A survey of automatic transmission fluid installers commissioned by Infineum found that quick lube, repair and rebuild shops make extensive use of ATF supplements in spite of OEM recommendations against using them.
An independent research firm conducted the phone survey of 139 installers in 2009 for Infineum, which detailed the results in its September 2010 Infineum Insight journal. The study was commissioned by Ed Post, Infineums North American specialties market manager.
The survey found 53 percent of all shops said they used automatic transmission fluid supplements to enhance Dexron/Mercon ATFs. Ninety-four percent of the rebuilders, 80 percent of the service centers, and 64 percent of the quick lubes used supplements. It seems clear that as ATF types continue to proliferate, the appeal of supplements is likely to grow, Infineum concluded.
In contrast, only 11 percent of the new car dealers surveyed used a supplement to enhance a base automatic transmission fluid. This is not only due to OEM influence but also the relative simplicity of dealing with just one OEMs products, Infineum stated.
Responses from rebuilders, service centers and quick lubes about ATF supplements appeal varied, according to Post. Simplification was most commonly stated, he told Lube Report. They generally purport to convert one ATF to perform like another ATF.
The Insight report pointed out that more than 80 percent of the installers questioned rated OEM recommendation and certifications as very important factors in their purchase decisions. On the surface this appears to be an impressive result for OEMs, who advise using genuine or licensed ATFs, Post noted in Infineums article. However, this preference to adhere to OEM recommendations is at odds with the widespread use of ATF supplements that most OEMs specifically advise against using.
Infineum said its ATF specialists have tested a number of supplement-treated ATFs for anti-shudder durability, viscosity retention, resistance to corrosion and wear. The results showed they yielded significantly poorer performance than their genuine original equipment manufacturer counterparts, and that they can even degrade the performance of the base ATF to which they are added.
In the Insight report, Post likened supplements to junk food. Backed by slick marketing, they are perceived to be a relatively inexpensive and easy way to satisfy an immediate need, despite doctors orders, while the ill effects are not felt until much further down the road. At which point, it is highly unlikely that the resulting problems will be correctly associated with the cause.