Redline ATF vs Mobil 1 ATF

[elwesso]

Next weekend, I am going to have to change my transmission fluid. Plan on dropping the pan, replacing the filter, and adding in new fluid. I would assume I can get about 4qts out of the transmission, just by doing this... Not exactly sure, I dont recall how many I got out last time from my old Q, but something like 4-5qts, when i drained from cold.....

I'll probably get, whatever I decide to do, about 5-6 qts and use the excess to replace my PS fluid, since its starting to look about ready to be changed....

When I called level10, they recommend the redline stuff. I was checking prices on the internet, and JEEZ $8-10 for a qt of this stuff... OUCH. M1 is like $4-5/qt.. Thats $30 vs $50... I know all the redline stuff is supposed to be the best on the market. With redline fluid, they recommend NO flushes and only changing the fluid/filter at the same time, every 30k....

If its worth the money, and to continue at this interval safely, I will use redline.. However, the redline stuff is designed more for racing transmissions. While I have a racing transmission, it will rarely, if at all, be used for racing, and it also <obviously> has a cooler.....

Basically, can I get away with using Mobil1, or should I go ahead and use the redline... I guess Fred would probably be able to answer this since he is lubricant savvy.....

Thanks

PS. If anyone has any extra OEM oil filters, id be interestd in buying some. The old style, 60U00's. If not then I guess i'll goto mobil 1 filters.

[metaverse3]

Go to http://www.myoilshop.com exclusive redline dealer in Pittsburgh. Punch in dealer code 675421 for a discount when you check out. This is who I deal with for redline. I run it in my 92 maxima 5spd... I can tell you it is a lot thinner than regular oil since it started dripping at my axle seals and leaving slight puddles until it settled in and stopped...

Redline is more of a manual transmission oil in my opinion. Others may disagree but in automatic transmissions, it acted a little strange and ran slippery shifts. I ran amsoil in a honda civic CVT transmission and that is one picky transmission and it worked beautiful. Amsoil in manual transmission's acted strange for me. So personally, I'd run amsoil in auto's and redline in manual. Just my choice... The discount code works since i just checked it.. anybody here is welcome to use it..

[qship96]

Wes,I am a longtime user of redline products in both of the infiniti`s that i have owned-unless you are doing a complete flush,i would stick with adding new redline to whats left in the trans.I was able to get 7 quarts out of the q when i did pan drop and filter change,as you disconnect the cooler line to get to pan bolts,extra fluid drains from the cooler lines.

[elwesso]

Hmmm, thanks for that thought......

Maybe as the redline is degrading thats whats causing my "slow shift".....

I will check that out though, and since I have a week to think/order before I do it, we'll go that way.....

However, I do agree with Qship. I remember reading what some others have said that even different brands of ATF dont mix very well...

[metaverse3]

Huh ? I don't think my post suggests you to switch to anything. Stick to what you are comfortable with. Maybe I'm reading the replies from you and qship wrong. I personally have not qualms switching transmission fluid.. Just don't flush a high mileage transmission. New fluid of a different brand is better than old fluid of preferred brand..better out than in I say..

[elwesso]

Just a little bumpy...

Im at 31k on the transmission fluid, and it still looks BRAND NEW... Any problems with waiting until spring to do it all, since im feeling kinda lazy.....

[pito11213]

Dont be lazy and just do it. You have the space and availability so when you start doing it you will get inspired and you will finish the job quickly.

[elwesso]

I will be doing this in the next couple weeks..... I wont hvae time to order all the stuff and get er done this weekend......

[PoorManQ45]

I don't think you have to replace the transmission filter.

When I dropped the pan on my Q, I called the Infiniti Parts dealer looking for a transmission kit (Gasket and Filter). They said that they don't sell a transmission kit. They then proceeded to tell me that I did not need to change the filter, that I only needed to wash it out. The filter element is a metal mesh. They suggested that I use an automotive degreaser and then rinse it out with ATF.

I did what they said and the filter ended up looking brand new.

IIRC, they said that the transmission filter is good for ~100k miles. All you have to do is clean it out.

[maxnix]

I don't think you have to replace the transmission filter.

When I dropped the pan on my Q, I called the Infiniti Parts dealer looking for a transmission kit (Gasket and Filter). They said that they don't sell a transmission kit. They then proceeded to tell me that I did not need to change the filter, that I only needed to wash it out. The filter element is a metal mesh. They suggested that I use an automotive degreaser and then rinse it out with ATF.

I did what they said and the filter ended up looking brand new.

