This thread will be an ongoing review of the Red Line D4 Full Synthetic ATF.
Here’s some information pulled from Red Line’s website.
Red Line D4 can be used "where Dexron III®, Dexron II®, Mercon® and Mercon V® fluids are recommended, provides a GL-4 level of gear protection. Popular applications include Toyota Type T-III and T-IV, Honda ATF-Z1, NissanMatic D, J & K, Diamond SP-II, SP-III, Mazda ATF M-V, most BMW, Audi, VW automatic transmission.” (Red Line Synthetic Oil Corporation, 2013)
Red Line ATF also offers the following: (Red Line Synthetic Oil Corporation, 2013)
- Widest selection of fully synthetic ATF on the market
- Each ATF offer improved thermal stability, maintain viscosity levels, and feature lower volatility while providing the required frictional characteristics of each fluid’s OEM-stele replacement
- Reduced oxidation and lower volatility at high temperature
- Allows high-temp operation without varnishing valves and clutches
- Extended drain intervals.
Overview/background information (skip to the “Review” if you want it straight info :tt2
:
A few months ago, I decided that I would need/like to have the transmission fluid changed. The reason for this was that over the past 12 months, my car has been experiencing some very rough shifts (both in auto and “manual”); particularly shifting from 1-2, then 2 to 3. The shift from 1-2 would be very jerky, almost manual transmission (noob driver) like. The shift from 2-3 would be really hard; it almost jerked the car forward. Furthermore, the downshift to 1 while coming to a stop was hard as well. While I was at the dealer for an oil change in the spring, I brought up this issue with my service adviser and they had the mechanic go on a road test with me so that I could replicate the issue; sure enough, we did. After having the road test, it was recommended that I replace the transmission fluid to hopefully rectify the issue. Furthermore, I had checked the condition of the ATF and it was quite dark brown in color and had a burnt smell to it.
I later researched online for “the best” automatic transmission fluid. Having read countless forums and general guides, almost all communities suggested running synthetic rather than factory ATF. I decided to go this route and grab some synthetic ATF. There were about 3 ATFs that were always highly recommended. The 3 ATFs were, Amsoil, Red Line, and Mobil 1. I then went ahead and did further research on each ATF. I took into account a two factors when purchasing ATF, the factors were 1) Price, the ATF had to be reasonably priced and not have me cut off my arm to buy 12 liters; and 2) Performance/Reviews, I specifically looked into Mazda forums and read reviews on ATFs other owners have used.
Having done my research over the course of a month or two, I decided to go with Red Line D4 ATF. Reason was that it has always been highly recommended and usually the first ATF that is recommended for Mazda owners. Taking my factors into account, I searched online for the best price for a case (12 x 1 liter bottles). Locally, one shop quoted me about $170 CAD and another quoted me about $185 CAD. So of course, I went ahead and checked out eBay and Amazon. Amazon had a case for roughly $120 USD (shipping included); I went ahead with the purchase. I later found out that OEM Mazda ATF costs $7.24 CAD/bottle (1 liter). Therefore, for about $3 CAD more/bottle (1 liter), I’d be running fully synthetic ATF.
I decided to do a flush rather than drain and fill. My local Mazda dealer did not charge much more for the flush as compared to a standard drain and fill. Additionally, drain and fills typically only remove about half of the old fluid. Since I purchased some quality ATF, I didn’t want to mix it with the old Mazda junk. My Mazda dealer quoted me $92.56 CAD for the flush and recommended the additive for $34.99 CAD. The additive is a solvent they use in the flush to break down the old fluid and helps the machine flush out the old fluid. I ended up having the dealer include the additive at no charge as I had some previous unsatisfactory experience with them. The flush requires at least 10 liters, tranny takes about 8 liters and the extra 2 liters are used for the flush.
