Atf

[seth]

Been thinking about switching to ATF. Just curios which ATF do you guys run?  Dexron ii,iii,IV?  Or does it really matter?


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[broken1]

I run type F. Here's a thread with some good info: http://trx250r.org/threads/571-Changing-to-different-trans-oil-type-question?highlight=tranny+fluid

[Skeans1]

I'm cheap and run 15w40 out of my 55 gallon drum with no problems plus I've always got a few gallons in the truck so I can change after rides. The main take away should be something cheap enough you can change it after every ride.

[seth]

I've been running rottella in mine but ATF is a couple bucks cheaper by the gallon here.  

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[JesseA420]

I'm cheap and run 15w40 out of my 55 gallon drum with no problems plus I've always got a few gallons in the truck so I can change after rides. The main take away should be something cheap enough you can change it after every ride.

how do your clutch plates hold up when not using wet clutch fluid? i remember doing that when i was a teenager and not knowing any better, only made it a couple hours and my weekend was shot they were slipping so bad i had to get towed back to the truck.

[Skeans1]

how do your clutch plates hold up when not using wet clutch fluid? i remember doing that when i was a teenager and not knowing any better, only made it a couple hours and my weekend was shot they were slipping so bad i had to get towed back to the truck.

So far so good Jesse, but I'm running a lock out in the puma and the sphinx never slipped.

[jwraymond6]

I use rotella T it's supposed to meet the wet clutch requirements

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shell_Rotella_T

[The norm]

X3 on the rotella. Just gotta be sure it isn't synthetic. I've even used delo 400 15-40. It's been my experience that atf will foam up in gear boxes. We have tried using Dex 3 in a few gear boxes at the power plant. It does work great in air compressors though.

[dem3500]

why would you not want to use what honda recommends? i know theres plenty of people that have run atf and theres tons of different opinions but why would anyone want to deviate from what the engineers specked for their design?

[jfwyatt1]

ive been using rotella 15w40 since the late 90s in all my atvs and motorcycles have never had an oil related malfunction since i switched. that said when i worked as an atv /dirt bike mechanic at a local dealer i learned a very inportant thing about factory spec oils the oems (honda/yamaha and even harley) use the absolute cheapest supplier that can meet their specs for the oil they put there name on and they change suppliers almost with the seasons. i have always heard and told others to find an oil that works for you and stick with it. just as an example i have over 4500 miles on an `09 rzr, 12000+miles on a vstar 1300, 400ex stroker i built in `03 stil lrunning strong with hardly any compression lossand still running original clutch plates, `04 scrambler 500 unknown hours. and numerous other atvs, dirtbikes and streetbikes all on rotella 15w40 without 1 single issue or problem and my stuff dosent sit it gets rode and rode hard the 400ex is on its 5th or sixth set of rear tires and i run them till there down to 15-20% tread. the only thing i ever noticed is on the RC51 i had a few years ago was the temp on mine ran slightly higher than my cousins and he used castrol activo but mine shifted smoother than his and never heard any valvetrain noise on mine but his would have a more pronounced chatter at idle. long story short find what your comfortable with using and change it often.

[F-Red]

Change it often.

Summed up in three words.        ^^

[dem3500]

Summed up in three words.        ^^

this is the same statement said with EVERYONE that uses atf. change it often. i ran it in my banshee a few times. one ride and the fluid would turn brown and was very very thinned out. atf is pretty thin as it is but it was almost like water. id be willing to bet you could run ANY oil if you changed it after every few hours of riding so to say that atf is a "proper" oil to run is pretty far fetched. i know this is one of those topics that can be argued to the end of time but to say to use atf but you have to change it often, well in my opinion those to statements contradict one another. if its a proper oil to run then why doesnt honda sat to use it? and why would you have to change it after every few hours of riding? this is my opinion and im not trying to bash anyone so please dont take it that way. im just trying to look at the facts and come up with a logical outcome. i could put any oil in there and change it often and im sure it would last another 30 years so if you want to look at it that way then its the proper oil to use but im sure theres zero benefit to running atf over wet clutch compatible motor cycle oil that honds specs. all its going to do is cost you more money because your changing it often. thats my outlook on the situation.

[broken1]

im sure theres zero benefit to running atf over wet clutch compatible motor cycle oil that honds specs.

One thing to think about is that Honda engineers also spec a 20:1 fuel mix. I don't know anyone that follows that spec. Besides, atf is made for wet clutches.

[dem3500]

One thing to think about is that Honda engineers also spec a 20:1 fuel mix. I don't know anyone that follows that spec. Besides, atf is made for wet clutches.

This is true, but new oil technology allows for the same protection with a lower ratio of oil to gas. The oil in the trans is not the same as the 2 stroke oil you burn. There is a fixed amount of oil in the trans that's needed to reach all the gears thst need the protection and with the lower pre mix ratios were still using 2 stroke oil, were just allowed to use less due to the advance technology that just wasn't there 30 years ago. Trans fluid is trams fluid and wet clutch compatible engine oil is NOT atf. Like putting oranges in apple pie and expecting it to taste like apple pie lol

[F-Red]

Have you ever seen the inside of a automatic tranny? A lot of bearings gears and clutch plates. If it's good enough for protecting those, should be good for the little 250R. I personally don't use ATF. I like the Honda Red Bottle. Too many people having good success with ATF. Including Uncle Neil.