Best ATF+4, Least expensive ATF+4, "Import Fluid" = ATF +3, etc...

[chryguy]

Did a search on "trans fluid" didn't see this specifically...

Has anybody used "Wallyworld" ATF+4? Would you use it in your car?

What kind of +4 do you use? Why?

Anybody have a source for +4 at a good price? I have several vehicles that are due for a change.

Since I've read that "Import fluid" is ATF+3 compatible (on the web and on the bottle), and the vehicles I'm about to service are older and originally called for +3, should I just use "Import fluid"?

Thanks in advance,

CG

[BadAssPerformance]

Not sure how to confirm if "import fluid" is ATF+3... I did rememebr hearing (think it was Keith) say that the ATF+3 shifted firmer than the +4

[j4278h]

Did a search on "trans fluid" didn't see this specifically...


Since I've read that "Import fluid" is ATF+3 compatible (on the web and on the bottle), and the vehicles I'm about to service are older and originally called for +3, should I just use "Import fluid"?

Thanks in advance,

CG

MItsucrappy ATF is just Chrysler ATF with a different label.

If all you need is ATF +3. I have tons of Amalie ATF +3 chrysler. $20 for a case of 12

[chryguy]

If you look at the back label on the Import fluid, it says it is +3 compatible.

Also when I was doing research for +3/+4 compatibility after they stopped making +3, I found that Import fluid/+3 info in several places.

$20 bucks a case?

I'm SO down for some of that. If you seriously have "tons" of it, I'd grab at least a couple cases...maybe more. Do you ever come Chi-town direction? Any idea what shipping would be to Joliet?

CG

[turbovanman²]

Honestly, ATF is ATF, I don't go by brands names, you just simply pay more for a brand name.

We use Dexron and add a bottle of modifier, works awesome, got that tip from a tranny shop and they know as they have to warranty this stuff. I'll get the info if you want it?

[j4278h]

[QUOTE=chryguy;867882

I'm SO down for some of that. If you seriously have "tons" of it, I'd grab at least a couple cases...maybe more. Do you ever come Chi-town direction? Any idea what shipping would be to Joliet?

CG[/QUOTE]

Maybe not tons but at least one ton worth. 65-70 cases left. Yes I do make very frequent trips to chicago area. Shoot me a pm and next time I'm down there will bring some with me.

[chryguy]

Hey Jason,

Sent you a PM. BTW, this Saturday is the SDAC Chicagoland meeting.

Thanks,
CG

---------- Post added at 05:53 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:47 PM ----------

Honestly, ATF is ATF, I don't go by brands names, you just simply pay more for a brand name.

We use Dexron and add a bottle of modifier, works awesome, got that tip from a tranny shop and they know as they have to warranty this stuff. I'll get the info if you want it?

Hi Simon,

Yes I do thanks. Sounds interesting.

I'd guess that, like you say, it's just an additive package they use to make it +4. Probably friction modifiers and such...

Wonder if you can get it here in "the land down-under"?

CG

[DodgeZdad]

Chrysler has licensed of 22 brands to use the ATF+4 name by insuring they meet the quality by testing them. I think even the Advance Auto which was cheap is around 6 bucks now.

[135sohc]

Autozone has castrol branded +4 for around $4.50/quart last time I got a case.

And no its not Dexy + modifier... Dump that garbage in your 4/5 speed chrysler electronic transmission and see what happens...

[DOHCRT]

The newer you get the more important the fluid spec. For the older stuff, I currently run Dextron III without any kind of modifier in my 97 Diesel Ram (50k + miles) and in my old 92 V-8 Dakota 100K+. Change it regularly and ensure it stays cool and you shouldn't have any problems.

[turbovanman²]

Hi Simon,

Yes I do thanks. Sounds interesting.

I'd guess that, like you say, it's just an additive package they use to make it +4. Probably friction modifiers and such...

Wonder if you can get it here in "the land down-under"?

CG

Yep, probably order it online, here's the product and info-

http://www.lubegard.com/~/C-113/LUBE...ATF+Protectant

And no its not Dexy + modifier... Dump that garbage in your 4/5 speed chrysler electronic transmission and see what happens...

Your falling into the hype, don't always believe what the man tells you, OE's and oil manufacterers love making up ways for you to spend more money.

[135sohc]

Simon go dump some dexron into a chrysler ultradrive or RFE series transmission and see what happens. Are you going to cover it

modifer this, magic bottle that the sh!t is NOT the same. People ALOT higher up than you and me who designed these units and have commented very specifically on the fluid properties of each and every single time... Dexron is not the same thing. These are the engineers, everyday people like you and me not the big evil corporate bean counters who keep preaching this.

[turbovanman²]

Simon go dump some dexron into a chrysler ultradrive or RFE series transmission and see what happens. Are you going to cover it

modifer this, magic bottle that the sh!t is NOT the same. People ALOT higher up than you and me who designed these units and have commented very specifically on the fluid properties of each and every single time... Dexron is not the same thing. These are the engineers, everyday people like you and me not the big evil corporate bean counters who keep preaching this.

Blah blah blah, I guess the same engineers that put Dexron in manual tranny's right? and countless other boneheaded things they do. You use mega expensive ATF+4 and I'll use that stuff. I've NEVER had an issue and I guess the tranny shops must be stupid doing that in their $5000 tranny rebuilds and giving 5 year warranty's. Hmmmmmm, silly me,

[zin]

I'm really curious to know what the various viscosities of the various AFT fluids are... If they are the same, I'd say it comes down to the additive package, maybe the base oil (synthetic vs dyno), BUT if the viscosities are different I'd say that's a deal breaker, especially on newer transmissions that calculate "fill times" and such to adapt; change the viscosity on them and all their calculations go out the window! Which is probably why so many people seem to have issues with the 4-speeds filled with non-spec fluids...

In the end, it really just hydraulic fluid with color and some additives!

Mike

[turbovanman²]

Also, lube shops use this too, they don't like to stock 500 different types of tranny oils,

[zin]

Also, lube shops use this too, they don't like to stock 500 different types of tranny oils,

I can certainly understand not wanting to stock what would essentially be duplicate inventory... But, I have some reservations that an additive can be all things to all people, you know the old adage: "If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!".

Might work if the viscosity is proper, kind of like adding the friction modifier to gear lube, but until I know that the viscosity is the same, I wouldn't take the chance... Not that it can't work... I guess that's going to be the trick for the manufacture, so much snake oil has been sold to us that, even if it really is what it claims to be, it will take quite a bit of convincing to validate the "mechanic in a can"...

Mike

[chryguy]

Anybody remember what year Chrysler switched from +3 to +4?

CG

[black86glhs]

Maybe it can work with ATF+4, but I know Simon's example did not work in Mercon 5 spec trans. Our manager got the bright idea to go with this. After 5 4R70W rebuilds came in burnt up, we switched back to Mercon 5 and had no issues.
Now that we are 8-9 yrs later, maybe they got it right.

[tryingbe]

Biglots have Peak ATF Dexon III for $3 a qt. Best price in down.

[dgc333]

FWIW, when it was time for a fluid change in the 89 Dakota i had i used Dextron III.

One ride around the block and i was back draining that stuff out and putting in ATF +III.

The shuddering from the lock-up in the torque converter was enough to rattle my eye balls out.