[mcgowaw]

i've got to try to get rid of, or at least make less severe, my trans shift shock in my 94 xle v6 a541e/1mzfe if possible, so i'm looking for a recommendation from among the top 4 brands that i'm trying to decide between, hopefully based on your own experience.
here are the brands, ranked according to the research i've done. please rank them according to your experience though please. and feel free to include your experience. i'm especially interested in shift shock/harsh shifting, as opposed to slipping or shuddering or overheating or other trans related problems as mine doesn't have any of those.

1. redline
2. amsoil
3. royal purple
4. castrol multi vehicle

thanks much
tony

 

[carsrus]

1. redline
2. amsoil
3. royal purple
y

Dont waste $10+ a quart on boutique fluid like this if your trans is acting up. These fluids are not worth the money.

The Castrol is a decent fluid. I personally use Valvoline Maxlife which is a fully synthetic high mileage ATF.

If you are getting harsh shifts use a cheaper non synthetic fluid (Castrol) and add a bottle of Lucas trans fix. The thicker fluid can help keep it going for a bit longer.

 

[97trophy]

+1 for Maxlife (currently on special at Autozone)

Try the 3 x drain and fill for a good clean of the ATF fluid.

As for the premium brands you mention, I think the law of diminishing returns applies here and that you would be wasting your money.

 

[mcgowaw]

so carsrus, would supertech's high mileage atf plus a bottle of lucas trans fix be along the same lines as what you were recommending, seeing as this is a 20 yr old car and i just want smoother shifting?

 

[Bitter]

Max Life and one ounce of Gunk brand trans stop leak.

But check your engine and trans mounts, it could be the one or more is broken or worn allowing the power train to jump and move when shifting and that's what you're feeling as a hard shift.

 

[mcgowaw]

bitter, isnt wally world's supertech's high mileage atf equal to valvoline max? i figured it was the same just reboxed.

 

[Bitter]

I'm not sure, it's probably fine as well but I've not any personal experience with it.

 

[carsrus]

so carsrus, would supertech's high mileage atf plus a bottle of lucas trans fix be along the same lines as what you were recommending, seeing as this is a 20 yr old car and i just want smoother shifting?

Yeah, thats exactly what I would do. The SuperTech isn't synthetic, which is probably a good thing in this situation.

 

[JohnGD]

A high mileage ATF may help, in case you have seal leaks. Just get a Supertech HM ATF suitable for Dexron II/III applications.

 

[Bitter]

Well that's why I suggested an once of the stop leak. It's a seal sweller, seals in transmissions shrink and get hard, don't hold pressure, and pressure is what makes a transmission work. Just an once will, over about 3 days time, make a large difference in how nicely it operates. It will bring back the quick confident shifts it used to have.

 

[Hooter1]

I've ran the Wally World high mileage supertech in my 2 auto trans. Works good for me.

 

[Camry417]

Castrol ATF for imports is currently in my tranny. It feels smoothier and I got at Walmart for around $5 per qt.

 

[JohnGD]

I'd also recommend Supertech Mercon-V. But if Castrol works well then stick with it.

Then add a seal conditioner like Bitter said. It'll take 5000-6000 miles to show anything however.

 

[Bitter]

I can feel a difference in a days worth (25 miles) of driving when I've added it to my own cars, the Geo with it's A245E was a huge difference! The Celica with it's U240E was a slight improvement. The Mazda with it's CD4E has been a pretty substantial change for the better as well. 2-3 and 3-4 are quicker under throttle and don't drag like they used it.

But I say only add one ounce because it's strong stuff and more is not better. You want to use the least amount of that 'crap' as you can because it can be harmful. It's like Botox, in tiny does it does great things. In large doses it's deadly.

 

[JohnGD]

That definitely strong stuff if you can feel it almost right away. HM ATF works more gently and takes longer, which may be the better way to go for the long haul I wonder.

 

[Bitter]

Perhaps, but I like NOW NOW NOW. :laugh: Like I said, just an once will do ya and the seals seem to stay supple soft even after the fluid is exchanged. You can use that same stuff to fix a leaky bottle or floor jack, fix a seeping main seal or crank seal too. When I install new axles into old seals I wipe a little around the seal to help it soften up a little for the new sealing surface.

 

[TC01]

Can synthetic fluid be mixed with regular fluid?

 

[Brad.VanderWielen]

+1 valvoline maxlife high mileage

I actually did a flush in which the first drain and refill I used the castrol with some lucas transmission stop leak (or stop slip), drove it for a couple thousand miles and then did a couple of drain and refills with the valvoline maxlife high mileage.

The lucas did seem to help almost immediately, and I've been on the maxlife for a few thousand miles and it is still running great.

Just fyi: I think the maxlife has a particularly bad smell, which is normal.

Sent from AutoGuide.com Free App

 

[97trophy]

Can synthetic fluid be mixed with regular fluid?

Yes, I have mixed them over the years and never had a problem.


And +1 on the bad smell for Maxlife.

 

[mcgowaw]

wow, thanks gentlemen for all the suggestions!

I'm a believer in supertech so john, mercon-v or high mileage atf?

Bitter, that gunk yellow bottle sounds like a good idea. i had read that the rubber balls shrink in the trans and be blown out in this particular year's transmission but didn't know about the seals.
and did i understand that this can be used in the crankcase to stop up a leaking rear seal or did i read that wrong? if so, would it causes any problems with the normal circulation of the oil through the top of the engine? if not, i'll try this on my 63 impala 327.
what about the gunk black bottle of TransMedic Automatic Transmission Treatment and Shift Improver. is that any good or the same thing or do have no experience with this particular product?

thanks much guys. keep it coming.
tony