Synthetic Multi-Vehicle Auto Transmission Fluid

[BlueOvalFitter]

I was looking around on ROCKAUTO.COM and came across some synthetic trans. fluid they sell for "MULTI VEHICLE DOMESTIC/FOREIGN" auto transmissions.
How can this trans fluid be used in "MULTI VEHICLE" transmissions that require different types of trans. fluids? Is it because it's a synthetic trans. fluid? Are all synthetic trans. fluids made this way?

I have never had a reason to use synthetic trans. fluid, so my knowledge about it is very minimal.

https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=7831552&cc=1433697&jsn=960&jsn=960

 

[Kira]

Ahhh my opossum brain eating friend, you've entered the familiar world of "compatible" or "suited for" or "required" or "specced"...the list goes on.

It's a lovely, verdant mine field with pit traps.

There are quite a few fluids with truly broad coverage. Also, there are transmissions with a longer list of acceptable fluids than others.

Some trannies are picky. Always use Honda's fluid and Subaru's fluid in their transmissions.

Other specifications can be met by multi vehicle fluids but it's often argumentative because nobody can offer proof and the specter of calumnious marketing is always with us.

Identify your vehicle and the specific multi-vehicle fluid you're thinking about buying.

No doubt there'll be people here who've run that fluid in that vehicle. While synthetics are "always better", you needn't sweat whether it is or not as long as it's correct for the application.

edit: I just clicked on the link you provided. They didn't provide a shot of the back label so we (including you) cannot even tell what they say it covers.

Unless you feel like investigating a product which was likely chosen by RockAuto for its profitability, I suggest you pair up your vehicle with something more mainstream.

So, what vehicles are you considering servicing?

 

[csandste]

Only used Maxlife for a few thousand miles before my Buick Encore was totaled but won't hesitate to use it again for my Kia Soul.

 

[fd1430]

Use maxlife on my tacoma works great.

 

[Mainia]

"Always use Honda ATF," NO WAY. DW-1 is not that good of an oil. I have used Amsoil, Max-Life and now I use only Redline D6 in Honda, Acura's and Hyundai's for 20 years will zero issues. The Acura and Odyssey forums are full of Redline, Amsoil and Maxlife use with great results for 10 plus years. I even cocktail Redline Regular Racing and Lightweight Racing to match the viscosity of Redline D6 to reduce the slip agents to make for a cleaner faster shift, since a smooth shift is a shift that slips more and in turn creates more heat. It's freaked out "by the manual" users and people repeating Honda Dogma that their [censored] ATF is something special. Honda/Acura and especially Toyota WS ATF are low price point oils that have nothing special in them then a profit and a load of Dogma.

I work with The Godfather of the Alison transmission from time to time at work and we have talked over this Honda Toyota ATF Dogma [censored] and he sees nothing wrong with using name brand ATF that has been approved for use by the ATF manufacture for said car or truck. But it's your car run the Honda cheap stuff.Most if not all are group 2/3, I want group 4/5 in my ATF pumper. I myself would only put in "Top Tier" ATF in my trans. Logic dictates that oil is a group 2/3.
.

 

[pbm]

I just did a D&R on my daughters 08' Elantra this morning. One again I used Valvoline Import Full Synthetic ATF (in the blue container). The fluid that came out (all 2 quarts of it) was as red as when it went in 15K ago. I try to do a D&R annually to avoid problems and because of the small amount that comes out...it's like refreshing the additives...

The Elantra has 106K and has had either ML or Valvoline Import FS since I bought the car with 28K.
I find ML and Valvoline Import FS to work great wherever I've used them....great products.

 

[RooflessVW]

Most of these different specifications are in all actuality very very similar.

Dex VI, Mercon LV, T-WS, DW-1, ZF6, etc... Are all very similar, so it is possible to make a low-vis synthetic ATF come "close enough" to all of them.

 

[benjy]

some tranny fluids like dexron 6 require some PAO to meet the spec, so i used the cheap super tech dexron 6 approved in girlfriends malibu @ 50 thou, a drain + refill only.

