"Lifetime Fluids" my arrrr$$$e :)

[M.D. Holloway]

Years ago, gear oils, standard transmission oils, trans-axle oils were pretty simple compared to today. Back then an ATF was either a Mercon (Ford) or Dexron (GM) and the 'pumpkin juice' could even be engine oil with an additive in fact the Allison C-4 transmissions took engine oil - well, engine oil met the spec. Its still a matter of controversy if it was designed that way or serendipitous. In fact, the first ATFs were actually motor oils with a friction modifier additive. Times they do change. Here is a short list of some of the more popular ATF oils. And yes, I know that some say their tranny or diff oil isn't ATF. Bare with it - its cool stuff!

Type A and Type A, Suffix A—very old transmission fluids superseded by Dexron and Mercon. Equivalent to Mercedes-Benz Sheet 232.2.

Dexron, Dexron II, IID, and Dexron IIE—these are the original GM Dexron ATFs and are no longer licensed by the company, having been superseded by Dexron III, which has now itself been superseded by Dexron VI. The difference between Dexron, II, and IIE was mostly in the oxidation inhibitors.

Dexron III and IIIH—OE ATF at GM for many years and widely adopted by other manufacturers. General Motors nowconsiders all of them to be obsolete and discontinued licensing Dexron IIIH in 2006. Dexron IV was an upgraded version of Dexron III, which was used by GM only briefly.

Dexron III/Saturn—a version of Dexron III developed for certain Saturn models.

Dexron VI—the newest GM ATF, it was developed specifically for the new six-speed automatic and is a synthetic blend (meaning it has some conventional base stocks). That transmission has tighter internal tolerances and required a fluid that had higher shear strength that Dexron III.

It was introduced with the 2006 models. GM considers Dexron VI to be "backward compatible," meaning GM recommends it for use in any vehicle that originally used any earlier version of Dexron and that it can be mixed with them. However, GM specifically recommends against using Dexron VI in non-GM made vehicles that used Dexron III as original equipment. It is also the specified ATF in certain non-GM models that use GM transmissions, such as BMW. It is not, however, specified for GM brand vehicles that have non-GM transmissions, as mentioned above, or are imported to the United States.

NOTE: Dexron VI is not recommended for: Pontiac Vibe and Wave, Chevy Aveo, Epica, and Equinox, Saturn ION with CVT or AF23 transmission, Saturn Vue with CVT, AF33 or 5AT transmissions, or 1991–2002 Saturn S. These are vehicles with transmissions that were not manufactured by General Motors.

Ford Type F—an old ATF first introduced in 1967 and used in all Ford products prior to 1977, and in some until 1980; also used in various import vehicles of the period, including Mercury Capri, Jaguar, Mazda, Saab, Toyota, and Volvo. Type F is not compatible with any other ATF. Specifically, it is not compatible with Mercon ATFs.

Ford Type H—developed for the C5 Ford automatic transmission introduced in 1981, it has been superseded by Mercon. Type H is not compatible with Type F and should not be used in a transmission requiring Type F.

Ford Type CJ—originally designed for the Ford C6 automatic transmission, it also has been superseded by Mercon and also can be replaced with Mercon V, but should never be used in a transmission requiring Type F. Dexron II is an approved alternative to Type CJ.

Mercon—introduced in 1987 and similar to Dexron II. Ford ceased licensing Mercon in 2007 and now recommends Mercon V for all transmissions that previously used Mercon. Mercon is a suitable replacement for Type H and Type CJ fluid, but not for Type F.

Mercon V—the most common Ford ATF in late model Fords, it is very much like Dexron III. Should not be used in a transmission requiring Ford Type F.

Mercon LV—the latest Ford ATF, it is factory fill in 2008 and later Fords. The LV stands for "low viscosity." It is a fully synthetic ATF. It is not compatible with earlier Mercon fluids, so it should neither be mixed with Mercon or Mercon V used to replace those fluids. It is not compatible with any other fluid, either.

Mercon SP—a version of Mercon V with an enhanced additive package.

Mercon CVT—Ford ATF specifically developed it for models with continuously variable transmissions.

Chrysler 7176—now obsolete Chrysler fluid for front wheel drive vehicles.

Chrysler ATF+2, also called 7176 D—first used in 1997, added oxidation protection and better cold weather flow than 7176.

Chrysler ATF+3, also called 7176E—designed for four-speed automatics, uses better quality base oils to obtain higher strength than ATF+2. Should always be used in 1999 and earlier Chrysler manufactured minivans, rather than later versions of Chrysler ATFs.

Chrysler ATF+4, also called ATE—a synthetic ATF introduced in 1998, it should always be used in any vehicle in which ATF+4 is specified. It can be used in Chrysler vehicles manufactured in prior years, except for minivans from before 2000, which use the 41TE/AE transmission. It is not compatible with Dexron or Mercon fluids.

Chrysler ATF+5—synthetic ATF used in 2002 and newer models, it is not compatible with Dexron or Mercon fluids.

Audi—primarily uses automatic transmissions manufactured by ZF and in which ZF specifies Esso LT 71141, which is sold under a VW/Audi part number. It’s also used in certain BMW models.