IIRC, they said that the transmission filter is good for ~100k miles. All you have to do is clean it out.

This information is obviously from someone who has never read the previous posts on this topic.

IT IS DEAD WRONG!

[AlabamaDan]

"use the excess to replace my PS fluid"

Are you saying your run ATF in your PS pump? Can we do that?

"Just don't flush a high mileage transmission"

What is condisered high mileage and is that the consensus? T3 recommended a flush for my 94 Q with 128K. I've been saving my money.

BTW, are they open on Saturdays?

[Jesda]

Some cars use a crud screen you have to clean out instead of a filter. The Q uses a replaceable filter.

[PalmerWMD]

"use the excess to replace my PS fluid"

1)Are you saying your run ATF in your PS pump? Can we do that?

2)"Just don't flush a high mileage transmission"

3)What is condisered high mileage and is that the consensus? T3 recommended a flush for my 94 Q with 128K. I've been saving my money.

4)BTW, are they open on Saturdays?

1)yes its good.2)I dont agree with this.3)128k is higher milage . a flush wotn reverse wear that has already occured, but ti f done properly ( whihc is a given at T3) will help keep varnish on your valvebodies to a minimum.4)No

Fred..

[PalmerWMD]

Wes the M1 is fine.It has not been 31k since its last flush.

Fred..

[GreenQ45a]

Will any transmission cooler do? like a Autozone universal cooler?

I'm gonna be flushing my 94Q45a\110,000mi.My service records show it was last done @ 82,000 (just before I got it)Why not install a cooler too? Right?

Or

Should I just wait until summer?

Will the transmission like the new cooler in the winter or is it just for summertime temps?
Modified by GreenQ45a at 1:19 PM 11/11/2004

[natsoundup]

ATF fluid is recommended for the PS unit. I once tried PS fluid and the unit whined like 3 year old

[elwesso]

Wes the M1 is fine.It has not been 31k since its last flush.

Fred..

Fred, did you change the fluid at some point in time????

Green... I have a external one in both of my Qs... Get the B.M one, its the best, smaller and cools better than autozone special..... Just let the car warm up a tid bit before you start itup to have the transmission fluid get up to temp.....

Natsoundup is right.. PS fluid is too thick and in winter tiem it will whine......

[GreenQ45a]

Where did get you them and how much did they cost?

[elwesso]

http://www.summitracing.com

B/m model 70268 or 70264

$50

[maxnix]

ATF fluid is recommended for the PS unit. I once tried PS fluid and the unit whined like 3 year old

Use M1 ATF in all 3 Q45.

[GreenQ45a]

I have always used Mobil 1 Oil Full Syn. Engine wise.I have added M-1 ATF to the transmission but have not yet flushed it (the right way).

was waiting for the cooler.

Whats this about ATF in the PS pump??

[elwesso]

If you look in the manual it recommends ATF, and the best ATF is M1...

[VA99Q45]

Wes,Since you are not going to do a flush, I would stick to the same brand in the transmission now. I don't like the idea of mixing different manufacture ATF fluids.

[elwesso]

Thats what im gonna do...

Everyone seems to recommend redline, seems hard to believe how i could go wrong!

Gonna do it a litlte bit later, since its starting to get really cold outside

[PoorManQ45]

If you look in the manual it recommends ATF, and the best ATF is M1...

I'm going to have to call "BS". Just because Mobile 1 is a popular brand, that does not immediately make it the best. This same thing applies to oils.

(Fred is not going to like this). All transmission fluid is basically the same. It is ment to lubricate the moving parts. If it has a few extra Detergients in it. Woopy Doo! That does not justify the increased cost of it ($40~50 for a transmission change) and not even a full flush at that. What would that be for a full flush of 11qts? ~$100? That makes no sence. Just go down to the local Walmart , or super store of your choice, and pick up the cheapest stuff that you can find. I use SuperTech Sythetic transmission Fluid. It costs ~$10 for 4qts. I have compared it to M1 before, and there were no differences what so ever, I'm talking an actual test, not a lab test.

Also, Most oils are the same too. They are all ment to lubricate moving parts. I don't care if they're in a different Group (3,4, or 5). They all do the same thing. swiching between the different Groups and/or Brands will gain you nothing. Can you feel the difference between Oils or transmission fluid when you press the Accelerator? I'm willing to bet a Dollar that you can't. Again, I use Supertech synthetic which costs $2.87a qt. (I resently bought M1 Because it was/is the same price.). I have compared Supertech to M1, and have noticed no change what so ever. They looked the same when drained after ~3000m. They had approximately the same viscosity.