 

[jj51702]

Slam some of it right in ur tranny brotato. Let us know how it goes

 

[Hall]

Originally Posted By: rooflessVW
Most of these different specifications are in all actuality very very similar.

Dex VI, Mercon LV, T-WS, DW-1, ZF6, etc... Are all very similar, so it is possible to make a low-vis synthetic ATF come "close enough" to all of them.


More likely that they meet or exceed, not just get "close enough".

 

[Hall]

Originally Posted By: Kira
Always use Honda's fluid and Subaru's fluid in their transmissions.

That's how/why this myth keeps being perpetuated.

If one puts a non-Honda fluid in a Honda transmission and it lasts 10k miles, 100k miles, etc, that suggests that that fluid is perfectly acceptable, does it not ?

Originally Posted By: Kira
edit: I just clicked on the link you provided. They didn't provide a shot of the back label so we (including you) cannot even tell what they say it covers.

"Suitable for use in most North American, European and Asian vehicles with automatic transmissions Including but not limited to: Dexron III/Mercon, Dexron VI, Mercon L/V/LV/SP, Mopar ATF +3/+4, AS68RC, Type T-IV, WS, AW1 Honda Z1/DW1, Hyundai/Kia SPIII/SPIV/RED 1, Nissanmatic S/D/J/K/W, Mitsubishi Diamond, Shell 3403/L12108/M1375.4/LA2634, Fuchs 3353, Esso LT71141, JWS 3309/3314/3324, Select BMW, Mercedes Benz and VW/Audi OE fluids."

 

[SubieRubyRoo]

Originally Posted By: Kira

Some trannies are picky. Always use Honda's fluid and Subaru's fluid in their transmissions.


I have had half a dozen Subarus and two Odyssey (Odyssi?), and using Maxlife ATF, ALL of them have shifted at least as good as "factory" fluid, most of them have actually shifted better.

My most recent Subaru is an 03 Legacy L, had 136k and unknown service history. It shifted pretty hard, banging into the next gear even when easing thru shifts. When I drained the trans, the fluid was very dark but I could see a slight red tint, so I'd imagine it's probably been 50-60k since last trans service. I went ahead and changed the factory filter as well, and did 2 gallons of Maxlife ATF as a flush.

1.3 quarts of Gear 300 in the front, and 0.9 in the rear, and it drives as good as new. Any synthetic fluid that meets or exceeds requirements for a given application will perform well, especially when the add pack and VI are higher than the factory fluid.

Amsoil ATL in my Fusion shifts significantly better than Mercon LV as well.

 

[Cressida]

Originally Posted By: pbm
I just did a D&R on my daughters 08' Elantra this morning. One again I used Valvoline Import Full Synthetic ATF (in the blue container). The fluid that came out (all 2 quarts of it) was as red as when it went in 15K ago. I try to do a D&R annually to avoid problems and because of the small amount that comes out...it's like refreshing the additives...

The Elantra has 106K and has had either ML or Valvoline Import FS since I bought the car with 28K.
I find ML and Valvoline Import FS to work great wherever I've used them....great products.


I have been looking for that Valvoline Import FS ATF and have never found it locally. I feel more comfortable with the slightly higher Cst that it offers. Would you mention how or where you are acquiring it?

 

[BlueOvalFitter]

Originally Posted By: Kira
Ahhh my opossum brain eating friend, you've entered the familiar world of "compatible" or "suited for" or "required" or "specced"...the list goes on.

It's a lovely, verdant mine field with pit traps.

There are quite a few fluids with truly broad coverage. Also, there are transmissions with a longer list of acceptable fluids than others.

Some trannies are picky. Always use Honda's fluid and Subaru's fluid in their transmissions.

Other specifications can be met by multi vehicle fluids but it's often argumentative because nobody can offer proof and the specter of calumnious marketing is always with us.

Identify your vehicle and the specific multi-vehicle fluid you're thinking about buying.

No doubt there'll be people here who've run that fluid in that vehicle. While synthetics are "always better", you needn't sweat whether it is or not as long as it's correct for the application.

edit: I just clicked on the link you provided. They didn't provide a shot of the back label so we (including you) cannot even tell what they say it covers.

