AMSOIL Torque-Drive™ Synthetic
Automatic Transmission Fluid

Allison® /Castrol® Partnership Locks Out Competition

Allison® transmission established a fluid quality specification called the Technical Engineering Specification 295 (TES 295) for automatic transmission fluids. When TES-295 products are used in Allison transmissions, the service life of these oils can be extended several times that of mineral oils (in accordance with Allison's recommendations) and both the original and extended warranties remain in effect. The catch is, the only oil on the market that is formally identified by Allison® as a TES 295 product is TranSynd® Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid, which happens to be sold by Allison® in partnership with Castrol®.
     Competing oil companies seeking TES 295 approval are effectively blocked from entering the market because Allison® has not made its stationary test stand available to the competition and has not established formalized field trial protocol. By positioning itself as the only player, Allison® is able to charge exorbitant prices for their product. As a result, Allison® transmission owners who want to benefit from the potential savings realized through extended drain intervals are being taken advantage of.
     In addition, the Allison® extended warranty (which is an additional warranty beyond the standard Allison® warranty) states that Allison® will only cover repairs on which the transmission had been operated with TranSynd® or an equivalent fluid which meets the TES 295 specification. Since TranSynd® is the only licensed TES 295 product on the market, the extended warranty literally forces equipment operators to buy TranSynd®. With no competition, Allison® and Castrol® leave the consumer no choice but to pay if they want extended drain intervals and transmission warranty coverage.
     Due to the circumstances, AMSOIL Torque-Drive™ is not designated by Allison® as a TES 295 product. However, test results prove it is a TES-295-quality oil that is based on the same type of chemical technology as TranSynd®. Both fluids are PAO-based, contain the same metals content and boosted additive systems and do not contain viscosity index (VI) improvers. As you will see below, there are no measurable differences between AMSOIL Torque-Drive™ and TranSynd®, therefore, AMSOIL has full confidence recommending AMSOIL Torque-Drive™ Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid as a replacement for TranSynd® and backs it up with the famous AMSOIL product warranty, should there be a lubricant-related failure.
     All Allison® transmission owners would be wise to reevaluate their use of TranSynd®, as well as their investment in the Allison® extended warranty program. There is no justification for paying the high cost for TranSynd® when an equivalent product is available for less.

AMSOIL Torque-Drive™ Makes Good Financial Sense

In a head-to-head cost comparison, AMSOIL Torque-Drive™ proved to be a much more cost-effective option than the Allison® Extended Warranty Coverage (ETC) and TranSynd® combined. The reason is that even if your fleet had a 10% non-lubricant related transmission failure*, it costs less to use AMSOIL Torque-Drive™ than it does to purchase the Allison® extended warranty coverage and TranSynd®. A five-year cost analysis of a 100-bus fleet showed that it would cost a company $314,000 to purchase Allison's extended warranty coverage and use TranSynd®, compared to $125,455 to use AMSOIL Torque-Drive™, including an estimated 10% average fail rate. That's a savings of $188,545! And, because AMSOIL Torque-Drive™ is not specifically designated by Allison® as a TES-295 product, AMSOIL offers a performance warranty that covers any lubricant-related failures. The performance of Torque-Drive™ is guaranteed, and customers can rest easy knowing they're covered. (Please note: Customers filing a warranty claim with AMSOIL must show maintenance records.)

*based on the average failure rate of 5% to 15% for transit buses in major metropolitan areas

Test Comparison Results

AMSOIL Torque-Drive™ Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid is based on the same type of chemistry as TransSynd®. This fine, infra-red scan (IR), revealing a chemical "picture" of both products, shows no measurable differences.

