Time for a transmission oil chance - question about brands of ATF

[brillo_76]

Same here. I made the switch a couple years ago to Maxlife. I replace the magnefine filter every other drain and refill. I do drain and refills every 10k so I replace them every 20k. The filters are rated for 30k miles though.

I am just curious, how does the fluid look at 10k mile change intervals?

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[JoeT4R]

I do annual drain and fills of my A340F and thr fluid remains the same color as it does pouring in. So far it has worked well for me.

I use either AMSOIL or Valvoline MaxLife ATF. I typically do it at the beginning of the year. I get out about 4.1 to 4.2 quarts.

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[mtbtim]

I am just curious, how does the fluid look at 10k mile change intervals?

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Fluid looks darker than new but no where close to reddish brown. It's not pinkish red like new fluid but closer to a solid darker red color. My trans gets worked harder than some. In that 10k miles, It probably went through a few wheeling trips and other mountain driving.

Some might think 10k drain and refills are excessive but I don't think so. The old rule was doing a full exchange every 30k miles. When you do a drain and refill, you get out around 4-4.5 quarts which is around 1/3 of the 12 quart capacity. By doing 10k drain and refills, I've essentially exchanged out the system capacity over a 30k mile period. I know drain and refills are a dilution process and aren't a true exchange or flush, but it's very effective to keep the fluid in great shape.

Waiting 30k miles to do a drain and refill, in my opinion, is grossly insufficient to keep your fluid in good shape, especially if the person does any mountain driving or 4wheeling where higher trans temps are achieved. With 30k drain and refills, you're only exchanging out the system capacity every 90k miles.

Fluid is affordable and drain and refills are simple to perform. It might be excessive, but I want to give my transmissions the best chance at a long life.

 

[brillo_76]

Fluid looks darker than new but no where close to reddish brown. It's not pinkish red like new fluid but closer to a solid darker red color. My trans gets worked harder than some. In that 10k miles, It probably went through a few wheeling trips and other mountain driving.

Some might think 10k drain and refills are excessive but I don't think so. The old rule was doing a full exchange every 30k miles. When you do a drain and refill, you get out around 4-4.5 quarts which is around 1/3 of the 12 quart capacity. By doing 10k drain and refills, I've essentially exchanged out the system capacity over a 30k mile period. I know drain and refills are a dilution process and aren't a true exchange or flush, but it's very effective to keep the fluid in great shape.

Waiting 30k miles to do a drain and refill, in my opinion, is grossly insufficient to keep your fluid in good shape, especially if the person does any mountain driving or 4wheeling where higher trans temps are achieved. With 30k drain and refills, you're only exchanging out the system capacity every 90k miles.

Fluid is affordable and drain and refills are simple to perform. It might be excessive, but I want to give my transmissions the best chance at a long life.

Nothing wrong with what you are doing.. Thanks, I was just curious if it was starting to change already and the from your information that is a yes.

 

[RobS10]

Two last questions...how many quarts does it take to do a simple drain and refill, i.e. no flush, no dropped pan or filter change? Also, I have one quart of Castrol and three O'Reily. Can I mix and match (all are Dexron III)?

 

[alumarine]

Approximately 4 quarts.
It will be ok to use the ones you have.

 

[JoeT4R]

I got out about 4.1 to 4.2 quarts when I did a basic drain and fill, just for reference. Ymmv.

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[hiluxsurf1]

Rob,
Yes sir. All maintenance/repairs/upgrades by me since day one. Just trying to get my money's worth.







Andreas

Wow for that many miles it looks amazing

 

[gamefreakgc]

Two last questions...how many quarts does it take to do a simple drain and refill, i.e. no flush, no dropped pan or filter change? Also, I have one quart of Castrol and three O'Reily. Can I mix and match (all are Dexron III)?

It's best to still check the dipstick tube. It's usually 4 quarts but in one rare case I had 5 quarts come out. Not really sure why but I'm glad I checked.

 

[phattyduck]

It's best to still check the dipstick tube. It's usually 4 quarts but in one rare case I had 5 quarts come out. Not really sure why but I'm glad I checked.

As a secondary note, the 2WD transmission has a smaller pan and a drain/fill is about a quart less than the 4WD trans.

-Charlie

 

[RobS10]

As a secondary note, the 2WD transmission has a smaller pan and a drain/fill is about a quart less than the 4WD trans.

-Charlie

Interesting, did not know that...thanks .

 

[Joshv4runner]

Rob,
Yes sir. All maintenance/repairs/upgrades by me since day one. Just trying to get my money's worth.







Andreas

She's a beaut! Hopefully mine will make it to that kinda of mileage. Currently at 296k and I'm always on top of maintenance!

 

[Joshv4runner]

I have always used Vavoline Dex/Merc ATF on my rig and do 2 drain/fills per year.

 

[BP-Adventures]

Like others have said as long as it's dexron lll it's ok. If it were me I would use the stuff you have unless you have another vehicle that you can use it on instead. My favorite is mobil 1, I also like valvoline. But hey if you got some atf I wouldn't let it go to waste like you said.

 

[RobS10]

Like others have said as long as it's dexron lll it's ok. If it were me I would use the stuff you have unless you have another vehicle that you can use it on instead. My favorite is mobil 1, I also like valvoline. But hey if you got some atf I wouldn't let it go to waste like you said.

Exactly what I did, and saved $25 since I only needed to buy 2 quarts instead of the 5 that I poured in .

 

[Battle Born Offroad]

We use Redline fluids at the shop with great results.