Unless you feel like investigating a product which was likely chosen by RockAuto for its profitability, I suggest you pair up your vehicle with something more mainstream.

So, what vehicles are you considering servicing?

I was drinking water as I opened this reply and actually spit water when I saw what you called me.

I'm not planning on servicing anything. I was just looking around. My son works for a Ford dealership and gets me MC MerconV at his cost, usually about $3.75 a qt.

 

[69Torino]

Wife’s ‘92 Mercury Capri spec’s ATF in the manual trans. It’s new to us and I wanted to replace all the fluids. I bought a gallon of the Maxlife ATF and commenced the change. After pulling the drain bolt I discover some waterhead put gear oil in it. I continue, dump a spare quart of Maxlife through it to “rinse” the remaining gear oil through, and finish the job. Next day wife says “wow, it shifts a lot better now”.

I told her why. I also told her that’s why I use Maxlife, because I can literally use it in any car I own (other than the Freestyle with it’s CVT)

Maxlife is now in the Marauder, the Santa Fe, the Capri, and if the Optima wasn’t a lease it would go in that too. All these cars get the $not driven out of them. Maxlife is the salt of the Earth in my humble opinion. As for other broad coverage ATF lines, couldn’t tell you. Autozone has Castrol ATF on sale for $5 a quart right now, but Maxlife is still $17 something a gallon at the dreaded Wall Of Mart. So that’s where I get my ATF.

I did however capitalize on $5 per quart Castrol Transmax CVT fluid though, because that is a screaming deal for CVT juice.

 

[BlueOvalFitter]

Okay, you're stating that ANY synthetic transmission fluid can be used in place of MERCON V, such as M1, MAXLIFE, and the type I stated here in my OP? My Ford 4R75E automatic transmission calls for 13.9 qts. of MERCON V fluid. Just a pan drop calls for 4 qts. of MERCON V. If I see these trans. fluids on sale, and they will work in my 4R75E transmission, I might start using one of them on pan drops.
I guess I can ask one of the engineers behind the making of the 4R75E, on another website he's on, about these trans. fluids in my trans.

 

[RyanY]

I realize you asked a direct question regarding a previous post, but i will offer my 2 cents. Not all synthetic fluids can replace Mercon V. For example, Mercon LV is the latest ford offering, but (reportedly) should not be used in V applications. Ditto for some aftermarket ATF, such as Pennzoil LV (an outstanding fluid if you can find it, but not recommended for Mercon V).

On a positive note, Maxlife is easy to find and is recommended for Mercon V applications, except in California. Since you are not in CA, just pick up a few gallons of maxlife at walmart, change the fluid, and call it a day.

 

[tnt31]

Originally Posted By: Cressida
Originally Posted By: pbm
I just did a D&R on my daughters 08' Elantra this morning. One again I used Valvoline Import Full Synthetic ATF (in the blue container). The fluid that came out (all 2 quarts of it) was as red as when it went in 15K ago. I try to do a D&R annually to avoid problems and because of the small amount that comes out...it's like refreshing the additives...

The Elantra has 106K and has had either ML or Valvoline Import FS since I bought the car with 28K.
I find ML and Valvoline Import FS to work great wherever I've used them....great products.


I have been looking for that Valvoline Import FS ATF and have never found it locally. I feel more comfortable with the slightly higher Cst that it offers. Would you mention how or where you are acquiring it?


not directed at me but I recently purchased 4 quarts of it at my local Advance Auto Parts for a 2012 Mitsubushi Galant I plan to use it for soon.

 

[littleant]

Wolf's head full synthetic has been out i believe for 6-7 years. They use the word suitable. One glaring omission is Mercon V. I would not use a suitable fluid. I prefer meets or exceeds. For my mountaineer motorcraft Mercon V

 

[BlueOvalFitter]

Thanks to all that replied. I was wanting to know about the synthetic trans. fluid just in case I needed to use some in the future. It's good to know I have options and there is another type of trans. fluid that I can use if needed. Mercon V has been doing fine up to now, so why fix something if it's not broken?