Don’t plan to use Valvoline Restore and Protect as I still want more real time data
Valvoline Restore and Protect ATF
- Thread starter Atalane
- Start date
@blue07silvy, a month ago, Eric N. claimed to have been using it for over two years, must have been in a DeLorean, so it must be good stuff 
.
https://www.valvolineglobal.com/en/restore-and-protect-atf/
On a more positive note, I've used Valvoline MaxLife ATF for years in just about every application without incident; UAYOR.
.https://www.valvolineglobal.com/en/restore-and-protect-atf/
On a more positive note, I've used Valvoline MaxLife ATF for years in just about every application without incident; UAYOR.
If you're going to replace 5-6 quarts, you could do what I did and get one gallon jug of Dexron VI, and 1 or 2 quarts of Valvoline Restore and Protect. Valvoline states all their fluids are compatible with each other (that state Dexron VI on the bottle, at least). Will you get all the benefits of Valvoline Restore and Protect? Probably not. But if you later decide to do another drain and fill, it might give you more confidence to do a gallon of Valvoline Restore and Protect and 2qt of regular DexronVI.
Update on my 2016 Chevy Cruze LT at ~94.5k miles (5K in) for those following along -
Not much to report other than it is still about 80-90% better than it was. Torque converter lockup issue that appeared around 800 miles in for a short period at low RPM has gone away. Light to full throttle upshifts are all smooth. Still a little bit of slip maybe in 3rd and 5th at WOT when cold but hardly noticeable. Some downshifts when slowing can still be felt, but not major. The car is aggressive in cutting fuel / employing traction control when there is slip in the transmission so at WOT really manifests as a hesitation and loss of power, but it seems very normal compared to how it was prior. Around 100K, will do another drain/fill, I have 5.4qts of Valvoline Restore and Protect left.
My friend with a 2017 Cruze LT has just done a drain/fill at 86K after starting to experience some of the same hesitation and harsh downshift symptoms I had, missed 3rd on an on-throttle downshift and car selected 2nd after bucking and hesitating for several seconds. His also had never been changed and was dark / silvery as well, but also smelled very burnt. We got 5.6 qts out of his vs. 5.1 out of mine, somewhere around 60% exchange. First drive after and to/from work over last couple nights he said were positive. He also plans to do a second drain / fill with Valvoline Restore and Protect before 100K.
Not much to report other than it is still about 80-90% better than it was. Torque converter lockup issue that appeared around 800 miles in for a short period at low RPM has gone away. Light to full throttle upshifts are all smooth. Still a little bit of slip maybe in 3rd and 5th at WOT when cold but hardly noticeable. Some downshifts when slowing can still be felt, but not major. The car is aggressive in cutting fuel / employing traction control when there is slip in the transmission so at WOT really manifests as a hesitation and loss of power, but it seems very normal compared to how it was prior. Around 100K, will do another drain/fill, I have 5.4qts of Valvoline Restore and Protect left.
My friend with a 2017 Cruze LT has just done a drain/fill at 86K after starting to experience some of the same hesitation and harsh downshift symptoms I had, missed 3rd on an on-throttle downshift and car selected 2nd after bucking and hesitating for several seconds. His also had never been changed and was dark / silvery as well, but also smelled very burnt. We got 5.6 qts out of his vs. 5.1 out of mine, somewhere around 60% exchange. First drive after and to/from work over last couple nights he said were positive. He also plans to do a second drain / fill with Valvoline Restore and Protect before 100K.
Performed 3 drain and refills over a 1,000 mile period on a Toyota A340F that specs Dexron III. No issues with the Restore and Protect ATF.
- Joined
- Oct 21, 2021
- Messages
- 21
Has anyone had a shudder issue then used RP atf with success?
Because I did on ford 3.5 l six speed I cured it with Lucas but and I’m worried about all the leak stop seal swelling about 20000 miles ago. If RP does help the shudder I would love to drain and refill.
