Synthetic Fluid Life?

[jmlangeveld]

I am interested in the overall benefit of Synthetic ATF Fluid.

It is a given that a good Synthetic Fluid is much more expensive than a good, regular ATF (M1 vs Chevron Isosyn). My car (4T60e) recommends a severe fluid change schedule of 50,000 miles, with 100,000 miles being the regular schedule. Most mechanics that I've talked to say that conventional fluid should be changed about every 30,000 miles if you really want the transmission to last long.

That said, for the transmission to last long I see two options.

30,000 mile ATF change interval for regular Dexron III.

Synthetic Fluid. Will the Synthetic Fluid last a lot longer? If so, what would be a reasonable mileage change interval? Does synthetic ATF offer better wear rates and long life?

 

[Ken2]

A used oil analysis of your ATF is money well spent. You will find out exactly what the life of the ATF is. I feel that synthetic ATF is good for double to triple the life compared to conventional ATF, but don't take my word for it...take the lab's word.

I'd clean the transmission with Auto-Rx, do a complete flush and refill with synthetic, then pull a sample at 30,000 and get the lab's report.


Ken

 

[N2OIL]

The 30K service refers to dropping the pan and filter change. Refill with new transmission fluid to referesh the fluid. This is a 30-40% replenish and this is more than most people do. The 50-100K is most likely a complete fluid exchange.
The synthetic fluid if you choose you can exchange the entire transmission (whatever your quantity is) 12-20 Qts and every year have a lab run a TAN to tell fluid condition and also be cost effective.

 

[Hammer]

quote:

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Originally posted by jmlangeveld:
I am interested in the overall benefit of Synthetic ATF Fluid.

It is a given that a good Synthetic Fluid is much more expensive than a good, regular ATF (M1 vs Chevron Isosyn). My car (4T60e) recommends a severe fluid change schedule of 50,000 miles, with 100,000 miles being the regular schedule. Most mechanics that I've talked to say that conventional fluid should be changed about every 30,000 miles if you really want the transmission to last long.

That said, for the transmission to last long I see two options.

30,000 mile ATF change interval for regular Dexron III.

Synthetic Fluid. Will the Synthetic Fluid last a lot longer? If so, what would be a reasonable mileage change interval? Does synthetic ATF offer better wear rates and long life?

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I can perform 4 ATF changes with Chevron ATF for the same price as 1 change of Mobil 1 ATF. ...I like to change it every 15000-20000 miles. I'm willing to bet that Chevron every 15000-20000 will outperform M1 at 50,000 and be cheaper too since that is only about 3 chevrons for 1 Mobil 1. Just my opinion of course.

Hammer

 

[MolaKule]

The base fluid will outlast the additive package.

Synthetic ATF's will go approx. 3X longer than most mineral-based ATF's.

 

[ULVER]

quote:

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Originally posted by MolaKule:
The base fluid will outlast the additive package.

Synthetic ATF's will go approx. 3X longer than most mineral-based ATF's.

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Anything change, when you throw in my stacked-plate cooler, rated for a GVW of 30,000 lbs., cooling the Royal Purple snthetic ATF???

 

[MolaKule]

Of course, anytime you prevent any fluid from oxidizing due to high temperatures, that fluid will last longer.