Valvoline Max-Life ATF and ATF+4

[Ed]

Just looking at Valvolines website and noted that they recommend their new Max-Life Mercon ATF for Chrysler transmissions including those that use ATF+3 and ATF+4.
On the Spec page,however, There are no Chrysler specs listed.

I still can't see how A fluid with the characteristics required to function as Dexron/Mercon can have the friction modified characteristics required to function as ATF+3 and+4. A similar question is often posted concerning Amsoil universal ATF.

If it isn't listed as meeting Chrysler specs isn't Valvoline risking lawsuits by people who have used their product instead of ATF+4 per their recommendation and having subsequent transmission failure? (Fluid related or not)

Anyone out there have any comments regarding the chemistry of Valvo Max-Life vs. ATF+3 or +4?
Ed

 

[dkcase]

quote:

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I still can't see how A fluid with the characteristics required to function as Dexron/Mercon can have the friction modified characteristics required to function as ATF+3 and+4.

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I don't either. I'm not going to test it out in my Jeep. Maybe they can get Mikey... he'll [try] anything.

 

[cousincletus]

The parts guy at Carquest told me that Maxlife was ok to use as an ATF+4 substitute. I have been dealing with this same parts guy for 15 years and I trust what he says. He gets lots of tech advice from oil and parts reps. But I also would just use the high $$$ Chrysler stuff and not take any chances.

 

[JohnBrowning]

I would either use DC ATF+4 or Redline C+ ATF. THe DC stuff is excellent ATF! Redline is better though!

 

[T-Keith]

Mobil 1, is supposed to be for all transmission types.

Is this Maxlife any good for a DEXRON II/III transmission. I used it in my wife's car, seems to work great.

-T

 

[G-MAN]

quote:

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Originally posted by T-Keith:
Mobil 1, is supposed to be for all transmission types.

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This is incorrect. The data sheet for Mobil 1 ATF states "Not recommended for Chrysler Type 7176 ATF." Type 7176 is ATF+3. If Mobil 1 is not suitable for 7176 applications it's certainly not suitable for Type 9602 (ATF+4) applications.

 

[JohnBrowning]

I have personely tested Redline C+ATF in my 45RFE trans in a 2001 Dodge Dakota 4.7V8 SLT+ 4x4 Quad Cab. I drive all my vechile like I just stole them and I use 4Wheel drive when I have it for fun! Not only did it shift great slightly better in extreme cold it shifted exactly the same when at operateing temp. It did not shudder, it did not slip or do anything else it should not! I also have posted the only UOA of this fluid on this site and in this transmission. The 45RFE is the same as the 545RFE as well. The only diffeence is in programing.

If the ATF meets 7176 friction propertys Cf and is full 100% sysnthetic it will function in lue of 9602 ATF+4 perfectly. TO date the only fluid I know of that meets both of the above requirements and is designed just for DC applications is Redline C+ATF!

To be honest other then price gougeing their is realy nothing wrong with ATF+4 it is a great OEM product. I was not about to pay $9.95 cents a quart and be forced to buy it buy the gallon.

I do not belive that any fluid can be universal. ATF+4 is so friction modified that I do not know how any one could possably meet all of the other requirments and also be ATF+3 and ATF+4 compliant!! Compared to anyone other then Redline the add package for ATF+4 is rather complex. In my UOA of it I only replaced 50% of my fluid.

[ February 19, 2004, 08:37 PM: Message edited by: JohnBrowning ]

 

[T-Keith]

I should have said "most". It does say "universal" on the label.

-T

 

[G-MAN]

quote:

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Originally posted by JohnBrowning:
To be honest other then price gougeing their is realy nothing wrong with ATF+4 it is a great OEM product. I was not about to pay $9.95 cents a quart and be forced to buy it buy the gallon.

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It's only $5.40 a quart at my local Chrysler dealer.

 

[JohnBrowning]

FOr $5.40 a quart I would have used OEM! THe insanely high price and their insistence on priceing per quart and selling buy gallon drove me to Redline. I had not used Redline for years up to that point! THey were the only company that offered a product and gave me a written gurantee that it would work perfectly!

I was able to get Redline C+ATF for $7.95 a quart delivered to my door step! Every DC dealership in a 100 mile radius wanted $9.95 a quart! For a fluid that is not even 100% synthetic I thought that was just price gougeing. I will not use their product to this day on principal alone!

On a positive note!! My service writer was always baffled by how clean and dry my Transmission was. He claimed that my transmission was the only 45RFE that he had seen that did not weep at the rear seal. I had to take it in 6 times for recalls! I also had some emmision problems under warranty. The vechiles emmision tubes were poorly made and routed poorly. I had to have the ECM reprogramed and my AC went out the first 12 months of ownership!

At any rate we can clearly see from my UOA that Redline C+ATF was not hurting anything!