ST ATF+4, Mopar ATF+4, or Valvoline ATF+4?

[drewjp]

This is for the PT Cruiser, obviously. I currently have 50,000 miles on her and I did a simple drain/refill and filter change with Redline C+ fluid at around 25k.

Since that only really got half of the OEM fluid out, I'm itching to do another one before the winter chill sets in here.

Which fluid would you recommend for this? Should I also change the filter again? I want to get another 25-30k miles out of this change also.

Thanks guys

 

[dkcase]

I have all three, and use them interchangeably.

02 Jeep Liberty, ~ 80k miles.

 

[G-MAN]

Get the Wal-Mart SuperTech ATF+4. It's cheaper, and it's chemically identical to the Mopar ATF+4 or Valvoline ATF+4.

ExxonMobil, Ashland (Valvoline), and Equillon (Shell) have been the OEM producers of ATF+4 for Chrysler service fill for years. Petro-Canada and Shell were and are the suppliers of factory fill ATF+4. These four companies are currently still the only authorized and licensed blenders of ATF+4. That means SuperTech is supplied by one or more of these companies. It also means Mopar is supplied by one or more of these companies. Ergo, ST and Mopar ATF+4 could be (and probably are) produced by the same company.

 

[drewjp]

I'll probably go Supertech then, if it's chemically identical. G-Man, can you tell me why AAP house brand ATF+4 smells much worse(read: burnt) than other brands? I'm just curious.

Also, should I change the filter again or not?

 

[G-MAN]

Quote:

---

I'll probably go Supertech then, if it's chemically identical. G-Man, can you tell me why AAP house brand ATF+4 smells much worse(read: burnt) than other brands? I'm just curious.

---

I've smelled Mopar, Valvoline, AAP, and SuperTech and they all smelled the same to me. There is something in that unique Lubrizol additive package that has a distinct pungent odor unlike any other ATF I've ever smelled.

 

[drewjp]

Maybe it was an old or 'off' bottle that smelled different...

Should I change the filter again?

 

[psudaytona]

+4 always seems to stink. ATF+3 smells nice IMO, +4 is horrible.

 

[G-MAN]

If you're dropping the pan you might as well change the filter too.

 

[ewetho]

Should all be the same but I found that Valvoline got much thicker below 10F than Mopar stuff. I am now using Amsoil and it rocks.

Mine is in the MTX of my neon. Valvoline gets very thick and hard to shift when Mopar stuff is thick, it was still much easier to use. Amsoil is like hot butter even when Below zero.

 

[Tempest]

Any reason not to keep going with the Redline C+?

 

[99]

I only use Genuine Mopar ATF+4.

 

[unDummy]

I found that Valvoline flowed better then all the others when cold.

Valvoline and Mobil are OEM bottlers. Not sure if any other company has won a supply contract. This also does NOT mean that they are relabelling for all generic brands.

Since ATF+4 is a formula spec, any brand that is licensed is good enough. I myself will stick with Valvoline. I have no problem with the Mopar or other name brand fluids. I will NOT use the generic store brand fluids.
There must be enough 'fudge' in any formula that could possibly be used to cheapen a fluid. This could be the reason why some have seen the difference in cold flow. There is a thread debating this already.

 

[drewjp]

I changed it using Supertech ATF+4 and also changed the filter. I figured that the ATF+4 formula, by default, has to be pretty stout, and the fact that I do a drain/refill and filter change every 25k, it should be fine for my application.

I didn't stick to the Redline because of cost. I drive my car with a "best mpg" goal, so my tranny fluid isn't suffering very much.

Thanks for the opinions, guys!

 

[psudaytona]

You will be very pleased in colder weather. It will not have the delayed upshifts common with chryslers when very cold outside.

Just dont be worried if you see the fluid turn darker relatively quickly compared to the ATF+3. Its a known function and they say not to worry about it.