Valvoline DexVI vs. Max Life....

[Alisobob]

I'm confused... Valvoline makes licensed Dex VI, but they also make Max Life ( which is Dex VI acceptable) and they make like Max Life is the end all, be all, ATF.

So, which is the better fluid for a 2012 Tahoe ( 6L80E) with 25,000 miles on it?

Any why?

 

[sciphi]

Licensed Dex-VI. Keep the warranty.

MaxLife is great for older transmissions that use Dex-III or other fluids of that era, such as Honda Z-1. Those are not particularly impressive fluids, while MaxLife happens to be a very good ATF for transmissions that can use it.

 

[SuperDave456]

For a 2012 vehicle like yours with such low mileage I'd just go with the Dex VI. Doesn't matter which brand. They are all licensed the same.

Maxlife will work. It is a full synthetic with all kinds of goodies added to it. You could run that from now until the Tahoe goes belly up.

Although the shift points may or may not change. And you could save a few $$ a bottle if you go with Supertech Dex VI or perhaps another branded bottle.

I have a couple questions. Is it a sealed transmission? My father just bought a Equinox, and there is currently no way to change anything. No dipstick, no pan to drop.

Does it have a drain plug?
I wish my vehicles had them. Just do a drain and fill every other OCI and it is good. Much cleaner and easier than sloshing a pan.

 

[JHZR2]

Maxlife does seem like good stuff.

But for you, regular Dex VI is ideal. I sont see a good reason why you would need anything else.

 

[LeakySeals]

Dex VI is a semi ATF. Maxlife Dex/Merc is a semi, universal, high mileage ATF (that smells like throw up). I see no need for Maxlife on a new transmission.

 

[SteveSRT8]

Note that DexVI is available as a full synthetic. The minimum is syn blended.

 

[LargeCarManX2]

Use Valvoline Dex 6 and change/service your transmission at 50K. You could add some Lubeguard Highly friction modified to your current fill to boost your ATF until 50K as an insurance add pack.

 

[bourne]

Originally Posted By: LeakySeals
Dex VI is a semi ATF. Maxlife Dex/Merc is a semi, universal, high mileage ATF (that smells like throw up). I see no need for Maxlife on a new transmission.


While I agree with sticking to the regular dex VI fluid in this application , we all by now know that you have an axe to grind against Ashland products. Didn't know we now pick atf based on smell too. What's next , motor oil in the prettiest bottles ? All your warnings against maxlife never came to fruition in a different Toyota thread as well. Please keep your biases to yourself when recommending fluids to users who genuinely need proper guidance. BITOG is a lot more than just a fan boy forum and we'd like to keep it that way.

 

[Alisobob]

Originally Posted By: SuperDave456
I have a couple questions. Is it a sealed transmission? My father just bought a Equinox, and there is currently no way to change anything. No dipstick, no pan to drop.

Does it have a drain plug?
I wish my vehicles had them. Just do a drain and fill every other OCI and it is good. Much cleaner and easier than sloshing a pan.


No, not "Sealed"... but no drain plug either. Gonna have to do the ol' 1/2" x 20 weld the nut on deal...

Dropping the pan is a drag too.... exhaust is in the way. I thought the world of Cad/Cam was going to get rid of [censored] like that.... guess not.

I run Transynd in my Duramax. It also calls out for Dex VI. Can Transynd go into a 6L80E sucessfully??

 

[3311]

Originally Posted By: LeakySeals
Dex VI is a semi ATF. Maxlife Dex/Merc is a semi, universal, high mileage ATF (that smells like throw up). I see no need for Maxlife on a new transmission.


Either way is a win, both excellent fluids. Maxlife is a synthetic fluid and the whole warranty issue is FUD. Ultimately in that application I would probably buy which is cheapest and easily found which is probably Maxlife. I just bought 3 gallons at Walmart for $17ish a gallon.

Maxlife:

http://www.valvoline.com/pdf/maxlife_atf.pdf

DexVI
http://www.valvoline.com/pdf/dexron_vi.pdf

 

[3311]

Originally Posted By: Alisobob
Originally Posted By: SuperDave456
I have a couple questions. Is it a sealed transmission? My father just bought a Equinox, and there is currently no way to change anything. No dipstick, no pan to drop.

Does it have a drain plug?
I wish my vehicles had them. Just do a drain and fill every other OCI and it is good. Much cleaner and easier than sloshing a pan.


No, not "Sealed"... but no drain plug either. Gonna have to do the ol' 1/2" x 20 weld the nut on deal...

Dropping the pan is a drag too.... exhaust is in the way. I thought the world of Cad/Cam was going to get rid of [censored] like that.... guess not.

I run Transynd in my Duramax. It also calls out for Dex VI. Can Transynd go into a 6L80E sucessfully??

I don't think Transynd can go in a 6l80e. It has the viscosity of Dex 3 although it is a much stouter synthetic fluid.

 

[LeakySeals]

Originally Posted By: bourne
Originally Posted By: LeakySeals
Dex VI is a semi ATF. Maxlife Dex/Merc is a semi, universal, high mileage ATF (that smells like throw up). I see no need for Maxlife on a new transmission.


While I agree with sticking to the regular dex VI fluid in this application , we all by now know that you have an axe to grind against Ashland products. Didn't know we now pick atf based on smell too. What's next , motor oil in the prettiest bottles ? All your warnings against maxlife never came to fruition in a different Toyota thread as well. Please keep your biases to yourself when recommending fluids to users who genuinely need proper guidance. BITOG is a lot more than just a fan boy forum and we'd like to keep it that way.
What are you talking about? I use Maxlife on older Dex 3 transmissions. Use it as PS fluid too. I don't agree swapping T-IV for maxlife on Toyotas. This guy has a new transmission, Maxlife if for high mileage transmissions. None of that means I hate Maxlife. The smell was a joke (but it does smell that way).

 

[SteveSRT8]

Where is whitewolf?