(Part 2) Best transmission fluids according to redditors

Yeah, I should have...instead I went home and ordered the right stuff from Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/Subaru-75W90-Extra-Transmission-Fluid/dp/B0731SB4M3/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1520358243&sr=8-3&keywords=subaru+extra

Now I don't buy parts from the dealer anymore.

It's a little less expensive in the US. You cant just put any oil into a dual clutch gearbox unfortunately.

http://www.amazon.com/GTR-R35-Transmission-Fluid-Flush/dp/B00315REB4#

Did some googling, what year is your flex? Apparently 2009's took Mercon V, the later years took Mercon LV. The two fluids should not be mixed

Also luckily for you, you have a drain plug and don't have to drop the pan

EDIT: This is a pretty good price, comes out a little over $6 a quart for OEM LV https://www.amazon.com/Motorcraft-MERCON-LV-Automatic-Transmission/dp/B00X4AXGCC
If it takes standard Mercon V, I would just use Maxlife ATF (can be found at walmart and meijer for 17~ bucks a gallon). Unless it's still under warranty, then I'd use OEM stuff.

You can use this fluid. Make sure you follow the proper procedure for filling as that might make more issues for you. Its also possible someone stuck the wrong fluid in there and screwed it up. https://www.amazon.com/Life-guard-fluid-Liter-S671090255/dp/B0785H9516/ref=sr_1_2?gclid=Cj0KCQjwt5zsBRD8ARIsAJfI4BiofrdT2wxakRbizgfY2NfpFCg9YZR7fiQhnqTzchoNm-eBDP1HdycaAlv7EALw_wcB&hvadid=338606695579&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9008469&hvnetw=g&hvpos=1t2&hvqmt=b&hvrand=7408583868242396445&hvtargid=aud-648254335185%3Akwd-316873552707&hydadcr=7528_9880925&keywords=zf+lifeguard+6+transmission+fluid&qid=1569167436&sr=8-2

I swapped out my fuel filter for a finer CAT filter using a Nicktane adapter and change it every 10,000 miles. Probably overkill, but I have the LB7 with spotty injectors, so I figure it doesn't hurt to be cautious.

After a lot of reading, I replaced the transmission fluid with Mobil Delvac Synthetic ATF using a double drain and fill method. I chose this fluid because it meets the Allison TES-295 standard which they state should be OK for 150,000 miles in medium-duty applications. They also recommend replacing the spin-on transmission filter at 50,000 mile intervals. I also used this fluid for the transfer case fill, and will probably change it around 50,000 miles.

Don’t need a service yet. Don’t think there are any tranny kits for your C300 though. This one might possibly fit but don’t trust that it will. Call the dealer and ask them if they have a service kit yet.

GM Synchromesh transmission fluid takes care of the 3rd gear issue. I had it put in in 2009 and it was like getting a new tranny. The same fluid was in there for the last 7 years and not a single 3rd gear slipping out instance since. I would suspect that the previous owner of your car had that fluid put in, as this is a well known remedy. My dealer knew right away what I was asking for and had it in stock.

So here is what the service manual says:

http://i.imgur.com/hzMwOqu.png

Type TIV stands for type T-IV The IV are roman numerals with stand for 4 so the common vernacular is to say type T-4 . But the fluid standard you are looking for is called JWS 3309 Automatic Transmission Fluid

It is available from several manufactures The GM part number is given in the image, Toyota at the dealer ususally has about the best price but sometimes you can find a good deal on ebay for like 4 or 6 bottles but you may not want to have that many around.

But here is an exhaustive list:

AISIN Part No.: ATF-0T4

Spec: JWS 3309 Automatic Transmission Fluid

Mobil One 3309

Audi: P/N G 055 025 (-A2)

Chevrolet: AC Delco T-IV, GM P/N 88900925

Chevrolet Light Trucks: AC Delco T-IV, GM P/N 88900925

Ford: Premium automatic transmission fluid, P/N XT-8-QAW, Spec WSS-M2C924-A
Hyundai: P/N 00232-19023.

Land Rover: Esso JWS3309US

Lincoln: Premium automatic transmission fluid, P/N XT-8-QAW, Spec WSS-M2C924-A

Lexus: ATF Type T-IV, Toyota P/N 08886-81015

Mazda: W/ 6-spd Automatic use JWS 3309 Automatic Transmission Fluid

Mercury: Premium automatic transmission fluid, P/N XT-8-QAW, Spec WSS-M2C924-A

Mini:6-Spd Automatic Transmission GA6F21WA use MINI ATF JWS 3309, P/N 83 22 0 402 413

Pontiac: AC Delco T-IV, GM P/N 88900925

Porsche: Esso JWS 3309, Porsche P/N 000 043 205 28

Saab: Saab 3309 mineral based oil.

Saturn: Saturn T-IV Fluid, Saturn P/N 22689186

Scion: ATF Type T-IV, Toyota P/N 08886-81015

Subaru: use CVTF or equivalent

Suzuki: Suzuki ATF 3317 or Mobil ATF 3309

Toyota: ATF Type T-IV, Toyota P/N 08886-81015

Volkswagen: P/N G 055 025

Volvo: P/N 1161540-8


Here is the toyota bottle: https://www.amazon.com/Genuine-Toyota-00279-000T4-01-Automatic-Transmission/dp/B00P2QIR0C/ref=sr_1_5?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1492218139&sr=1-5&keywords=mobil+3309

Here is the mobil 3309 common in parts stores: https://www.amazon.com/Mobil-55221-Automatic-Transmission-Fluid/dp/B00BLKXW9O/ref=sr_1_1?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1492218218&sr=1-1&keywords=mobil+3309

Is T-IV, is not a regular maintenance item except under extreme use. If maintenance guide is in glovebox stick to it.

