PQIA tests five ATFs - one gets Advisory

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Originally Posted By: antiqueshell
So it appears that OilChanger's Chevy Astro trans failure WAS possibly from the change to MaxLife ATF.

Now we know why when he called Ashland they blew him off.


Link: MaxLife causes transmission failure in Chevy Astro.


This definitely lends some credibility to oil changers claim doesn't it?
Iirc they blew him off because they said their product contained no zinc,which this test proves otherwise. I wonder with this evidence if he should be calling a lawyer?
It should at least lend some vindication to him anyways.
 
I agree those transmissions will last 150,000 with no fluid changes ever.If he would of just changed the fluid and filter it may have been ok but by removing all of the DEXIII it was running on 100% maxlife and was too thin.Has anyone else had issues like this??
 
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Valvoline's response is now posted to the PQIA site, and it's exactly what I mentioned earlier. It's far more sheer stable than others so the fact that it starts out thinner is not a big deal.
 
Originally Posted By: maybehabitformin
Would anyone use it in a trans spec'd for DEXIII? a problematic transmission already such as the 4T65E ??


Possibly for the same reason that its exceedingly important to use ATF+4 in problematic transmissions originally spec'd for ATF+3, like the 41TE. A lot of the problems with the 41TE can be traced to the ATF+3, or at least were aggravated by it. If Dex VI is as superior to DexIII as ATF+3 is to ATF+4, then there's VERY good reason to use it, ESPECIALLY in problematic transmissions.

Maybe my analogy isn't perfect, but it is certainly possible.
 
so how would you feel if your 05 trans with 70,000 took a [censored] after using this all purpose fluid would you still be praising maxlife
 
I have used MaxLife Dex/Merc ATF in both my '06 Grand Prix GT S/C (4T65E-HD) and '06 Magnum R/T AWD (NAG1) and have firmer shifts with the shifts kits that I have installed in both than with ATF+4 or Dexron VI. It has been a great synthetic ATF for me.

The fluid in both is still nice and clean and my start ups in the morning (-30C sometimes) are easy and the trannys always respond accurately and have even noticed lower temps in the summer time (+35C was the norm this summer with a massive heatwave).

I give this advisory absolutely no credibility at all, it is one of the best ATF's on the market for my vehicles and I stand behind Valvoline now and in the future.
 
yeah dexIV maybe but maxlife?? and i had a intrepid it ran fine with DEXIII no shudder or anything I did switch to ATF+4 only cause of the hype.
 
Quote:
....I give this advisory absolutely no credibility at all....

Apparently PQIA doesn't either because they've now removed the advisory.
 
Originally Posted By: maybehabitformin
so how would you feel if your 05 trans with 70,000 took a [censored] after using this all purpose fluid would you still be praising maxlife


First off, I'm not exactly "praising" Maxlife, i'm addressing DexIII vs Dex VI.

Secondly- coincidences happen. If MaxLife was blowing up a significant number of transmissions, a correlation would certainly develop and we'd start hearing grumblings. So I tend to think this guy's transmission was on the way out anyway.

Just my opinion, I really don't have a 'dog in the hunt,' so to speak I just ind this technically interesting. I have exactly 1 vehicle that I feel might be a good candidate for MaxLife anyway: the 01 Cherokee AW4, but Chrysler has OK'd it for use with ATF+4. All of the others- including the 60s cars, are cleared for +4, so to be consistent that's what I'd use in all of them.
 
Valvoline has provided PQIA with a valid technical explanation as to why their MaxLife ATF would perform adequately in transmissions speced for Mercon (see PQIA Website). While it remains true that the product does not meet the Mercon viscosity specification as implied on the front label, based on Valvoline's explanation PQIA has decided that it does not need to advise consumers on this product and has updated its evaluation.

Tom NJ
 
Originally Posted By: sayjac
Quote:
....I give this advisory absolutely no credibility at all....

Apparently PQIA doesn't either because they've now removed the advisory.

