I have changed my wifes ATF fluid in her Honda 2-3 times over the years and ive never noticed much of a change in the way it shifts or feels. Today with 46,xxx on my Milan I drained out 3 quarts and topped it back up with Valvoline Maxlife ATF. I took the car for a 3 mile ride afterward and WOW, Amazing, great !! id say by the seat of my pants the shift smoothness is 30% better maybe more ! it was ok before but its silky now ! I plan to let it mix for a bit and by this fall I will do it again (3-4 thousand from now) With this said, don't buy into the Ford BUNK about "lifetime fill" of transmission fluid.. my old fluid was a deep dirty red and was watery in it consistency. The new of course was pink and considerably thicker. Im not going to say the old wouldn't go 150,000 miles , in fact it likely would. But changing out this ATF and feeling immediately the difference the fresh fluid made sold me. If not for the longevity of your transmission, then do it for the shift quality. With that said.. im still pondering lubegard red on the next go around..
Simply amazed at ATF fluid.
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ATF fluid = Automatic Transmission Fluid fluid
What model/year of Honda? I run MaxLife in my 2007 Camry, which works great, but I've read a lot of stories about how you should only use Honda's ATF in their transmissions. Especially the older models.
What atf is your Milan specd for? Mercon LV is known for rapid color change not indicative of fluid condition.
Originally Posted By: skaughtz
What model/year of Honda? I run MaxLife in my 2007 Camry, which works great, but I've read a lot of stories about how you should only use Honda's ATF in their transmissions. Especially the older models.
Castrol transmax multi vehicle import has worked good for me but it's only $1.50 more per quart of the Honda DW-1 so I'm switching over to that once the Castrol is drained. I did have an issue (slipping) with a Honda AT substitute once - SuperTech Mercon V which stated on the bottle that it was compatible with Honda Z-1. Wrong.
What model/year of Honda? I run MaxLife in my 2007 Camry, which works great, but I've read a lot of stories about how you should only use Honda's ATF in their transmissions. Especially the older models.
Castrol transmax multi vehicle import has worked good for me but it's only $1.50 more per quart of the Honda DW-1 so I'm switching over to that once the Castrol is drained. I did have an issue (slipping) with a Honda AT substitute once - SuperTech Mercon V which stated on the bottle that it was compatible with Honda Z-1. Wrong.
What Ford bunk about lifetime fill? Technically if you never change the fluid when the transmission goes the fluid lasted the lifetime of the transmission.
If the new and different formulated than OEM fluid is proving smoother shifts, are the clutch plates and bands going to last as long?
Originally Posted By: skyactiv
If the new and different formulated than OEM fluid is proving smoother shifts, are the clutch plates and bands going to last as long?
Bingo, although it sounds a bit counter intuitive
smoother shifts = MORE slipping and increased wear over time.
Obviously you don't want teeth rattling shifts because that would be hard on other components like motor mounts and other things, but quick, firm shifts are what provide the best durability for the trans and
at the same time is gentile enough on related components like motor mounts, and the like to keep them from wearing rapidly too.
If the new and different formulated than OEM fluid is proving smoother shifts, are the clutch plates and bands going to last as long?
Bingo, although it sounds a bit counter intuitive
smoother shifts = MORE slipping and increased wear over time.
Obviously you don't want teeth rattling shifts because that would be hard on other components like motor mounts and other things, but quick, firm shifts are what provide the best durability for the trans and
at the same time is gentile enough on related components like motor mounts, and the like to keep them from wearing rapidly too.
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Originally Posted By: SVTCobra
What Ford bunk about lifetime fill? Technically if you never change the fluid when the transmission goes the fluid lasted the lifetime of the transmission.
completely true, however if you do more changes is it safe to expect the transmission to last longer ? I think so. Ford states these cars have a "lifetime fill" however they also state that the transmission service is scheduled for 150,000 miles.. so...
What Ford bunk about lifetime fill? Technically if you never change the fluid when the transmission goes the fluid lasted the lifetime of the transmission.
completely true, however if you do more changes is it safe to expect the transmission to last longer ? I think so. Ford states these cars have a "lifetime fill" however they also state that the transmission service is scheduled for 150,000 miles.. so...
