Any problems using synthetic ATF in T-20

[micmac]

Picked up a quart of Valvoline synthetic ATF instead of dextron III by mistake. Are there any problems with using this in the t-20 or should I bring it back and get the standard stuff?

Mike

[hydromike]

I don't have any direct experience with using synthetics in the T-20, but (insert HUGE caveat here) I don't THINK that it would cause any problems. The synthetics hold up to thermal breakdown quite a bit better, and I don't THINK it should affect the band adhesion at all. Again, I have no experience. It could turn out to be significantly better! I realize that this post doesn't help at all, but folks like responses... :o)

~m

[REELLS]

Micmac..
I tried using Amsoil synthetic in my Max with the T-20. I ended up having a significant amount of band chatter. It was very noticable in the laterals the more you drove it. Even when I put the corvette additive in it did not eliminate the chatter. I ended up draining the tranny and replaced with dexron and the corvette addiitve. The chatter went away.

[rdr]

doin't know but i'm using 100% atf nothing elese works great . robbie .

[micmac]

I guess I'll just go with what I know works. Thanks for the input guys

Mike

[porcupine73]

Micmac..
I tried using Amsoil synthetic in my Max with the T-20. I ended up having a significant amount of band chatter. It was very noticable in the laterals the more you drove it. Even when I put the corvette additive in it did not eliminate the chatter. I ended up draining the tranny and replaced with dexron and the corvette addiitve. The chatter went away.

Hello! Interesting. I also just put amsoil syn atf in my '99 Max IV t-20 trans. It doesn't seem to be quite right now. However I think it was run low on fluid in the past by previous owner, and there was a fair amount of metal dust on the drain plug. I think it is slowly leaking fluid as well.

Anway, I live near Rec Industries in Buffalo and initially I told them I had bought redline synthetic type F, and they sold me a bottle of limited slip additive to add to the fluid.

Type F does not have friction modifiers otherwise. Not sure what type A is but I saw that in the manual as well.

[Roger S]

The difference in atf fluids is the additive package which has friction modifiers. It affects the shift feel in automatics. Some of the cars of the last decade are pretty squirrely about fluid choices. If you put type a/dexron in an old ford type f trans, it'd shift sloppy, ie slip more. I would hazard a guess that type f would require less push on the laterals to hold the bands, than any other fluid. That's a guess, with no experience.

[fulleraviation]

Factoy SAYS NO!

I called RI when I went to change mine for the first time and they said absolutely NOT. Do not use synthetic...

Don't know why.... I used the Type F and the additive.

Found both at Advance Auto.

Rut

[porcupine73]

Maybe they think the seals or friction materials might not be compatible with synthetics? Many auto makers in earlier years said they did not recommend synthetics but it was mainly because they had not tested their units with synthetic fluids so they couldn't really say it was ok to use them.

Maybe the amsoil syn atf is too heavily friction modified. It is also listed for nissanmatic Jatco boxes which require a heavily friction modified ATF. Maybe the amsoil super shift would be a better choice, it says use for type F applications.