Hi,

Am Very concerned, looking for insightful info for this delicate situation:

Only 74,000 miles on our 2012 Galant Auto 4spd 2.4L.

Drained Trans fluid myself at about 71,000 miles from the magnetic 24mm drain plug and cleaned the magnetic tip.
I don't remember how bad the fluid was but it may have been original, it was time for it or perhaps overdue.

So I refilled with "Valvoline Max-Life Multi Vehicle Fully Synthetic ATF", which some resources say is appropriate.

Now, some 3,000 miles later, I noticed the dipstick wiped on a white paper towel looked dirty...
I figured, ok so the old fluid left in the torque converter has just made it dirty and I need one more change to get it sweet red.

So I bought some more of the same Valvoline ATF from my local Walmart.

Drained the fluid from the Transmission drain plug as before....AND THE FLUID WAS NOT RED BUT A DIRTY GRAY AND MAGNET HAD A HEAVY BUILD UP OF FINE PARTICLE.
Well I rechecked the internet still predominantly says this Valvoline fluid is SP III approved and should be just fine. Although one auto parts store said I should use Dextron 6(vi).....

So I went ahead and added the same new fluid again.
BUT I'M VERY CONCERNED EITHER THIS ATF FLUID IS NOT APPROPRIATE AND THEREFORE I NEED TO CHANGE IT ALL OUT or perhaps I don't have the correct amount of fluid in the Transmission which is causing a problem. I'm concerned it's a multi-vehicle type fluid may have short comings, trying to cover multi vehicle requirements...

The transmission shifts very normally.

1. Can anyone pipe in about the Valvoline Max-Life is ok or a No No?

1.a. If I need to change the Max-Life all out, can I get it out of the torque converter in one go as well AND which ATF fluid should I use and who can I buy it from, hopefully I don't have to go to the stealership (I mean dealership).

2. Am I using the proper technique to check the ATF fluid level: With engine RUNNING/Idling, shift through the gears, place in park, make sure the fluid is in the cold mark level, Drive vehicle around to normal operating temp and park wit engine RUNNING/Idling and make sure fluid is in the hot mark level.
The manual doesn't say with the engine running but I think that's what it meant.....same as how most traditional transmissions are most often checked.

Thank you for any help!

Jim

 

Yes check while running transmission in park. Stay away from fluids that are supposedly compatible. Only use mitsubishi spIII, hyundai/kia spIII or a good name brand atf+4. Don't use dexron vi that's great for some vehicles but not your mitsubishi.