Now can you tell me what the difference is?

Fred Through all your real world testing, have you ever noticed a difference between transmission Fluid and/or Oils? Please don't include your technical information. I'm only talking about what actually happens to an engine/transmission when you use different Brands.

[pito11213]

Yo P I think the loophole in your statement is that you are not meant to "feel" the difference between oils. It is meant to protect the internals. Kind of like taking certain vitamins for your body. You dont always feel the difference but it is helping.

I hope you did a full search on Fred's oil tips before posting because he has tons of stuff.

[elwesso]

PMQ, i think that is the single most idiotic post Ive seen.... I dont even konw where to begin

Lets start with MENT is spelled MEANT... You MEANT to spell MENT MEANT, capeish?

ALso, for the record, I dont think that M1 is the *best* transmission fluid. I think M1 is probably the best stuff you can get off teh shelf, as we all know redline is superior.... ANd its what I'll be using in my car, as Q45tech has always recommended, level 10 recommends and so on....

I dont know WHAT IN THE HELL you are thinking if you think changing fluids will result in a noticeable change in acceleration/power/or ANYTHING... The reason we use sythetic fluids is because they keep our engine and transmission cleaner, and they last longer.... Yes, your right, they all do the same thing, but they are still much inferior.... Try running mobil 1 for 5000 miles, adn then your supertech for 5000 miles.. Then tell me which one is better....

I almost want to take off my valve covers on this Q to show you how clean a synthetic keeps the engine... Not only mine, but Jesda's engine has about 120k MOREmiles on his engine, and its just as clean... WHY? Because he uses a synthetic oil....

Unfortuately, the bottom line is your Q doesnt run and it probably wont for a while, and unfortunately will probably never run right ever again without some seroius help.. So your right, it doesnt matter..... but for those of us who seem to concern ourself of the performance of a fluid rather than cost, we will continue to use....

[Altiman94]

the young man has a point, but he doesnt understand the benefits of using quality oil is not for performance, more for good maintainence and long engine/transmission life. I use synethetic fluids in boith my cars. Engine, transmission, and differential

[PoorManQ45]

I almost want to take off my valve covers on this Q to show you how clean a synthetic keeps the engine... Not only mine, but Jesda's engine has about 120k MOREmiles on his engine, and its just as clean... WHY? Because he uses a synthetic oil....

I have to call BS again. My father had a 351W in a Fastback 'stang that he had for ~160k miles. He used nothing but AmsOil Motor Oil in it from the day he built it. He tore it down after 100k miles and rebuilt it. He was saying to me how clean everything in the engine was. Almost like new. He had a 4500~6000 mile Oil Change interval.

So, are you telling me tat Synthetic Oil would .have some how kept it even cleaner? If so, the difference would have been un-noticable.

ALso, for the record, I dont think that M1 is the *best* transmission fluid. I think M1 is probably the best stuff you can get off teh shelf, as we all know redline is superior.... ANd its what I'll be using in my car, as Q45tech has always recommended, level 10 recommends and so on....

I guess that I don't fall into the "all of us" category, because I don't know that Redline is superior. I have never wanted to waste my money so badly as to buy Redline Oil. Again, what's the difference? Nill.

The reason we use sythetic fluids is because they keep our engine and transmission cleaner, and they last longer....

Wrong The reason you should use Synthetic oil is because it does not break down as quickly as Standard Motor Oil. Regular Motor Oil can keep an engine just as clean as Synthetic. It all depends on the detergients that the Manufacturer puts in the Oil. Most build-up in an engine is caused by Over-extended Oil Changes. Try changing your oil after 10k~20k miles and see what happens. The oil will probably come out of the pan in clumps.

Try running mobil 1 for 5000 miles, adn then your supertech for 5000 miles.. Then tell me which one is better....

I've done that. They came out of the pan looking the same. There was no noticable difference in color and/or viscosity.

Unfortuately, the bottom line is your Q doesnt run and it probably wont for a while, and unfortunately will probably never run right ever again without some seroius help..

That was kind of a cheap shot.

..... but for those of us who seem to concern ourself of the performance of a fluid rather than cost, we will continue to use....

Wes: please send some of that excess money that you have to me.

I have this nice bridge for sale in California. I think you might like it. Give me a jingle if you're interested. 867-5309 ask for Jenny

[Jesda]

Expensive fluids are cheaper than new parts. The cost is justified.