owners manual says no ATF change

[The Critic]

Originally Posted By: chet2
the pennzoil atf i bought was dex 3 rated on bottle and recomended for use in 05 or older GM transmissions...i highly doubt it is a cheap atf

If it's no longer GM licensed, then its contents are not regulated. Pennzoil could be selling you Dexron-III(G) instead of Dexron-III(H), no one knows.

 

[3Toyotas]

Originally Posted By: StevieC
I'm using it now with exceptional results... IT IS THE ONLY ATF FLUID THAT HAS MADE MY TRANSMISSION ACT THE WAY IT SHOULD!


Do you think i'd see an improvement in our 08 Gmc van with the 4-speed trans? It's spec'd for D-IV I beleive, and amsoil atf is compatible according to their site.

I am not happy with the way it shifts at all. Just to get it to downshift, you almost have to floor it.

 

[The Critic]

Originally Posted By: 3Toyotas
I am not happy with the way it shifts at all. Just to get it to downshift, you almost have to floor it.

That has nothing to do with the fluid, but rather, the transmission software.

 

[Big Jim]

Originally Posted By: StevieC
Put a long life synthetic in it like Amsoil ATF. It's great stuff, flows well in the cold and stays clean very very very long...


Another out of place post.

 

[PT1]

I have used the Pennzoil Dex/Merc DexIII fluid for years. Never a problem with it. But if I had a DexIII trans now and wanted a longer OCI I probably would consider Mobil1 ATF or Amsoil ATF and go longer because flushing the trans is more work to me. If I were having a flush done at a shop I would probably use a GM dealer where I know they would be using DexVI.

 

[StevieC]

Originally Posted By: Big Jim
Originally Posted By: StevieC
Put a long life synthetic in it like Amsoil ATF. It's great stuff, flows well in the cold and stays clean very very very long...


Another out of place post.


I hear they are looking for more Moderators.. I think you would be perfect.

 

[StevieC]

Originally Posted By: 3Toyotas
Originally Posted By: StevieC
I'm using it now with exceptional results... IT IS THE ONLY ATF FLUID THAT HAS MADE MY TRANSMISSION ACT THE WAY IT SHOULD!


Do you think i'd see an improvement in our 08 Gmc van with the 4-speed trans? It's spec'd for D-IV I beleive, and amsoil atf is compatible according to their site.

I am not happy with the way it shifts at all. Just to get it to downshift, you almost have to floor it.


I don't know about your situation. I changed fluids because I read on a Hyundai forum that everyone was complaining about shift-quality with this version of transmission as I was. I took it to the dealer and had it checked out and all was well within spec. So I thought let me try another fluid. I changed to Amsoil with a full flush and the problems seemed to have gone away so I think it has to do with the fluid properties... Another thing that leads me to believe it's the fluid properties is after 50,000KM the transmission starts acting up slightly again, I change the fluid and it goes back to normal. Just a fussy version of Transmission, but to me proves that Amosil is great stuff.

 

[Ben99GT]

Those Hyundai are hard on transmission fluid, eh? (Mental note)

 

[Gary Allan]

While we've mostly conquered the motor oil issues in most chassis combinations (they usually last long enough) ..the rest of the drive train is the weak link. This is one area where even Doug Hillary comments on real gains in commercial service.

Superior fluids are cheap for the length of service that they provide. If you're wasting money, it's not much in the cost/mile balance sheet and there's usually some added utility in the transaction.

I have absolutely no reservations with recommending synthetic fluids for the drive train. If there's one chance in 10 of altering the wear profile of a component, bringing it into a meaningful level of reduction, I'll take that wager just on terms of potential avoided costs.

 

[chet2]

i am no expert on atf, but the sunfire called for dex 3..i was tempted to buy M1 ATF but it was for newer models and i didnt know enough about it to buy it...plus that i didnt want to spend a extra 30$ haha...i would have no qualms putting in super tech dex 3, it is probably as good as any other non syn

 

[BearZDefect]

Ben99GT, those Hyundai transmissions shift erratically on fresh OEM-spec fluid.

I have no personal experience with Amsoil ATF.

 

[WishIhadatruck]

I would never go 10 years without changing my ATF. I imagine the Pennzoil ATF is fine but the Critic is correct when he says it isn't licensed and so there is some question as to what exact standard it meets. I wouldn't hesitate to use it for 30k miles however. I've flushed both my FWD and RWD GM vehicle with Dex VI and have been very happy. If you keep your vehicles a long time I think it pays to keep fresh fluid in them. Like others have said, cheap insurance.

 

[unDummy]

A fluid can meet a standard without having a license. All they have to do is blend it to the formula that was licensed years ago. And, maybe even blend it better then what it was supposed to be.

Maintain your ATF for a longer lasting transmission.

Don't maintain a transmission is like playing the lottery. Maybe I'll get a winning transmission and it won't break. Maybe(usually) I won't. Fresh fluid, aftermarket ATF cooler if it runs hot, an inline filter..... can term a lemon into a jewel.

 

[wiswind]

Chet, for FORD....follow the Mercon V, SP etc specification as called for in your owner's manual.
I do not know which one your vehcile calls for.....most likely Mercon V, but double check.

You may end up using the same fluid for both vehicles as some fluids meet both dexron (GM) and Mercon (FORD) specifications.

The point is.....make SURE that the container lists the FORD specified fluid for your Focus.

Another trick that I use to help cool the transmission is to have the A/C on in stop and go traffic in hot weather.
Contrary to the old belief...(when radiator fans were always on)...it will keep your motor cooler as the radiator fans will stay ON.
This keeps the motor AND the transmission cooler.
Of course....make sure your radiator fans are working correctly or it will not help.

