Valvoline Restore and Protect ATF

I ended up messaging Valvoline customer service to inquire about this Valvoline Restore and Protect version of their ATF.

I asked two questions:
1) Is this version of Valvoline Restore and Protect ATF designed to clean varnish from the clutch packs or other parts of the transmission?
2) Is this ATF a short interval fluid similar to the 5k mile recommended service intervals for the Valvoline Restore and Protect motor oils?

Here's the response:

XXXX, thank you for contacting Valvoline Product Support,

Transmission clutch plates are porous to allow fluid to flow through them, reducing heat and creating a smoother shift. As vehicles age deposits build up and cause clogs causing the transmission to slip and lose efficiency.

Restore & Protect ATF features Active Dissolve Technology that removes up to 97% of these deposits, breaking deposits down into very small, fine particles that are suspended in the fluid. These suspended particles are small and won’t clog filtration systems or damage transmission components and will be removed when the system is drained and filled again.

Just as the Restore & Protect engine oil, this is not a treatment product or additive. It is a fully formulated transmission fluid product. You would follow the OEM transmission fluid change interval. It should be noted that severely clogged or damaged friction plates will not return to function with the use of Restore & Protect ATF.

Restore & Protect ATF is designed to extend torque converter ASD (anti-shudder durability) life by clearing up plugged material in friction plates, thereby keeping friction plates like “new” for longer performance and enhanced wear protection of transmission parts.

Thank you and have a great day.

Valvoline Product Support


Looks like the suspicion about cleaning up the clutch packs was correct. Also looks as though they're claiming it's not a short interval fluid. Time will tell.
 
MVAR said:
I ended up messaging Valvoline customer service to inquire about this Valvoline Restore and Protect version of their ATF.

I asked two questions:
1) Is this version of Valvoline Restore and Protect ATF designed to clean varnish from the clutch packs or other parts of the transmission?
2) Is this ATF a short interval fluid similar to the 5k mile recommended service intervals for the Valvoline Restore and Protect motor oils?
...
Just as the Valvoline Restore and Protect engine oil, this is not a treatment product or additive. It is a fully formulated transmission fluid product. You would follow the OEM transmission fluid change interval. It should be noted that severely clogged or damaged friction plates will not return to function with the use of Valvoline Restore and Protect ATF.
...
Looks like the suspicion about cleaning up the clutch packs was correct. Also looks as though they're claiming it's not a short interval fluid. Time will tell.
Click to expand...
Valvoline has never stated that Valvoline Restore and Protect engine oil is a short interval fluid or a 5k mile OCI fluid. I've always seen it stated to use the OEM standard OCI. So that could be anything up to 10k miles or whatever is stated in the manual.

I'm going to start at ~ 6k miles and then get the oil analyzed after the 2nd OCI of Valvoline Restore and Protect to see how it's doing.
 
martinq said:
Valvoline has never stated that Valvoline Restore and Protect engine oil is a short interval fluid or a 5k mile OCI fluid. I've always seen it stated to use the OEM standard OCI. So that could be anything up to 10k miles or whatever is stated in the manual.

I'm going to start at ~ 6k miles and then get the oil analyzed after the 2nd OCI of Valvoline Restore and Protect to see how it's doing.
Click to expand...
They used to advertise 4 OCI’s in a 20k mi duration. Currently the Valvoline website states:

1772744026930.webp
 
MVAR said:
They used to advertise 4 OCI’s in a 20k mi duration. Currently the Valvoline website states:
Click to expand...
I've seen many references to short 5k OCI over the last two years but I've never seen any documentation from Valvoline to back it up.

The only OCI reference I know of is what's in the picture you posted. Mfg recommended, four OCI minimum.
 
Wow, didn’t realize it was such a sensitive topic around these parts now. Don’t follow the Valvoline Restore and Protect threads so it very well could be it was just something repeated over time that stuck.

I’m on the road until Sunday. Replied earlier when I stopped for lunch & looked up the Valvoline website from my phone. Sunday I’ll have a desktop so will look to see if they advertised it previously. If they didn’t, then I misspoke & apologize.
 
What is a standard maintenance interval nowadays? 15k miles? 20k miles? Whatever the vehicle's algorithm calculates?

I'm sticking with 4k miles regardless of oil or vehicle.
 
skaughtz said:
What is a standard maintenance interval nowadays? 15k miles? 20k miles? Whatever the vehicle's algorithm calculates?

