dmaxstore posted the following:
This is the recommended service procedure from Allison -

Quote from Allison service manual:


"NOTE: The charging pump screen located in the transmission sump is an oil strainer and need only be serviced at overhaul."


Question: is there a recommended overhaul interval?

Allison fluid: which is better, TranSynd or Amsoil universal synthetic ATF?

AMSOIL is easier to get than the TranSynd. Lots of guys having problems locating the stuff, where as you can go right to the AMSOIL web site and have it in under 3 days.

OVERHAUL is usually a rebuild. Severe service has a recommended fluid change at 50k intervals, so changing out cant hurt and getting any "large" chunks out is better than leaving them in.

We have Kits available for $94.99 @ www.DmaxStore.com (http://www.DmaxStore.com) and you get 2 Gallons of Transynd synthetic fluid and Allison external filter. We reccomend this service every 30k miles and only changing an internal filter if you are rebuilding the transmission or switching to a deep sump pan.

I am sure Amsoil is good and it meets the Allision standards but has not been tested or aproved by Allison. :)

There is no stated overhaul limit on the Allison.

As for your specific fluid question, I'd have to say that any TES-295 licensed fluid is "better" than Amsoils "universal synthetic ATF", but that's not to say that the "ATF" is bad in any way. I'm drawing a distinction between the use of the letters ATF (automatic transmission fluid) and "ATF" which is a specific product name used by Amsoil for one particular product. The same can be said for Mobil 1 "ATF" (a specific licenced product by Exxon/Mobil). It's somewhat confusing, but you could almost call the product Amsoil "ATF" ATF, because you have the brand (Amsoil), the product name ("ATF") and the product desination (ATF=automatic transmission fluid).

In fact, it's not a really fair comparison, because Amsoil's direct product clone of TES-295 fluids is called "Torqdrive", and the "ATF" is a seperate (almost generic) product. The "Torqdrive" product is much closer in performance to TES-295 fluids; so much so that you and your tranny would never know the difference. But to be fair, that can be said of all the TES-295 clones including 204S-AT and AutoTrans-5 as well.

The Amsoil "ATF" is somewhat of a universal product, in that they recommend its use for former DEX III/Mercon applications, DEX VI, and some others such as ATF+4, IIRC.

But in a nutshell, it's fair to say the "Transynd" is better than Amsoil "ATF". But that is an apples to oranges comparison. Apples to apples would be Transynd to Torqdrive; and that's a much more evenly matched application.

If you want to debate the merits of "licensed" versus "non-approved" fluids, be my guest; I'll leave that to the marketeers.

Clear as mud, right?

Amsoil Torque Drive is the direct replacement for Transyd.

M&F

Interesting quote from Allison's website at:http://allisontransmission.com/service/autoapp/172/viewpage.jsp?ThisPage=3

"When seeking a fluid for your Allison transmission that is TES 295 approved do not fall to the claims of some companies that claim that their product is TES 295 approved. The statements infer that these products "are designed to meet", "are equivalent to", "meet or exceed", etc. When determining whether or not a fluid is TES 295 approved, look and/or ask for one of two things:

# The Allison TES 295 approval number
# The Allison Approved logo"

Another quote from Allison:

How does Torque-Drive™ compare to AMSOIL Synthetic Transmission Fluid (ATF)?
Torque-Drive™ was created to satisfy the concerns of customers currently using TranSynd®, and it carries with it the confidence to be used for the intervals established by Allison. AMSOIL ATF is a more advanced product with universal applications such as Mercon V and ATF +4. AMSOIL does not recommend draining or switching to Torque-Drive™ unless the Allison customer intends on following the extended drain interval recommendations of Allison.

Cewillis, your quote is not from Allison but from Amsoil, itself. http://www.amsoil.com/performancetests/torque_drive_q_a.aspx

Cewillis, your quote is not from Allison but from Amsoil, itself. http://www.amsoil.com/performancetests/torque_drive_q_a.aspx

My mistake -- sorry

We have Transynd packaged for shipping in the lower 48 states :)

Interesting quote from Allison's website at:http://allisontransmission.com/service/autoapp/172/viewpage.jsp?ThisPage=3

"When seeking a fluid for your Allison transmission that is TES 295 approved do not fall to the claims of some companies that claim that their product is TES 295 approved. The statements infer that these products "are designed to meet", "are equivalent to", "meet or exceed", etc. When determining whether or not a fluid is TES 295 approved, look and/or ask for one of two things:

# The Allison TES 295 approval number
# The Allison Approved logo"

That statement is money talking pure and simple. No Amsoil's Torque Drive isn't on the approved list because Castrol/Allison have made it very hard to get the testing done. The testing has been done on the Transysnd so what Amsoil did is chemically deconstruct Transynd in a lab and then reconstruct it using Amsoils additives and base stocks. The testing has been done on Transynd and Torque Drive is a Clone of that. Amsoil has done the same testing on Torque Drive as Allison/Castrol did on Transynd and it performs and tests exactly as Transynd. It is usually cheaper than Transynd and as stated in an above post more readily available.

