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Allison C-4 is a transmission and hydraulic fluid specification used most often in construction, mining, and agricultural vehicles. Euclid trucks, scrapers, Galion graders, Case IH tractors, and farm tractors are common applications. It is also recommended for PowerShift transmissions, final drives, and hydraulic systems in equipment from Caterpillar and Komatsu.
C-4 fluids were widely specified for older GM hardware like the TH350 and TH400 transmissions, as well as older diesel engines calling for SAE 30 vs 10W30 oil.Certain professional marine reducers and oil drilling rigs also fall within its scope.
It is now considered obsolete for commercial on-highway transmissions, but it remains a relevant standard for off-highway equipment and older machinery where newer specifications were never required.
Hydraulic Fluids Compatible with Allison C-4
These products give you options for any Allison system, ranging from high-performance synthetic oils for new trucks to fluids for older heavy machinery.
Castrol TranSynd 668
Castrol TranSynd 668 Allison 2021 SPEC
Castrol TranSynd 668 is a full-synthetic ATF and an OEM-approved fluid for Allison on-highway automatic transmissions under the TES 668 specification.
Quick Specs
Viscosity @ 40°C: 33 mm²/s
Viscosity @ 100°C: 6.9 mm²/s
Viscosity Index: 168
Pour Point: -51°C
Flash Point: >210°C
This fluid is for fleet managers and owner-operators running modern Allison-equipped trucks or buses who want an OEM-approved synthetic with broad cross-brand compatibility.
- Allison TES 668 (primary approval)
- Backwards compatible: Allison TES 295, TES 468
- Voith H55.6335.xx
- Volvo Transmission Oil 97341
- MAN 339 V1
- MB 236.92 (DTFR 13C190)
TRIAX MP ATF Dex III
TRIAX DX3 ATF
TRIAX MP ATF Dex III is a synthetic-blend multi-purpose ATF and an aftermarket-equivalent fluid that meets the Allison C-4 specification.
It covers a wide range of transmissions across trucks, buses, passenger cars, and heavy-duty construction equipment, making it a practical option when you need to change transfer case fluid across multiple pieces of equipment.
Quick Specs
Viscosity @ 40°C: 35 cSt
Viscosity @ 100°C: 7.3 cSt
Viscosity Index: 188
Pour Point: -42°C
Flash Point: 212°C
This fluid is for fleet operators and equipment managers running older or mixed-spec machinery where a single multi-application fluid reduces inventory and simplifies maintenance.
- Allison C-4
- Allison TES 389
- GM Dexron IIIH, III, IIE, II
- Chrysler MS-7176E
- Ford Mercon, ESP-M2C166H, ESP-M2C138CJ
- Caterpillar TO-2
- ZF TE-ML 14A, 04D, 17C, 03D
SWEPCO 714
Swepco 714 Hydraulic Transmission Fluid
SWEPCO 714 is an aftermarket-equivalent multi-service transmission fluid that meets both Allison C-4 and Caterpillar TO-4 requirements. It is built for heavily loaded off-highway equipment across mining, construction, forestry, and marine applications.
Viscosity @ 40°C: 30–229 cSt (grade dependent)
Viscosity @ 100°C: 5.8–20.2 cSt
Pour Point: as low as -40°C (SAE 20)
Flash Point: 216–260°C
SWEPCO 714 for equipment managers running Caterpillar, Komatsu, or similar off-highway machinery who want a single fluid to reduce inventory.
- Allison C-4
- Caterpillar TO-4 and FD-1
- Komatsu KES 07.868.1
- Komatsu Dresser Dana Powershift
- ZF TE-ML 03C, ZF TE-ML 07F
- API MT-1
Mobil Delvac Synthetic ATF
Mobil Delvac Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid
Mobil Delvac Synthetic ATF is a fully synthetic fluid with OEM approval from Allison Transmission under TES-295 and TES-468. It covers modern heavy-duty automatic transmissions in trucks, buses, and utility vehicles, including hybrid drivetrain models.
Quick Specs
Viscosity @ 40°C: 39 cSt
Viscosity @ 100°C: 7.3 cSt
Viscosity Index: 168
Pour Point: -54°C
Flash Point: 236°C
Mobil Delvac Synthetic ATF is for fleet operators running Allison-equipped trucks or buses in demanding or cold-weather environments who need an OEM-approved synthetic with broad European OEM cross-approval.