I'm sticking with 4k miles regardless of oil or vehicle.
Click to expand...
I'm no expert, but based off everything I've read and seen on YouTube over the past year, 5k minimum with any quality full synthetic. Many have been tested with oil analysis after 7-9k miles and, at least according to the analysis, have oil life remaining. Of course I'm sure driving conditions, engine type, fuel used, age, etc., all make a difference. But I think if you buy an oil that advertises as a 10, 15, or even 20k oil, you should be good going at least 5k.
 
FDT09 said:
I'm no expert, but based off everything I've read and seen on YouTube over the past year, 5k minimum with any quality full synthetic. Many have been tested with oil analysis after 7-9k miles and, at least according to the analysis, have oil life remaining. Of course I'm sure driving conditions, engine type, fuel used, age, etc., all make a difference. But I think if you buy an oil that advertises as a 10, 15, or even 20k oil, you should be good going at least 5k.
Click to expand...
It's not that complicated in most applications, just check you manual under "Maintenance". Most modern vehicles have it built into the ECM and it will tell you when the engine oil is due for change. These systems always leave some safety buffer and to cushion against lawsuits where possible.
 
martinq said:
It's not that complicated in most applications, just check you manual under "Maintenance". Most modern vehicles have it built into the ECM and it will tell you when the engine oil is due for change. These systems always leave some safety buffer and to cushion against lawsuits where possible.
Click to expand...
Right. But a lot of people think they need to stick to 4k, or I know some people that even stick with 3k, despite using high quality synthetic oil. I know it's not harmful. But it sure seems excessive and wasteful.
 
FDT09 said:
Right. But a lot of people think they need to stick to 4k, or I know some people that even stick with 3k, despite using high quality synthetic oil. I know it's not harmful. But it sure seems excessive and wasteful.
Click to expand...
It is probably excessive, but at 4k or 5k it also removes any doubt (all things equal) that you are not running clean oil throughout your vehicle at any given moment. I set a goal of 4k miles, which then gives me 1,000 miles of a buffer to find the time to get the job done.

Personally, I don't trust the oil life maintenance minders on any car as far as I can throw it for two related reasons: 1) The push by vehicle manufacturers over the past decade+ to market themselves as "environmentally conscious," or whatever term you want to use, and to conform to increasing federal demands has led to them implementing some really stupid ideas into their vehicles. Auto start-stop and systems like Honda's Variable Cylinder Management come to mind immediately. What they do to the engine (and transmission, in the case of VCM) long-term far outweighs any fuel economy benefits that they may have intended. Why wouldn't they want to calculate that you can extend your oil change intervals to 7,500, 10,000, 15,000, etc. miles for the sake of consuming and polluting less? Well, because 2) everything is calculated to their "lifetime" standard, which is just outside of initial warranty. It is why they push the absurd notion of transmission fluids never needing to be changed because they are "lifetime" fluids. All of those practices combined will likely get your car through the warranty period, but if you plan to keep it after that they certainly are not helping your chances.
 
MVAR said:
I ended up messaging Valvoline customer service to inquire about this Valvoline Restore and Protect version of their ATF.

I asked two questions:
1) Is this version of Valvoline Restore and Protect ATF designed to clean varnish from the clutch packs or other parts of the transmission?
2) Is this ATF a short interval fluid similar to the 5k mile recommended service intervals for the Valvoline Restore and Protect motor oils?

Here's the response:

XXXX, thank you for contacting Valvoline Product Support,

Transmission clutch plates are porous to allow fluid to flow through them, reducing heat and creating a smoother shift. As vehicles age deposits build up and cause clogs causing the transmission to slip and lose efficiency.

Valvoline Restore and Protect ATF features Active Dissolve Technology that removes up to 97% of these deposits, breaking deposits down into very small, fine particles that are suspended in the fluid. These suspended particles are small and won’t clog filtration systems or damage transmission components and will be removed when the system is drained and filled again.

Just as the Valvoline Restore and Protect engine oil, this is not a treatment product or additive. It is a fully formulated transmission fluid product. You would follow the OEM transmission fluid change interval. It should be noted that severely clogged or damaged friction plates will not return to function with the use of Valvoline Restore and Protect ATF.

Valvoline Restore and Protect ATF is designed to extend torque converter ASD (anti-shudder durability) life by clearing up plugged material in friction plates, thereby keeping friction plates like “new” for longer performance and enhanced wear protection of transmission parts.

Thank you and have a great day.

