ATF/ Gearbox oil

[rita]

Millermatic ATF DM is good stuff - we use hundreds of gallons of the stuff here each year.

Check the level in PARK. Advice from a transmission rebuilder.

Here endeth the lesson . . .

Hi Alacrity,

What is your opinion on...Millermatic AFT SP111.

[Alacrity]

Hi Alacrity, What is your opinion on...Millermatic AFT SP111.

Hmm, not one I am familiar with. My Millers Oil catalogue doesn't list it? They list 3 types: Millermatic ATF + 4, Millermatic ATF DM & Millermatic UN.

They list the ATF + 4 "for use in Chrysler vehicles requiring ATF + 4 standard, and is backwards compatible with all ATF + 3 applications" so I don't know if that is relevant - it is over double the cost of the DM though. I can talk with my rep when I get a chance.

Where have you seen this number??

[rita]

Hi Alacrity, What is your opinion on...Millermatic AFT SP111.

Hmm, not one I am familiar with. My Millers Oil catalogue doesn't list it? They list 3 types: Millermatic ATF + 4, Millermatic ATF DM & Millermatic UN.

They list the ATF + 4 "for use in Chrysler vehicles requiring ATF + 4 standard, and is backwards compatible with all ATF + 3 applications" so I don't know if that is relevant - it is over double the cost of the DM though. I can talk with my rep when I get a chance.

Where have you seen this number??

Hi,

http://www.opieoils.co.uk/p-60226-mille ... p-iii.aspx

[Northern Bongolow]

the reason i sing about dm is that it has good protection from cold and fast warm up times and 100.000km service interval/change.
cannot see those qualities in millars blurb about sp111. give millars a ring they are really good at the advice thing,and wont sell you something you dont need.in the menu options select technical support/advice.
just waiting for delivery of my syntran 11 for my manual g/box,transfer case and both diffs.(non limited slip)

[Alacrity]

It looks like an their equivalent of the Dexron 3 oil that is commonly used. It will be perfectly OK in a Bongo. DM is just a higher quality oil - we no longer use Dexron 3 at all, DM is our 'lowest' spec oil.

Strange that it is on their website but not listed in their blurb I have here.

[mikeonb4c]

It looks like an their equivalent of the Dexron 3 oil that is commonly used. It will be perfectly OK in a Bongo. DM is just a higher quality oil - we no longer use Dexron 3 at all, DM is our 'lowest' spec oil.

Strange that it is on their website but not listed in their blurb I have here.

Oooh, while you are on line Alacrity. I dipped my ATF on Sunday - seemed at the low end although gearbox was cold so maybe not fair to judge. There were a few small dark specks/bits in it (they didn't seem like metal bits though). Should I be concerned (not sure how old the ATF is but colour looked reddish and there was no smell of burnet toast - just possibly there is a slight whine from the gearbox when moving off but can't be sure this is new as its v. slight and might always have been there, just easier to hear when drivers window is wound down).

I'd welcome your thoughts & thanks

Mike

[missfixit70]

Stop faffing about & get it changed Mike, you know it makes sense

[mikeonb4c]

Stop faffing about & get it changed Mike, you know it makes sense

Oh I am, its booked in for Saturday week. Still curious about bits in the ATF though, although having read your original write up on doing the job, it seems clear - whatever some may say - that you can have bits in the filter and black goo in the ATF tray and it does not mean Goodnight Vienna

[Alacrity]

Not sure what the bits would be? Normally anything that gets in there separates out & ends up as the black sludge that you tend to get in the bottom of the pan, it doesn't normally stay suspended. However if it drives OK, & the oil is red & smells OK then I wouldn't worry. I expect the low level was because it was cold, it can make a big difference, as much as 3/4" on some applications.

Most gearboxes have a degree of whine in 1st, some are quite loud & horrible but normal if you know what I mean, again I wouldn't worry yourself about it.

[rita]

It looks like an their equivalent of the Dexron 3 oil that is commonly used. It will be perfectly OK in a Bongo. DM is just a higher quality oil - we no longer use Dexron 3 at all, DM is our 'lowest' spec oil.

Strange that it is on their website but not listed in their blurb I have here.

Hi Alacrity,

The other strange thing is SP 111 is £29.50 for 5 litres

DM is £24.83 for 5 litres.

[mikeonb4c]

Not sure what the bits would be? Normally anything that gets in there separates out & ends up as the black sludge that you tend to get in the bottom of the pan, it doesn't normally stay suspended. However if it drives OK, & the oil is red & smells OK then I wouldn't worry. I expect the low level was because it was cold, it can make a big difference, as much as 3/4" on some applications.

Most gearboxes have a degree of whine in 1st, some are quite loud & horrible but normal if you know what I mean, again I wouldn't worry yourself about it.

Thank you Alacrity - I shall sleep soundly tonight thanks to your post.