I am about to do a tranny fluid change on my CSRT and I wanted some opinions on which fluid I should go with. Should I run M1 motor oil with Mopar ATF+4 or should I go 100% Synthetic with Amsoil’s 5w-40 and Universal ATF(which does meet ATF+4 specs) I prefer to go full synthetic but I didn’t know if it was worth the extra $$$ if the quality isn’t better than OEM. I’ve used both before in my Si and I didn’t notice a difference from the Amsoil tranny fluid from the oem fluid. Engine oil also seemed about the same just the engine sounded better on mobile one. I’m not going to run long OCI. I’ll be changing both about every 6K miles. I plan on keeping this car for awhile and I want it to last, but I also plan on keeping the powertrain stock.
Mobile1 & Mopar ATF vs. Amsoil engine & Tranny Fluid
Racerx78
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I am about to do a tranny fluid change on my CSRT and I wanted some opinions on which fluid I should go with. Should I run M1 motor oil with Mopar ATF+4 or should I go 100% Synthetic with Amsoil’s 5w-40 and Universal ATF(which does meet ATF+4 specs) I prefer to go full synthetic but I didn’t know if it was worth the extra $$$ if the quality isn’t better than OEM. I’ve used both before in my Si and I didn’t notice a difference from the Amsoil tranny fluid from the oem fluid. Engine oil also seemed about the same just the engine sounded better on mobile one. I’m not going to run long OCI. I’ll be changing both about every 6K miles. I plan on keeping this car for awhile and I want it to last, but I also plan on keeping the powertrain stock.
Amsoil fluids are top notch, the cost difference used to be much higher but the difference has narrowed in recent years. On the other side of the argument Mobil1 0w-40 is a top rated oil and quite frankly I doubt you would notice a difference between the two oils after 100,000 miles. This engine won't die using either one of those two oils. It's your choice.
If you change your tranny fluid once per year I think the Mopar ATF+4 is sufficient, I've tried the Amsoil ATF and it doesn't seem to work any better than the Mopar fluid though it is a full synthetic group 4 product. My only beef about ATF fluid is that it is super thin, so changing it at least once per year really helps. The Amsoil fluid isn't any thicker than the Mopar fluid so I don't see a huge benefit. Change your fluids often and keep the car working as best as you can.
If you change your tranny fluid once per year I think the Mopar ATF+4 is sufficient, I've tried the Amsoil ATF and it doesn't seem to work any better than the Mopar fluid though it is a full synthetic group 4 product. My only beef about ATF fluid is that it is super thin, so changing it at least once per year really helps. The Amsoil fluid isn't any thicker than the Mopar fluid so I don't see a huge benefit. Change your fluids often and keep the car working as best as you can.
Let me give you some advice on the gear box fluid. Use the Mopar ATF-4. The reason is Chrysler specifically warns against using other similar fluids that say they are ATF-4 equivelent. Slight changes in the chemical additves and base oils can screw up modern trannies and gear boxes. It's best to stay with what it was designed to use. If you use something else and the gears fry they have full right to deny warranty coverage on your gear box. If that doesn't matter to you then have at it.
I posted some additional help in your other thread.
I posted some additional help in your other thread.
It is full synthetic.
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That being the case i'll be sticking with M1 and Mopar ATF. I'll probably do it this weekend. I may change my OCI on the tranny since isn't under as much stress. With my Civic Si i'd Heel-Toe virtually every corner i came to so i needed to change my tranny fluid pretty often. i may do 12K mile OCI with ATF+4 but i'm not sure yet.
group III isn't a true synthetic, it is a highly refined dino oil
There was a lawsuit over calling group III products synthetic a while back.
In working in the auto industry I can tell you - just because it's what the OEM specs doesn't mean it is the best, or even the best suited for an application.
I'm not trying to argue, just stating facts from my experience and tests we've done internally - mostly tribology related
There was a lawsuit over calling group III products synthetic a while back.
In working in the auto industry I can tell you - just because it's what the OEM specs doesn't mean it is the best, or even the best suited for an application.
I'm not trying to argue, just stating facts from my experience and tests we've done internally - mostly tribology related
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I know that Group III base stock is not "true" synthetic but it is close, while being cheaper to produce. Which is the reason Mobile 1 Changed to be a Grp III. Its still one of the best Virtually Synthetics out there. I know its not going to be as good as a group IV, but for a DD with some spirited driving its not going to be the cause of premature powertrain failure.
Just because an oil is better doesn't mean it's better for your car. Even if you do find a gear oil that works better in our tranny it's still not going to save your warranty if you fry your gears.
I would only experiment with different gear oils if you don't care about your warranty.
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