ATF+4

[dslcummins]

I tow a lot, so I like changing my transmission oil about every 16,000 miles. My 03 calls for ATF+4. I called two dealers and one wanted $7. 20 a quart and the other wanted $7. 50 a quart. Does this sound about right? Expensive, I might have to extend my changes due to the cost.

 

[Rosco]

To my knowledge ATF+4 is a synthetic oil so therfore it's pricey.

 

[Bob Wagner]

you can get amsoil universal atf +4 for $5. 60 qt. dealer price



works fantastic





***I am not an amsoil dealer, just a happy customer ***

 

[Tejasdge]

Check on the gallon size price.

My dealer was out of the +4 in quarts and I needed to top off the trans. They are never the lowest price on anything and a gallon was 22. 50. Not as high as I thought it would be.

 

[LightmanE300]

Can anyone give a quick rundown on the trans fluid change procedure, or is there a PDF floating around anywhere online?

 

[dieselshu]

transmission fluid change

Check Dave's site for the procedure.



transmission fluid change



Dave

 

[CPritchett]

I called the local dealer and they wanted 7. 99 quart for atf +4. I found it at a local parts store (ABC auto parts) for 2. 99 quart. It is valvoline and I called them and they said it definitely is atf +4 and it also said so on my receipt. I think the product number is 324.

 

[LightmanE300]

Thanks Dshuart - one question. It says fill 4 quarts into the transmission thru the dipstick tube. How does one go about doing that? Sorry to hijack the thread, last question

 

[Tony T.]

Originally posted by LightmanE300

Thanks Dshuart - one question. It says fill 4 quarts into the transmission thru the dipstick tube. How does one go about doing that? Sorry to hijack the thread, last question

With a transmission funnel!

 

[Steve M]

The auto parts store and probably walmart has long skinny funnels just for transmission fluid. I have to pour slowly as I can't get much of an upright angle.

Yes ATF+4 is synthetic. I would go longer than 16k. transmission fluid starts to look pale long before it's useful life is over. At 19k mine is still cherry red and stinky but not burnt. I tow 10,400 lbs every chance I get. Mine will stay in until 50k or until it turns pale.

 

[Tony T.]

Originally posted by CPritchett

I called the local dealer and they wanted 7. 99 quart for atf +4. I found it at a local parts store (ABC auto parts) for 2. 99 quart. It is valvoline and I called them and they said it definitely is atf +4 and it also said so on my receipt. I think the product number is 324.

This is the first post I've seen someone finding ATF+4 in a parts store. Checked with my parts store about 3 months ago, and the manager did not stock it, or know any thing about it at the time. Will check with him tomorrow. Sure will be "a good thing" if they can get it, and at $2. 99 a quart or better.

 

[dieselshu]

ATF +4

A letter I received from Valvoline in regards to ATF+4, I have the signed copy in PDF format.



THOMAS R. SMITH

Technical Director, Valvoline Brand

Phone: (859) 357-2766

Fax: (859) 357-7610

e-mail: -- email address removed --

August 14, 2003

To Whom It May Concern:

Valvoline has received several inquiries regarding the topic of MaxLife‘ ATF and its use in various vehicles

beyond those requiring Dexron III or Mercon approved products. In response to these questions Valvoline has

issued the following statements:

• Valvoline supports the use of MaxLife ATF in a broad range of transmissions beyond those requiring

Dexron III and Mercon fluids including those where the following fluids are recommended:

o GM Dexron II

o Ford Mercon V

o Allison C4

o Chrysler ATF+3“ or ATF+4“ fluids

o Toyota (and Lexus) Type T, T-III or T-IV fluids

o Mitsubishi Diamond SP-II or SP-III fluids

o Hyundai

o Honda ATF-Z1 fluid (except in CVTs)

o BMW LT71141 or LA2634 fluids

o Nissan J-Matic Fluid

• Valvoline has conducted in-house testing to support MaxLife ATF performance in these transmissions.

However, it is important to note that these vehicle manufacturers have neither evaluated nor approved

MaxLife ATF.

• Valvoline stands behind all of its products, including MaxLife ATF. Use of MaxLife ATF in transmissions

where recommended by Valvoline WILL NOT void the vehicle’s warranty. In the unlikely event that any

transmission was to be damaged as a result of the use of MaxLife ATF, please contact Valvoline at 1-800-

Team-VAL.

While MaxLife ATF is designed to meet the special needs of higher mileage transmissions, new transmissions can

also benefit from its enhanced oxidation protection and anti-shudder protection and many consumers have chosen to

take advantage of this level of performance.

