July 1, 2025 BY
IN Oil

Technology Development

Step type automatic transmissions (AT’s) have undergone significant development with increasing gear ratios and longer service intervals, high performance friction materials and complex hydraulic shift systems. It is no surprise the Automatic Transmission Fluids (ATF’s) have improved significantly to meet these demands and with reducing oil viscosity to assist with improved fuel economy.

CASTROL TRANSMAX ATF DEXRON VI-MERCON LV MULTIVEHICLE is one such fluid and due to these performance improvements, it is recommended for use in a wide variety of applications.

JASO M315:2015

TRANSMAX ATF DEXRON VI-MERCON LV MULTIVEHICLE exceeds the JASO 1A-LV performance requirements and is recommended for use against most Japanese OEM requirements.

There are many OEM first fill fluids and specifications required by Japanese OEM’s. Each first fill fluid having subtle performance differences to deliver the desired outcome and performance for the OEM in question. However, fluids meeting JASO M315:2015 1A or 1A LV, are recognized by Japanese OEM’s as acceptable service fill alternatives.

Improved Wear Control

TRANSMAX ATF DEXRON VI-MERCON LV MULTIVEHICLE exceeds the requirements of GM’s DEXRON VI specification with approximately 15% increase in the wear control compared to the superseded DEXRON III-H, a higher viscosity fluid

TRANSMAX ATF DEXRON VI-MERCON LV MULTIVEHICLE exceeds the requirements of FORD MERCON LV specification providing improved 4 ball wear results over the FORD MERCON V specification

Improved Friction Duration

TRANSMAX ATF DEXRON VI-MERCON LV MULTIVEHICLE has significantly improved friction durability over typical DEXRON III oils delivering 2 time longer smooth shifts and anti-shudder control.

Backwards Compatibility

GM recommend the use DEXRON VI approved oils in vehicles requiring earlier fluids from MY 2006. Note GM do not recommend DEXRON VI in manual transmissions where earlier DEXRON specifications were required.

Further confirmation of the back serviceability of TRANSMAX ATF DEXRON VI-MERCON LV MULTIVEHICLE is shown by Ford recommending the use of MERCON LV fluids where FORD MERCON approved fluids were recommended from 2003 MY vehicles – transmission models, 5R110 & 4F27E.

Guidelines for use

6 RATIOS OR GREATER TRANSMAX ATF DEXRON VI-MERCON LV MULTIVEHICLE in 5 RATIOS AND LOWER ATF DEX Merc MV, TRANSMAX Z or TRANSMAX Mercon V As always check with your technical services team to ensure you are providing the correct recommendation.

References

Afton Chemical Specifications Handbook 09/18

Ford Mercon LV Specification 1 Jan 2014 revision

Ford Motorcraft Automatic Transmission Chart V15/ US