If you are hung up on an approval number, label or approved logo that is ok. I have no problem with that. I totally understand where you come from. If you are using Amsoils Torque Drive and your transmission has an oil related failure and its under warranty from GM they are going to warranty your trans. If they don't warranty your trans that had an oil related failure simply because you used Amsoil and you have followed all service recommendations in the GM manual Amsoil backs Torque Drive with a Warranty. Amsoil will pay to fix your transmission with its warranty and will then go after GM for the money they paid out to cover your trans with their lawyers. YOU ARE COVERED one way or the other against an oil related failure if you use Amsoil's Torque Drive.

There is only one situation where your not double covered and that is if you bought an Allison extended warranty they (Allison) will not cover you unless you use the Transynd only.

This not a bash on Transynd its good fluid and I won't tell you any different. It is just a few facts to be put out for you the consumer to read and decide what you want to do.

Interesting info but why risk using a product that could be inferior and is not aproved by Allison on your $5000 dollar transmission. It does not make sense when Transynd is available and proven?:rolleyes:

Interesting info but why risk using a product that could be inferior and is not aproved by Allison on your $5000 dollar transmission. It does not make sense when Transynd is available and proven?:rolleyes:

Thats funny! I was not trying to start a debate.......the age old debate as it were, just throwing facts out there. If some body feels that Amsoil is "INFERIOR" then I ask them not to use it for their piece of mind. I would ask them to take you up on your offer for 2 gallons transynd and a spin-on filter for 94.99 + shipping. If they are comfortable that Amsoil isn't an "INFERIOR" product and would like to use the Torque Drive and a WIX external filter and take us up on our DP offer they will pay substantially less for the same deal through us and get 6 months of wholesale purchasing of Amsoil products on top of that.

You don't stay in business for 35 years with inferior products especially when you back those products with a warranty. If you sold an inferior product with a warranty your insurance company would have no choice but to drop you due to too many claims paid out. From the inception of warranties until 2004 Amsoil paid out 0 claims due to an oil related failure using Amsoil. I don't know about 2004 to present because thay have not released that info but I would imagine its pretty much inline with the previous 29 years.

So what you are saying is some one could save $13 on a fluid that is not aproved by the manafacturer, get a WIX filter instead of an Allison to protect their $5000 dollar transmision? WHY?

I am sure Amsoil is good but in this case it does not make sense to use anything else.

So what you are saying is some one could save $13 on a fluid that is not aproved by the manafacturer, get a WIX filter instead of an Allison to protect their $5000 dollar transmision? WHY?

I am sure Amsoil is good but in this case it does not make sense to use anything else.

Its not becoming of two vendors to get into a debate like this so I will stop on my end.

I ask anybody who wants to use Transynd to buy from you. Your deal is a great deal for Transynd.

I ask anybody who wants to buy Amsoil to buy from me its a great product at a great price with our DP offer. If you would like to continue your debate with me in Email or PM I will be glad to do that with you. I won't continue it in these public forums and look like children.

Sounds good - and dont get me wrong Amsoil is a good product:)

Get trans synd its made by allison for allison

avlube.com has the the latest generation TES-295 approved fluid as well - Mobil Delvac Synthetic ATF.

I use the TES 295 Mobil Delvac ATF — which I can buy locally for $32/gallon (same as Transynd). Is TorqueDrive, which everyone agrees is high a high quality lubricant, substantially less expensive? I have never seen it to price it.

I use the TES 295 Mobil Delvac ATF — which I can buy locally for $32/gallon (same as Transynd). Is TorqueDrive, which everyone agrees is high a high quality lubricant, substantially less expensive? I have never seen it to price it.

If your finding transynd for 32.00 per gallon you are on the deal of all deals. Most places are approx 40.00 a gallon some a little less some a little more. I can't tell you in open forums how much Torque Drive is on the wholesale program but it retails 43.55 a gallon. Nobody here that goes through me would ever pay that. If you want to know pm me I will tell you there.

Dane

"Get trans synd its made by allison for allison"

Incorrect. It's made by Castrol, for anyone that wants to purchase it. Allison uses it as a reference fluid for its TES-295 specs. It was the fluid developed in cooperation between Allison and Castrol. It is TES-295 licensed.

But so are several other products, including one by John Deere! There is no reason to think or believe that one TES-295 fluid is "better" than another licensed product. That is the purpose of licensing; assuring performance and/or composition criteria to a set minimum standard.

Is it possible that one TES-295 fluid might be better than another, but without huge investments in time/money/resources that NONE of us here have, there is no way to know for sure. What is known for sure, is that licensed fluids under TES-295 are awesome products, with a guaranteed performance level.

I buy a lot of products off the Internet. The convenience and price are well worth the wait. Just about all the upgrades on my truck where purchased from a vendor on this forum. I get customer support and a great price.

I just don't understand this transmission oil thing. Why is it so expensive? I can buy a five gal. pail of Transynd for $148 locally, I didn't even shop around.

My wife works for an oil distributor, they mainly deal with Mobil and Shell products They probably can't get the Transynd but should be able to get the Mobil Delvac Synthetic ATF.

I might have to find out the unit price on 500 pails and start my own business.

Shipping is the hard part - bulk is cheaper we can get you 55 gallon drums for $1300 if you want. But you have to pick it up:)

The Exxon/Mobil web site links to distributors in every state. Found my Delvec ATF that way - only 1 mile from home and at a decent price - no shipping fee!

;)

Transynd

And it is not hard to find if you live anywhere near a Allison dealer.

I don't plan far enough ahead to order oil when I want to change a fluid .

I don't want to wait or have money tied up in fluid that is just sitting there