Originally Posted By: dnewton3
Valvoline has a habit (my perception of their actions) of recommending their lubes for a wide variety of applications, where they don't often seek the license. This would be one example.
Another would be their Maxlife product, which is recommended for the former Mercon, as well as Mercon V, Mercon LV, Mercon SP. But it carries no such certifications. Here is the PDF
http://www.valvoline.com/pdf/maxlife_atf.pdf
In fact, that is one W-I-D-E list of lube applications, of which it does not carry any licenses for, as far as I can tell.
Here is the Mercon V product from Valvoline:
http://www.valvoline.com/pdf/mercon_v.pdf
Now, they clearly state that "
This is not a licensed Ford product".
But then just down a bit further they state this:
"
Approvals/Performance Levels
MERCON®V
MERCON®
DEXRON®-III
DEXRON®-II
Caterpillar TO-2
Allison C-4"
Boy oh boy ... Talk about misleading! How can they claim "
Approvals" when they acknowledge that this is not Ford licsened? Because they (Valvoline) approve it for those applications. It's not Ford's and GM's approval; it's their own Valvoline approval. Very sneaky, if you ask me ...
Heck - several of those applications are not even licensed any longer by the OEMs!
(Is there any wonder why some folks don't trust corporations and laywers and sales folks, because of their sneaky double-speak guises?)
In no way does the lack of certification license mean a fluid is not a good choice. It's just not a validated choice. What you get when you buy a non-licensed product is a bottle of possibilities. One really needs to consider the market position and reputation of the lube maker; I'd trust Amsoil and Valvoline fluids, even though not licensed, with no hestiation whatseover. But I'd not trust "Bob's discount ATF" or some other sketchy fly-by-night fluid.
With licensed products, there are reasonable minimum threshold assurances that you're very safe with.
When considering unlicensed products, it's Caveot Emptor.
BOF -
That tranny you have is a decent one, and it's not like your 4.2L v-6 is known to be a torque monster that is going to shred the tranny anyway ... If you want a good fluid for a really good price, it's hard to be Walmart's licensed Mercon V.
Nice summary.
I think Amsoil could be the best choice given its longevity claims. Wolfs Head seems interesting given it is full syn and licensed.
Some people do have their suspicions about multi spec ATFs though.
I also like Motorcraft since it is optimized for the application. As I have a doubt about multi spec ATF that's what I use. It is about as cheap as you can get too.
Interestingly, in MC's small print they say their MV is suitable for several other applications also.