I have the same transmission and I flushed mine at 200k without incident.

Use Genuine Toyota Lexus ATF Type T-IV Automatic Transmission Fluid OEM 12 quart Type-4 ATF https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EV5A5NC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_fMEQAbC8F70KM

If you have the V6 you may have 30k mi spark plugs, that’s a typically overlooked maintenance item.

Here is the pan and fluid.

Mopar 6822 5344AA
www.amazon.com/dp/B01LRJ8ALS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_bTrFDb595WPB9

Life Guard Fluid 8 (7 Liter) - ZF PARTS - S671090312

www.amazon.com/dp/B077XNQSMG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_gVrFDb3F9DQY1

Idemitsu ATF Type M (M3/M5) Automatic Transmission Fluid for Ford/Mazda - 1 Quart https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071X4DRXN/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_rNjKBbCBMK0B4

The thing you’ll also want to look at though is a leak in the system. The power steering system is a closed system so any missing fluid would have had to have leaked out from somewhere.

Coincidentally, I did a tranny fluid plus filter change on my bimmer today :)

Here are directions on the job:

http://www.bimmerboard.com/members/pdef1949/original/5HP24%20General%20Transmission%20Oil%20Filling%20Procedure.pdf


https://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/BMW-X5/106-TRANS-Automatic_Transmission_Fluid_Replacing/106-TRANS-Automatic_Transmission_Fluid_Replacing.htm

Here’s the kit:
https://www.amazon.com/Blau-F2A1302-D-Automatic-Transmission-Filter/dp/B01FI6ANBQ

Pretty sure you have the 5 speed zf automatic, right? Fluid should not be $140 a quart.... redline, ravenol, etc work, OEM is not required

This is the fluid I put in mine.
https://www.amazon.com/Pentosin-1058206-ATF-1-Synthetic-AutomotiveTransmission/dp/B00JMAQ0LW

This is what the dealer will sell you for about $80 dollars a quart:
https://www.amazon.com/ZF-LIFEGUARD-6-TRANSMISSION-FLUID/dp/B0060X5NQW

I had a transmission flush done about a year ago and the shop used this: BG ATC Plus https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00D7FSFTS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_bT0MDbZ2E231M

>The GM part number wasn't in the system anymore.

probably under a different part number now, same with the stuff I needed.

>Isn't Dex3 commodity ATF?

no. GM still makes it, but not under the "dex 3" name.

http://www.amazon.com/Genuine-Fluid-88861800-Manual-Transmission/dp/B00BK7M1EK

The big thing with dex3 was that GM quit licensing the name and spec(and certifying other fluid makers), so unless you get it from GM directly(in the form of part number 88861800 in the US, or 88861801 in canada), it could be any number of things. GM still makes dex 3 directly, but if you are not buying it from GM, its not really dex3. Since GM won't sell the license to anyone else, it has to call it by something else. I am sure it was the same with your fluid. its probably still made by GM directly, just under a different name/part number now.

Not in the mods category but i would do a drain and fill on the trans fluid if it hasn't been done yet. If you keep the fluid fairly clean the transmissions can last, but they have very low tolerance for dirty atf.

The atf is not a normal dexron 3, i've had good luck with castrol transmax import vehicle. You could also go with nissan oem fluid aswell.

http://www.amazon.com/Castrol-03521-Multi-Vehicle-Automatic-Transmission/dp/B008MISBQW

As far as mods go, if your car has the bose system be aware that it is separately amplified from the car's deck so you'd need an adapter to hook up to it.

> SOA868V9241

http://www.amazon.com/Genuine-SOA868V9241-Auto-Trans-Fluid/dp/B007WR8E4S

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007SJBDFM/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

this is the stuff I bought.

Theres heaps of videos online that you can DIY you own fluid change, such as this one https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yb_1wbiPz9g&t=5s

Normally with Nissans CVT they are pretty bad at slipping, I would recommend genuine NS-2 Fluid

https://www.amazon.com/Nissan-Factory-OEM-Fluid-Case/dp/B006P5T9RE

It certainly sounds like you have a broken transmission cooler hose and have leaked out all your ATF. Since the transmission pumps and recirculates the fluid thru the cooler, disconnecting the cooler line is one way to flush the ATF. (I've used this method to flush the CVT fluid on my Maxima).

I would recommend getting the correct Infiniti hose part if possible, as it will fit correctly and also be sure to use the correct fluid.

I believe yours uses Nissan Matic S Fluid which is costly from the dealer ($25/qt) but about $14/qt online.

https://www.amazon.com/Genuine-Nissan-999MP-MTS00P-Automatic-Transmission/dp/B005ETHNFC

The whole transmission holds ten quarts but most likely you dumped out about five.

Here is the info on the hose:

https://www.infinitipartsdeal.com/parts/infiniti-hose-auto-trans~21631-al505.html

There are two hoses, you either need 21631 or 21631A