Matic D / Dex3 transfer case options - not max life

[SC Maintenance]

I have two Nissan transfer cases - both call for Matic D - they also have a foot note that in Canada they can use Dex3/merc. The transfer case is the same - all these vehicles assembled in TN - so I assume Dex3 is fine anywhere. Read here there pretty much the same also.

I switched to Max Life due to cost. In the year or so since, they started to struggle to go in and out of 4wd. It takes a while - sometimes you need to stop, or even back up. Also, when I changed one had like 300K miles on it, the other about 100K, and neither did it before, so it could be because there getting older, but it seems odd they both start now.

So was thinking of going back to Matic D - its much thicker by spec. But its about $14 a quart. I only need 2.1 quarts per case, so its not earth ending. But wondering if there is a better Dex3 option. I at least want the proper dex3 viscosity, and I think its mineral oil. I see Valvoline has one in a blue bottle, but between this and the recent posted 75w90 test results, I think I am staying away from Valvoline.

Thoughts?

 

[Trav]

Mobil Delvac 1 atf.

 

[Pablo]

Amsoil ATF (not ATL)

 

[berniedd]

Mag1 makes ATF that meets Dexron III requirements.

MAG 1® Multi-Vehicle Transmission Fluid - Mag 1

mag1.com

and

MAG 1® Automatic Transmission Fluid - Mag 1

mag1.com

I have used the latter for years in my 1998 CRV (owner's manual says Honda ATF Premium, or equivalent Dex II or III may be used) with no problems at all.

 

[proveitwithdata]

off the shelf

mobil 1 full synthetic atf
valvoline import atf

 

[slacktide_bitog]

M1, Redline D4, or even just the house brand D/M Dex/Merc stuff

 

[SC Maintenance]

Amsoil ATF (not ATL)

This has an interesting aspect - the only Nissan spec it meets is Matic S, but the viscosity is significantly higher than actual Matic S. Viscosity does appear to be in the range of original Dex3.

 

[SC Maintenance]

Mag1 makes ATF that meets Dexron III requirements.

MAG 1® Multi-Vehicle Transmission Fluid - Mag 1

mag1.com

and

MAG 1® Automatic Transmission Fluid - Mag 1

mag1.com

I have used the latter for years in my 1998 CRV (owner's manual says Honda ATF Premium, or equivalent Dex II or III may be used) with no problems at all.

Is there a good place to get this - without going through an Amazon 3rd party or such. Only one distributor in my state - 100 miles away.

 

[berniedd]

Is there a good place to get this - without going through an Amazon 3rd party or such. Only one distributor in my state - 100 miles away.

Any Walmart near you?

 

[SC Maintenance]

Any Walmart near you?

Obviously, however it doesn't show up online for pick up, which means its not in the store, and I have never seen it in the store either. Maybe its regional. In fact the only Mag1 I see at walmart is being sold by third parties?

 

[wlk]

Is there a good place to get this - without going through an Amazon 3rd party or such. Only one distributor in my state - 100 miles away.

RockAuto has a 5-gallon pail of Mag1 Dex3 for $69 plus $15 to ship to my house. After taxes and shipping, it was $85.27, and at $17.20/gallon can't really beat that if you want Dex3

 

[martinq]

Any reason not to try a GL-4 or GL-5 gear/mtf oil in a transfer case?

 

[SC Maintenance]

Any reason not to try a GL-4 or GL-5 gear/mtf oil in a transfer case?

Well it specs ATF. For what reason I don't know. GL-4 viscosity would be reasonably close. GL-5 would be like double.

 

[kschachn]

Well it specs ATF. For what reason I don't know. GL-4 viscosity would be reasonably close. GL-5 would be like double.

Don't the available grades overlap? As in an 80W-90 for example.

 

[SC Maintenance]

Don't the available grades overlap? As in an 80W-90 for example.

Certainly not my area of expertise. However I though GL-4 is of the "sycnromesh" type stuff - like 70W-80 - with a hot viscosity around 9 or 10. 80-W90 has a hot viscosity around 15 or so I believe. Dex3 was 8.0 or less I think?

I also don't think a transfer case is going to heat up much in normal operation - because most of the time your in 2wd and have no load - so the cold viscosity might come into play as well?

No idea really, but Nissan specs ATF, so that is what I prefer to keep I think.

 

[martinq]

I'm just thinking, unless there's a need for a clutch modifier (brass/carbon) then the anti-wear of a GL-4/5 would probably be preferred for less gear/chain/bearing wear.

 

[kschachn]

Yeah I don't think there is a connection between viscosity and the API classification. The classification is about the level of EP additives.