Red Line vs Royal Purple ATF, etc
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Joined: May 2004
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For all that's worth, ATF is nothing like motor oil. Smooth shifting means more clutch slippage, which will actually worn-out that part. It is one of those rare cases when what we like best it is not the best for the car. So be careful what you look for with ATF - I like to feel a bit harsh shifting because that means the internal engage faster and prevents wear from extra slippage (but should not shudder also! one click, fast, and that's it, no hesitation).
ATF is all about compromise between smooth shift (achieved via clutch slippage) and wear (also due to slippage, which causes higher temps too). Too harsh is hard on other tranny parts, but unless you modify tranny pressures and other internals, you cannot get a too harsh shift just by changing the fluid with the same recommended spec one.
So, if you feel no difference, it should be OK (or as OK as the OEM is, do not expect anything to last longer only because you changed the ATF brand). But if you do feel smoother shifting, you know you created more slippage in the clutches, which in turn will burnish/break them sooner than with the OEM fluid (but that could be 180,000 miles versus 200,000 miles, so it is impossible to predict).
Changes in color of ATF do not mean anything - take a sample and send it for analysis to see if its viscosity is gone - but better just change it 30k-40k regardless of the color (the purpose of the red dye is to differentiate ATF from motor oil and coolant, not to indicate change time, like all dealers would have you believe...).
Now is up to you on what you use, but at least I warned you of what you should be looking for in shift feel if you want to extend tranny life. Plenty of info above for you to know which is the real solution if you understand my explanation ;o)
ATF is all about compromise between smooth shift (achieved via clutch slippage) and wear (also due to slippage, which causes higher temps too). Too harsh is hard on other tranny parts, but unless you modify tranny pressures and other internals, you cannot get a too harsh shift just by changing the fluid with the same recommended spec one.
So, if you feel no difference, it should be OK (or as OK as the OEM is, do not expect anything to last longer only because you changed the ATF brand). But if you do feel smoother shifting, you know you created more slippage in the clutches, which in turn will burnish/break them sooner than with the OEM fluid (but that could be 180,000 miles versus 200,000 miles, so it is impossible to predict).
Changes in color of ATF do not mean anything - take a sample and send it for analysis to see if its viscosity is gone - but better just change it 30k-40k regardless of the color (the purpose of the red dye is to differentiate ATF from motor oil and coolant, not to indicate change time, like all dealers would have you believe...).
Now is up to you on what you use, but at least I warned you of what you should be looking for in shift feel if you want to extend tranny life. Plenty of info above for you to know which is the real solution if you understand my explanation ;o)
For all that's worth, ATF is nothing like motor oil. Smooth shifting means more clutch slippage, which will actually worn-out that part. It is one of those rare cases when what we like best it is not the best for the car. So be careful what you look for with ATF - I like to feel a bit harsh shifting because that means the internal engage faster and prevents wear from extra slippage (but should not shudder also! one click, fast, and that's it, no hesitation).
ATF is all about compromise between smooth shift (achieved via clutch slippage) and wear (also due to slippage, which causes higher temps too). Too harsh is hard on other tranny parts, but unless you modify tranny pressures and other internals, you cannot get a too harsh shift just by changing the fluid with the same recommended spec one.
So, if you feel no difference, it should be OK (or as OK as the OEM is, do not expect anything to last longer only because you changed the ATF brand). But if you do feel smoother shifting, you know you created more slippage in the clutches, which in turn will burnish/break them sooner than with the OEM fluid (but that could be 180,000 miles versus 200,000 miles, so it is impossible to predict).
Changes in color of ATF do not mean anything - take a sample and send it for analysis to see if its viscosity is gone - but better just change it 30k-40k regardless of the color (the purpose of the red dye is to differentiate ATF from motor oil and coolant, not to indicate change time, like all dealers would have you believe...).
Now is up to you on what you use, but at least I warned you of what you should be looking for in shift feel if you want to extend tranny life. Plenty of info above for you to know which is the real solution if you understand my explanation ;o)
ATF is all about compromise between smooth shift (achieved via clutch slippage) and wear (also due to slippage, which causes higher temps too). Too harsh is hard on other tranny parts, but unless you modify tranny pressures and other internals, you cannot get a too harsh shift just by changing the fluid with the same recommended spec one.
So, if you feel no difference, it should be OK (or as OK as the OEM is, do not expect anything to last longer only because you changed the ATF brand). But if you do feel smoother shifting, you know you created more slippage in the clutches, which in turn will burnish/break them sooner than with the OEM fluid (but that could be 180,000 miles versus 200,000 miles, so it is impossible to predict).
Changes in color of ATF do not mean anything - take a sample and send it for analysis to see if its viscosity is gone - but better just change it 30k-40k regardless of the color (the purpose of the red dye is to differentiate ATF from motor oil and coolant, not to indicate change time, like all dealers would have you believe...).
Now is up to you on what you use, but at least I warned you of what you should be looking for in shift feel if you want to extend tranny life. Plenty of info above for you to know which is the real solution if you understand my explanation ;o)
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