Valvoline Restore and Protect ATF

[nascarnation]

No, it is generally poor. An Internet myth from days gone by.

You speak wisdom. This goes back to the 1960s when atf had whale oil as a significant percentage. 60 years later it's still cleaning!

 

[nascarnation]

There is a theory (on the internet so there's that) the issues with the 6R80 lead frame is conductive clutch material building up near all the electrical connection points & shorting them out. Really don't know the validity of such a claim but that was floated out there on an F150 board. I run AMSOIL Signature Series fluid as well as a larger pan (with drain plug) and external spin on filter in PH8A size and have not had an issue.

Don't see myself trying this Valvoline Restore and Protect fluid out anytime soon.

There can be some minimal amounts of copper in the friction material but I'd have to see this theory proven before I'd believe it.

 

[GW.]

I am deeply dissapointed in the EP ATF fluid they have. I recently did a drain and refill, and if I did not know how well the car was shifting before, I would think I am due a rebuilt soon

Any details? Make, model, year, transmission, mileage, service history?

Sorry if I missed this info elsewhere.

 

[altaylar]

Any details? Make, model, year, transmissionmission, mileage, service history?

Sorry if I missed this info elsewhere.

I Have a seperates thread on it, right here:

A

Thread 'Hummer H2 2003 Transmission and Differential Oil Suggestions'

Oct 20, 2025

I have recently acquired a a high milage H2, and want to do a complete fluid flush. Engine oil part is covered (Valvoline Restore and Protect 5W30 for a first a couple oil changes), but I am not familiar with the remaining of the fluids.

Can other owners give me their suggestions on what oil to use for transmission&differential&transfer case?
I do have 5 quarts of Redline 75w90 NS lying around. Would that be a good candidate for the differential? (The Vehicle is being shipped at the moment and I do not know what kind of a differential it has).

Thanks everyone

• altaylar
• Replies: 27
• Forum: ATF, Differential, Trans, Brakes, P/S

It is a 2003 Hummer H2, at 100k miles.

They are notorious for needing a transmissionmission rebuilt around 70k-150k miles, due GM using a too weak transmission for such a heavy vehicle. Transmission cooler users seem to reach 200k mile without an issue, so i would guess it can prevented (at least to a degree), with ensuring fluid does not shear too much.

So i changed the fluid to this, and my shifting performance got so bad that my wife noticed it. I would like to think the vehicle was maintained well, diligent GM service records through its life. Havent gone through them but i would guess if one takes their vehicle to dealer every 12 months (even on years with sub 1k mile usage), its transmission must be well maintained. The fluid i extracted did seem very new judging by the colour

 

[CleanSump]

You speak wisdom. This goes back to the 1960s when atf had whale oil as a significant percentage. 60 years later it's still cleaning!

You speak wisdom. This goes back to the 1960s when atf had whale oil as a significant percentage. 60 years later it's still cleaning!

And whale oil, from the head of the whale, not the body fat, is a natural ester!
Jojoba Oil is a close substitute if you're working on small mechanisms and don't want to use a synthetic. But don't put it in your trans.

 

[GW.]

I Have a seperates thread on it, right here:

A

Thread 'Hummer H2 2003 Transmission and Differential Oil Suggestions'

Oct 20, 2025

I have recently acquired a a high milage H2, and want to do a complete fluid flush. Engine oil part is covered (Valvoline Restore and Protect 5W30 for a first a couple oil changes), but I am not familiar with the remaining of the fluids.

Can other owners give me their suggestions on what oil to use for transmission&differential&transfer case?
I do have 5 quarts of Redline 75w90 NS lying around. Would that be a good candidate for the differential? (The Vehicle is being shipped at the moment and I do not know what kind of a differential it has).

Thanks everyone

• altaylar
• Replies: 27
• Forum: ATF, Differential, Trans, Brakes, P/S

It is a 2003 Hummer H2, at 100k miles.

They are notorious for needing a transmissionmission rebuilt around 70k-150k miles, due GM using a too weak transmission for such a heavy vehicle. Transmission cooler users seem to reach 200k mile without an issue, so i would guess it can prevented (at least to a degree), with ensuring fluid does not shear too much.

