - Type T, T-II, T-IV (except hybrids)
- Honda/Acura - ATF-Z1 (except CVT)
- Nissan/Infiniti - Matic-D, Matic-J, Matic-K (except CVT)
- Hyundai/Kia - SP-II, SP-III, SP-IV, Genuine ATF
- Mitsubishi - SP-II, SP-III, SP-IV
- Subaru - ATF-HP (except CVT)
- Mazda - M-III, M-V, JWS-3309
- BMW - LT 71141, LA 2634, 7045E
- Mercedes Benz - NAG-1, 236.10 and older
- Volkswagen/Audi - VW 052 162, 052 990, 055 025
- Volvo - 97340, 97341, 1161521
- Jaguar - JLM 20238
- Ford - Mercon V

Hope you find this interested/useful.

-Steve

 

[Boomer]

Shows that this ATF is out of date. Nissan does not support Matic J, opnly Matic S. Has for at least two years.

 

[tinmanSC]

I'm confused by your statement. Are you saying that Nissan has banned saying anything a out J? Why would they not list it if is ok for those transmissions that take J? One assumes it still appears in owners manuals of the time. Toyota doesn't do T-II anymore either, but people may still look for whatever their manual says.

This looks a lot like castrol multi-import

 

[Stu_Rock]

Interesting. I will definitely look for it next time I am at O'Kragen.

 

[ron917]

Definitely interesting. Another aftermarket choice for Subaru ATF-HP (the others are MaxLife and Amsoil).

 

[nthach]

Hmm, could this be the new MaxLife?

 

[MonumentOiler]

Honda DW-1 not listed either.

Probably a good fluid for the listed specs.

 

[glum]

Thanks for the heads-up. I can't comprehend why they would release a product without so much as a peep on their web site. Unless it wasn't being released widely yet...? Even then it doesn't make sense. Actually it looks like some of my local OAPs have it, so it's out there.

Valvoline's ATF on OAP.

 

[glum]

BTW... I asked Valvoline about this. The response I got was that this is a new fluid, and for the time being at least it's exclusive to OAP (weird, I know). And of course it's safe to mix with MaxLife DEX/MERC in vehicles where both fluids are acceptable to use (no surprise there).

 

[FusilliJerry82]

If it's compatible with Mazda M-III, it should be compatible with Dexron III.

 

[ludey]

Wow, coming soon?
I am pretty sure this is the same MaxLife ATF advertised on their website two or more years ago. Yes, it was on their website and they had two versions of MaxLife with the current version and the one you found. It was even discussed on BITOG before. I know because,I was asking for the one you found at your local O'Reilly. I asked around and searched on the web and nobody had it even though some BITOG members found a couple bottles (mainly around the East and Southeast coast). Everyone came to consensus that it was "coming soon" or it was distributed in limited parts of the US. Now! Two years later it comes. I am suprised you even found some. I am happy with the bottles of I have of the current version. I have like 8 bottles(4 qt bottles) and the price difference seems just as high as two years ago. Well, that is what some BITOG members reported back then.

 

[yaris0128]

Its also out of date for Honda. Their newer models are all ATF DW-1 now. But hey a for a lot of us with older Honda's that require ATF-Z1 that is PERFECT!!! Wish I could find that in my area. I cant find anything good in my area.

 

[Eddie]

One size fits all fluids do not impress. I sure they will work and probably cause no unsuual problems but, If you want the best long term performance then OEM is the way to go in my opinion.

 

[glum]

It's not "one size fits all", more like "one size fits many". The main reason being how similar so many ATF specs are. Whether it's better than OEM depends... e.g. I'd always trust any multi-vehicle over Hyundai SP-III OEM, which IMO is garbage.

 

[pbm]

I just changed the Toyota T-IV in my s-i-ls Corolla using Castrol Import MV and there is no noticeable difference in performance.

*After reading my post I realize that it could be taken as a negative and I mean it as a positive for the Castrol fluid.

 

[ET16]

I was just looking at this fluid. It seems a little thicker than Maxlife. I'm wondering if it's a little better for a 3309, T-IV application.

 

[dkryan]

Originally Posted By: ET16
I was just looking at this fluid. It seems a little thicker than Maxlife. I'm wondering if it's a little better for a 3309, T-IV application.


I replaced the T-IV fluid in my wife's Highlander with Mobil 1 with no worries. I can't help but believe the Valvoline would do just as well. I never had a lot of faith in the T-IV for 60k change intervals.

 

[ArtDart]

Cleaned out my local AZ @ $ 1.00 a quart....hope it's good in the Hyundai

 

[pbm]

Originally Posted By: ArtDart
Cleaned out my local AZ @ $ 1.00 a quart....hope it's good in the Hyundai


My Elantra shifts great with Maxlife so I'm sure the 'Import' fluid will work great for you.

 

[mrgrim]

Originally Posted By: ArtDart
Cleaned out my local AZ @ $ 1.00 a quart....hope it's good in the Hyundai


I think you'll be fine.

And here I thought the $4.00/qt of Castrol IMV I snagged from Sears close-out was a good deal. I might run down to my local AZ tomorrow and see if they have anything left.