quote:
Are you guys sure Maxlife ATF is Toyota T-IV tested? Although the Valvoline site sucks I couldn't find where it said Maxlife ATF is T-IV.
Pablo, the Valvoline website is out-of-date regarding the Maxlife ATF.
The back label of Valvoline Maxlife ATF lists Toyota T-IV as an application that Valvoline recommends the usage of Maxlife ATF in.
To confirm what I stated, call Valvoline tomorrow morning and speak to their technical service dept to verify Maxlife's compatiblity in a Toyota T-IV application.
This fluid has more friction modifier than is needed. When a fluid has an overdose of friction modifiers, it may slip.
Some transmissions may have hard shifts and would benefit from or are unaffected by an overdose of the friction modifier. But not all do. Apparently, yours may be one of the few, as the combo is working fine for you so far.
I know of one member on this forum who used Valvoline Maxlife ATF and Lubegard Platinum (same as Black, but also covers Mercon-V) in his Honda CRV, which specs Honda ATF-Z1. Maxlife ATF already contained the necessary friction modifier for Honda ATF-Z1, and he added more to it, yet it shifted fine, in fact, much smoother. (He had rough shifting problems with the dealer Honda ATF-Z1 for some reason)
So, if it works for you, leave it. But hopefully, Molakule, a chemist who blends transmission fluids, will chime in soon to recommend the best course of action.
Edit: This is a letter from Valvoline regarding Maxlife ATF that I found on clubtitan.org:
quote:
THOMAS R. SMITH
Technical Director, Valvoline Brand
December 21, 2004
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:
• GM DEXRON II
• Ford MERCON V
• Allison C-4
• Chrysler ATF+3 or ATF+4 fluids
• Toyota (and Lexus) Type T, T-III or T-IV fluids
• Mitsubishi Diamond SP-II or SP-III fluids
• KIA SP-II and SP-III Fluids
• Hyundai
• Honda/Acura ATF-Z1 fluid (except in CVTs)
• BMW LT71141 or LA2634 fluids
• Nissan Matic-D, Matic-J, and Matic-K fluids
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, shear stability, seal compatibility, and anti-shudder
protection and many consumers have chosen to take advantage of this level of performance.
MaxLife ATF is recommended for the new 5 and 6 speed transmissions, except the Ford 5R110, Ford 6RXX, and the Mercedes Benz W7A700 (7G-Tronic) which all require a low viscosity ATF fluid.
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
[ March 22, 2006, 11:37 PM: Message edited by: Michael Wan ]