Valvoline maxlife ATF - dexron vi ??????

[RegDunlop]

Is Val Oline ATF considered dexron 6??

Reason I ask is I want to change the ATF in a 15 year old Buick and not sure if is good for that if it is a dexron 6 full synthetic. Maybe I should stick to regular dexron 3 ?

 

[JHZR2]

Lots to consider here. First, has it ever been changed before? When was it done last?

 

[wallyuwl]

Valvoline says it is Dex VI, but I think its viscocity is higher than the maximum allowed under the Dex VI spec. MaxLife transmission fluid should work fine in that vehicle.

 

[RegDunlop]

Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Lots to consider here. First, has it ever been changed before? When was it done last?


I am not original owner. I don't know If it's ever been changed.

 

[dwendt44]

Dexron VI is a blend, not a full synthetic.

 

[sciphi]

Originally Posted By: wallyuwl
Valvoline says it is Dex VI, but I think its viscocity is higher than the maximum allowed under the Dex VI spec. MaxLife transmission fluid should work fine in that vehicle.


Viscosity now meets Dex-VI specs. The old formula was a little high for a Dex-VI. They reformulated a few years ago to meet Dex-VI viscosity specs.

My Buick's 4T65 shifts very well on the Dex VI-compatible Maxlife ATF. I dare say it shifts better on this stuff than on a licensed Dex-VI.

 

[Letter_K]

Originally Posted By: dwendt44
Dexron VI is a blend, not a full synthetic.


Bad info. Here is the FAW from Valvoline:
Quote:
Does Valvoline make a synthetic ATF?
Yes. Valvoline makes several synthetic ATF's. MaxLife Dexron/Mercon ATF, Mercon V ATF, ATF +4 and Dexron VI are all synthetic.


Also, they changed around June of 2010 according to the posts that starting showing up here. IF you want to older stuff go to an Autozone and look at the back of the shelf. The newer stuff should be fine and it is backwards compatible.

My newer GM transmission shifts nice with it, but I also added a bottle of Lubegard too. I did have some quirky shifting behavior over the winter when it got colder, but it was only a small range of temperatures and I then added the Lubegard.

 

[RegDunlop]

Originally Posted By: Letter_K
Originally Posted By: dwendt44
Dexron VI is a blend, not a full synthetic.


Bad info. Here is the FAW from Valvoline:
Quote:
Does Valvoline make a synthetic ATF?
Yes. Valvoline makes several synthetic ATF's. MaxLife Dexron/Mercon ATF, Mercon V ATF, ATF +4 and Dexron VI are all synthetic.


Also, they changed around June of 2010 according to the posts that starting showing up here. IF you want to older stuff go to an Autozone and look at the back of the shelf. The newer stuff should be fine and it is backwards compatible.

My newer GM transmission shifts nice with it, but I also added a bottle of Lubegard too. I did have some quirky shifting behavior over the winter when it got colder, but it was only a small range of temperatures and I then added the Lubegard.


So Maxlife should be safe for an older transmission?

I was looking at the back of the Pennzoil HM Tran fluid bottle, and it states as a HM ATF, it will condition the seals and help remove varnish and build up....this sounds like a bad thing to me....wouldn't it be better to keep the varnish in place?

The back of the maxlife makes no claims too remove varnish.

 

[dwendt44]

"Dexron is a blend."
Not bad information. GM's spec is for a blend.

If Valvoline makes a full synthetic so it 'meets or exceeds'
the Dexron spec, so be it.

 

[Letter_K]

Originally Posted By: dwendt44
"Dexron is a blend."
Not bad information. GM's spec is for a blend.

If Valvoline makes a full synthetic so it 'meets or exceeds'
the Dexron spec, so be it.



Sorry, misread your post with Maxlife on my mind.

 

[Letter_K]

So Maxlife should be safe for an older transmission?

