Hello all!
I'm pretty much an over-thinker and I've been researching the best ATF to put into this vehicle.
Now, here is background -- it is a Chevy Cavalier. High mileage. 180,000.
It has no mechanical issues.
Back in November, I hit a deer with my Mitsubishi Eclipse.
I then got this car from my Gram (who passed).
On day one in November, it shifted weirdly from first to second. I didn't think anything of it.
Perfect shifting, no slips, etc. until last week.
I was driving and stopped at a red light. I went to go forward, and it kind of clunked into gear.
It worried me.
I went home, parked it, and later returned to the car in a few hours.
I put it into drive and BANG! I put it into reverse and BANG! I parked it. Neutral didn't have a problem.
Again, returned an hour later and BANG!
And again - BANG!
Finally, I returned an hour after the third time and it shifted nicely.
The only thing that changed was I turned the AC OFF. People said it doesn't correlate... and I trust them.
Anyhow, this car has a lot of miles because of me. It started with 138,000 in November and now almost 9 months later, it is over 180,000.
I want to replace the fluid on this transmission.
It has not given me any other problem days after the banging into gear incident. I know the fluid probably hasn't been changed for a while, so I suspect this could be an issue and I can't drive anywhere knowing that the fluid in this transmission is probably garbage.
I watched a YouTube video and they suggested changing the fluid and adding Lucas Transmission Fix.
Stupid me, I bought the Lucas Transmission Fix.
I researched more and people said NO Transmission Fix. They all said ATF change with Dexron VI (it calls for Dexron III but they tell me that you must now use VI) is enough and Lucas will do nothing... if anything, just create more problems.
Is that true?
Do you recommend I return the Lucas Transmission Fix? Maybe lower the level...dump it in... drive 20 miles... and then drop and change the fluid?
I want to return it, but also wouldn't mind using it if people think it would be something like an 'extra' vitamin before changing the fluid.
Lastly, do you recommend Valvoline MaxLife ATF? OR should I go with Dexron VI strictly from the bottle?
I always see people recommending the Walmart brand of Dexron VI.
Is it okay to get 4 quarts (1 gallon) of MaxLife Multi ATF and three quarts of any Dexron VI?
Or just go strictly all Dexron VI?
I don't know which is better for a car -- MaxLife Multi ATF or Dexron VI?
I'm pretty much an over-thinker and I've been researching the best ATF to put into this vehicle.
Now, here is background -- it is a Chevy Cavalier. High mileage. 180,000.
It has no mechanical issues.
Back in November, I hit a deer with my Mitsubishi Eclipse.
I then got this car from my Gram (who passed).
On day one in November, it shifted weirdly from first to second. I didn't think anything of it.
Perfect shifting, no slips, etc. until last week.
I was driving and stopped at a red light. I went to go forward, and it kind of clunked into gear.
It worried me.
I went home, parked it, and later returned to the car in a few hours.
I put it into drive and BANG! I put it into reverse and BANG! I parked it. Neutral didn't have a problem.
Again, returned an hour later and BANG!
And again - BANG!
Finally, I returned an hour after the third time and it shifted nicely.
The only thing that changed was I turned the AC OFF. People said it doesn't correlate... and I trust them.
Anyhow, this car has a lot of miles because of me. It started with 138,000 in November and now almost 9 months later, it is over 180,000.
I want to replace the fluid on this transmission.
It has not given me any other problem days after the banging into gear incident. I know the fluid probably hasn't been changed for a while, so I suspect this could be an issue and I can't drive anywhere knowing that the fluid in this transmission is probably garbage.
I watched a YouTube video and they suggested changing the fluid and adding Lucas Transmission Fix.
Stupid me, I bought the Lucas Transmission Fix.
I researched more and people said NO Transmission Fix. They all said ATF change with Dexron VI (it calls for Dexron III but they tell me that you must now use VI) is enough and Lucas will do nothing... if anything, just create more problems.
Is that true?
Do you recommend I return the Lucas Transmission Fix? Maybe lower the level...dump it in... drive 20 miles... and then drop and change the fluid?
I want to return it, but also wouldn't mind using it if people think it would be something like an 'extra' vitamin before changing the fluid.
Lastly, do you recommend Valvoline MaxLife ATF? OR should I go with Dexron VI strictly from the bottle?
I always see people recommending the Walmart brand of Dexron VI.
Is it okay to get 4 quarts (1 gallon) of MaxLife Multi ATF and three quarts of any Dexron VI?
Or just go strictly all Dexron VI?
I don't know which is better for a car -- MaxLife Multi ATF or Dexron VI?
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