New Valvoline Maxlife Formula

[The Critic]

Might be old news, but the fluid is now recommended for even more specifications:

Quote:
Performance Levels
Officially licensed MERCON®V fluid
Exceeds the latest performance requirements of DEXRON®-III H and MERCON® fluids
Recommended for use in GM, Ford, Mazda, Toyota, Hyundai and others where DEXRON®-III and MERCON® fluids are specified
Suitable for use in MERCON®SP* and MERCON®LV* applications
Suitable for use in DEXRON®-VI* application
Suitable for use in Nissan Matic D, Matic J, Matic K applications
Suitable for use in KIA SP-II and SP-III applications and in Mitsubishi Diamond SP-II and SP-III applications
Suitable for use in Toyota/Lexus Type T, T-III, T-IV and WS* applications
Suitable for use in Honda/Acura ATF-Z1 (except in CVTs) applications
Suitable for use in Allison TES-295 and TES-389 applications
* Viscosity requirement is not met.

http://www.valvoline.com/products/Maxlife ATF.pdf

Basically, it's now Mercon V approved fluid (it wasn't before). In addition, it is now recommended for Mercon SP, Mercon LV and Dexron-VI applications as well, but a disclaimer is added to state that the fluid does not meet the viscosity requirements for those specifications.

 

[The Critic]

I think Valvoline changed the base oils in the fluid to improve cold temperature performance.

Here's a side-by-side comparison between the current data sheet and one that I saved from two years ago:

New is on the left, old is on the right:

Test Typical Property
Viscosity @ 100°C, cSt 7.25/7.31
Viscosity @ 40°C, cSt 35.1/36.73
Viscosity Index 177/169
Specific Gravity @ 60°F 0.8471/0.8518
API Gravity @ 60°F ?/34.77
Pour Point, °C, -51/-51
Brookfield Viscosity @ -40°C, cP 12,500/16,500
Flash Point, COC, °C 202/202
ASTM Color 5/5
Appearance Red/Red

I was reading a presentation from Valvoline which stated that their Maxlife ATF met all of the Mercon V performance requirements except for shear stability and low temperature performance. This presentation was form 2006. Apparently, Valvoline decided to change the base oils so that those two requirements could be fulfilled, therefore, they were able to attain Mercon V approval from Ford.

 

[Colt45ws]

News to me. Ill have to watch for the new stuff for the Montana.

 

[sciphi]

Hmm, this stuff is becoming an alternative to Dex-VI for my older Buick.

 

[The Critic]

Licensed Dexron-VI is cheaper than this stuff. I would only consider using this stuff for a Honda.

 

[Boomer]

Or a Nissan. Matic J is expensive and only available from the dealer.

 

[gogozy]

i called Valvoline and ask about the MaxLife ATF; the customer rep told me MaxLife is full synthetic.

 

[JonnyHotcakes]

I have it in my 99 Ranger and it does NOT seem to be liking it!

Really hard shifts, where there were none with the previous fill, which was Castrol Import multi-vehicle.

 

[double vanos]

This stuff seems to meet every spec in the book - as a matter of fact, it may be easier to name the applications it doesn't meet!

Could this be a case of "jack of all trades, master of none"?

Jus thinking out loud....

 

[kingrob]

I've had nothing but bad luck with Maxlife in GM transmissions. Hard abrupt shifting and gasket deterioration. I prefer Pennzoil Dex III if I can still find it.

 

[[RT] ProjUltraZ]

i put it in a camaro 6sp that called for dexron II. i was running Redline D4 but heard it could eat the synchro rings. Went to a dino ATF but it was notchy. the MaxLife dex/merc feels good

 

[OVERKILL]

T-56? Doesn't that tranny call for synchromesh fluid?

 

[AzFireGuy79]

The T-56 calls for Dexron II or III depending upon the year of manufacture. So the new spec Dexron VI would work great. I have been using the redline in my T-56 for about 20,000 miles. Shifts great.

I have never heard or experienced any issues with synchros or anything else using Redline ATF and my application is pushing 1,000 HP. Interesting though. Probably just a rumor. Maybe a amsoil salesman!ha. Sorry I couldnt resist.

 

[The Critic]

Originally Posted By: AzFireGuy79
The T-56 calls for Dexron II or III depending upon the year of manufacture. So the new spec Dexron VI would work great. I have been using the redline in my T-56 for about 20,000 miles. Shifts great.

Some GM manual transmissions (or all?) were not validated to run on Dexron-VI, so GM developed a part number for a product called "manual transmission lubricant," which is essentially rebottled Dexron-III(H).

 

[[RT] ProjUltraZ]

yeah it might be a rumor. supposedly GM used 'paper' synchros. horrifying thought, maybe it's some sort of pressed resin'd job. the replacement synchros people like are carbon fiber.

some recommend the mobil 1 syn ATF for the T56 but many more say use only dino ATF (14 year old manuf spec)
you could use the heavier MTL like Redline, but the maxlife ATF is doing well now. manual trans are so easy on ATF. i remember before leaving it in for 4 or 5 years and it comes out bright red like new. so much less heat than an auto trans

 

[AzFireGuy79]

Good to hear the Maxlife is working for you. The thing that I think sets the D4 apart from many others is the fact that its a GL-4 rated fluid and it utilizes a very robust additive package along with a good base oil. Probably a bit overkill for most applications as you have noticed the T-56 does not really beat on ATF. I am replacing my stock synchros with carbon fiber units and going to add billet shift forks along with some other billet parts.

One thing that is really intersting is that this fluid claims compatibility with both Toyota WS and T-IV???? Thats scary. These are two totally different fluids and even toyota doesnt use just the WS being that its the newest and from what I hear synthetic. Not that its any concern for your T-56 I just found it strange, as i own two Toyotas and dont see this being possible. ?

 

[JimsWS6]

I've been using it in my 230,000 miles S10 and my brothers 394,000 mile S10. About 2 yrs ago I serviced my S10 with quaker state, was dex 3 and the tranny was slipping during shifts. I think it was 6 by the feel of it. The only other fluid advanced auto had was this highmileage valvoline so I gave it a shot and it shifts nice and firm.

 

[KBK]

Originally Posted By: gogozy
i called Valvoline and ask about the MaxLife ATF; the customer rep told me MaxLife is full synthetic.


I just went back from Murray's I saw the ad, it is full synthetic. It will be my backup for sure

 

[ARB1977]

In a few more years ill be looking for a new ATF...i wonder if you can mix it with Amsoil?

 

[BTLew81]

Any clue as to what the "new" bottles look like?

I think this is a solid fluid, and many have good luck with it. I'm interested in entertaining the thought of switching to it.