Should I be worried?

[daves87rs]

Okay, I've been Dex VI shopping.


I've found that ST's Dex VI is the cheapest at 3.77/qt.

Next cheapest I could find was Coastal 5.99/ Meijer Valvoline 5.49/qt.


Should I be worried that it is so cheap? (compared to others)


Since I planned on changing it every 30-40k (lots of city driving), does it matter?


That, and I'm still trying to find out if Dex VI is a Synthetic, Syn blend, or just better ATF.....

 

[JBM]

I found ATF-4 at NAPA for $350 ish.

 

[sciphi]

From the ST Dex-VI threads I've perused here, I've come to the conclusion that ST Dex-VI is at least a syn blend and is fine to use since the additive package is coming from 1 or 2 companies who tightly control the additive. The base stocks are likely fairly stout to meet the needed specifications.

I think it's Wal-Mart flexing its muscle and negotiating a rock-bottom price per quart since they have enough volume to make a profit. I'm not worried since I just bought 14 quarts for a flush on my Buick, and have heard many good things about it on here.

 

[daves87rs]

Originally Posted By: sciphi
From the ST Dex-VI threads I've perused here, I've come to the conclusion that ST Dex-VI is at least a syn blend and is fine to use since the additive package is coming from 1 or 2 companies who tightly control the additive. The base stocks are likely fairly stout to meet the needed specifications.

I think it's Wal-Mart flexing its muscle and negotiating a rock-bottom price per quart since they have enough volume to make a profit. I'm not worried since I just bought 14 quarts for a flush on my Buick, and have heard many good things about it on here.



Thanks, that makes me feel better about buying it....

 

[dnewton3]

Last I read, they (ST brand) do have a registered/licensed approved product in Dex VI. No reason to suspect the lube won't perform as prescribed. There may be "better" DEX VIs out there, but the ST will hold it's own just fine. The license package for Dex VI is fairly strict and robust, so any product that is truly "approved" should perform more than adequately.

 

[PT1]

I would go with the Valvoline. I will only use ST in my lawnmower or power washer. Get the AAP $10 off coupon and you will get close to the ST price.

 

[daves87rs]

Originally Posted By: PT1
I would go with the Valvoline. I will only use ST in my lawnmower or power washer. Get the AAP $10 off coupon and you will get close to the ST price.



They only have the Castrol dex blend here, which is 7.99/qt.


But, it could be close....

 

[PT1]

Then I would go with the Valvoline at $5.49 a quart. The extra cost is not that much of a saving. I am very wary of any ST lubricants after the ST gear lube recall and won't use them.

 

[WishIhadatruck]

I personally bought the Dex VI at Meijer last time I needed some. I trust Valvoline more than ST. Most likely the ST is fine and really meets its licensing requirements but who knows. Besides, I'd rather shop at Meijer than Walmart. Also the Valvoline says full synthetic on the bottle so it probably has as good of base stock as any Dex VI. Before I was ordering Dex VI from gmpartsdirect but it has gotten too expensive to be worth it. I used to get it for $4 per quart delivered and now they are over $5/quart delivered.

 

[sciphi]

I was just in Advance today and saw Maxlife ATF at $18/gallon. I need 3 gallons. It apparently meets every Dex-VI specification except viscosity. Maxlife is thicker than ST Dex-VI. Plus it says synthetic base oils on the back of the package. I'm really tempted to return the ST and pick up 3 gallons in two trips using the AAP $10 coupon each time. It works out to be about the same price. The more I think about it and the more I consider what I still need to get for the car, the more I'm tempted to return the ST and get the Maxlife.

 

[sciphi]

Darn, timed out of editing my post. After a lot of Googling, I dug up a Warren Distribution - Warren Performance Products (same company, different branches) info sheet for MAG1 Dex-VI. I can't help but think that ST has to be the same stuff in a different bottle.

MAG1/likely ST: http://www.wd-wpp.com/specsheet/61296sheet.pdf

For comparison, here's Valvoline's Dex-VI info sheet: http://www.valvoline.com/pdf/Valvoline_DEXRON_VI_ATF.pdf

Maxlife ATF for giggles: http://www.valvoline.com/pdf/Maxlife_ATF.pdf

Long story short, the specs on the fluids are eerily similar. What that means I'm not sure.

 

[JTK]

I think the quality of Supertech ATFs are going to be just like any ATF in the ~$4 price range. Perfectly fine for any of us. What tends to sway people away is; For a buck or 2 more a qt, you can step up to Maxlife or other multi-vehicle brand-name stuff.

Joel