Review:
I’ve had my car since June 10, 2013. I had the flush done (November 2, 2013) with 72900 kms (45 xxx miles) on the clock. I have already put about 2000 km (1200 miles) on the car since the flush. As stated above in the overview, prior to the flush, I had rough shifts from 1-2 then 2-3 as well as hard downshift down to 1. After switching to Red Line D4, I can say the hard downshift is now gone. Secondly, the shifts from 1-2 and 2-3 are very smooth and almost instantaneous and “snappy”. It almost feels as if I have a sequential tranny (I really wish I did).
The only issue that is still persistent is when I’m in “Manual” shifting. Shifting from 1-2 still feels jerky. I think this is perhaps because I’m short shifting or shifting at lower vehicle speeds. The shifts in automatic from 1-2 are very smooth regardless of engine speed and vehicle speed.
Since it’s also colder now, I’ll update this with information on cold weather performances as Redlines states that D4 offers, “Excellent cold weather operation”. (Red Line Synthetic Oil Corporation, 2013)
In conclusion, I’m very happy with the performance of Red Line D4 ATF, and would definitely recommend it to other Mazda owners should their particular vehicle require M-V ATF.
Cost breakdown/information: (locally, lower mainland, B.C.)
Dealer Charge (others may charge differently):
ATF Flush - $199.95 (not sure if this includes the additive)
Additive - $34.99 (may already be included in above charge)
Shop Supplies & Fees – unknown
Taxes – minimum of $23.99 (based on $199.95 only)
Total – at least $223.94 (this total will actually be MORE because I don’t know the shop supplies & fees charge as I did not go the route)
My cost:
Red Line D4 Fully Synthetic ATF - $120 USD ($129.40 CAD with exchange at the time)
Labor – $92.56 (ATF flush)
Shop supplies and fees – $11.50
Taxes – $12.49
Total = $245.95 CAD
So if you think about it, it will actually cost you about the SAME (or slightly more) as the dealer to grab oil yourself and pay for labor charges. Don’t forget, you’ll be running fully synthetic as compared to standard Mazda ATF.
Reference:
Red Line Synthetic Oil Corporation. (2013). D4 ATF. Red Line Synthetic Oil - Automatic Transmission Fluids - D4 ATF
Here’s some information pulled from Red Line’s website.
Red Line D4 can be used "where Dexron III®, Dexron II®, Mercon® and Mercon V® fluids are recommended, provides a GL-4 level of gear protection. Popular applications include Toyota Type T-III and T-IV, Honda ATF-Z1, NissanMatic D, J & K, Diamond SP-II, SP-III, Mazda ATF M-V, most BMW, Audi, VW automatic transmission.” (Red Line Synthetic Oil Corporation, 2013)
Red Line ATF also offers the following: (Red Line Synthetic Oil Corporation, 2013)
- Widest selection of fully synthetic ATF on the market
- Each ATF offer improved thermal stability, maintain viscosity levels, and feature lower volatility while providing the required frictional characteristics of each fluid’s OEM-stele replacement
- Reduced oxidation and lower volatility at high temperature
- Allows high-temp operation without varnishing valves and clutches
- Extended drain intervals.
Overview/background information (skip to the “Review” if you want it straight info :tt2
:A few months ago, I decided that I would need/like to have the transmission fluid changed. The reason for this was that over the past 12 months, my car has been experiencing some very rough shifts (both in auto and “manual”); particularly shifting from 1-2, then 2 to 3. The shift from 1-2 would be very jerky, almost manual transmission (noob driver) like. The shift from 2-3 would be really hard; it almost jerked the car forward. Furthermore, the downshift to 1 while coming to a stop was hard as well. While I was at the dealer for an oil change in the spring, I brought up this issue with my service adviser and they had the mechanic go on a road test with me so that I could replicate the issue; sure enough, we did. After having the road test, it was recommended that I replace the transmission fluid to hopefully rectify the issue. Furthermore, I had checked the condition of the ATF and it was quite dark brown in color and had a burnt smell to it.