So i changed the fluid to this, and my shifting performance got so bad that my wife noticed it. I would like to think the vehicle was maintained well, diligent GM service records through its life. Havent gone through them but i would guess if one takes their vehicle to dealer every 12 months (even on years with sub 1k mile usage), its transmission must be well maintained. The fluid i extracted did seem very new judging by the colour

Congrats on the H2! Those are fun off road!

That should be the 4L60E. Not too picky on any D3 fluid if there’s no problems.

You’re correct, if these transmissionmissions are abused they don’t hold up very well. It will be interesting to see if the Redline continues to shift well. GM should have used the 4L80E in these….

 

[tired]

To me that is chemically opposite of what I would expect. Carbon cannot be dissolved in much of anything, it would take some corrosive or downright dangerous liquid to do that and it would be highly reactive. So if anything I'd expect that this type of deposit would have the attachment bonds weakened and we'd see those pieces stuck in the filter - which is what people here are reporting. Whether those reported carbon particles are actually a result of cleaning from the oil isn't something I'm particularly convinced of however.

Sludge and varnish are not like elemental carbon and can be dissolved or diluted, and I'd expect these to be held in solution like Valvoline states. But at the same time Valvoline expressly advertises it helps with ring sticking and carbonaceous deposits so there's that.

Of course at the same time we are going off of marketing materials and really know nothing of the underlying chemistry.

That makes a lot of sense. I will trust you on the chemistry hypothesis.

 

[daniel327]

Does anything?

Penrite ATF ULV meets or exceeds most ULV specs including Aisin AW2, Merc/Dex ULV, Mazda A7 and Nissan P.

 

[2strokeNorthstar]

No Mercon V compliance? Are we the small %?

 

[MVAR]

There can be some minimal amounts of copper in the friction material but I'd have to see this theory proven before I'd believe it.

Same. I have seen a local transmission shop show buildup in the lead frame area. Don’t know if it was conductive or not but it was there. I always figured low bid & poor connection or traces.

 

[Egg_Head]

I just ordered a jug of this for my son's 2010 Santa Fe. It seems to have the stuck solenoids, will see if this helps before more expensive remedies.

 

[CleanSump]

I just ordered a jug of this for my son's 2010 Santa Fe. It seems to have the stuck solenoids, will see if this helps before more expensive remedies.

Please keep us posted on a thread!

 

[tired]

I just ordered a jug of this for my son's 2010 Santa Fe. It seems to have the stuck solenoids, will see if this helps before more expensive remedies.

Where is it for sale? I didn't release it had been hard launched.

 

[JN94]

The only transmission in our fleet it could go into is in the 2005 Ranger (5R55E) which specs MerconV.

Waiting for Valvoline Restore and Protect ATF FZ for the Mazda and Valvoline Restore and Protect ATFJWS3324, Valvoline Restore and Protect ATFJWS3309 for the Volvos.

I thought Mercon V and Mercon LV aren't interchangeable. That's what my local Ford dealer says anyway.

 

[Kira]

I thought Mercon V and Mercon LV aren't interchangeable. That's what my local Ford dealer says anyway.

Now that you mention it, that rings a bell.

Also, isn't the Mercon SP (pretty sure) a special fluid which shouldn't be mixed?

 

[JN94]

Now that you mention it, that rings a bell.

Also, isn't the Mercon SP (pretty sure) a special fluid which shouldn't be mixed?

A quick Google search claims Mercon V , LV , & SP aren't interchangeable per Ford.

 

[cutnapath]

Looks like they updated the PI Sheet, now lists much more applications. Interesting listing of compatible with ATF +4, which prior Maxlife and Extended Protection was told was not compatible with ATF +4.

https://sharena21.springcm.com/Publ...3bcc26b5/40f96d44-dab8-f011-b824-9440c99fa601

 

[RobbS]

I probably wouldn't use it. I've serviced my transmission myself every 25k miles and it looks good and clean. I don't think changing my Toyota fluid for anything else is futile.

 

[Egg_Head]

Where is it for sale? I didn't release it had been hard launched.

$28.97 on Amazon, temporarily OOS. My estimated delivery date is 12/22-12/31

 

[OldTruck]

I followed up on my email asking them for a source on the claim it was atf 4 compatible, and they sent me this list of what it is compatible with.