Because I did on ford 3.5 l six speed I cured it with Lucas but and I’m worried about all the leak stop seal swelling about 20000 miles ago. If RP does help the shudder I would love to drain and refill.
I’ve got 2x jugs of Valvoline Restore and Protect ATF on hand waiting to go into my truck. Either that or the Hyundai
I might have a slight slip issue going into 3rd gear. Wondering if Valvoline Restore and Protect might be a good choice to try, or best to put Lucas in it, or just change my driving since the slip goes away if I warm it up an extra minute or two before reaching 3rd.
I would definitely try the Valvoline Restore and Protect ATF as its cleaning ability seems to be unique and new to the industry.
What's the fluid / service history in this transmission?
I think it's in this thread, but I believe I read that someone who had a slip had it resolved with Valvoline Restore and Protect ATF. I think at minimum it will be a good ATF, and at best it could solve your issue!
I have 2 gallons of the Valvoline Restore and Protect ATF in my 6R80. The rest is AMSOIL Signature Series. Truck had original fill in it when I bought it at 72k. Swapped in the Amsoil (mostly), larger pan & external filter around 74-75k. Shifting was pretty bad in 1/2/3 before Amsoil. After, much improved but there still was a 1/2 harsh shift when cold that corrected itself after warming up. Did another drain/fill & external filter change about a thousand miles ago (84k ish). Used 2 gallons of Valvoline Restore and Protect & my last gallon of AMSOIL Signature Series. 1/2 shift is now much better and nearly where it should be (IMO) when cold and perfect when warm.
Was it the Valvoline Restore and Protect? I don't know. Was it just the final flush of the old fluid? Again, don't know. I'm going to do another drain/fill & external filter change at 100k and this one will be 3 gallons of the Valvoline Restore and Protect ATF since I still have several gallons on hand.
I will say that I've never had a Ford transmission react very well to a Valvoline ATF but this one seems to work well so far.
About 85k miles on it, have done two drain and fills on it, one at 79k and one at 81k, or there about. Mostly highway miles. Used mostly AC Delco OEM Dexron VI fluid the first time, and Valvoline DexronVI the second time. TBH, I'm not sure if the slip was there before the fluid change or not. I started paying attention to it more after the change, and only notice it on this first uphill out of my neighborhood before the vehicle is fully warmed up - which I didn't have before I changed the fluid.
If the slip goes away after warming, could you possibly be low on fluid to start, and the expansion from warming makes it seem better?
That's what I have been thinking. But according to the dipstick, was full. I ended up adding a little more fluid here and there, and noticed slight improvements. So I added more, even though I'm overfilled now, and it shifts totally fine now. I suspect if it foams my shifting will get worse, so I'll keep an eye out for that, but right now it's shifting totally fine, so I'm going to leave it as is - slightly overfilled.
- Joined
- Jun 1, 2025
- Messages
- 37
Just noticed, according to the latest MSDS (V1.4, Rev Date: 05/08/2026), it now has 80% to 100% of GTL? WOW.
What does this mean? And do you know what is was before?Just noticed, according to the latest MSDS (V1.4, Rev Date: 05/08/2026), it now has 80% to 100% of GTL? WOW.
Also, does anyone know if Valvoline Restore and Protect ATF has seal conditioners in it like MaxLife is supposed to? I'm thinking about sucking some Dexron VI out and replacing it with MaxLife to see if that helps with my slip in 3rd until it's warmed up. Read somewhere that sometimes old seals can prevent adequate pressure from building, which resolves once fluid expands. Which could be why overfilling slightly has helped.
Didn't see anything on Valvoline's site about seal conditioners in Valvoline Restore and Protect. And I know a conditioner might not fix bad rubber, but figure a little couldn't hurt trying.
Didn't see anything on Valvoline's site about seal conditioners in Valvoline Restore and Protect. And I know a conditioner might not fix bad rubber, but figure a little couldn't hurt trying.
Just message Valvoline on their website. They’ll respond fairly quickly
Similar threads