Valvoline Product Support


Looks like the suspicion about cleaning up the clutch packs was correct. Also looks as though they're claiming it's not a short interval fluid. Time will tell.
Click to expand...
Regardless of the heated debate regarding OCIs in an ATF thread (hey, I posted about the oil too), I appreciate that their product support teams have been given these more detailed explanations to provide to folk who are curious. Seems like exactly what I expected.

In this case, it seems designed specifically for my sort of situation, where the transmission has just begun noticeably slipping and potential deposits/glazing on the clutch material could be inhibiting normal operation. I'm not expecting miracles, but hey - if it works, it'll probably actually extend the life of my transmission.

At 600 miles in, if I had to place a bet today I would bet on the side of the product doing mostly what is advertised.

I still have 6.75 qts left of my purchased 12, so this transmission will get another change at 100K (58% exchange/per, ~82% "new" after 2 drain and fills) and driven for hopefully another 50K miles to 2 1/2 years where I'll decide to drain/fill again or get rid of the car. I'd be happy to provide periodic updates down the road as I get more miles on it. My best friend is also likely to do one change on his 80K mile 2017 Cruze LT with his own jug and the rest of my last jug.
 
MVAR said:
Wow, didn’t realize it was such a sensitive topic around these parts now. Don’t follow the Valvoline Restore and Protect threads so it very well could be it was just something repeated over time that stuck.

I’m on the road until Sunday. Replied earlier when I stopped for lunch & looked up the Valvoline website from my phone. Sunday I’ll have a desktop so will look to see if they advertised it previously. If they didn’t, then I misspoke & apologize.
Click to expand...
Ok, looks like I misspoke. Used the wayback machine and couldn't find anything about 4 OCI's in 20k miles. I apologize for speaking something that wasn't advertised.
 
MVAR said:
Ok, looks like I misspoke. Used the wayback machine and couldn't find anything about 4 OCI's in 20k miles. I apologize for speaking something that wasn't advertised.
Click to expand...
Like I mentioned, I've seen plenty mention of doing short, cleaning runs and 3k-5k OCI but I've never once seen anything from Valvoline besides a MINIMUM of FOUR, mfg recommended, standard OCI.
 
So far...I don't think it has done anything special. There is still a notable stiff downshift when slowing. Upshifts feel better but I think it's because I've been flushing out some additive that I put in thinking it would fix a harsh engagement (it didn't. It just needed a control module adaptation procedure). The only thing that I've noticed was weird is this is the fourth drain and fill I've performed. The fluid that came out was not red. It was translucent brown. Looked like power steering oil. The first change was using Aisin ATF-0WS, the second two using Valvoline Extended Protection ATF. Twelve quarts of red fluid and what's coming out is still not red, at all. I wonder if this will make the browning of the fluid worse if its cleaning as well as it claims.
 
CEHepp said:
So far...I don't think it has done anything special. There is still a notable stiff downshift when slowing. Upshifts feel better but I think it's because I've been flushing out some additive that I put in thinking it would fix a harsh engagement (it didn't. It just needed a control module adaptation procedure). The only thing that I've noticed was weird is this is the fourth drain and fill I've performed. The fluid that came out was not red. It was translucent brown. Looked like power steering oil. The first change was using Aisin ATF-0WS, the second two using Valvoline Extended Protection ATF. Twelve quarts of red fluid and what's coming out is still not red, at all. I wonder if this will make the browning of the fluid worse if its cleaning as well as it claims.
Click to expand...
There's a good gallon of fluid in the torque converter and cooler/cooler lines. Most of that should be mixed in and drained out by now though.
 
This is what Valvoline responded to regarding Valvoline Extended Protection ATF vs Valvoline Restore and Protect ATF. I guess the Valvoline Restore and Protect is now their best ATF.

----
Extended Protection ATF is a multi-vehicle ATF designed with a focus on providing excellent oxidative and thermal stability to protect against damaging friction and fluid thermal breakdown thereby providing smooth shifting.

Restore & Protect ATF builds upon the performance of the Extended Protection ATF and is a beyond premium multi-vehicle ATF designed to extend torque converter ASD (anti-shudder durability) life by clearing up plugged material in friction plates, thereby keeping friction plates like “new” for longer performance and enhanced wear protection of transmission parts.

Restore & Protect is our highest performing ATF product in the Valvoline portfolio. It offers the best anti-wear protection and performance.

Thank you and have a great day.

Valvoline Product Support
 
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