Many customers have a lot of concerns for using a aftermarket brand for transmission fluid. Even my own closed friends ask me about my WSO CVTF and ATF products whether can it be use in their cars. Seem like no one has a clear answer. OEM fluid tend to be more expensive, but are easier to choose and usually are backed by warranty. We understand their doubts and worries about if the aftermarket products will cause damage to their transmission gear box or even the car warranty will be void.
A Genuine Transmission fluid is the fluid that was originally put in your car when it was new. It comes in a box with the car maker’s logo so you will think your car manufacturer made it. It was actually made by another company. These are the most expensive fluid you can purchase mainly because you are paying for the logo.
The only time to use a Genuine fluid is if it’s still under warranty and you don’t have to pay for it. Would you pay a $32 out of your pocket for a wiper blades just because your car logo is on the box or pay $12 for an aftermarket set that actually perform better? The same theory goes for just about any part on your car.
Most people believe they must use a genuine fluid or they will void their warranty. Even through car makers try to give the impression that if don’t use their fluid, you are getting an inferior part and it will void your warranty. This is simply not the case. The Federal Trade Commission stepped in and issued a consumer alert stating “The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act makes it illegal for companies to void your warranty or deny coverage under the warranty simply because you used an aftermarket”
OEM stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer. This part was built by the company that originally made it for the car company. It is the exact same fluid that came in your car. It simply doesn’t have the car maker’s logo on it. These are exact same as Genuine fluid but are a much better value. If your car is more than 3 or 4 years old select an OEM part when the repair is not covered under warranty and you have to pay for it yourself. You will get the exact same fluid that was originally in your car for a better price than the genuine fluid.
Aftermarket fluid are made by a company other than the original manufacturer. These fluids are made to fit and perform as well as, and in some cases better than the original. Aftermarket companies buy the rights to produce these fluids. Even though some might have a priced much less making them a very good value.
In some cases, an aftermarket fluid is better than original that came in your car. Aftermarket companies analyse why specific OEM fluids tend to fail and then improve on the original design or materials. Car makers are very interested in keeping the price of their cars competitive and may opt for less expensive materials in some fluids. This is why some aftermarket fluids may out perform the original.
If your car is older more than 3 or 4 years, an aftermarket fluid is the better choice. It certainly will be less expensive, and may perform even better than the original fluids.
Due to the advance technology of these vehicles today, Additives companies have already cater for the transmission fluid package to suit for the vehicles today. Additives companies have done a lot of R&D to make the fluid to be 100% compatible. However, warranty issue is really determined by the manufacturer, so we do not have too much control on the side. We know that our fluid will not damage the transmission under normal usage and we stand behind that, but we cannot guarantee you that the manufacturer will not try to use that as an excuse to void your warranty. Will they be able to find evidence that our fluid damage the transmission? We are certain they will not be able to, but the burden of proof will be yourself to dealer.
Fluid manufacturers can even make a more performance oriented transmission fluid than the car manufacturers today. There are a lot of advantages, additives company R&D department has intimate knowledge on what kind of fluid can optimize performance in transmission. They developed as well as transmission manufacturer developed the new kind of transmission gearbox.
I personally tried on my own car (BMW 730Li) with 6 speeds gearbox, I have said that its real smooth.
WSO products are also cover by 1 Million Singapore dollar liability insurance today. The reason why is it cover, we want our customers to have a peace of mind on our products and more confidence to use it.
Technology & High quality products are not exclusive to OEM dealership! ~ Pat Burrow Technical Director at LUBEGUARD with 34 years experience in automotive lubricants
Find out more information about WSO ATF & CVTF
https://www.wsoil.com.sg/product-category/gear-atf-fluids/
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