Please note that we have not done extensive testing on the new 5 and 6 speed transmissions that are now being

introduced. We would recommend contacting your Valvoline representative before using MaxLife in these

applications.

Valvoline does not recommend MaxLife ATF for use in continuously variable transmissions (CVT’s) or in

automatic transmissions where Ford Type F is recommended.

Sincerely,

Thom Smith

Technical Director

Valvoline Brand

THE VALVOLINE COMPANY • A DIVISION OF ASHLAND INC. • P. O. BOX 14000 • LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY 40512 • (859) 357-7000

:--) :--) :--) :--) :--)

 

[nwjetboat]

Best I can tell CPritchett bought Vavoline Max Life DexronIII/Mercon. The product spec page says it is compatable with ATF+3 and AFT +4. It does not say anything about being synthetic though.



MAX LIFE link

 

[dieselshu]

I pulled the link on the MSDS for ATF but it only cover dex 3 and mecron not ATF+3 OR +4. I think valvoline list the ATF+3/+4 as just ATF, not 100% sur eon this still looking.







Dave

 

[Scheibins]

I read a post a couple of weeks ago that the (can't remember his name) contacted Valvoline. They said about the same thing as Dshart just posted. He included the DC had copyrights to the name ATF+4. Therefore Valoline can not put it on there bottles, but if you read the Maxlife bottle it says in fine print, "safe to use with chrysler trannies". I've been using it for 2 weeks now, no problems. Much cheaper.

 

[Stefan Kondolay]

This is one of the things that Diesel Transmission Technology looked into back in 2000. Bill did not want to take out a synthetic oil and replace it with a petroleom based oil . We knew most consumers would not appreciate comming in with synthetic oil and leave without it.



We test a lot of different clutch plates(friction materials) and we could get the transmissions to slip with ATF +4 but not with the GM oil. (Dexron / Mercron) . So Bill contacted the oem clutch suppliers to Chrysler (Raybestos, Borg Warner) .



While Borg did not respond, Raybestos did as Bill was working closely with them on other projects .



A lot of the oil testng is proprietary and the clutch manufactures hold this info very close. So while we cannot divulge specifics from the testing results we can say for sure based on the information we received that the ATF+4 is not a synthetic oil . However it is also not a traditional petroleom based oil either, it is a hydro cracked based oil, whatever that means.



This is an exerpt i can post from the original documents sent to Bill from the Produdt Manager,



" Subject Chrysler ATF +4 "



One of the questions asked over the phone was if this fluid was semi-synthetic. The 9602 is called a hydro - cracked base stock (not really a synthetic) It is designed to significantly improve wear for hard parts. (ie 42LE chain) and increases the ATF change interval from 30K-40K to 100K. The only down side that we are aware of is it lost 1/2 of a point on Chrysler's subjective shift quality test ( scale is 1 - 10 ) and has strong odor. I will contact you when information on the other questions becomes available.



I hope this helps.



.

 

[redram]

I don't know how Amsoil and Valvoline can claim to meet ATF +4 DC warranty requirements- as it's only available through the dealer at this time.



There is a suit by ILMA about this very topic. It can be found at www.ilma.org.

 

[Diesel Gunner]

Well, gentlemen, ChevronTexaco has just released a bulletin stating that Mercon V is "suitable for use" in ATF+4 applications. It has not been approved by DC (and probably never will) and DC is currently being sued by a group of lubricant manufacturers regarding monopolizing the market with the ATF+4 formulation and not releasing specifications for it.



The analysis of the two lubricants is included in the information that I have and the specifications are nearly identical. I for one would have no qualms about putting Mercon V into an ATF+4 specification. I am sure that there will be more on this within the next week, or possibly two.

 

[JohnE]

I would be very cautious using a different grade ATF in a Chrysler product, especially if you are in factory warranty. Anyone remember the troubles with the early fully electronic transmissions cause by using Dex III/Mercon V fluids? Turns out the ATF+3 fluids are the only way to go. The mommie van only gets ATF+3 fluid in the transmission.



That said, I run Dex III with Lubeguard (black bottle) in the Ram, which was done when I got a rebuilt transmission. A 47 RE is not an electronic shift transmission.



Hydro-cracked

For those that don't follow the oil wars threads, hydro-cracked is a super distilled/refined petroleum base product. FTC lawsuit allows manufacturers to call it synthetic, but it is still produced from heavy crude. True synthetic base stock is synthesized from light hydrocarbon compounds.

 

[fortunate1]

Differences between the ATF+3 I currently use and the new ATF+4???