Ya...I just noticed that. That's pretty interesting.
 
Originally Posted By: Tom NJ
Valvoline has provided PQIA with a valid technical explanation as to why their MaxLife ATF would perform adequately in transmissions speced for Mercon (see PQIA Website). While it remains true that the product does not meet the Mercon viscosity specification as implied on the front label, based on Valvoline's explanation PQIA has decided that it does not need to advise consumers on this product and has updated its evaluation.

Tom NJ

Was there a threat of a lawsuit from Ashland ???
 
Originally Posted By: LT4 Vette
Originally Posted By: Tom NJ
Valvoline has provided PQIA with a valid technical explanation as to why their MaxLife ATF would perform adequately in transmissions speced for Mercon (see PQIA Website). While it remains true that the product does not meet the Mercon viscosity specification as implied on the front label, based on Valvoline's explanation PQIA has decided that it does not need to advise consumers on this product and has updated its evaluation.

Tom NJ

Was there a threat of a lawsuit from Ashland ???




Absolutely not. The explanation was technically compelling.

Tom NJ
 
Thats just a little too convenient for me!! A transmission would likely run on vegtable oil as well.I am not taking any chances with my vehicles and maxlife.An astro van with a 4L60E or (65E whatever) should not have failed at 70,000 or 100,000 with never a fluid change even.
 
No use debating about Maxlife.

You could not change a Maxlife fans mind with a chain saw and Egors help. Or is that Igor?
 
Originally Posted By: maybehabitformin
Thats just a little too convenient for me!! A transmission would likely run on vegtable oil as well.I am not taking any chances with my vehicles and maxlife.An astro van with a 4L60E or (65E whatever) should not have failed at 70,000 or 100,000 with never a fluid change even.


Lol yea ok. How about you google "chevy astro van transmission failure/problems" and then google "Maxlife transmission failure" and see for yourself what the truth is.

Astro Vans have a history of dodgy transmissions, there are numerous threads/webpages with people complaining about this transmission. On the other hand, other than OILCHANGER's trans failure, you would be hard pressed to find complaints on this fluid.

Logically, for how long this fluid has been in the market, we would have heard grumblings on the internet and I would have come across something related to this at work as well ( I work at a shop, we use Ashland products ). Instead all I ever come across are good reviews. And to add on top of that, we have serviced hundreds of cars and done transmission fluid exchanges on those without a single return using Maxlife. So please forgive me if I dont put much faith in a random thread on the internet about some fluid which I know for a fact is an excellent product based on our practical application results.
 
Actually the response letter and subsequent removal of the advisory makes sense to me. The Mercon viscosity spec minimum dates to 1980, whereas the Dexron spec has been updated and improved frequently over the years. ML meets the newest Dexron spec, but doesn't 'match' one Mercon spec over thirty years old and apparently not updated. But, as pointed out by several astute Bitog members even before Ashland's letter and confirmed in it's response, while ML starts with a lower viscosity, it has greater viscosity stability and shear resistance. And, based on PQIA's analysis there's no disputing ML superior add pack in comparison to the average Dex/Merc ATF.

But, I suppose much as some may accuse those successfully using ML now as being fanboys, others may see some conspiracy here. But, I'll refain labeling anyone with that point of view as a tin foil hatter. Just a difference of opinion.

Two other things though, wondering if it was one of our own members commenting in this thread that first brought the PQIA advisory to the attention of Ashland/Valvoline? If so, kudos.

And, I'll bet that one member as yet heard from, has a letter/PM symbol flashing at the top for the next time he logs in. Any takers?
56.gif
 
Originally Posted By: maybehabitformin
Thats just a little too convenient for me!! A transmission would likely run on vegtable oil as well.I am not taking any chances with my vehicles and maxlife.An astro van with a 4L60E or (65E whatever) should not have failed at 70,000 or 100,000 with never a fluid change even.


Whatever. They're your vehicles, and no one's twisting your arm.
 
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