Who's using Valvoline Maxlife Dexron III/Mercon in place of ATF+4?

[zman]

I know that several of you are using Valvoline Maxlife Dexron III/Mercon in place of ATF+4. Have you had any issues or problems running this stuff? The Valvoline website still shows that it is recommended in ATF+4 applications (see Product Specs page). I'm ready to change the fluid in my truck, so any observations would be very helpful. Walmart carries this stuff and it's a LOT cheaper than the red gold that DC sells.



Are there any other solutions out there that are less costly, but recommended for ATF+4 applications?



Thanks.



Steve

 

[Bob Wagner]

Steve, Costco also carries Chevron Detron/Mercon3 less than 12. 00/12pack



I see no big difference in performance after running amsoil universal atf at over 5. 00 qt.



towing temps seem the same and all is good



Bob

 

[fishjack1]

I use regular Valvoline Dextron III and add Black Lubegard - I have read/heard that unless you experience transmission shudder you may not need any additive to bring the Dextron III up to the ATF +4 specs... The compatibility of Maxlife Dextron III and ATF +4 is news to me.

 

[JohnE]

Steve, Costco also carries Chevron Detron/Mercon3 less than 12. 00/12pack



I see no big difference in performance after running amsoil universal atf at over 5. 00 qt.



towing temps seem the same and all is good



Bob

Bob;

Based on data from Voith DIWA (transit bus) transmission experience, I would not use Chevron Dex III fluid in ANY application. They found severe additive drop out at less than 12k miles. Granted our trany is not a Voith, but the specs did rate Amsoil and many synthetics as superior.

MERCON V is the typical base minimum fluid for Voith.



zman

NO Valvoline product was listed in the Voith specs.



ATF+4 is a DC proprietary spec not currently produced by anyone for general market except for DC labeling. Any product stating it meets ATF+4 is speculating on meeting the requirements. I seriously doubt any Dex-III rated fluid meets the performance spec of ATF+4.



fishjack1;

I have a generic Dex-III plus Lubeguard black in my trany. No complaints here after 10k miles. I do plan to change to Transynd.

 

[dieselshu]

Maxlife ATF

Zman, I had emailed Valvoline and recieved the response that MaxLife ATF was recommended for vehicles using ATF+4. So I tried it, I dropped the pan adjusted bands, drained as much fluid out of valve body. And filled the system with Maxlife. I did everything by the book. I drove for a test run and the first thing I noticed was the shifts points where different, softer. I did not like the way it shifted, I could hardly feel the 1st to 2nd shift, When I would turn a corner it would pause and then shift hard, kind of like converter drain back. At first I thought the fluid was low, but I checked it multiple times and it was right at the mark. I stopped by a local Diesel transmission shop and had tech drive the truck, he said it felt fine. Well after thinking about it a while a decided to contact a local dealer about a flush and got a deal of $79 for complete flush with ATF+4. After the flush, shift points where back to normal, no converter drain back feel turning corners. It works great. I spoke with parts dept at dealer and cost of quart of ATF +4 was $5 which is the lowest have seen. Hope this helps you in your decision.



Dave

 

[Bob Wagner]

Thanks for the heads up John, and I will confirm the dextron/mercon3 choice with Bill Kondolay.



I really enjoy the firmer shift over the amsoil and I doubt that I will see an negatives.



I will report back

 

[TSchuetz]

atf +4

DO NOT use anything else than ATF+4 in the transmissions that spec. it. There is a friction modifier in ATF+4 that prevents the transmission from shuddering. I have seen some info from lubeguard that claims to bring Dexron / Mercon up to ATF + 4 specs but have had poor feedback on that procedure. My customers end up flushing out the trans and add ATF+4. Then, the problems disappear.



Hope this helps



Tim

 

[DEZLPWR]

I use regular Valvoline Dextron III and add Black Lubegard - I have read/heard that unless you experience transmission shudder you may not need any additive to bring the Dextron III up to the ATF +4 specs... The compatibility of Maxlife Dextron III and ATF +4 is news to me.

Just curious why you use the "black" Lubegard vs. the "red" Lubegard that is recommended by all of the transmission gurus, including Bill K.



I like Bob Wgner, will be going to Costco next week to pick up my Chevron Dexron III. Maybe it is a DTT thing, though and maybe Dexron III is bad for stock trannies, but Bill K said I should be fine. He said the shifts may be firmer (which I like )and worst case scenario, if it causes shuddering, just throw in some "RED" Lubegard, and the shuddering should disappear.

 

[Cooker]

I think many of the aftermarket transmission companies use DexIII. I know a few shops who do stock rebuilds and use DexIII without any complaints. I think what JohnE was getting at was the brand of DexIII and not the choice of using DexIII. Seems the Chevron DexIII may not hold up all that well?

 

[zman]

Thanks for all of the replies guys. Cooker is right - I learned that DTT and many of their installers are using Dexron III in the trannies they build. Based on that info, I was ready to pull the trigger on some the Valvoline Maxlife when I decided to check the price of ATF+4 at the local dealership. As luck would have it, a friend of mine is now working in the parts department. I got the ATF+4 for $1 more per gallon than the Valvoline so I went for it. I ended up paying $13 per gallon. Last time I bought this stuff, I paid $21 per gallon. Based on what I have learned though, I would not have any problem using a good quality Dexron III in my DTT transmission.



Thanks again.



Steve

 

[Cummins4Life]

In my old 01 with the full DTT trans I used NAPA brand Dexron/Mercon and changed it every 10k. Never had a problem so when I got my 94 I serviced the transmission and used the same stuff, so far without issue.

 

[JMcDowell]

transmission Fluid

The ATF4 is the same stuff MB runs in there 722. 6 trannies (post 96 trans. ).

We have had a few trannies that where serviced with plain ol mercon/dex. at other service shops that did not know, and they have failed soon after. The

stuff is rediculiuosly expensive at 13+ dollars a quart. MB also claims this is a lifetime trans fluid. I have seen a few transmission with over 100k including the service vehicle I drive and they still run/shift great. Personally I would not let any fluid go that long. My 2 cents is why take the chance?

 

[WNowlan]

Atf +4

There are a couple of companies that will say the are meeting the spec of ATF +4. This is not true because there is no current test protocalls published as of yet. PetroCanada is currently making the ATF +4 and they have a product that they claim will work. If you want an alternative, this maybe your best bet.



The ATF +4 is a semi-synthetic product with special friction modifiers in there.



Mercon V is also a semi-synthetic and is a different product from the DC fluid.



Do not use a ATF Dexron III/ Mercon product in these transmissions it will only be a matter of time before you cook it.



I will be only using the OEM fluid in my truck, until DC publishes the spec for others to make a aftermarket product.