BMW automatic transmissions are either made by General Motors or by ZF. Most of the GM automatic transmissions use Dexron III, though a few use Texaco ETL or Texaco ETL 7045. The newest GM built six-speed automatics use Dexron VI. Some of the ZF transmissions also use Dextron III, but most do not. These use, depending on model, Texaco ETL 7045E, Texaco ETL 8072B, Esso LT71141 or Shell LA2634. Each of these fluids are sold by BMW dealers.

Honda ATF-Z1—specified by Honda for their automatic transmissions, other than CVT models.

Honda Continuously Variable Transmission Fluid—Honda ATF for CVT vehicles. Introduced in 1996, Honda discontinued it for a time and instead recommended ATF-Z1. Later, Honda returned to this fluid for CVT applications.

Jaguar JLM 20238—this is Esso LT 71141, which is specified by the transmission manufacturer, ZF, and sold under a Jaguar part number. Also specified for certain VW, Audi, and BMW models.

Kia SP-II and SP-III—Kia fluid.

Mazda Type T-IV—recommended for some Mazda vehicles and available only at the dealer.

Mazda Type M5V—recommended for some Mazda vehicles and available only at the dealer.

Mercedes-Benz ATF no. A 001 989 2203—this is Esso LT 71141 specified for certain ZF-made automatic transmissions and sold under a Mercedes-Benz part number. Also sold under BMW, Audi, Volkswagen, & Jaguar part numbers.

Mercedes-Benz Sheet 236.2—a Mercedes-Benz specification for Type A, Suffix A ATF, superseded by Sheet 236.6.

Mercedes-Benz Sheet 236.6 and 236.7—Mercedes-Benz specifications for their version of Dexron II and IID. This is not a specific brand, but merely a manufacturer’s specification.

Mercedes-Benz Sheet 236.1 and 236.5—Mercedes-Benz’s specification for their version of Dexron III.

Mercedes-Benz Sheet 236.10—Mercedes-Benz synthetic fluid specification. Superseded by Sheet 236.12.

Mercedes-Benz Sheet 236.12—this is the Mercedes-Benz synthetic fluid designed for the new 7-speed automatic transmissions and is backward compatible for all Mercedes-Benz models. A specification, not a branded product. Mercedes-Benz does, however, carry their "Mercedes-Benz Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid" at a retail list of $10 per quart, which meets this specification.

Mercedes-Benz Sheet 236.20—this is the Mercedes-Benz specification ATF for vehicles with continuously variable transmissions. Suggested retail price is $10 per quart.

Mitsubishi Diamond SP-II and SP-III— Mitsubishi fluid.

Nissan Matic C—Nissan fluid, which is Dexron II, superseded by Nissan Matic D.

Nissan Matic D—a Nissan fluid, which is Dexron III.

Nissan Matic J—factory specified for certain Nissan models.

Nissan Matic K—factory specified for certain Nissan models.

Porsche ATF no. 999 917 547 00—again, Esso LT 71141, specified because a ZF transmission is used and sold under a Porsche part number.

Toyota Types T, T-II and T-III—Toyota ATFs, which have now been superseded by Type T-IV.

Toyota Type T-IV—Toyota fluid specified for Toyota and Lexus vehicles. Sold only at Toyota or Lexus dealers or online. Replaces Types I, II, and III. Also used in Pontiac Vibe (which has a Toyota powertrain).

Toyota Type T-V—synthetic low viscosity Toyota ATF, also used in Lexus vehicles.

Toyota WS—this is the newest Toyota fluid and it is also a lower viscosity fluid than Type T-IV. The "WS" stands for "world standard." It is also used in Lexus vehicles.

Volkswagen—primarily uses automatic transmissions manufactured by ZF and that specify Esso LT 71141, that is sold under a VW/Audi part number. (It’s also used in certain BMW models.)

Volvo Automatic Transmission Fluid—used only on those models that state on the transmission dipstick “use Volvo fluid only.”

Each one has its own very special characteristics. The specifications are a long list of tests and parameters. It gets really complicated very quickly. Fascinating stuff for a tribologist though.

Unless you are witnessing some serious tranny issues I would leave well enough alone unless your willing to put in the work of analysis.

[M.D. Holloway]

[Tobra]

Fluid was in the transmission a long time in the wife's ride. It had like a little shudder it would do if you had a full load of people in it going up a hill. It has the drain plug on the side, so I slid under there and drained it, about 3 quarts, came out plenty dark. It was better, but was still pretty dark on the dipstick. Drove it a bit, repeated the drain and fill, and the shudder it had under load resolved, looks nice and red wiping the dipstick on paper towel now.

I am a bit dubious about the idea of killing your transmission with cleaner juice in it. I suppose there are exceptions. If it did make it worse, maybe you could put some of the dirty stuff back in it. Repeating the drain and fill helped in my case. Can't remember what that Castrol stuff cost, but it was like $20 to do the service. There are like a bazillion different kinds of ATF

[Superman]

Originally Posted by M.D. Holloway

Unless you are witnessing some serious tranny issues I would leave well enough alone unless your willing to put in the work of analysis.

Here is the part I understood.