I later researched online for “the best” automatic transmission fluid. Having read countless forums and general guides, almost all communities suggested running synthetic rather than factory ATF. I decided to go this route and grab some synthetic ATF. There were about 3 ATFs that were always highly recommended. The 3 ATFs were, Amsoil, Red Line, and Mobil 1. I then went ahead and did further research on each ATF. I took into account a two factors when purchasing ATF, the factors were 1) Price, the ATF had to be reasonably priced and not have me cut off my arm to buy 12 liters; and 2) Performance/Reviews, I specifically looked into Mazda forums and read reviews on ATFs other owners have used.
Having done my research over the course of a month or two, I decided to go with Red Line D4 ATF. Reason was that it has always been highly recommended and usually the first ATF that is recommended for Mazda owners. Taking my factors into account, I searched online for the best price for a case (12 x 1 liter bottles). Locally, one shop quoted me about $170 CAD and another quoted me about $185 CAD. So of course, I went ahead and checked out eBay and Amazon. Amazon had a case for roughly $120 USD (shipping included); I went ahead with the purchase. I later found out that OEM Mazda ATF costs $7.24 CAD/bottle (1 liter). Therefore, for about $3 CAD more/bottle (1 liter), I’d be running fully synthetic ATF.
I decided to do a flush rather than drain and fill. My local Mazda dealer did not charge much more for the flush as compared to a standard drain and fill. Additionally, drain and fills typically only remove about half of the old fluid. Since I purchased some quality ATF, I didn’t want to mix it with the old Mazda junk. My Mazda dealer quoted me $92.56 CAD for the flush and recommended the additive for $34.99 CAD. The additive is a solvent they use in the flush to break down the old fluid and helps the machine flush out the old fluid. I ended up having the dealer include the additive at no charge as I had some previous unsatisfactory experience with them. The flush requires at least 10 liters, tranny takes about 8 liters and the extra 2 liters are used for the flush.
Review:
I’ve had my car since June 10, 2013. I had the flush done (November 2, 2013) with 72900 kms (45 xxx miles) on the clock. I have already put about 2000 km (1200 miles) on the car since the flush. As stated above in the overview, prior to the flush, I had rough shifts from 1-2 then 2-3 as well as hard downshift down to 1. After switching to Red Line D4, I can say the hard downshift is now gone. Secondly, the shifts from 1-2 and 2-3 are very smooth and almost instantaneous and “snappy”. It almost feels as if I have a sequential tranny (I really wish I did).
The only issue that is still persistent is when I’m in “Manual” shifting. Shifting from 1-2 still feels jerky. I think this is perhaps because I’m short shifting or shifting at lower vehicle speeds. The shifts in automatic from 1-2 are very smooth regardless of engine speed and vehicle speed.
Since it’s also colder now, I’ll update this with information on cold weather performances as Redlines states that D4 offers, “Excellent cold weather operation”. (Red Line Synthetic Oil Corporation, 2013)
In conclusion, I’m very happy with the performance of Red Line D4 ATF, and would definitely recommend it to other Mazda owners should their particular vehicle require M-V ATF.
Cost breakdown/information: (locally, lower mainland, B.C.)
Dealer Charge (others may charge differently):
ATF Flush - $199.95 (not sure if this includes the additive)
Additive - $34.99 (may already be included in above charge)
Shop Supplies & Fees – unknown
Taxes – minimum of $23.99 (based on $199.95 only)
Total – at least $223.94 (this total will actually be MORE because I don’t know the shop supplies & fees charge as I did not go the route)
My cost:
Red Line D4 Fully Synthetic ATF - $120 USD ($129.40 CAD with exchange at the time)
Labor – $92.56 (ATF flush)
Shop supplies and fees – $11.50
Taxes – $12.49
Total = $245.95 CAD
So if you think about it, it will actually cost you about the SAME (or slightly more) as the dealer to grab oil yourself and pay for labor charges. Don’t forget, you’ll be running fully synthetic as compared to standard Mazda ATF.
Reference:
Red Line Synthetic Oil Corporation. (2013). D4 ATF. Red Line Synthetic Oil - Automatic Transmission Fluids - D4 ATF
