Is Valvoline maxlife "full synthetic ATF DEX/Merc LV" and "Multi-Vehicle" the same?

[rnln]

On my old 2004 Camry, at 30k miles, I changed to "Valvoline maxlife full synthetic ATF DEX/Merc LV". Now at 60k miles, I can't find that oil anymore. Instead, I see that there is the "Multi-Vehicle recommended for Dexron VI, Mercon V/LV, Dex/Merc, CVT". Anyone know if it is the same?
Thanks.

https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41Z49Ez-ucL._AC_.jpg?fbclid=IwY2xjawLoPW5leHRuA2FlbQIxMABi cmlkETBJWlBuRkxTcEVMTHlib1k5AR548UnSkpVOo8IKrny_au U3IlQj42Y-7E1sy_60r7FiWw4gLNKQm4f3b2D8vw_aem_YrqFx8c300_WoWL OJHiAoQ

https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61dtqyjZkiL._AC_SL1500_.jpg?fbclid=IwY2xjawLoPGtle HRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETBJWlBuRkxTcEVMTHlib1k5AR5lhv4 JTBLBK2ZdaipDWgxKwP2xj9M88RGMmJBH5aVrorjMb-Kd9ewgitseuw_aem_zwewvnbvyWFcfZ2LA_VREQ

[A930Rocket]

I don’t know about the Maxlife, but I just changed my F150 transmission fluid with Valvoline Dexron VI / Mercon LV in the blue jug. No problems so far.

[VINMAN]

Miss the good ol days when it was simply ATF...

Every single thing I own takes a different type.

.

[fastfredracing]

No one knows. Me thinks its all the same scheisse in different bottles/decals, and price points .
It maddening, I mean, how many different types of hydraulic fluid do we really need ?
Id bet you could put used transmission fluid from your 1974 f100 pickup into a new Mercedes, and it would never even know the difference .
I spend more time in a day , re searching the correct types of fluid for vehicles ....
They have effectively ruined the automobile .
-Grumpy old mechanic out -

[VINMAN]

Originally Posted by fastfredracing

No one knows. Me thinks its all the same scheisse in different bottles/decals, and price points .
It maddening, I mean, how many different types of hydraulic fluid do we really need ?
Id bet you could put used transmission fluid from your 1974 f100 pickup into a new Mercedes, and it would never even know the difference .
I spend more time in a day , re searching the correct types of fluid for vehicles ....
They have effectively ruined the automobile .
-Grumpy old mechanic out -

Chrysler claims if I dont use +4 in my ram or jeep, my trans will meltdown like Chernobyl....

.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by rnln

On my old 2004 Camry, at 30k miles, I changed to "Valvoline maxlife full synthetic ATF DEX/Merc LV". Now at 60k miles, I can't find that oil anymore. Instead, I see that there is the "Multi-Vehicle recommended for Dexron VI, Mercon V/LV, Dex/Merc, CVT". Anyone know if it is the same?
Thanks.

https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41Z49Ez-ucL._AC_.jpg?fbclid=IwY2xjawLoPW5leHRuA2FlbQIxMABi cmlkETBJWlBuRkxTcEVMTHlib1k5AR548UnSkpVOo8IKrny_au U3IlQj42Y-7E1sy_60r7FiWw4gLNKQm4f3b2D8vw_aem_YrqFx8c300_WoWL OJHiAoQ

https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61dtqyjZkiL._AC_SL1500_.jpg?fbclid=IwY2xjawLoPGtle HRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETBJWlBuRkxTcEVMTHlib1k5AR5lhv4 JTBLBK2ZdaipDWgxKwP2xj9M88RGMmJBH5aVrorjMb-Kd9ewgitseuw_aem_zwewvnbvyWFcfZ2LA_VREQ

What you need to find is a photo of the BACK of the bottles which is usually where they list the various certifications or standards that the fluids comply with.

maxlife multivehicle

recommended for use in the following applications:

• GM DEXRON-II, DEXRON-III, DEXRON-VI, and DEX-CVT
• Ford MERCON LV
• Toyota/Lexus Type T, T-II, T-IV, WS, CVTF FE, and CVTF TC
• Honda/Acura ATF-Z1 and Honda CVT
• Nissan/Infiniti Matic-D, Matic-J, Matic-K and Matic-S
• Hyundai/Kia SP-II, SP-III, SP-IV and SPH-IV
• BMW 7045E, ETL 8072B, LA2634 and LT71141
• Allison C-4
• Mercedes-Benz NAG-1
• Volvo 1161521, 1161540, 97340 and 1273.41
• Subaru ATF HP Lineartronic chain CVT and CVT-II, Lineartronic High Torque CVT and CV-30
• VW/Audi G-052-025-A2 and G-052-162-A1

the other "maxlife"


If the list of "recommended for" is the same, then my guess is that they are nearly the same if not exactly the same with only the marketing/packaging being changed.

