Mobil-1 changed their ATF formula... - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

gsxr · #16 10-05-2007, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patbob

Sounds like a classic marketing vs. engineering/lawyers conflict. Anyone know what the difference between Dexron and Mercon specs are? Maybe there's a difference and it doesn't meet dexron specs anymore, but in a way our old cars won't care about?

I suspect this is exactly what happened. But I'm also not confident that our old cars "wont care" about the difference. I'd like to call Mobil's tech line and chat with someone there when I have a chance, just to see what they say.

Ken300D · #17 10-05-2007, 05:11 PM

Is Amsoil somehow related to Amway?

The reason I ask is because when I searched on distributors, I get individuals and their home addresses.

Is Amsoil available from one of the chain parts outlets?

Ken300D

gsxr · #18 10-05-2007, 05:18 PM

That's the nuisance with Amsoil... it's sort of a pyramid-style marketing scheme, sort of like Cutco knives. Good products, but the marketing may turn some people off.

Anyway, you probably will NOT find Amsoil at any major chain stores. A smaller local speed shop may carry it. If you intend to buy more than a case or two at a time, you can probably get your own Amsoil distributorship. A couple of years ago I investigated this and found that may be the cheaper way to go, unless you can find a local Amsoil dealer that sells near wholesale prices. Do some Googling and see what turns up... that worked for me last time.

pawoSD · #19 10-05-2007, 05:22 PM

No, Amway is an evil personal care products corporation run by Dick DeVos. Their headquarters is about 13 miles from me. They have the whole "be your own salesman" approach, but its targeted at people who are having a hard time financially. Only 10% of the people that pay to be part of the Amway program ever see a profit from it. The rest lose money......

ANYways....

... Amsoil is a separate company. They do allow you to be a member and buy the products wholesale (for a $20 per year member fee) or you can be a "dealer" for $30 a year....which means you can legitimately re-sell and distribute their products as well. Pretty cool system. The guy I talked to here locally today is a "dealer" from his house. We'll probably pay to become a member so we get the stuff at wholesale. I'm going to call him back next week to buy 8qts of tranny fluid from him and become a memeber.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ken300D

Is Amsoil somehow related to Amway?

The reason I ask is because when I searched on distributors, I get individuals and their home addresses.

Is Amsoil available from one of the chain parts outlets?

Ken300D

DieselAddict · #20 10-05-2007, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gsxr

Like I've said (repeatedly), the wording on their spec sheets is very odd. The new M-1 MVF is "approved" only for Mercon/Allison/ZF applications, not Dexron. It's "recommended" for Dexron apps, but they then "recommend" their synthetic blend Dexron VI formula for "improved performance" on pre-2006 GM vehicles! Why would a synthetic blend out-perform a full synthetic, and only for Dexron applications? Sounds fishy to me. Their Dexron VI formula is "approved" for Dexron applications. It's like they're saying "yeah, you can use M-1 MVF in Dexron transmissions, but we'd rather you didn't... instead, you should use our synthetic blend fluid." Oh, and also, the new MVF stuff is about 20% cheaper than the previous M-1 formula it replaces. That's also a little odd.

True. But there may be disadvantages to the new stuff that we're not yet aware of. I'd prefer not to find out the hard way!

The "improved performance" may be slightly better fuel economy and I doubt it has anything to do with wear, but of course I could be wrong. Like I said today's transmissions call for thinner fluids. If you go to Redline's website and look at their transmission fluid spec sheet, you'll see that the new D6 has a lower viscosity than the older formulas. If you do get a hold of a Mobil tech let us know what he says about this. I'm curious too. More likely though you'll get a hold of some clueless customer service representative.

muleears · #21 10-06-2007, 08:06 AM

Regarding the availability of the Amsoil products, my local NAPA sells it.

pawoSD · #22 10-06-2007, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by muleears

Regarding the availability of the Amsoil products, my local NAPA sells it.

Hmm....I wonder if our NAPA has it....I might go look, as thats waaay closer than the distributor guy I was talking to. (Napa is 1.2 miles away, the guy is 13, one way)

gsxr · #23 10-06-2007, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by muleears

Regarding the availability of the Amsoil products, my local NAPA sells it.

Seriously!? Wow. I'll definitely check that out...! If they do have it, I'll report back with their pricing. Ballpark pricing seems to be ~$9.50/qt for Amsoil ATF. I wonder what "wholesale" cost is.

Rob124 · #24 10-06-2007, 11:21 AM

I noticed they had cases of both types of Mobil1 ATF at the independent parts place downtown the other day. Guess it's time to stock up on the old stuff? They also stock Amsoil and Redline, but they seemed pricier.

pawoSD · #25 10-06-2007, 12:28 PM

Found a new fluid at NAPA today that we're going to use in the MB's.....its called Valvoline DEXRON VI....full synthetic. It is meant for all GM and import vehicles requiring Dexron II, III or VI. Perfect! AND, normally its only $4.79/qt for synthetic! It was on sale today! $3.69 qt! Full tranny change for $31!!

No Amsoil for us....way too expensive! We'll see how well this stuff works, it looks to be good stuff....plus its a full synthetic!

They still had some old Mobil 1 on the shelf, none of the new stuff....so I'm not sure on that....but it was $7 a bottle and they only had 6 left, which is not enough.......so we went with valvoline.

DieselAddict · #26 10-06-2007, 03:26 PM

Based on the price the Valvoline is probably a GIII synthetic, i.e. not a true synthetic. But I'm sure it will do the job just fine.

Hatterasguy · #27 10-06-2007, 04:11 PM

I think I'm going to switch over to Amsoil as well. Buy it from a store? Thats so 20th century, I'll just order it online. Driving around town looking for a place that has it is such a hassle, don't have the time.

gsxr · #28 10-08-2007, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

I think I'm going to switch over to Amsoil as well. Buy it from a store? Thats so 20th century, I'll just order it online. Driving around town looking for a place that has it is such a hassle, don't have the time.

LOL. I agree... but I've also found that the cost of shipping for several gallons of lubricant can be significant. If you find any screaming deals online, please let us know!

vstech · #29 10-08-2007, 11:57 AM

the bottle says for use in 2005 and earlier... for 06 and improved performance, use the other stuff, but um, all my cars are older than 05, so I think sticking with the M1 fluid is fine.

gsxr · #30 10-08-2007, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vstech

the bottle says for use in 2005 and earlier... for 06 and improved performance, use the other stuff, but um, all my cars are older than 05, so I think sticking with the M1 fluid is fine.

No... it says,

"Mobil DEXRON-VI ATF is recommended for ... improved performance in 2005 and earlier GM vehicles, wherever DEXRON is specified."

They are recommending you use their DEXRON-VI fluid for improved performance in cars 2005 and older that originally required Dexron, INSTEAD of Mobil-1 ATF. The front of the bottle only says MERCON. They don't say anywhere on the bottle that the new stuff is either officially approved for, or meets, Dexron specifciations.