Posting this not to shame or bash, but so that people will have the information they need to make their own informed decision.
It seems Amsoil is a VERY popular product with these vehicles. I myself have been using their products in all my stuff for years now with zero issues. However, when it comes to the 10R60 and 10R80 transmissions, and anything else calling for a ULV fluid, I wanted to bring something very important to light
I'm a big advocate of Amsoil. I use it like Frank's Red Hot; I put that shit in everything. However as much as I hate to say this, Amsoil Fuel Efficient (Product code ATL with the BLUE cap) signature series ATF is NOT properly spec'd for use in transmissions that call for a ULV fluid. In fact, Amsoil just flat out doesn't have a proper ULV certified ATF in their inventory. I know there's lots of people out there who use it in the 10R60/10R80 transmissions and had what they feel was a positive experience, especially in this group. However I am also finding lots of feedback on various forums for both Ford and GM based transmissions where people complained about heavier, "bulkier" shifts (Harder shifts do not automatically translate to "better" shifts) as well as other detrimental behavior and ended up going back to a ULV.
Amsoil and their dealers will tell you the ATL is OK to use in these transmissions, however that does not change the fact that it has a considerable difference in viscosity.
Mercon ULV viscosity = 4.5cst @ 100C (19.2cst @40C)
Amsoil SS FE ATF = 6.3cst @ 100C (30.8cst @40C)
Simply put, you would have to run the Amsoil SS 15-20F hotter for the same viscosity at a given point that your ULV would supposedly be at. This probably isn't a very big deal once the fluid is up to operating temp, and might even be somewhat beneficial to people who like to run their vehicles hard. But the shift programming is still going to be calibrated (optimally) for the ULV viscosity to temperature relation. The biggest concern, is that the ATF is going to be thicker, more resistant to flow and yield higher line pressures (Pressure = resistance to flow; higher oil/line pressure is NOT always a good thing) when cold while coming up to operating temp. Especially for those of us who operate our vehicles year round in cold climates.
This would be about the ATF equivalent of running a heavier weight engine oil than called for, which should only be done under extreme circumstances (Hard competition use, such as road racing where the oil is continuously operated at higher than normal temps). Obviously people aren't going to be starting those types of vehicles in their driveway when it's 20F outside and going to the store for milk and bread (or at least they shouldn't be). Viscosity is primarily based and chosen on tolerances and bearing clearances, and the principle is no different in a transmission. In fact, it is ESPECIALLY important in an automatic transmission where more viscosity is going to be reducing flow through all those tiny little passages.
Amsoil and alot of their dealers will rebuttal with sales jargon and tell you it's OK to use, as well as the factory fluid being the wrong viscosity. But that's a particularly bold claim that engineers working for two of the largest auto manufacturers in the United States don't know any better over a salesman maintaining a side hustle. They engineered these units to be more efficient and designed the fluid to those specifications.
Your ride and your call, but personally, I'll wait until Amsoil comes out with a properly spec'd fluid before I dump it in anything calling for a ULV.
It seems Amsoil is a VERY popular product with these vehicles. I myself have been using their products in all my stuff for years now with zero issues. However, when it comes to the 10R60 and 10R80 transmissions, and anything else calling for a ULV fluid, I wanted to bring something very important to light
I'm a big advocate of Amsoil. I use it like Frank's Red Hot; I put that shit in everything. However as much as I hate to say this, Amsoil Fuel Efficient (Product code ATL with the BLUE cap) signature series ATF is NOT properly spec'd for use in transmissions that call for a ULV fluid. In fact, Amsoil just flat out doesn't have a proper ULV certified ATF in their inventory. I know there's lots of people out there who use it in the 10R60/10R80 transmissions and had what they feel was a positive experience, especially in this group. However I am also finding lots of feedback on various forums for both Ford and GM based transmissions where people complained about heavier, "bulkier" shifts (Harder shifts do not automatically translate to "better" shifts) as well as other detrimental behavior and ended up going back to a ULV.
Amsoil and their dealers will tell you the ATL is OK to use in these transmissions, however that does not change the fact that it has a considerable difference in viscosity.
Mercon ULV viscosity = 4.5cst @ 100C (19.2cst @40C)
Amsoil SS FE ATF = 6.3cst @ 100C (30.8cst @40C)
Simply put, you would have to run the Amsoil SS 15-20F hotter for the same viscosity at a given point that your ULV would supposedly be at. This probably isn't a very big deal once the fluid is up to operating temp, and might even be somewhat beneficial to people who like to run their vehicles hard. But the shift programming is still going to be calibrated (optimally) for the ULV viscosity to temperature relation. The biggest concern, is that the ATF is going to be thicker, more resistant to flow and yield higher line pressures (Pressure = resistance to flow; higher oil/line pressure is NOT always a good thing) when cold while coming up to operating temp. Especially for those of us who operate our vehicles year round in cold climates.
This would be about the ATF equivalent of running a heavier weight engine oil than called for, which should only be done under extreme circumstances (Hard competition use, such as road racing where the oil is continuously operated at higher than normal temps). Obviously people aren't going to be starting those types of vehicles in their driveway when it's 20F outside and going to the store for milk and bread (or at least they shouldn't be). Viscosity is primarily based and chosen on tolerances and bearing clearances, and the principle is no different in a transmission. In fact, it is ESPECIALLY important in an automatic transmission where more viscosity is going to be reducing flow through all those tiny little passages.
Amsoil and alot of their dealers will rebuttal with sales jargon and tell you it's OK to use, as well as the factory fluid being the wrong viscosity. But that's a particularly bold claim that engineers working for two of the largest auto manufacturers in the United States don't know any better over a salesman maintaining a side hustle. They engineered these units to be more efficient and designed the fluid to those specifications.
Your ride and your call, but personally, I'll wait until Amsoil comes out with a properly spec'd fluid before I dump it in anything calling for a ULV.
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