[rnln]

Thanks everyone,

Hi masraum,

I checked the manufacture fluid and found that they are type T-IV. Checking the back of the "multi vehicle" maxlife, I don't see T-IV.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploads26/Screenshot_2025_07_19_at_13_32_111752950329.jpg

Where did you get the list below from?

recommended for use in the following applications:

GM DEXRON-II, DEXRON-III, DEXRON-VI, and DEX-CVT
Ford MERCON LV
Toyota/Lexus Type T, T-II, T-IV, WS, CVTF FE, and CVTF TC
Honda/Acura ATF-Z1 and Honda CVT
Nissan/Infiniti Matic-D, Matic-J, Matic-K and Matic-S
Hyundai/Kia SP-II, SP-III, SP-IV and SPH-IV
BMW 7045E, ETL 8072B, LA2634 and LT71141
Allison C-4
Mercedes-Benz NAG-1
Volvo 1161521, 1161540, 97340 and 1273.41
Subaru ATF HP Lineartronic chain CVT and CVT-II, Lineartronic High Torque CVT and CV-30
VW/Audi G-052-025-A2 and G-052-162-A1

[masraum]

I took a screenshot of the back of a bottle from a website, that also listed the list on the back of the bottle in a small blurb. It may have been Amazon.

[greglepore]

Must be a Cali thing? I still see the red maxlife on Amazon https://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/aclk?sa=L&ai=DChsSEwiXiYXsg86OAxV_cUcBHeReMC4YACICCAEQCRoCcX U&co=1&ase=2&gclid=Cj0KCQjwyvfDBhDYARIsAItzbZFxFZRpgXb1USkhxXQB o0yK21yfNpIo7ueRJ849YDCLOm9OWc-_zBYaAvAFEALw_wcB&ohost=www.google.com&cid=CAESVOD2cTrapyLhSLxwF3LvDxhhEGXJar8H7mCHWiipel By7iLwqAHTAiyYnBYIkv0xVbQhpTPDYo1tmAc5k201L-Xujxxdvi7cYkwlBZBTM7M9oCOHCw&category=acrcp_v1_41&sig=AOD64_2o3LfAHG1ttcE3CcVpS2Q2GHK48w&ctype=5&q=&nis=4&ved=2ahUKEwj1v__rg86OAxXVD1kFHctZLlkQ9aACKAB6BAgGE B0&adurl=

Edit-yeah, product not available in Cal.

Apparently there is an "import" version of the blue jug which meets Toyota specs (along with many german and japanese cars)

[speeder]

The only thing I can add is that I had an old 2001 Honda Odyssey and when I wanted to change the transmission oil, everyone on the forums swore by Maxlife including the independent shops. Everyone had a story about running their vehicles up to a zillion miles with it, etc. I used it instead of the dealer stuff.

For the old Toyota, I’d check with the dealer and see if they have superceded the spec on the fluid. Good chance over 20+ years. Good luck.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by greglepore

Apparently there is an "import" version of the blue jug which meets Toyota specs (along with many german and japanese cars)

I used this last year on my 04 RAV4 with a quarter million miles. 10,000 more added since. I cycled the fluid change three times. I got it cheap at advance last year. They said they were discontinuing carrying it but I am not sure if they did or not.






It may have been just the container on clearance and appears to have been re-labeled.

https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/valvoline-import-multi-vehicle-automatic-transmission-fluid-1-gallon-820681/10422333-P?navigationPath=L1*81545%7CL2*82162%7CL3*10506&selectedStore=8740&searchTerm=transmission+fluid&selectedFulfillment=store_pickup

[rnln]

This is the new maxlife. I wondered too, but checking the back, it doesn't have the type T-IV for Toyota. The old Maxlife has it.

Originally Posted by greglepore

Must be a Cali thing? I still see the red maxlife on Amazon https://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/aclk?sa=L&ai=DChsSEwiXiYXsg86OAxV_cUcBHeReMC4YACICCAEQCRoCcX U&co=1&ase=2&gclid=Cj0KCQjwyvfDBhDYARIsAItzbZFxFZRpgXb1USkhxXQB o0yK21yfNpIo7ueRJ849YDCLOm9OWc-_zBYaAvAFEALw_wcB&ohost=www.google.com&cid=CAESVOD2cTrapyLhSLxwF3LvDxhhEGXJar8H7mCHWiipel By7iLwqAHTAiyYnBYIkv0xVbQhpTPDYo1tmAc5k201L-Xujxxdvi7cYkwlBZBTM7M9oCOHCw&category=acrcp_v1_41&sig=AOD64_2o3LfAHG1ttcE3CcVpS2Q2GHK48w&ctype=5&q=&nis=4&ved=2ahUKEwj1v__rg86OAxXVD1kFHctZLlkQ9aACKAB6BAgGE B0&adurl=

Edit-yeah, product not available in Cal.

Apparently there is an "import" version of the blue jug which meets Toyota specs (along with many german and japanese cars)

[rnln]

I found a bunch of these but all are not from the U.S. Has anyone order from Thailand, Argentina, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, El Salvador, etc?

https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/6SsAAOSwL1Jn74lW/s-l1600.png
https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/bHAAAOSwEC1n74lW/s-l1600.png