Valvoline MaxLife automatic transmission fluid is not a substitute for Honda VTM-4 differential fluid nor has anyone on this forum made known a suitable substitute.

 

Someone may need to reply to @Dale666 again because he blocked me a few months back. Tell him hello for me.

VCM - Managing spark plug fouling

I've owned a 2011 Pilot for about a year and a half. Recently while on a trip the plug on cylinder 3 fouled and caused an misfire error code. After reading up on the problems with VCM, I pulled all of the plugs to examine them. Plugs one and two were pretty clean, almost as clean as the front...

www.piloteers.org

 

Nothing else matches that wonderful unique flavor of Honda VTM-4 fluid.

 

Yes, but some one might find an alternative.

 

Thinking about it, if I were to experiment myself, first I would find out what it would cost me to replace the differential if I burnt it up. If I can afford that, I would put a temperature data logging device on it and measure the temperature of it running the stock VTM fluid for a while. Then I would try another fluid and run the same routine. If the temperature ran the same, l would continue to observe and after the regular interval between service, send a sample to a lab for analysis and see what the results are. If I didn't get error codes or any other bad results I would consider using the fluid for a while longer.

 

Ebay has used differential assemblies listed from $150-600. They already have a temperature sensor. I need to find where that reading is displayed in my diagnostic software.

 

I've decided not to try any alternatives now. Too many irons in the fire. After reading and thinking about it, the alternative I would try first is Valvoline Syngards AFT HD EN.

 

Valvoline doesn’t specify this for use in Honda.
Use Valvoline MaxLife ATF if you want a Valvoline product, but you probably know this.

 

Here is a product that claims to meet the VTM-4 specs. It is available thru Amazon and other outlets.
http://www.amalie.com/Universal-Syn...5B4BECBF7C5/Rev_Amalie_SYN_ATF_Spec_Sheet.pdf

Amazon.com: Amalie (72866-56 Universal Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid - 1 Quart : Automotive

Buy Amalie (72866-56 Universal Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid - 1 Quart: Transmission Fluids - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

This company also owns the brand Wolf's Head. Googling the address shows a manufacturing facility. I am encouraged that this might be a reputable company with a reliable product.
Amalie Oil Co. 1601 McCloskey Blvd, Tampa, FL 33605

 

BG Syncro Shift® II
Designed for front wheel drive manual transmissions, it provides exceptional film strength, wear protection, mechanical shearing resistance, and low temperature fluidity.
PN 792
BG Syncro Shift® II Full Synthetic Gear Lubricant is specially formulated for manual transmissions, transaxles, Haldex Units and transfer cases. It is a full synthetic API GL-4 gear lubricant blended to SAE 75W-80 viscosity to provide unmatched film strength and wear protection. It provides exceptional resistance to mechanical shearing, and has excellent low temperature fluidity and is safe for all steel, brass, and copper alloys.

BG Syncro Shift® II may be effectively used in all vehicles where engine oil, ATF or GL-4 gear oil is specified as “service fill” for manual transmissions.

Compatible and suitable for use where Ford XT-11-QDC (Spec. WSS-M2C200-D2), GM Auto Trak I and II, GM Versa Trak, GM Synchro-mesh, GM PN 12345349 (specification 9985648), GM Transfer Case Fluid PN 88861950, Mopar PN 04874464, PN 05016796AB, PN 05016796AC, PN 05170055AB, PN 05179014AA, PN 68001758AA, PN 68089195AA, PN 68092630AA, Motorcraft XL-12, Acura DPSF, Honda Dual Pump, Honda Dual Pump II, Honda VTM-4 and Mercedes Benz PN 900260315 are specified.

 

Has anyone tried an alternative to Honda VTM-4 differential fluid? Has anyone sent VTM-4 to a lab for analysis.

Edit: I added MSDS for VTM-4 as well as several other fluids all of them are atf fluids. The physical properties are very similar. I wish there was more info on the additive packages. The CAS numbers listed do have some information.
VTM-4 seems to be ATF fluid. Alternatives compatible with multi plate clutches probably would be better suited.

Edit 7/15/2023 Amalie Co and BG Syncro Shift® II claim their product meets VTM-4 specs.
My opinion at this time is there are at least two viable substitutes available. The BG product is more expensive. The Amalie a bit less. Postings on this and other sites that say there is no alternative to the Honda product are incorrect.

Show us where Honda approves the use of those alternative substitutes.

While the fluid manufacturer may claim that their product is "compatible and suitable" relative to a specific automaker's branded fluid, if the automaker doesn't state that the alternative product is recommended/approved, then there is no officially sanctioned alternative.

 

Show us where Honda approves the use of those alternative substitutes.

Do I need Honda’s approval to use anything aftermarket in my Honda vehicle? Especially if my vehicle isn’t under warranty.

 

I posted info about LiquiMoly in the initial post and changed the title. This brings to three the number of well known mfrs that make VTM-4 fluid alternatives. Four if Triax is included.

 

Interesting info you are gathering here... the Amalie one I've seen before but I don't know if anyone tried it. The Liqui-Moly one is a little generic sales response-like.

The biggest issue is you most likely won't know if a different fluid is causing problems until you need AWD in bad weather or off road and it's not working. I think on the Ridgeline forum it's called the "Silent Death", no lights or warnings just no AWD.

 

I'm not recommending any of these. I'm posting this because when someone asks about alternatives, it is dishonest to say there are none. This information is to be used at one's own risk.

 

I have put 238,000 miles on my Pilot 1st gen. I always use Honda fluids and synthetic engine oil. I follow the recommended change interval in owners manual or sooner if I did a fast road trip in summer heat.
No issues the engine, tranny or VTM.

 

I am apparently climbing a bit out on a limb and since in the Philippines rear differential VTM-4 spec fluid is not available anywhere here and incredibly expensive to import as in $ 202 a gal going to try the German Liqui Moly & ordered 3 L to get free shipping that Amazon's site states specifically is for my 2007 Pilot EXL 4WD rear differential as it has 2.6 L capacity. No flaming as I had extremely limited choices and it has 95k km / 59k mi on it and I will be listening like a hawk and testing it thoroughly on winding, steep mountain roads. Was a very hard decsion, after shopping 2 days and researched quite a few alternates... it is a excellent product and meets a lot of specs in the ballpark of Honda's near mystery VTM-4 fluid. Liqui Moly Application Guide tool

Liqui Moly Top Tec "ATF" 1200 on Amazon so you can check it out. Suprised they even used the ATF on the label but polyester base wise it is as I understand it.


This makes me want to do several types of friction tests on it if I had access ro machine shop and friends along with chemical analysis and a bare metal (cupon) rain exposure test over a month as that is real world as it gets for anti corrosion packages. As far a being good test environment here the rain can be pretty acidic here and diesel smog is moderate to bad depending on weather patterns and salty air is pretty moderate being just a few miles from the Pacific ocean from East and about 14 miles as crow flies from other side of this big island.