Skip to main content

Sioux Falls Bargains – OE Auto Transmission Fluids

Written by Ches Cain

Overlooked Bargains – Original Equipment Automatic Transmission Fluids

As our business grows there are a dozen top sellers we have to constantly increase inventory and that list fortunately is for the most part the high end of the AMSOIL multi-tier lines.

But the OE line is really undersold. It’s purpose was to upgrade customers from the typical transmission fluid brands to AMSOIL but in the lower price class of the OEM replacements or “non-enthusiast car” class. So basically you get the best product in its class.

Original Equipment Automatic Transmission Fluids!

Amsoil OE Automatic Transmission Fluid

Case of 2-2.5 Gallon Jugs for more savings. Case Discounts.

The OE ATF’s offer the top grade synthetic base stock with additives adjusted to the best price/value available.

An analogy would be – if each additive available had a range of 80 quality levels, 1 being the absolute cheapest and questionable and 80 being the absolute best but expensive, where do these stand? From various lectures I’ve learned the top brand names you recognize which score better than your OEM brands would be 25-40 here. AMSOIL’s Signature Series is always without compromise so it’s always going to be the #80..

A level of Protection your Transmission Needs

But not everyone needs this in their daily driver or perhaps a medium duty truck. The  Signature Series was designed to handle the absolute highest level of abuse, loads and performance demands. The OE is scaled down to deliver on a price but using premium quality additive technology. These are just below Signature series always in the 50-70 range.

You can prove the above yourself when your results align with the customer reviews noticing improved or smoother shifting, no more of the known shudder so many transmissions have, or more importantly, longer life. The OE excels in reduced temperatures, varnish and sludging over time. Very similar to the Signature version. So it’s amazing what you can get for a lower price!

Covers most all of the popular applications.

Two multi-vehicle versions just like everybody else. The red label which is most vehicles 2006 and earlier and the blue label 2002 and newer. Some specifications overlap. Use the product to vehicle look-up guide to match the proper use to be guaranteed!

Vehicle Look-up: Match AMSOIL Products to your model

Applications for the Red Label OE ATF:
Product Code OTF

Allison C-4, TES-389; BMW 7045E, 8072B, LA 2634, LT 71141; Chrysler Mopar* ASRC, 68089195AA, 68049954AA; Ford MERCON*, MERCON* V, ESP-M2C166-H, FNR5, M2C924-A, XL-12; GM DEXRON* III, DEXRON* II, AutoTrak II; Honda/Acura ATF-Z1; Hyundai/Kia SP-II , SP-III, Red-1; IDEMITSU K17; JASO 1A; JWS 3309, 3314, 3317; MAN 339 Type V-1, 339 Type V-2, 339 Type Z-1, 339 Type Z-2, 339F; Mazda ATF-M III, ATFMV, F-1; Mercedes Benz 236.1, 236.2, 236.3, 236.5, 236.6, 236.7, 236.9, 236.10, 236.11, 236.81, 236.91; Mitsubishi SP-II , SP-III, ATF-J2; Nissan Matic-D, Matic-J, Matic-K, 402; SAAB 3309; Shell 3403, LA 2634; Subaru ATF, ATF-HP; Suzuki 3314, 3317; Texaco ETL-7045E, ETL-8072B, N402; Toyota Type T, T-II,T-III,T-IV; Voith 55.6335, 55.6336; Volvo 97340, 97341; VW/Audi G 052 162, G 052 990, G 055 025; ZF TE-ML 03D, 04D,05L, 09, 11A, 11B, 14A, 14B, 16L, 17C, 20B, 21L.

Note: Not for use with CVT or Ford Type F applications.

AMSOIL warrants the use of this product for Chrysler ATF+4 ® applications above -38°F. Product does not meet the cold temperature requirement of ATF+4 ® at -40°F. For warranty information, visit www.amsoil.com/warranty.

Applications for the Blue Label OE ATF:
Product Code OTL

Aisin-Warner AW-1; BMW 83 22 0 142 516, 83 22 2 152 426; Chrylser MOPAR* 68157995AA, SP-IV; DSIH 6p805; Ford MERCON* LV; GM DEXRON* VI; Honda/Acura DW-1*, Type 3.0; Hyundai/Kia SP-IV, SPH-IV, SP-IV-RR, NWS-9638, SP4-M; JASO 1A-LV; JWS 3324; Mercedes Benz 236.12, 236.14, 236.15, 236.41; Mitsubishi SP-IV, ATF J3, ATF-PA, ATF-MA1; Nissan Matic-S, Matic-W; SAAB 93 165 147; Shell M-1375.4, M-1375.5, M-1375.6, M-L12108; Toyota WS; Volvo 31256774; VW/Audi G 055 005, G 055 162, G 060 162; ZF S671 090 255.

Attributes you can read more about in the latest OE Trans Fluid product data sheet which you can print out for your shop:

  • Protects against wear
  • Resists harmful sludge
  • Excellent cold-weather performance
  • Guards against leaks
  • Promotes smooth, shudder-free shifts
  • Used in most transfer cases

Available in the popular Twin Pack with 2-2.5 Gallon Jugs, 4-gallon case and 12 quart case. Singles of each available as well as 55 gallon drums and 275 gallon totes.

If your vehicle’s transmission spec is missing here we’re likely to match it in the others. Either Signature Series, ULV, CVT, Super Shift or Torque Drive.

Always in stock at Stan Houston’s and our Exit 73 location just east of the Tea exit.

Stan Houston for Amsoil Sioux Falls on W. 12th St

Transmissions

How Often Should Auto Transmission Fluid be changed?

