Manual transmission question
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: You know your drunk when you swerve to miss the tree then you realize its your air freshener! Covington Ga
I changed mine out in my 01 a few weks ago. Car only has 52K on it and I used Pennzoil Synchromesh. The car shifts so much better now.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 6,273
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From: Austin TX
My 99 has a Borg Warner tranny, will Tremec pull out your transmission and make repairs based on their recommendation for your unit?
The info I gave for the Dexron 3 came out of the FSM for 1999 Corvette's so I know that's good, my concern with synthetics is from warnings of other forum members, so proceed at your own risk.
The info I gave for the Dexron 3 came out of the FSM for 1999 Corvette's so I know that's good, my concern with synthetics is from warnings of other forum members, so proceed at your own risk.
I have no problem with Dexron 3. I'm just reporting what I was told by the manufacturer.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
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From: Richmond, Ky
So, what fluid are you using in your transmission and is it a Borg Warner unit? Just curious as to your findings.
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: Aug 2001
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From: King George VA
AMSOIL Torque-Drive Synthetic Transmission Fluid (Product Code ATD1G)
This fluid is synthetic and does meet Dexron III specs which is the spec for the manual in the Corvette. There are many forum members with early C5s with paper blocker rings using this fluid and to the best of my knowledge, none have reported problems. FYI, this is the same fluid I use in mine at the track.
As for the comment about about not needing to change the tranny fluid, my experience is that factory fluids shear low out of viscosity grade very rapidly. I bought an 06 CTS-V (same tranny) used with 7k miles on it and changed the tranny fluid to AMSOIL at about 10k mile and submitted the factory fill to Blackstone for analysis. It had sheared low out of grade.
2006 Cadillac CTS-V Used Oil Analysis Dexron III vs AMSOIL ATF Transmission Fluid
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Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2008
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From: Howell Michigan
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11
do some research on the fluid before you buy it. I have a 2000 and went with the amsoil as research here told me not to get synthetic fluid due to the paper/cellulos blocker rings-I don't know what those are but I know they don't like synthetic fluid according to my fellow CF brethren
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Seattle WA
St. Jude Donor '14
Specs change over time; it's just important to ensure prior specifications are "met or exceeded". For example, Valvoline Dexron VI notes that it is "For all General Motors cars and trucks that require DEXRON®-VI, DEXRON®-III and DEXRON®-II"
Dexron is a registered trademark that reflects compliance with a spect and can't be used without permission from GM.
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2008
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From: Howell Michigan
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11
If a fluid states that it's compatible with the Dexron III spec then it's fine.
Specs change over time; it's just important to ensure prior specifications are "met or exceeded". For example, Valvoline Dexron VI notes that it is "For all General Motors cars and trucks that require DEXRON®-VI, DEXRON®-III and DEXRON®-II"
Dexron is a registered trademark that reflects compliance with a spect and can't be used without permission from GM.
Specs change over time; it's just important to ensure prior specifications are "met or exceeded". For example, Valvoline Dexron VI notes that it is "For all General Motors cars and trucks that require DEXRON®-VI, DEXRON®-III and DEXRON®-II"
Dexron is a registered trademark that reflects compliance with a spect and can't be used without permission from GM.
All DEXRON-III licenses expired at the end of 2006, and will not be renewed. Beyond that date, General Motors will only support the use of DEXRON-VI fluids for use in Hydra-Matic transmissions.[1] Fluids claiming DEXRON-III type performance continue to be sold under abbreviated names such as Dex/Merc and D/M, however, since the DEXRON-III licensing system no longer exists, these fluids are not regulated by GM in any way. I don't trust a lot of things from Wikipedia, but in this case they have it correct. Link.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,231
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From: Seattle WA
St. Jude Donor '14
True for the trademark, thank you, but you should probabaly put the whole quote here, or at least the following:
"DEXRON®-VI licensed fluids are fully backward compatible and can be used in all applications covered by earlier GM ATF specifications."
Hence my comment:
"DEXRON®-VI licensed fluids are fully backward compatible and can be used in all applications covered by earlier GM ATF specifications."
Hence my comment:
If a fluid states that it's compatible with the Dexron III spec then it's fine.
Specs change over time; it's just important to ensure prior specifications are "met or exceeded". For example, Valvoline Dexron VI notes that it is "For all General Motors cars and trucks that require DEXRON®-VI, DEXRON®-III and DEXRON®-II"
Specs change over time; it's just important to ensure prior specifications are "met or exceeded". For example, Valvoline Dexron VI notes that it is "For all General Motors cars and trucks that require DEXRON®-VI, DEXRON®-III and DEXRON®-II"
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2008
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From: Howell Michigan
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11
What folks need to understand, there are so called replacement transmission fluids that state they are replacements for Dexron III or state that they are Dexron III without mention of Dexron VI. This should throw a red flag, and in my opinion is a deceptive way to sell a product by trying to use what once was a licensed name that is no longer made.
It’s your vehicle. Use what you feel is best. I’m just suggesting that you understand what you are buying.
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: Aug 2001
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From: King George VA
What folks need to understand, there are so called replacement transmission fluids that state they are replacements for Dexron III or state that they are Dexron III without mention of Dexron VI. This should throw a red flag, and in my opinion is a deceptive way to sell a product by trying to use what once was a licensed name that is no longer made.
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2008
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From: Howell Michigan
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11
Guess who’s minding the shop now in regards to Dexron III?
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
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From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Dex VI is backwards compatible for automatic transmissions only, not 6 speeds. That's why GM now specifies their synchromesh for all the kazillion 6-speeds out there that came filled with Dex III.Personally I now use a 50% mix of Amsoil ATD/ATF in my RPM unit. Works great.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,231
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From: Seattle WA
St. Jude Donor '14
Since Dexron-III is a specification and not an application - I can't see how the backwards compatibility is limited to automatic transmissions.
Too much conjecture here...
Too much conjecture here...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: Austin TX
Dex VI is backwards compatible for automatic transmissions only, not 6 speeds. That's why GM now specifies their synchromesh for all the kazillion 6-speeds out there that came filled with Dex III.Personally I now use a 50% mix of Amsoil ATD/ATF in my RPM unit. Works great.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
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From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Many, if not all, of the same companies that were previously manufacturing Dexron III under license by GM, are still manufacturing the exact same formula product, but are no longer licensed by GM since GM discontinued it's licensing program for everyone but still owns the trademark name. These manufacturers are now referring to it as "meets Dexron III requirements" or "recommended where Dexron III is specified", or words to that effect, etc, etc.
Dexron VI was formulated for fuel economy purposes primarily.