Maxlife ATF....replacing Amsoil ATF.

[The Critic]

Originally Posted By: AzFireGuy79
Im getting back to you now. You assume that I have yet to read this fine SAE paper authored by two GM employees. Its old news. Big surprise that two GM folks would want to slant things to GM's favor! I remember seeing nothing regarding Amsoil, Redline etc, especially with respect to additive packages of these aftermarket fluids. You and your boy Critic can agree all day long. Where is your proof that Amsoil and Redline have LESS additives!?

The SAE is not owned by General Motors. Nor is owned by any automaker. It is a professional organization for automotive engineers. Engineers from GM, Ford, Toyota, you name it, are part of this organization.

When papers are published to the SAE, they are first peer reviewed. If you are not familiar with the process of peer review, I suggest that you become familiar with it before you begin making such ignorant statements.

In addition, there are fluids from many different OEMs in that paper. In no way was that paper written to benefit GM, the paper was written to prove a point about multi-vehicle fluids. Lastly, I did not say Redline or Amsoil had fewer additives. I said that I have yet to see any proof that their multi-vehicle additive package could satisfy all of the different OEM requirements.

Originally Posted By: AzFireGuy79
Again prove your theory about additives.

Prove what? Prove that each OE fluid has a different additive package and that they behave very differently? Just go read page 5 of the SAE paper, I think it will provide you with all of the proof that you are looking for.

 

[AzFireGuy79]

Never insinuated ownership of SAE by GM or any automaker. Influenced yes, but not owned or controlled. And yes I am familiar with the peer review process. And to be clear you did state that you are "paying more for less" when it comes to additives. We have all seen the SAE paper. You can continue to be the ignorant party by automatically believing everything one sanctioning body says while the rest of us will choose to speculate and look deeper into there true motivations. In the meantime you still have not shown amsoil or redline to be inferior to the OEM's, period. Go google some more info, I'm patiently awaiting your results.

 

[Donald]

I believe companies like Amsoil and Redline stay in business because they have a superior product, in terms of base oil and additives. They spend plenty on testing unlike a company like Walmart SuperTech who just bids out a contact to the lowest bidder to meet a spec.

Its true Amsoil and other do not pay the licensing fees to say they meet a certain spec, but they do their own testing.

I would guess 99% of the people on this forum who have changed from OEM to Amsoil or Redline would say their trans shifts better. That is not scientic proof, but a good indication.

Most people's tests are somewhat subjective. No one has done a blind test on ATFs after say 25K miles on identical vehicles with identical mileage driven in a similar manner.

If Amsoil or Redline was only as good as OEM, I would doubt they would stay in business, hype only goes so far.

 

[kazual]

Ok. If, all the GOOD name brands like amsoil or redline must be tested to some extent by the manufacturer. If they didn't "meet or exceed" these requirements, there would be law suits up the wazoo, no? Second, any fluid change is better than no fluid change. I read about countless Lexus RX 300's with transmission failure. Why? I don't know. I change the fluid more than normal so gum or varnish doesn't build up. Also, it rejuvinates the left over fluid. It stays a nice red tone. The parts gut at my local Toyota dealer (I own a 2005 RAV4) says I am doing more than most people do. He knows because he orders all the parts, including the fluids. Preventive maitainence needs to be done regardless. No, I do not use Toyota T-IV alove. I have my special mix. Thus far, no known issues, but I do use a Dexron III in the power steering. From what I know, transmission fluid is similar to a 5w-20 oil. Do your maintainance.

 

[bmwtechguy]

After reading this big long thread again, I found Undummy's comments to be the most relevent to me. The rest of this discussion could go on forever.

 

[Pablo]

Originally Posted By: Whitewolf
I'm with the Critic on this. Try reading SAE 2007-01-3987.
After you have done that then if you want to get back to me on this subject then you are more than welcome.


The white paper is so light...I forgot I had purchased it!

That paper proves what? It does NOT prove that a superior fluid cannot be made. It simply means a couple GM employees tested some OEM fluids and they had some pretty lackluster properties. Are we supposed to be amazed by this?

 

[Cooper]

I haven't been on in a while. I guess I can put my two cents in this post since I started it.

My Altima has about 16k on the Amsoil ATF. I still would never go back to anything else. It shifts much much better than the OEM or the Maxlife did even when initially flushed. I have not done the 10k drain and fill like I had previously stated. I have not done any UOA's on the fluid either. The dipstick is still very very bright pink when checking it. I plan on doing a 20k drain and fill with Amsoils ATF in about 4k. As for white papers and the such. I don't think anyone will ever talk The Critic out of his cockamania ideas of only OEM fluids will work. Sorry, I know that is harsh, but he is spewing the same [censored] over and over for years now. Amsoil ATF will be the only ATF in my cars that I currently own until I buy something with CVT. Hopefully Amsoil will have CVT fluid then.

 

[Mr Nice]

Just use the OEM ATF and change it more often.

 

[Cooper]

No thanks. I have used the Matic D before. It is just Dexron III. I really really like the way the Amsoil makes the car shift. The Matic D is rough. Butt Dino, I know.

 

[Trouble1]

Maxlife ATF is just as good as the Amsoil ATF,really thought Amsoil was a wonder lube and was sold for years.After experiencing costly failures using Amsoil ATF and paying almost $10 qt.thinking it was cheap insurance.
Lost thrust washer between planetarys first @ 72k , Then now @ 92k lost the front shaft output bearing on my NP241DLD transfer case that is a PT transfer case.Not bashing Amsoil and do beleave the outcome would have been the same no matter what ATF was in there,but was convinced that the Amsoil was a wonder lube and would protect me from all.

 

[AzFireGuy79]

There really is no such thing as a "wonder lube". As you are aware there is nothing, especially an oil that will curb an impending mechanical failure. I think where it really shines is in the areas where most of us expect it to,Longer drain intervals, better shifting (especially in cold) and depending on the ATF, better wear protection.

Who knows what would have happened if you had stayed with OEM ATF

Chances are the outcome would probably have been the same. Like you, I have had failures as well using synthetic ATF. But one interesting thing is that not one of them ended up being from wear, but instead from faulty or fatigued hard parts.

Amsoil and Redline aren't for everyone, but they do offer some advantages not common to most off the shelf Synthetic ATF's.

 

[ARB1977]

I guess it really depends. I heard a few guys who use Amsoil ATF and got alot of slipage, went back to the factory stuff...no more slipage. I use Amsoil and like it although sometimes i get a little slip when slowing down and then give it alittle gas...is that normal i dont know. Other than that 30K drain intervals and it still looks bright red.

 

[Trouble1]

I realize the advantages of top tier lubes and still use them.and will still replace the transfer case ATF with a full synthetic.My automatic transmission calls for OEM 7176 (ATF+3) but use Maxlife now and just prior to this latest change @20k Supertech ATF since the rebuild.Yes I know without a doubt my failures would of happened sooner or later,was hoping much later!
My transmission (custom 47RE) shifts the same with Maxlife as it did with Supertech, but again am relying on a more robust additive package and cold flow properties of a synthetic (Maxlife) without a high price and feel this is a happy medium.