urgent ATF question

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Dr_No

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I had a subaru come in last night for a tranny flush requiring "IDEMITSU ATF HP". We sent him away to return later after looking into which fluid it could take.
I am wondering if our Amsoil ATF will cover the spec? We also have PetroCanada duradrive synthetic, and smartblend black bottle.

Our last resort would be ordering the IDEMITSU ATF HP.

Thanks in advance.
 
APPLICATIONS
AMSOIL AMSOIL Synthetic Universal ATF is recommended for transmissions, hydraulics, power steering and other applications requiring any of the following specifications:

• GM DEXRON® III-H
• Ford MERCON® & MERCON V
• Chrysler ATF+4®
• Toyota Type T-III and T-IV
• Honda Z-1 (Not CVT)
• Diamond SP II & III (Mitsubishi/Hyundai/Kia)
• Mazda ATF-III, ATF-MV
• Subaru ATF
• Nissan Matic D, J & K
• Idemitsu K-17
• BMW LA2634
• LT 71141
• Audi G-052-025-A2 & G-052-162-A1
• Volvo 97340
• MB 236.1, 236.2, 236.5, 236.6, 236.7, 236.9 & 236.10
• JWS 3309
• NAG 1
• ETL-7045E, ETL-8072B & N402
• Voith 55.6335.XX (G607, G1363)
• ZF TE-ML 03D, 04D, 09, 14A, 14B, 14C, 16L, 17C
• Allison C-4, TES 389


I'd call Amsoil as their spec is vague.
 
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Originally Posted By: Dr_No
What is the fluid requirement? What subaru?


Same question to you, what are you trying to put this in? All we know is that it's a Subaru.
 
Newer Subaru 4 speed autos (2005? and later) and all 5 speed need the new Subaru ATF-HP. The owner's manual lists several aftermarket products that meet the spec, including the Idemitsu ATF HP mentioned by the OP. But I haven't found a source for any of them.

For the 4 speed, my owner's manual states Dexron III is usable on a temporary basis, but there will be an increase in noise and vibration.

For the 5 speed, Dexron III is not allowed, even for temporary use.

The older Subaru ATF (non-HP) spec that is listed by most aftermarket ATFs is Dexron III.

The first ATF change for my 2007 Outback is coming up soon, and I've been searching all over the web (here and elsewhere) for a substitute. I can't find anything that is readily available that I am absolutely sure meets the spec, so I'll be buying from the dealer at $9 per quart.
 
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I took this off another forum, it's the response from Amsoil about working in a 2005+ Subie...

================================================================

Richard,

As per our conversation concerning your 2005 Subaru Legacy transmission, the AMSOIL ATF is now formulated to meet Subaru ATF specifications. The attached files are scans of our product selection guide for this year. The highlighted items on the page confirm AMSOIL’s recommendation to use our universal ATF in place of the Subaru ATF.

We hope this is helpful, and should you have any further questions or comments, please feel free to contact us.

Sincerely,

Darryn Wallace
Senior Technical Service Specialist
AMSOIL, Inc.
 
Notice that Amsoil does NOT explicitly claim that AMSOIL ATF meets Subaru ATF-HP specs, only Subaru ATF. Those 3 extra characters ("-HP") are important! Simple omission on their part or ????
 
Or any universal multi vehicle ATF! Castrol Import, newer Mobil1, BG, Pennzoil Multi-vehicle, Amalie..... all will work well.
 
Because it's not clear that the spec is covered by Amsoil I can't do it. We have to send him to the dealer.
frown.gif
 
Automatic Transmission,TZ1B5.....SLF[2]
Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid (Amsoil's ATF)


2. Subaru ATF HP, Part no. K0140Y0700

Yes. Good for HP apps.
 
So I went to Amsoil's web site and the lookup guide for my 2007 Outback brings back the info that Gary Allan posted. It recommends their synthetic ATF, but it has that footnote that mentions Subaru ATF HP and what I'm guessing is Subaru's part number for the stuff.

But if I go to the page for Amsoils Synthetic Universal Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) ( http://www.amsoil.com/storefront/atf.aspx), it does NOT list Subaru ATF-HP. It does list Subaru ATF, but that is the old stuff.

I'm not sure how to interpret that. I still have found no aftermarket ATF that clearly states on its spec sheet that it meets Subaru ATF-HP requirements. Lots of hearsay and guessing on internet forums, even posts of emails from manufacturer's reps. But nothing on a spec sheet.

In my 2007 4 speed, Dexron III is allowed for temporary use, but will cause increased noise and vibration (that's what the owner's manual says). So I'm sure Amsoil ATF will work and not blow up my tranny. But I'm not convinced that Amsoil ATF is optimal, in that it will provide best performance and longevity.

I highly doubt that Subaru ATF-HP has a formula that is so unique that no aftermarket ATF can be used. But so far, no manufacturer has clearly stated on a spec sheet that their product can be used.
 
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The fact that they are recommending their fluid for the application is enough for me to go ahead and use it. Lubricant companies are sort of notorious for not updating their spec sheets in a timely manner. Amsoil does not recommend their fluid for Toyota's WS spec, and I'm thinking that is because they are still testing it or a new low viscosity formula is in the works. I'm sure if Amsoil recommends their current universal ATF for the Subie ATF HP applications in the 4 and 5 speeds, they have tested it and it works fine.

I'm speculating here, but I'm thinking Amsoil will not make only one ATF for everything forever. I'm guessing that they will diversify their line a bit and eventually offer a second ATF that is for lower viscosity apps like Redline D6 for Dex VI, WS and newer MB applications.
 
Just to see if Redline had anything compatible, I wrote to them and asked, below is their answer...

===============================================================

Thank you for contacting Red Line Oil, the D4ATF is compatible and a suitable replacement for the original HP fluid used in the Subaru automatic transmission.


Regards, Dave
Red Line Oil
 
Ok, I just saw where Amsoil DOES already offer a new lower viscosity fluid called ATL. Man am I behind the times. It does make sense, though.
 
Quote:
I'm not sure how to interpret that.


As was said, if Amsoil ATF wasn't recommended, there would not be a field link to the product. It gives the same sort of notation for +4 applications for jeeps.

I don't necessarily care for how they allow that doubt to enter into the page. What they're doing is acknowledging that YOUR OEM spec'd fluid is the fluid that they're recommending replacing with Amsoil's product ..but what they end up doing is looking like "well, we want you to buy our stuff, but here's what you're supposed to be using. If anything goes wrong, we clearly informed you that different stuff was required."

Which is just a very unclear way to present it.
 
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