Transmission Fluid Brands
There are a number of popular transmission fluid brands available if you're thinking about doing the fluid change yourself or if you want to specify the the brand that you'd like used when you take your vehicle to get serviced at your local dealer.
Automatic transmission fluid is typically colored red or green to easily distinguish it from other vehicle fluids and the level is usually checked with a dipstick with the engine running.
When searching for transmission fluid brands you'll typically run into a number of ATF specifications such as DEXRON and Mercon that are designed to be used with certain vehicles that in some cases are available to competing brands and in other cases are specific to certain manufacturers' vehicles. Current fluid specifications include the following:
ATF+4: Specific to most Chrysler products including Jeep and Dodge
Mercon 4: Ford, Mercury and Lincoln brands
Mercon LV: Some Ford brands as well as Mazda
DEXRON VI: GM brands mostly
ATF DW-1: Honda and Acura brands
SP-III: Hyundai, Kia and Misubishi brands
It's important to note what specific ATF requirements your vehicle has because using the wrong ATF can severely damage your transmission. If in doubt consult your owner's manual because it will tell you what transmission fluid brands and specifications suit your vehicle.
With this in mind, here are some of the most well-known brands of transmission fluid. You'll recognize many of the names as being well-known motor oil manufacturers:
AMSOIL: "First In Synthetics" and they also produce their AMSOIL Synthetic Universal Automatic Transmission Fluid product for automobiles. Given that it's marketed as a universal ATF, it promotes itself as being "completely compatible with other synthetic and petroleum automatic transmission fluids" and in that regard is available for use with a wide range of vehicles.
Beck/Arnley: Beck/Arnley's Premium OE Automatic Transmission Fluid is a product aimed at Asian built vehicles. Beck/Arnley is well known for providing aftermarket foreign auto parts.
Bully Dog: Bully Dog produces their Rapid Power Automatic Transmission Fluid.
Castrol: Castrol has a series of ATFs including DEXRON VI, DEX/MERC, Import Vehicle, MERCON V, ATF4, Type F and High Mileage products.
Mobil 1: Another well-known motor oil producer, their Mobil 1 Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid product is a synthetic ATF and like synthetic oils, this synthetic product claims to extend your transmission's life through durability and protection.
Peak Performance: Peak Performance produces an ATF for vehicles that require either a DEXRON III or a Mercon fluid.
Royal Purple: Royal Purple is also know for their line of synthetic motor oil under the same name. They produce a Max ATF high performance transmission fluid in the distinctive royal purple colored bottle.
Valvoline: Valvoline's MaxLife® DEX/MERC ATF (automatic transmission fluid) is packaged in a distinctive red plastic bottle and is promoted as the "first ATF for 75,000 miles & beyond." They also offer a MaxLife Stop Leak product to help stop leaks in transmissions with 75,000 miles or more.
