What ATF do you use?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 394
Likes: 58
From: lancaster MA
What ATF do you use?
I have a low-mileage (26K) Z06 that I recently 're-cycled' (bought as a salvage vehicle). It has sat without driving since last October. And, being low-mileage, I imagine it wasn't the first time it sat for an extended amount of time. So, I'm getting very small amounts of leakage from the transmission (from the joint between the transmission and differential) - I'm almost certain the seals dried-out from sitting so long. I'm going to top her up with new ATF and see if I can get the seals to seal with use. I'm just curious as to what fellow members use in their transmission, Dexron III or VI?
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,100
Likes: 17
From: Somers, CT and Clermont, FL
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Dexron III is what your owner's manual recommends, however, Dexron VI has since superseded Dexron III, beginning in 2005.
In my opinion, Dexron VI is a better choice. It is a synthetic blend, and has greater thermal stability than Dexron III.
In my opinion, Dexron VI is a better choice. It is a synthetic blend, and has greater thermal stability than Dexron III.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 394
Likes: 58
From: lancaster MA
Quicksilver Vert 01 - Is Dexron VI compatible with III? Or should I drain all the present fluid and replenish with the Dexron VI? Is this the Canadian GM product or are there other alternatives?
Pro
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 548
Likes: 8
From: Lexington KY
I had the same problem in mine before mine is low mileage too it started to leak between the trany and differential ...I fixed it.....it was fearly easy job...remember there is no seal or gasket between them two they only used some kind of sealer when they built it so my guess it wears off after time...so what I did put the car up on jack stands then lossened all the bolts that hold them two Just like an 1/8 inch then I cleaned it dry , u have to let all the fluid to leak out I even used a rag to dry it too u have to make sure that both points are completly dry ..Then I bought from auto zone its called (Permatex brand) 1 minute gasketmaker its made to seal differentials, water pupms and other squizze some in the crack not to much u don't want that sealer to fall in into your trany and tight all the bolts back up and I left it sit for a little bit then I feeled it up with fluid I used (mobil 1 ATF synthetic fluid) because it was cheep and i wsnt sure if i fixed the leak didnt feel like wasteing good fluid...Its been almost a year no leak....good luck
Last edited by bob22z06; Aug 7, 2013 at 12:51 AM.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Providence RI
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,100
Likes: 17
From: Somers, CT and Clermont, FL
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
I would drain the old fluid first, unless you are just topping off the fluid level.
GM holds the license for the Dexron VI specification. Other ATF brands are also available, designated as Dexron VI, in the US and Canada.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,243
Likes: 5
From: Loveland CO
NO. Use only Dex III labled Oils or GM Manual Trans Fluid designed for the car..
dex VI is not good for the Vette Trans from everything i have read on here. now it works great in the auto transmissions but not in the MT's
I run Valvoline Dex III, feels stock.
S
Pro
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 633
Likes: 0
From: Van Buren Arkansas
I put Torque Drive in my 99' FRC (which have the paper blockers that aren't suppose to take to synthetic well) and I can't describe the difference it made in my transmission. My transmission is quiet as a mouse now and the shifts are sooo smooth. It's going 20,000 miles strong now.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2011
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From: The beautiful Alabama Gulf Coast!!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 394
Likes: 58
From: lancaster MA
I've read that the GM Synchromesh Fluid is the same as Pennzoil's. Also, it seems to work/perform well in Getrag manuals. The question is why do manufacturers continue to recommend ATFs when the MTFs work so well?
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,361
Likes: 1,592
From: Western NY
Possibly because the ATFs are a little thinner, create 0.001% less friction in the transmission, and they're looking to extract every last smidge of fuel mileage, to keep the EPA happy.....