 

[Firehawk409]

Originally Posted By: StevieC
Originally Posted By: 3Toyotas
Originally Posted By: StevieC
I'm using it now with exceptional results... IT IS THE ONLY ATF FLUID THAT HAS MADE MY TRANSMISSION ACT THE WAY IT SHOULD!


Do you think i'd see an improvement in our 08 Gmc van with the 4-speed trans? It's spec'd for D-IV I beleive, and amsoil atf is compatible according to their site.

I am not happy with the way it shifts at all. Just to get it to downshift, you almost have to floor it.


I don't know about your situation. I changed fluids because I read on a Hyundai forum that everyone was complaining about shift-quality with this version of transmission as I was. I took it to the dealer and had it checked out and all was well within spec. So I thought let me try another fluid. I changed to Amsoil with a full flush and the problems seemed to have gone away so I think it has to do with the fluid properties... Another thing that leads me to believe it's the fluid properties is after 50,000KM the transmission starts acting up slightly again, I change the fluid and it goes back to normal. Just a fussy version of Transmission, but to me proves that Amosil is great stuff.


So you went from whatever fluid Hyundai uses to amsoil and the problems went away? I wonder if using any other quality atf would have done the same job? Not downing on Amsoil just curious to know if the atf fluid hyundai uses is really bad, if another fluid would have fixed the problem or is there something only in Amsoil that really agrees with the hyundai transmission.

 

[StevieC]

Originally Posted By: Firehawk409
Originally Posted By: StevieC
Originally Posted By: 3Toyotas
Originally Posted By: StevieC
I'm using it now with exceptional results... IT IS THE ONLY ATF FLUID THAT HAS MADE MY TRANSMISSION ACT THE WAY IT SHOULD!


Do you think i'd see an improvement in our 08 Gmc van with the 4-speed trans? It's spec'd for D-IV I beleive, and amsoil atf is compatible according to their site.

I am not happy with the way it shifts at all. Just to get it to downshift, you almost have to floor it.


I don't know about your situation. I changed fluids because I read on a Hyundai forum that everyone was complaining about shift-quality with this version of transmission as I was. I took it to the dealer and had it checked out and all was well within spec. So I thought let me try another fluid. I changed to Amsoil with a full flush and the problems seemed to have gone away so I think it has to do with the fluid properties... Another thing that leads me to believe it's the fluid properties is after 50,000KM the transmission starts acting up slightly again, I change the fluid and it goes back to normal. Just a fussy version of Transmission, but to me proves that Amosil is great stuff.


So you went from whatever fluid Hyundai uses to amsoil and the problems went away? I wonder if using any other quality atf would have done the same job? Not downing on Amsoil just curious to know if the atf fluid Hyundai uses is really bad, if another fluid would have fixed the problem or is there something only in Amsoil that really agrees with the Hyundai transmission.



There aren't too many fluids out there that meet the Diamond SPIII spec that Hyundai/Mitsubishi call for and being an Amsoil Engine Oil user I decided to try it. It could very well be that there is another fluid out there that works just as good, but I'm not switching from what I have found works fine...

 

[PandaBear]

Talking about the Toyota WS fluid. My IS250 owner's manual (or is it the TSB I found online) has a detail description on what to do if you ever want to replace the ATF.

Basically, the transmission is a sealed unit that the ATF does not leave the transmission, and cooling is done via having the coolant coming in from the radiator and going out to the engine's water pump. and the other way around in cold weather to warm it up.

Using anything other than WS could cause seal to leak due to the fluid not having the same viscosity and thermal expansion property as designed for the transmission, in addition to the friction property of the ATF not being identical as the calibration data. The transmission does have a pan and fill plug at a hard to reach area (near the output shaft on the top), and if you ever want to replace the fluid, there is instruction that involve removing the pan, valve body, and the torque converter for a complete replacment. Also in the end you have to reset the transmission computer, as the computer remember the life of the fluid and the calibrations that is age adaptive.

I think I may just replace it at 90k miles instead of every 30k miles.

 

[artificialist]

Great...

If Toyota WS is less than perfect, it means dozens of Toyota transmissions will fail too early.

Does a solid pipe go from the A/T to the engine water pump, or is there at least some kind of rubber hose between the two?

What a bad system. If I encountered one of those following cars, I'd do my best to cut that solid pipe with something that leaves no burrs.

Then I'd get a common flush machine, hook two hoses to the section of pipe I removed, and when I finished, I'd flare the steel tube, and put a piece of universal AT cooler hose where that pipe piece was.

 

[firemachine69]

Originally Posted By: hate2work
Originally Posted By: artificialist
My ION 5AT called for no transmission fluid replacement for 100,000 miles with a Toyota T-IV equivalent. I didn't trust the OE schedule, and had the stuff flushed at 20,000 miles. The stuff was so disgusting there was not a hint of red in the old fluid.


You might be talking about the WS "lifetime" fluid Toyota puts in some of their newer transmissions. It doesn't look at all like the red T-IV fluid. I hope you didn't put in the wrong fluid.



Interestingly, my Yaris does spec a transmission flush, even if it isn't for a while (I think 60K miles?)

 

[Gary Allan]

Quote:
I think I may just replace it at 90k miles instead of every 30k miles.


I would assume that the "calibration" isn't a static time weighted average curve and is based on some pressure/temp input that indexes some deviation from normal/new. If that's the case, then the 90k service will require the resetting and whatnot. OTOH, if you did intermediate fluid swaps, then I would hope that the calibration would re-contour itself to the fluid's condition on the other side of "worn".