Originally Posted By: buck91
What atf is your Milan specd for? Mercon LV is known for rapid color change not indicative of fluid condition.
I use Honda factory fluid in the Honda, nothing else.. The Milan is spec for T-IV Valvoline Maxlife covers this.
What atf is your Milan specd for? Mercon LV is known for rapid color change not indicative of fluid condition.
I use Honda factory fluid in the Honda, nothing else.. The Milan is spec for T-IV Valvoline Maxlife covers this.
Originally Posted By: GiveMeAVowel
Originally Posted By: skyactiv
If the new and different formulated than OEM fluid is proving smoother shifts, are the clutch plates and bands going to last as long?
Bingo, although it sounds a bit counter intuitive
smoother shifts = MORE slipping and increased wear over time.
Obviously you don't want teeth rattling shifts because that would be hard on other components like motor mounts and other things, but quick, firm shifts are what provide the best durability for the trans and
at the same time is gentile enough on related components like motor mounts, and the like to keep them from wearing rapidly too.
make no mistake, you can still feel the shifts, and they are not prolonged or spongy, it still has a solid feel without feeling clunky (if that makes sense)
Originally Posted By: skyactiv
If the new and different formulated than OEM fluid is proving smoother shifts, are the clutch plates and bands going to last as long?
Bingo, although it sounds a bit counter intuitive
smoother shifts = MORE slipping and increased wear over time.
Obviously you don't want teeth rattling shifts because that would be hard on other components like motor mounts and other things, but quick, firm shifts are what provide the best durability for the trans and
at the same time is gentile enough on related components like motor mounts, and the like to keep them from wearing rapidly too.
make no mistake, you can still feel the shifts, and they are not prolonged or spongy, it still has a solid feel without feeling clunky (if that makes sense)
Your fluid mush be heavily sheared for 3Qt to make any difference...Put a shift kit in for longer life, and do a flush and fill and forget the blend and extend method.
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Changing his ATF at 46k is not gonna make clutches slip. I flush via cooler line every 30k and drain fill pan in the middle 15k. Recently I just used max lifes t lubegard platinum per lubegarfs conversion chart to convert it to fnr5/mazda-mv fluid. Working great in my fusion. I say change your ATF to often before you change to seldom. I think most people change motor oil out to often and ATF to seldom. Actually I dunno if most people even change ATF period.
Originally Posted By: fmia
Changing his ATF at 46k is not gonna make clutches slip. I flush via cooler line every 30k and drain fill pan in the middle 15k. Recently I just used max lifes t lubegard platinum per lubegarfs conversion chart to convert it to fnr5/mazda-mv fluid. Working great in my fusion. I say change your ATF to often before you change to seldom. I think most people change motor oil out to often and ATF to seldom. Actually I dunno if most people even change ATF period.
IDK that I agree with using LG PLAT w/ ML ATF as there may be too much friction modifier in the mix. And the fact that ML already has enough on it' own!
Changing his ATF at 46k is not gonna make clutches slip. I flush via cooler line every 30k and drain fill pan in the middle 15k. Recently I just used max lifes t lubegard platinum per lubegarfs conversion chart to convert it to fnr5/mazda-mv fluid. Working great in my fusion. I say change your ATF to often before you change to seldom. I think most people change motor oil out to often and ATF to seldom. Actually I dunno if most people even change ATF period.
IDK that I agree with using LG PLAT w/ ML ATF as there may be too much friction modifier in the mix. And the fact that ML already has enough on it' own!
Originally Posted By: zach1900
What you drained out of your transmission was thinner than new maxlife?
How would he know?
What you drained out of your transmission was thinner than new maxlife?
How would he know?
Yes, what came out seemed thinner (by a small margin) the new stuff going in was just a tad thicker.. or at least it's seemed that way to me. Car sat overnight fluid was not hot. The old stuff seemed to flow quicker when I pulled the plug.. I double checked. The valvoline maxlife ATF is spec for T-IV applications. So this fluid is rated for this application.
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