- Allison TES-295 (AN-051005)
- Allison TES-468 (AN-051005)
- MB-Approval 236.91
- ZF TE-ML 04D, 14C, 16M, 20C
- Voith Turbo H55.633639
- Voith Turbo DIWA Service Bulletin 013 & 118 (Extended Drain)
Chevron ATF MD-3
Chevron 39770-CASE MD-3 Automatic Transmission Fluid
Chevron ATF MD-3 is an aftermarket-equivalent fluid that meets the Allison C-4 specification. It is formulated for pre-2006 automatic transmissions in passenger cars, light trucks, and commercial equipment calling for Dexron-III H, Mercon, or Caterpillar TO-2 fluids.
Quick Specs
Viscosity @ 40°C: 34.1 cSt
Viscosity @ 100°C: 7.0 cSt
Viscosity Index: 171
Pour Point: -50°C
Flash Point: 212°C
Chevron ATF MD-3 is for owners and fleet operators maintaining pre-2006 GM or Ford automatic transmissions, or older off-highway equipment where Allison C-4 or Caterpillar TO-2 fluids are still the specified standard.
- Allison C-4
- Dexron-III H
- Ford Mercon
- Caterpillar TO-2
Comparison of Products that Meet or Exceed Allison C-4
| Product | Base Oil Type | Pour Point | Viscosity @ 100°C | Ideal Applications |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full Synthetic | −51°C | 6.9 mm²/s | Modern Allison on-highway fleets (1000–4000 Series) needing maximum drain intervals | |
| Full Synthetic | −54°C | 7.3 cSt | Allison on-highway trucks and buses in cold climates; hybrid drivetrains | |
| High-VI Mineral Blend | −40°C (SAE 20) | 5.8–20.2 cSt | Off-highway heavy equipment (Cat, Komatsu) covering transmissions, final drives, and wet brakes | |
| Synthetic Blend | −42°C | 7.3 cSt | Mixed fleets spanning older GM/Ford transmissions, C-4 equipment, and hydraulic systems | |
| Hydroprocessed Mineral | −50°C | 7.0 cSt | Pre-2006 GM/Ford automatics and older off-highway equipment where C-4 or TO-2 is specified |
Allison Transmission Fluid Capacity
Allison transmission fluid capacity may differ depending on the series you’re using. The table below provides an overview of Allison transmission fluid capacity for the various Allison series.
Standards Related to Allison C-4
C-3 predates C-4 and is still referenced for some older off-highway equipment that accepts either standard interchangeably. C-4 has been replaced by different standards.
TES-439
TES-439 is the modern equivalent for off-highway equipment where C-4 was traditionally specified. It covers the heavy-duty transmissions, final drives, and hydraulic systems found in Caterpillar, Euclid, and Komatsu machinery.
Phillips 66 PowerDrive is one example of a fluid carrying OEM approval for TES-439 while remaining recommended for applications that still reference C-4 quality.
TES-295 and TES-468
On the highway side, TES-295 and TES-468 are the full synthetic standards that replaced mineral-based C-4 fluids in commercial transmission service. Some fluids are explicitly formulated to satisfy both C-4 and TES-295 simultaneously.
Everest HDEL and LIQUI MOLY Top Tec ATF 1200 are current examples. AMSOIL Torque-Drive takes a similar approach, marketed as a direct replacement for applications specifying C-4, TES-295, or Dexron-III.
TES-668
TES-668 is the latest generation for Allison 1000 through 4000 Series transmissions. It is backwards compatible with TES-295, TES-389, and TES-468.
Caterpillar TO-4
Caterpillar TO-4 is the heavy-duty standard that is most frequently cross-referenced alongside C-4. Both target the same core requirements: frictional performance for paper and elastomer disc materials, anti-wear protection, and durability under high load.
Dual certification for TO-4 and C-4 is common among fluids designed for construction and agricultural machinery, and for practical purposes the two specifications are treated as equivalent in that application space.
Closing Note
C-4 fluids used mineral-based formulations designed around the friction and heat tolerances of older equipment. TES 668 and current TO-4 fluids are built for tighter tolerances and higher shear loads, where oxidative stability matters more than raw friction.
Running a modern synthetic in equipment that previously used a C-4 level fluid can reduce operating temperatures, slow oxidative thickening, and extend drain intervals beyond what older fluids allowed. That adds up over the life of the equipment.
If your machinery still calls for C-4, the fluid options covered here will keep it running. But if a modern synthetic is an option for your application, the long-term case for upgrading is straightforward.
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