Mitsubishi ATF SPIII Tranny fluid...no more?!

[R380]

Hi All,

Had the discussion with the local Mitsi yard's Spare Parts department and after 20 minutes over the phone of searching their database they tell me they can't find any SPIII ATF in any volume!
So I was a bit sceptical, but after running the part numbers for the different volumes sure enough they all came back as nil stock Australia wide and no replacement part.

I'm told they now use exclusively FUCH Titan 4400 ATF.... I'm not a fan of FUCH oils and lubricants at all. Now I did check the FUCH site and sure enough it specifically lists the 4400 as a replacement for Mitsubishi SP-III ATF. What I really don't like is that it's also a direct replacement for DEXRON III - I know how you're all a fan of DEXRON in the Mitsubishi 380 and Magna box.

Does anyone have a suggestion for a good alternative to the original SPIII?

Penrite list a compatible product (ATF MHP), but again it's also a direct replacement for DEXRON III.
"ATF MHP is a semi synthetic, multi vehicle, automatic transmission fluid that exceeds the requirements of Mitsubishi SP2/SP3/PA, Dexron® IIIH and Ford Mercon® LV as well as many other manufacturers' specifications..."

So what are you all using?

[flyboy]

None... I have a manual

Quite a few seem to have used the Penrite fully synthetic ATF with good results.

[WytWun]

I have had the Fuchs Titan 4400 in my AWD but the shifts were much worse than than anything I'd had previously so I got it flushed with Mitsu SP-III. I had previously had good experience with Castrol Transmax E, but that has now been superceded and I haven't yet had need to try the replacement (which appears to be Transmax Multivehicle).

[leadfoot6]

A quick look tonight suggests that Hyundai/Kia SP III fluid is exactly the same as Mitsubishi SPIII.

Not just "compatible with", or "meets the same standards as.....", but is exactly the same product.

It is probably going to be more expensive, but I will try to look into this more on Thursday.

That is, unless East Coast dealers have it(Mits. product), then everyone will be OK.

[leadfoot6]

A quick look tonight suggests that Hyundai/Kia SP III fluid is exactly the same as Mitsubishi SPIII.

Not just "compatible with", or "meets the same standards as.....", but is exactly the same product.

It is probably going to be more expensive, but I will try to look into this more on Thursday.

That is, unless East Coast dealers have it(Mits. product), then everyone will be OK.

Last Thursday when I was making enquiries about this with my closest Mits. spares outlet - Albion Park NSW(and also Nowra NSW), I was told SPIII was on back order and it is made by Castrol.

I called again today and was guaranteed that the shipment will be arriving tomorrow Friday AM.

It will be the "genuine" product in the Mitsubishi bottle - not a Castrol branded product.

Price increase - established by him calling up the part # on the computer - thereby confirming that it is not "NLA" or "nil stock" - to $41.70 for 5 litres trade price.

This is up from $38 I paid mid last year for my last purchase of 5 litres.

Laqst week I also called a Hyundai dealer for their price for SPIII, and did not take it any further once I got a tentative indication of it's outrageous price, as indicated by "Madna 3.5" in post # 18.

[vlad]

A member on the Pajero forum has the same issue and someone said they tried transmax multivehicle with great results.

[timtam3]

I have a bottle and a half sitting in the back of my car. So as of about 2 weeks ago, it was/is still available.

I had been told the same thing by someone else, that SPIII was NLA.

[ammerty]

Had the discussion with the local Mitsi yard's Spare Parts department and after 20 minutes over the phone of searching their database they tell me they can't find any SPIII ATF in any volume!
So I was a bit sceptical, but after running the part numbers for the different volumes sure enough they all came back as nil stock Australia wide and no replacement part.

I'd be surprised if the Mitsubishi-branded SP-III was to be discontinued. Its possible your parts guy may believe its NLA because it won't show any quantities of available volume on Mitsubishi's stock checker, as stock isn't actually held by Mitsubishi; but rather supplied by a 3rd party vendor.
If you're in Perth, I'd be checking with Paceway Mits at Osborne Park.

[Madmagna]

Fluiddrive who do the warranty for the Mitsu Transmissions use the Castrol Transmax Multivehicle

We also use this now and have had no issues, smooth shifts

It is correct that this is no longer made, was made by BP, Castrol purhcased all remaining stock, we purchased the last 3 205l drums from Castrol sometime ago now thus nil stock. All they have left is what is still drifting around in the smaller bottles.

[KWAWD]

Fluiddrive who do the warranty for the Mitsu Transmissions use the Castrol Transmax Multivehicle

We also use this now and have had no issues, smooth shifts

It is correct that this is no longer made, was made by BP, Castrol purhcased all remaining stock, we purchased the last 3 205l drums from Castrol sometime ago now thus nil stock. All they have left is what is still drifting around in the smaller bottles.

Is this a full synthetic?