Yes, it's meant for higher mileage vehicles. It has extra additives to restore performance. Don't remember regarding detergents, but it is likely to have extra like the other fluids you mentioned.

If you haven't changed fluid ever and have a lot of miles, you may want a short interval and a second fluid change. The detergents in new fluid may loosen stuff/varnish up.

 

[glum]

Originally Posted By: dwendt44
Dexron VI is a blend, not a full synthetic.

Huh? Dexron VI is a spec.

 

[cmf]

Maxlife is a great ATF, especially for the price. While it contains detergents, it's definitely not aggressive like a flush would be. It's a safe bet to replace the old fluid with Maxlife. I would suggest doing a full replacement using the transmission cooler line or whatever method you prefer because you don't know what is floating around in the current ATF.

You could do a short drain interval, but I really don't think you're going to get that much out of a transmission using just a HM ATF; even if the transmission fluid has never been replaced. If you are worried about the old fluid I personally would instal a cheap in-line filter like a magnefine ($15) and run the fluid for the interval specified by your manual.

EDIT: In case you are curious, here are the specs for Valvoline MaxLife and Dexron VI. Similar viscosity with Maxlife having a higher VI and better cold pumping viscosity.

 

[RegDunlop]

Okay I picked up a gallon ( 4 Quarts ) of Castrol D/M ( for dexron III ) and I already have 1/2 quart of Mobil D/M and 1/2 Quart of Maxlife D/M.....So I have a total of 5 quarts...and I still need one more quart for a total of 6 quarts.

Should I buy a single quart of Maxlife or Castrol D/M?


I am going to drop the pan and change the filter then later use a Mityvac to replace even more fluid. Not sure what I'll use when I do that.

 

[Ridds]

Valvoline is running the risk of losing their license on their Dex VI ATF by saying their Maxlife product covers Dex VI.

Same goes for their claim on Mercon V. If they pay for the license, they can’t make the claim it will work for Mercon SP and LV specs.

 

[Ridds]

What I find interesting is there isn’t anything for the ATF+4 spec for their Maxlife in the tech data. I'm assuming they did have it at one point and were told by Chrysler Group LLC and the Centre for Quality Assurance to stop. It is only a matter of time until they lose the DEX VI and Mercon V licenses.

 

[RPMster]

Originally Posted By: Ridds
What I find interesting is there isn’t anything for the ATF+4 spec for their Maxlife in the tech data. I'm assuming they did have it at one point and were told by Chrysler Group LLC and the Centre for Quality Assurance to stop. It is only a matter of time until they lose the DEX VI and Mercon V licenses.


https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/shell-1-lubricant-supplier-globally.139822/

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/shell-1-lubricant-supplier-globally.139822/

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/shell-1-lubricant-supplier-globally.139822/

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/shell-1-lubricant-supplier-globally.139822/

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^^^Just a few of your other rants I found after doing a 2 minute Google search. I hope your company starts doing better, if for nothing more than to end your sour-graping, trolling, and spreading rumors on here.

 

[RegDunlop]

Originally Posted By: Ridds
Valvoline is running the risk of losing their license on their Dex VI ATF by saying their Maxlife product covers Dex VI.

Same goes for their claim on Mercon V. If they pay for the license, they can’t make the claim it will work for Mercon SP and LV specs.


I don't understand any of this?

They have to buy a license from somebody to say their atf will work?

 

[Ridds]

Yes. Since they produce licensed products i.e. their DEX VI, MERCON V, ATF+4, they pay a royalty fee to those OEM's. They are unable to then claim it will work for a MV ATF even if it will work in these applications. They will lose their license for their approved ATF's by doing so. It’s a license infringement.

 

[Ridds]

Grow up. It isn't a rant; it’s the way the industry works. They aren't being ethical. My company does just fine playing by the rules and sells a lot more product world wide then most of these other products on here. And if you think it’s a rumor, call them up and ask for yourself.

http://www.centerforqa.com/
They handle General Motors and Chrysler