Both my 2005 Legacy GT 5EAT and the wife's Mini Cooper S 6EAT are due for an ATF change. The Subaru uses ATF HP stuff, likely the same as Nissan Matic J since the tranny is built by Jatco. The Mini unit is an Aisin-Warner 6EAT that, from what I have read around, uses the same or similar ATF as Toyota Type-IV. Mini specs JWS-3309 fluid. I contacted both Subaru of America and Mini and of course they recommend their own fluids. The more I look around, the more I see other brands having full synthetic universal fluids: BG, Amsoil, Red Line, Valvoline, etc. Amsoil has been proven to work great in the Subaru 5EAT by Import Performance Trans. These guys rebuild race trannies and use nothing but Amsoil and we have yet to hear about a failed 5EAT transmission.
However, I am still nervous about using something other than the "proven tried and true" stuff based on what I have researched online in fear that it would ruin stuff. So here is where I am at. Do I cough up the dough for an Amsoil flush, which would cost me $150 in fluid alone, or should I just go with a Valvoline Max Life synthetic ATF flush, which costs $130 everything included?
Valvoline clearly states their ATF works for Subaru, I have to ask about Mini since it is not on their list. But ultimately, of course if something was to fail, they would monkey their way out of it and say it's because of the driver. So who do you believe? The manufacturer or the lubricating guys.
However, I am still nervous about using something other than the "proven tried and true" stuff based on what I have researched online in fear that it would ruin stuff. So here is where I am at. Do I cough up the dough for an Amsoil flush, which would cost me $150 in fluid alone, or should I just go with a Valvoline Max Life synthetic ATF flush, which costs $130 everything included?
Valvoline clearly states their ATF works for Subaru, I have to ask about Mini since it is not on their list. But ultimately, of course if something was to fail, they would monkey their way out of it and say it's because of the driver. So who do you believe? The manufacturer or the lubricating guys.
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