PontiacBonnevilleClub.com

2002 sle
104k
good weather cruiser


When I bought the Bonny, I serviced the tranny, drained and filled and put in a new filter. I used a generic brand of Dextron III with some Lucas and she runs fine and shifts well.

I also own a 2006 Toyota Rav4 V6 that I bought used several years ago for towing when I was going to buy a small bass boat. I pulled my old bass boat with a Ford Bronco and was looking for another Ford or Chevy truck but I got a good deal on the Rav4. Soon after, I got sick and the chemo-therapy killed my muscle tissues so I had to give up the boat, but I kept the Rav4 as a daily driver.

So the time comes to change the atf in the Toyota, she just rolled over 80k. This rig uses toyota type WS atf which the toyota dealer sells for $9.50/qt. The only non-toyota WS atf fluid I could find is Valvoline Max Life ATF. It is a full synthetic atf that is compatible with a wide range of atfs including DextronIII. I paid $6.00 /qt for the Max Life, needed 4 qts. The Rav4's tranny has no issues, runs fine.

So I drain and refill and go for a test drive. She felt like I gained horsepower and shifted like new. Shifts are very smooth, the improvement was immediate. Even cold shifting is smooth, no bumps or thumps.

I am going to use this Max Life in the Bonny and see if I get a similar performance improvement. I will report back when I get the Bonny done. Anyone else tried this atf?

Steven

As long as it is DEXIII compatible, it should run fine in the Bonneville. As long as the trans was relatively well maintained, it won't be picky. I'd advise you to put in some Lucas in there because it typically helps anyways.

Now I must ask, are you planning on keeping the Bonneville for a long time? While you're under there doing the fluid and filter, it would benefit it greatly to install a TransGo shift kit.

I bought 3 gallons of it at $15.99 a gallon. It was the best fluid I could buy for the price. Got it at (CRINGE) Autozone (CRINGE AGAIN). Got it 'cause the youngest son is putting in a TransGo shift kit in the '05 Bonneville. - BC

I am planning on keeping the Bonny for a while, maybe I will do the shift kit.

I get most of my fluids at the local WalMart, but they do not carry the Max Life atf yet. Auto parts stores around here in CT are around $6.00 /qt for this atf. WalMart usually undersells them, sometimes by a lot. I can get Valvoline Max Life synthetic blend 10w-30 oil for $16.17 per 5qt container at WalMart, 300 feet next door Auto Zone sells the same thing for $29.99!!! Auto Zone prices are usually ok for most stuff, but their motor oil is steep!!!

Steven

I have used the MAx Life in several different cars... It covers quite a bit... IIRC its a Dex 6 equivalent.. I have had Valvoline Dex 6 in my 03 for a couple of years with no issues at all..

MrT wrote:I am planning on keeping the Bonny for a while, maybe I will do the shift kit.

I get most of my fluids at the local WalMart, but they do not carry the Max Life atf yet. Auto parts stores around here in CT are around $6.00 /qt for this atf. WalMart usually undersells them, sometimes by a lot. I can get Valvoline Max Life synthetic blend 10w-30 oil for $16.17 per 5qt container at WalMart, 300 feet next door Auto Zone sells the same thing for $29.99!!! Auto Zone prices are usually ok for most stuff, but their motor oil is steep!!! Steven

The Castrol Dexos I Semi-Synthetic 5qt jug (gray jug - not the charcoal) was $16.47 at Walmart the last time I bought motor oil there. I use it now in both Bonnevilles. I think the Valvoline MaxLife ATF is on sale at Autozone is why it was $15.99 a gallon. It is $5.99 or $6.99 a quart at Autozone. - BC