Synchromax vs VersaTrak

[jlb0305]

Has anyone had any problem with using the royal purple synchromax in place of the VersaTrak? Anyone every figure out if/why versatrak was better?

I see Versatrak is called for in both my transfercase and RDM. I hear it comes in 500ml bottles and looking at my repair manual transfer case and RDM take 500mL and 700mL respectively. Saturn owners manual says lifetime fluid (but replace every 100,000 mi) whereas the Saturn Vue Repair manual says it should be done yearly...

Question here is do I need to be spending the $90+ ($180+ to do an empty, fill, test, empty, fill that is suggested) a year for the versatrak or is spending the $10-$15 a year on royal purple fine? I read one post somewhere that said the Royal Purple functioned better and a few that said it didn't work (I think the non-working, were Azteks).

[far2grumpy]

Has anyone had any problem with using the royal purple synchromax in place of the Versatrak? Anyone every figure out if/why versatrak was better?

I see Versatrak is called for in both my transfercase and RDM. I hear it comes in 500ml bottles and looking at my repair manual transfer case and RDM take 500mL and 700mL respectively. Saturn owners manual says lifetime fluid (but replace every 100,000 mi) whereas the Saturn Vue Repair manual says it should be done yearly...

Question here is do I need to be spending the $90+ ($180+ to do an empty, fill, test, empty, fill that is suggested) a year for the Versatrak or is spending the $10-$15 a year on royal purple fine? I read one post somewhere that said the Royal Purple functioned better and a few that said it didn't work (I think the non-working, were Azteks).

I replaced RDM fluid in my 05 V-6 AWD at 36,000 - VersaTrak out and RP Synchromax in, and have gone through one typical Iowa winter with no AWD problem.

The replaced fluid was discolored, with a large amount of suspended copper-appearing metal flakes present. If I keep the Vue I plan to go to a 25,000 - or so - change schedule.

I exchanged e-mails with RP tech services before using Synchromax with them saying their fluid met all requirements (imagine that).

The power take-off (transfer case) for 04-07 V-6 AWD Vue's requires synthetic gear lube rather than VersaTrak.

I'm not aware of any fill-drain-fill requirement for the Vue ... you find that in the service manual?

[jlb0305]

I have the 03 Vue and the owners manual and repair manual both list the Transfer case as using VersaTrak. The Repair manual lists maintenance and intervals but doesn't state the fill-drain-fill requirement. That was something Saturn techs have said they do when they change the fluid. Most people say its not needed, and as I said, no mention in repair manual.

[newbievueowner]

13,000 kms (approx 8100 miles) on mine (in the RDM) with no issues. For the price ($15/L), I will likely change mine every 2 years just for the heck of it.

[xtremeranger]

Y would the transfer case need versatrak?......there no clutches in it to need it.....

[far2grumpy]

Y would the transfer case need versatrak?......there no clutches in it to need it.....

According to my owners manual the 04-05 V-6 AWD transfer case should be serviced with synthetic gear lube.

Transfer case in 02-03 Vue's are serviced with VersaTrak.

[newbievueowner]

Synchromax is listed as a direct replacement for the Versatrak fluid so there should be no issues at all. It's even listed on the RP website. No worries.

[xtremeranger]

According to my owners manual the 04-05 V-6 AWD transfer case should be serviced with synthetic gear lube.

Transfer case in 02-03 Vue's are serviced with VersaTrak.

Thats fing retarted......:dizzy:

[Luma46]

I have Synchromax in my RDM for last 4000 kms, no issues so far - mind you it is too short a time to tell. And I agree with others, the transfer case should be filled with synthetic gear oil.

[newbievueowner]

He should fill it with what his owners manual calls for (or a direct replacement substitute)....

04+ has a different spec (ie: different TC).

[1saxman]

I have Synchromax in my RDM for last 4000 kms, no issues so far - mind you it is too short a time to tell. And I agree with others, the transfer case should be filled with synthetic gear oil.

There's no 'agreeing' or disagreeing'. The early VUE takes Versatrak in the Power Transfer Unit, and the 04-07 takes Hypoid Gear Oil. As far as I'm concerned, wherever Versatrak is specified, Synchromax can be used.

[jlb0305]

Well then it appears fine for the RDM.

Has anyone used it in the transfer case (03 and earlier obviously)? I'm a little more hesitant about using it in there for some reason... maybe its the lack of other people testing it first.

[newbievueowner]

Honestly, I wouldn't be that worried about it.

It is specified as a direct replacement fluid by RP.

[chillin05VUE]

My local auto parts store has RP for $17 a bottle. Is that good?

How many bottles does it take to fill the RDM?

[far2grumpy]

My local auto parts store has RP for $17 a bottle. Is that good?

How many bottles does it take to fill the RDM?

Chillin05 ... I purchased 32 oz bottle of RP and used about 25 oz (700 to 750 ml) to fill RDM.

I think I paid around $10 U.S. but that was last year (11/2008) ... before petroleum and synthetics made a significant pricing leap.

[col_dude190]

My local auto parts store has RP for $17 a bottle. Is that good?

How many bottles does it take to fill the RDM?

I paid $13.99 at my local NAPA for a quart of synchromax. $17 isn't too bad but you might want to do a little shopping around. One quart is all you need for the change.