Transmission fluid
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,116
From: Crossville TN
I've spent 40 years around heavy-duty automatic truck transmissions and am familiar with the seal materials and their temperature capabilities. 300*F will not put synthetic seals in jeopardy.
My assumption is that the OP's tranny is TOO HOT FOR ORGANIC OIL. Yes, he could install a cooler with the trans. Or, he could just put an oil that is more temperature tolerant.
I say just give the OP the facts and let him make the decision based on what he knows about his vehicle.
My assumption is that the OP's tranny is TOO HOT FOR ORGANIC OIL. Yes, he could install a cooler with the trans. Or, he could just put an oil that is more temperature tolerant.
I say just give the OP the facts and let him make the decision based on what he knows about his vehicle.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,445
Likes: 971
From: Tennessee/Rhode Island
I've spent 40 years around heavy-duty automatic truck transmissions and am familiar with the seal materials and their temperature capabilities. 300*F will not put synthetic seals in jeopardy.
My assumption is that the OP's tranny is TOO HOT FOR ORGANIC OIL. Yes, he could install a cooler with the trans. Or, he could just put an oil that is more temperature tolerant.
I say just give the OP the facts and let him make the decision based on what he knows about his vehicle.
My assumption is that the OP's tranny is TOO HOT FOR ORGANIC OIL. Yes, he could install a cooler with the trans. Or, he could just put an oil that is more temperature tolerant.
I say just give the OP the facts and let him make the decision based on what he knows about his vehicle.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 1,219
Likes: 365
From: Tolland CT
I've spent 40 years around heavy-duty automatic truck transmissions and am familiar with the seal materials and their temperature capabilities. 300*F will not put synthetic seals in jeopardy.
My assumption is that the OP's tranny is TOO HOT FOR ORGANIC OIL. Yes, he could install a cooler with the trans. Or, he could just put an oil that is more temperature tolerant.
I say just give the OP the facts and let him make the decision based on what he knows about his vehicle.
My assumption is that the OP's tranny is TOO HOT FOR ORGANIC OIL. Yes, he could install a cooler with the trans. Or, he could just put an oil that is more temperature tolerant.
I say just give the OP the facts and let him make the decision based on what he knows about his vehicle.
I realize there are a lot in the camp of 'everything was better back then' folks here, and in a large part I would agree with you on some things however the modern chemistry and materials that go into our synthetic materials can really be outstanding.
My last race bike is 636cc (~39 cubic inches) and puts out 129 horsepower at 18,000 RPM...with a wet clutch. That puts an incredible beating on oils and their seals. That is 3.3hp per c.i. at those speeds. For comparison purposes (or for those who don't like to do math :-) that is the equivalent of a 350SBC turning 1155 horsepower.
I can tell you without question that it is not possible to run those kinds of numbers with dino oil. It breaks down so fast that it becomes unusable.
Anyway, back to the OP: this is the internet and everyone here has an opinion and feels inclined to share it. Some information is good, some not so much.
My advice (and what I do) is to try to educate myself and then make my own decision. The trick is to filter out the good info from the BS. If you can do that 100%, please let me know how =)
Last edited by PainfullySlow; Jan 3, 2018 at 07:45 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,445
Likes: 971
From: Tennessee/Rhode Island
From Valvoline about their synthetic tranny fluid:
Valvoline about their Max Life ATF...what Valvoline says about their synthetic product......
What is the maximum safe temperature for your Max Life ATF? I understand that the life of ATF is determined by the temperature that it's operated under.
The temperature of my ATF got up to 280 degrees F at the send line to the cooler. I don't know what my pan temp was. I'm wondering if I should flush my transmission or if your Max Life ATF can handle operating at that high of a temperature.
Thank you for your questions. If the temperature of the transmission fluid reaches 280*F for a long period of time, the life of the fluid would decrease quickly, within a few thousand miles. If the product in your transmission is a conventional fluid, Valvoline would recommend replacing that fluid with the Valvoline MaxLifr Dex/Merc ATF. The Valvoline MaxLife Dex/Merc ATF is a full synthetic fluid that will with stand temperatures above 280*F, but the life expectancy of the fluid would decrease slower than a conventional fluid.
Thanks for the response. The fluid in my tranny right now is the Max Life Dex/Merc.How much of an improvement does your Max Life ATF offer over conventional ATF at high temperatures?
Conventional transmission fluids are not designed to with stand high temperatures like synthetic fluids such as, Valvoline MaxLife Dex/Merc ATF. The flash point of the Valvoline MaxLife Dex/Merc ATF is 395*F. Conventional fluids can flash between 330*-350*F.
So are you saying that my max life ATF is okay after being exposed to 280 degree heat for one hour?
The Valvoline MaxLife Dex/ Merc ATF can easily withstand extreme temperatures of 280*F for an hour but, if your vehicle is maintaining this temperature you may want to have a transmission repair shop look in to why the transmission is reaching these temperatures. The transmission should run temperatures under 200*F.
Valvoline about their Max Life ATF...what Valvoline says about their synthetic product......
What is the maximum safe temperature for your Max Life ATF? I understand that the life of ATF is determined by the temperature that it's operated under.
The temperature of my ATF got up to 280 degrees F at the send line to the cooler. I don't know what my pan temp was. I'm wondering if I should flush my transmission or if your Max Life ATF can handle operating at that high of a temperature.
Thank you for your questions. If the temperature of the transmission fluid reaches 280*F for a long period of time, the life of the fluid would decrease quickly, within a few thousand miles. If the product in your transmission is a conventional fluid, Valvoline would recommend replacing that fluid with the Valvoline MaxLifr Dex/Merc ATF. The Valvoline MaxLife Dex/Merc ATF is a full synthetic fluid that will with stand temperatures above 280*F, but the life expectancy of the fluid would decrease slower than a conventional fluid.
Thanks for the response. The fluid in my tranny right now is the Max Life Dex/Merc.How much of an improvement does your Max Life ATF offer over conventional ATF at high temperatures?
Conventional transmission fluids are not designed to with stand high temperatures like synthetic fluids such as, Valvoline MaxLife Dex/Merc ATF. The flash point of the Valvoline MaxLife Dex/Merc ATF is 395*F. Conventional fluids can flash between 330*-350*F.
So are you saying that my max life ATF is okay after being exposed to 280 degree heat for one hour?
The Valvoline MaxLife Dex/ Merc ATF can easily withstand extreme temperatures of 280*F for an hour but, if your vehicle is maintaining this temperature you may want to have a transmission repair shop look in to why the transmission is reaching these temperatures. The transmission should run temperatures under 200*F.
Last edited by jb78L-82; Jan 5, 2018 at 02:11 PM.