Blue Line = AMSOIL Torque-Drive™

Red Line = Castrol®/Allison® TranSynd®

Physical comparisons of TransSynd® and
AMSOIL Torque-Drive™ also indicate they are identical:

Immediate Savings

Operating expenses for automatic transmissions can be directly linked to transmission fluid quality. Poor quality oils need frequent changes and they reduce the effective service life of transmissions. By providing protection beyond that which is possible with conventional ATFs and extending lubricant life up to six times*, AMSOIL Torque-Drive™ offers immediate financial benefits. AMSOIL Torque-Drive™ Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid delivers the ultimate in oxidation resistance, wear control and friction performance. With AMSOIL Torque-Drive™, vehicles stay on the road longer, unnecessary labor and maintenance costs are reduced, and the return on costly transmission investments is maximized.

*Depending on duty cycle, local conditions, oil analysis and/or OEM recommendations.

Prevents Sludge and Oil Thickening That Slows Down Shift Times

Hot weather and operating conditions are no excuse for poor transmission reliability. Because it has a slower oxidation rate, AMSOIL Torque-Drive™ Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid prevents sludge that blocks small valves, prevents varnish that restricts component movement, and reduces oil thickening that slows down shift times. AMSOIL Torque-Drive™ lasts longer and protects better than conventional ATFs, extending transmission life beyond that which is possible with conventional ATFs.

Prevents Wear

Conventional automatic transmission fluids use petroleum oils with viscosity index (VI) improvers added to increase the oil's operational temperature range. Over time, VI improvers shear down, leaving only a thin base oil to protect vital transmission components, which promotes premature wear. AMSOIL Torque-Drive™ Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid does not contain VI improvers, which means no VI shear down, regardless of the operating environment. The unmatched film strength of AMSOIL Torque-Drive™ prevents wear, significantly increasing the transmission service life.

Smooth Clutch Engagement and No Harsh Shifting

Oxidation by-products destroy the sensitive friction characteristics of transmission fluids, resulting in the rapid degradation of shift quality. Because of its thermal (heat) and oxidative (oxygen) stability, AMSOIL Torque-Drive™ Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid assures consistent, smooth clutch engagement with no harsh shifting through the life of the fluid. AMSOIL Torque-Drive™ prevents clutch glazing and prevents elongated shift times.

Excellent Performance in Temperature Extremes

Because of its synthetic construction, AMSOIL Torque-Drive™ Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid virtually eliminates oil evaporation in hot temperatures, delivering a better lubricating film than conventional oils for better protection of vital components. Oil consumption is also reduced and transmissions require less maintenance.
     AMSOIL Torque-Drive™ flows easily in cold temperatures because it does not contain the wax that causes conventional ATFs to thicken. Cold-temperature fluidity allows for the proper operation of small, delicate, electronically controlled solenoids that affect gear changes. Unlike conventional ATFs, transmissions using AMSOIL Torque-Drive™ have quick response times during cold operations and can be used immediately upon start-up.

Extended Service Life

Recommended for use in the heavy-duty transmissions according to the OEM synthetic oil long-drain recommendations for Allison TES-295, ZF TE-ML 14C, and Voith G1363 or where DEXRON III or MERCON is specified. In DEXRON III or MERCON applications, use up to 60,000 miles under severe service and up to 100,000 miles under normal service or according to the OEM intervals, whichever is longer.
     Where extended drain intervals are not specified by the original equipment manufacturer (OEM), it is recommended that AMSOIL Torque-Drive™ be evaluated with oil analysis at standard OEM drain intervals or more frequently to establish proper drain interval.

Applications

AMSOIL Torque-Drive™ is recommended as a direct replacement for TranSynd® Synthetic ATF in heavy-duty, on- and-off highway automatic transmissions manufactured by Allison®, General Motors®, Ford®, Voith® and ZF® or wherever the standards TES-295, C-4, Dexron® III, Mercon® or TE-ML 14C are specified. Examples of operations that benefit from using AMSOIL Torque-Drive™ include municipal or transit buses, motor coaches, garbage haulers, motor homes, delivery vans, emergency vehicles, school buses, dump trucks, utility vehicles, cement trucks, line haul trucks and tow trucks.

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