Written by Charleen

How Often Should I Change Transmission Fluid?

well, um, ahh huh,  well  let’s see… How often to change transmission fluid depends on several factors Sonny outlines in this post.

_by Sunny Pruitt|June 21, 2022

Motorists sometimes ask, “How often should I change transmission fluid?” It depends on your vehicle and driving habits. Recommended transmission fluid changes run the gamut from every 30,000 miles (48,000 km) to never. Yeah, that’s right. Here are some tips for determining how often to change transmission fluid.

Change Transmission Fluid: How Often? Check Your Owner’s Manual

Original equipment manufacturer (OEM) recommendations for how often to change automatic transmission fluid cover a wide mileage range, depending on year, make and model.

Plus, if your driving habits are like most motorists and fall under the “severe” designation (towing, hauling, daily short trips less than 10 miles, etc.), many OEMs recommend changing transmission fluid more frequently.

Here are just a few examples to illustrate the disparity among vehicle makes and models.

Year/Make/Model Normal Service Severe Service
2021 RAM* 1500 Never (filled-for-life transmission) Change if the fluid becomes “contaminated”
2021 Chevy* Silverado* Never (filled-for-life transmission) Every 45,000 miles (72,000 km)
2021 Ford* F-150 150,000 miles (240,000 km) 150,000 miles (240,000 km)
2003 Honda* CR-V* 90,000 miles (145,000 km) 30,000 miles (48,000 km)

These differences illustrate the importance of checking the recommendations in your owner’s manual. It’ll provide maintenance recommendations, typically in a table in the back. Many OEMs provide digital owner’s manuals online, so if you’ve lost yours, try a quick search.

A quick word on “filled-for-life” transmissions.

They’re becoming more prevalent as OEMs seek ways to alleviate motorists from unwanted maintenance. They sound like all upside, but it’s important to change fluid in these units, particularly if you tow or haul.

They’re supposed to last the life of the vehicle, but what do you suppose will happen if the transmission fails once the warranty expires? You’re going to get stuck with a hefty repair bill, that’s what. Be proactive and change fluid at least once during its lifetime.

Change Transmission Fluid: How Often? Go By The Book

Start with the recommendations in your owner’s manual.

But, how many of us dutifully follow them down to the mile? But as you know most drivers completely forget about their transmission until it begins to shift hard, jerk hard jerk hesitate. Out of sight, out of mind, right?

Not good, especially if you tow or haul. But the interval does depend on the abuse and the quality of the fluid.

Heat Kills Transmissions

Over time, transmission fluid oxidizes (chemically breaks down). High heat generated from towing and hauling speeds the process.

Fluid that has broken down can cause sludge and varnish to form, which clogs narrow oil passages and contributes to clutch glazing. Soon, your vehicle can begin to shift poorly.

In these cases, wouldn’t it be great to use a transmission fluid formulated with reserve protection against heat in case life gets in the way of recommended maintenance?

Get Reserve Heat Protection For Your Transmission

AMSOIL Signature Series Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid’s built-in reserve protection means it lasts for 2X the OEM’s severe-service drain interval. That means you can rest assured your transmission is protected, even if service is delayed.

Symptoms Of Low Transmission Fluid

It’s not just heat that leads to poor shifting. Low transmission fluid can also present a number of problems, including…

  • Inconsistent, jerky shifts
  • Hesitation
  • Surging
  • Increased transmission temperatures

 

Low Transmission Fluid = Poor Shifting

Transmission fluid serves a number of vital functions, one of which is to act as a hydraulic fluid to enable shifting.

When your vehicle’s computer tells the transmission to change gears, hydraulic pressure (provided by the fluid) squeezes a series of plates together inside a clutch pack to connect the engine to the transmission output shaft and route power to the wheels.

Low transmission fluid can also prevent the torque converter from filling completely, which reduces torque transfer and causes hesitation and lost power. In extreme cases, the vehicle won’t even move unless you rev up the engine.

How Much Transmission Fluid Do I Need?

How much transmission fluid your vehicle needs ranges from as few as 8-9 quarts for small passenger vehicles to more than 20 quarts for heavy-duty trucks.

As you do when determining how often to change transmission fluid, check your owner’s manual for the transmission fluid capacity.

You can also check the AMSOIL Product Guide, which shows how much transmission fluid your car needs for most makes and models.

Find How Much Transmission Fluid I Need
Also do you know if you need to use a flushing agent? Amsoil engine and transmission flush is a mild detergent flush but it’s used when you are going to evacuate all the fluid. Restores friction capabilities of the clutched. Best before adjusting the trans when you have over 160,000 miles.

Low Transmission Fluid Can Invite Wear

Transmission fluid also lubricates the gears, clutch plates and seals. It forms a protective layer between meshing gear teeth that prevents metal-to-metal contact and helps reduce wear.

It helps prevent wear on the clutch plates, which bear significant friction during gear shifts. The fluid also lubricates seals and keeps them pliable so they don’t dry out and leak. Find out all the tasks transmission fluid must perform here.

Low fluid can prevent formation of a strong, consistent lubricating film on components, inviting wear. Foam bubbles can collapse when they pass between gear teeth, allowing metal-to-metal contact and further accelerating wear.

Always Check Your Transmission Fluid – Look at the color too

To keep your vehicle running – and shifting – at peak performance, check the fluid about once a month to ensure the correct level. Check out this post on how to check your transmission fluid. If the fluid is consistently low, visit a mechanic to find out why and have the problem fixed.

So, when determining how often to change transmission fluid, follow the recommendations in your owner’s manual. For added peace of mind in case you surpass those recommendations, you can rely on AMSOIL synthetic transmission fluid to deliver reserve protection. Do you know if it has to be warmed up and running?

video
play-sharp-fill
Transmissions, , , , ,