That WORD synthetic can legally be used when it actually is a high grade dino and not fully a synthetic. Lots of motor oil out there like that. I think I'll do some digging on www.bobistheoilguy.com and see. I know that ATF+4 is not considered in the same class as Mobil or Amsoil synthetic ATF. That and the price tells me something is more wording then actual formation.

 

'Synthetic' is in the ATF+4 spec, not in marketing talk. Two different things.

Just because you're not getting your ATF+4 from a 'premium brand' doesn't mean it is crap. I'd put more faith in a brand that follows the ATF+4 spec (and therefore the vehicle manufacturer's requirements) than in a 'premium brand that is attempting to win you over with a different substitute. But to each their own. Use what you want.

Rob

 

The term synthetic due to legal jargon covers a wide range. I'm looking into ATF+4 too see HOW synthetic it really is. Castrol Synthetic oil is called synthetic as are others. But they are not true synthetics.. They are a very high grade Dino oil. In fact Castrol is the one that sued Mobil over the word synthetic and won in court. I never used a Castrol product since. It was marketing ploy on Castrols end. I do know that the torque converter lockup shudder I experienced with ATF+4 was gone after transfusing 17 qts of Amsoil in my 1998 Dodge back when.

 

All synthetic oil starts out as dino oil! Do you think they are making it out of chicken soup or water?????

 

LOL, now ya gotta admit dats funny... can i have some soup please...?

 

A lot of so called synthetic is watered down soup. basically that what the lawsuits were about using the nomenclature 'synthetic'

 

This conversation is really spiraling away from the original question. The OP asked "is there a synthetic alternative to ATF+4". The answer is that all ATF+4 is synthetic as required by the specification of ATF+4. They can't call it ATF+4 if it isn't synthetic. You can argue what 'synthetic' means or who makes the best synthetic all you want but that's not really helping this guy out any.

Rob

 

Education is education - no matter how you get it, or where you get it from.

This thread is no different than any other. The frequently twist and turn as they mature --- pick out what you need, and leave the rest

 

Here is some of what I found. It is only enough of a synthetic to be called synthetic It is group three base stock. It is not the highly cracked group 4/5 or 6 that is high end synthetic.

I found this on a Queastion/answer site. "To quote what I was told by a Chrysler employee, ATF+4 is as close to fully synthetic as you can get without being fully synthetic. It's not quite fully synthetic, but it's very highly engineered on many levels. Viscosity, lubricity, frictional properties, anti foaming, cold weather characteristics, etc."

 

It's good enough for Chrysler to use and offer me a lifetime warranty on my transmission, then it's good enough for me. It works, works well and there is no need for me to waste money on a different fluid that will do the same thing.