PQA TESTS DEXIII/Merc ATF's

[chevrofreak]

Originally Posted By: MolaKule
Quote:
What am I looking for? Too much zinc?


Additive levels and viscosity values within normal testing variances.


Advance, Auto Zone and Pro Line should all be from the same blender. I don't know if WPP blends their own ATF or not, or if it is just a coincidence that the numbers are identical to Castrol?

 

[SS1970chrysler]

I actually own a car that specifies Type-A.

 

[LckydevL]

Too bad Maxlife wasn't included here. I guess because it is synthetic, it didn't make the test.

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

I did go to Valvoline's website and look up their PDF for Maxlife ATF. It does not seem to fall within DEXIII specs that PQIA provide. Is it because synthetics would have different specs?

Viscosity@100C*cst seems awfully low 6.11 for the DexIII spec. Isn't 100C pretty close to the operating temps of most transmissions?

Don't get me wrong, I have Maxlife in my Silverado's transmission. Did a complete exchange about 6mos ago. No problems to report, just thought I was getting a good synthetic for the price. As Mobil1 is very expensive to do a complete fluid exchange.

 

[nascarnation]

I'm surprised if it's "synthetic" that Valvoline isn't claiming equivalence to Allison TES-295 rather than TES-389.

 

[artificialist]

Originally Posted By: nascarnation
I'm surprised if it's "synthetic" that Valvoline isn't claiming equivalence to Allison TES-295 rather than TES-389.


TES-295 requires a unique additive pack, and that could explain why it meets numerous needs, but not meet TES-295.

 

[Loobed]

Originally Posted By: LckydevL


Too bad Maxlife wasn't included here. I guess because it is synthetic, it didn't make the test.

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

I did go to Valvoline's website and look up their PDF for Maxlife ATF. It does not seem to fall within DEXIII specs that PQIA provide. Is it because synthetics would have different specs?

Viscosity@100C*cst seems awfully low 6.11 for the DexIII spec. Isn't 100C pretty close to the operating temps of most transmissions?

Don't get me wrong, I have Maxlife in my Silverado's transmission. Did a complete exchange about 6mos ago. No problems to report, just thought I was getting a good synthetic for the price. As Mobil1 is very expensive to do a complete fluid exchange.



100* Celsius is boiling (water), so it is around 212*F. Modern Engines run at around 200*F, so that is about the temp of the ATF if it is run through the radiator.

A thinner viscosity is suppose to be good for the newer GM transmissions.

 

[cutter]

Oh goody, the Pep Boys Proline ATF I've been filling my power steering with is confirmed good stuff.

 

[Stu_Rock]

Originally Posted By: MolaKule
Quote:
Was there reason to suspect that BP and Warren products would not be?
No, what I was alluding to was that AA and AZ might be supplied/blended by Castrol.

I don't know that for a fact, but the values of those three analyses look very close.
I had assumed the AutoZone was Warren Unilube like it has been in the past, and the AAP is clearly the same stuff. Now that you mention it, I'm not so sure that these AZO and AAP are from Warren. I really doubt they're from BP, though.

 

[mongo161]

Thanks Tom for the info and the rest of the board for their input and opinions.

IMO....it looks like most, if not all of ATF from store brands to large Oil companies meet the basic spec for Dex and Merc.

If you need this Fluid for your AT....you can't go wrong with any of the fluids within and meeting the spec that you need.

IMO....Therefore....get the best price available whether it be from a store brand or a major oil company. Whether the fluid is on sale or closeout...it's all the same.

If it meets the spec, with the exceptions noted by PQIA,....go for it....there are no major differences.

 

[Tom NJ]

Originally Posted By: mongo161
Thanks Tom for the info and the rest of the board for their input and opinions.

IMO....it looks like most, if not all of ATF from store brands to large Oil companies meet the basic spec for Dex and Merc...

IMO....Therefore....get the best price available whether it be from a store brand or a major oil company. Whether the fluid is on sale or closeout...it's all the same.


Thanks Mongo. Keep in mind that only ten brands were tested. Too early to conclude that all fluids marked Dexon III/Mercon meet specifications and are all the same. The first 10 brands of motor oil that PQIA tested two years ago were also good, but since then some 25% have had issues.

Tom NJ

 

[mongo161]

Your right Tom. I should not assume that all Dex/Merc, store brand or major oil company brand, meet the spec.

However, after reading PQIA testing of Dex/Merc, I just picked up some of the Castrol Dex/merc, in Gallons, at Advance Auto on sale.

This is just the plain brand for Domestic Vehicles and meets the Dex III rating.

I had originally picked up the Castrol Transmax Import Multi-vehicle, for Toyota, Honda and Nissan and BMW, but returned it for the older Dex version.

IMO....These vehicles, which I plan to do a drain and fill on, don't require the "Castrol Newer Version" and will run just fine on the basic Dex/Merc which meets the Dex III rating. IMO...Any more as far as an ATF would be overkill and a waste of $$$.

I plan to run this in some neighbors older Toyota vehicles from the late 1990's early 2000 where the spec called for Dex II.

The price on sale is $14.99 a gallon which makes it comparable to the Advance Auto brand of Dex/Merc.

Thanks for the post and great information.