2004 Corvette 6 speed fluid change?? Please Help
Team Owner
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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
Team Owner
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From: At the beach in little Rhody
Have you looked for any of the GM service bulletins? I would think if it can't be used then GM must send something to the dealers so stating. I run Amsoil in mine, but you may still be able to find Dextron III on some of the selling sites.
Team Owner
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Nothing, the spec is actually backwards compatible with Dex III. That being said, Tremec (you know, the guys that built your transmission) actually recommends Pennzoil/GM Synchromesh.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2008
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VI is perfectly fine, I run it in my Z06 track car. I've also used the Dexron product in my '94 K1500 5 spd manual and rolled up 296,000 miles and still working fine. Use it with confidence.
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Team Owner
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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
Red Line D4 and Amsoil ATF are but two (synthetic), high quality fluids.
Dexron VI is a lower viscosity fluid designed to be used in many LATE model vehicles and is specified by name.
Team Owner
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Dexron is a trademark name owned by General Motors. Products manufactured by other companies meet the same spec called for in Dexron III.
Red Line D4 and Amsoil ATF are but two (synthetic), high quality fluids.
Dexron VI is a lower viscosity fluid designed to be used in many LATE model vehicles and is specified by name.
Red Line D4 and Amsoil ATF are but two (synthetic), high quality fluids.
Dexron VI is a lower viscosity fluid designed to be used in many LATE model vehicles and is specified by name.
Team Owner
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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
Look, this is not about me either liking something or not. GM even recommends their synchromesh as an acceptable substitute in six-speeds, not Dex VI, however since there are so many companies still making DEX III rated fluids, the best choice is to use DEX III. The "backwards compatible" matter relates more to the automatic transmissions.
Team Owner
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I think that's precisely what it is.
Tremec also recommends Synchromesh for the T56. I mentioned as much.
However you can't say that Dex VI is not recommended. GM takes no such position. The backwards compatibility relates to the spec not to the application. Again you have taken a contrary position to the manufacturer.
GM even recommends their synchromesh as an acceptable substitute in six-speeds, not Dex VI, however since there are so many companies still making DEX III rated fluids, the best choice is to use DEX III. The "backwards compatible" matter relates more to the automatic transmissions.
However you can't say that Dex VI is not recommended. GM takes no such position. The backwards compatibility relates to the spec not to the application. Again you have taken a contrary position to the manufacturer.
Team Owner
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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
I think that's precisely what it is.
Tremec also recommends Synchromesh for the T56. I mentioned as much.
However you can't say that Dex VI is not recommended. GM takes no such position. The backwards compatibility relates to the spec not to the application. Again you have taken a contrary position to the manufacturer.
Tremec also recommends Synchromesh for the T56. I mentioned as much.
However you can't say that Dex VI is not recommended. GM takes no such position. The backwards compatibility relates to the spec not to the application. Again you have taken a contrary position to the manufacturer.
I agree that GM (and Tremec's which parrots GM) DOES recommend to use p/n 88861800 which is GMs replacement for Dex III for use in manual transmissions. It is NOT however, a Dex VI fluid (which IS backwards compatible in AUTOMATICS that originally specd Dex III).
A little light reading on the subject:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...8861800-a.html
http://www.ls1gto.com/forums/archive.../t-180839.html
http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/topi...sfer-case-oil/
This information applies to 2007 and prior GM passenger cars and trucks.
Dexron III is being phased out as a product name. It is being renamed Manual Transmission Fluid and carries p/n 88861800 U.S. (88861801 Canada).
If fluid p/n 88861800 U.S. (88861801 Canada) is not yet available when servicing a manual transmission or transfer case, Dexron III can be used in its place.
The following diagnosis might be helpful if the vehicle exhibits the symptom(s) described in this PI.
Condition/Concern:
Unavailability of manual transmission fluid part number 88861800 U.S. (88861801 Canada).
Recommendation/Instructions:
If fluid part number 88861800 U.S. (88861801 Canada) is unavailable when servicing a manual transmission or transfer case, Dexron III can be used in it's place. DO NOT use Dexron VI in place of the manual transmission fluid in any manual transmissions or transfer cases as a failure may result.
Please follow this diagnostic or repair process thoroughly and complete each step. If the condition exhibited is resolved without completing every step, the remaining steps do not need to be performed.
Dexron III is being phased out as a product name. It is being renamed Manual Transmission Fluid and carries p/n 88861800 U.S. (88861801 Canada).
If fluid p/n 88861800 U.S. (88861801 Canada) is not yet available when servicing a manual transmission or transfer case, Dexron III can be used in its place.
The following diagnosis might be helpful if the vehicle exhibits the symptom(s) described in this PI.
Condition/Concern:
Unavailability of manual transmission fluid part number 88861800 U.S. (88861801 Canada).
Recommendation/Instructions:
If fluid part number 88861800 U.S. (88861801 Canada) is unavailable when servicing a manual transmission or transfer case, Dexron III can be used in it's place. DO NOT use Dexron VI in place of the manual transmission fluid in any manual transmissions or transfer cases as a failure may result.
Please follow this diagnostic or repair process thoroughly and complete each step. If the condition exhibited is resolved without completing every step, the remaining steps do not need to be performed.
I know this is an old topic but I recently saw a GM bulletin dated 4/11/07 that stated Dexron VI should not be used in manual transmission vehicles. GM states to use pn# 88861800 instead of Dexron III in those vehicles.
The bulletin in question is 04-07-30-037C.
Here is the portion of the bulletin that states it:
This bulletin is being revised to add additional information on using DEXRON®-VI automatic transmission fluid in all transmission/transaxle warranty repairs. Please discard Corporate Bulletin Number 04-07-30-037B (Section 07 -- Transmission/Transaxle).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS AND TRANSFER CASES
The content of this bulletin does not apply to manual transmissions or transfer cases. Any vehicle that previously required DEXRON®-III for a manual transmission or transfer case should now use P/N 88861800. This fluid is labeled Manual Transmission and Transfer Case Fluid.
Consult the Owner's Manual or Service Information (SI) for fluid recommendations.
Some of our customers and/or General Motors dealerships/Saturn Retailers may have some concerns with DEXRON®-VI and DEXRON®-III Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) and transmission warranty claims. DEXRON®-VI is the only approved fluid for warranty repairs for General Motors transmissions/transaxles requiring DEXRON®-III and/or prior DEXRON® transmission fluids. Please remember that the clean oil reservoirs of the machine should be purged of DEXRON®-III and filled with DEXRON®-VI for testing, flushing or filling General Motors transmissions/transaxles.
DEXRON®-VI can be used in any proportion in past model vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission/transaxle in place of DEXRON®-III (i.e. topping off the fluid in the event of a repair or fluid change). DEXRON®-VI is also compatible with any former version of DEXRON® for use in automatic transmissions/transaxles.
The bulletin in question is 04-07-30-037C.
Here is the portion of the bulletin that states it:
This bulletin is being revised to add additional information on using DEXRON®-VI automatic transmission fluid in all transmission/transaxle warranty repairs. Please discard Corporate Bulletin Number 04-07-30-037B (Section 07 -- Transmission/Transaxle).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS AND TRANSFER CASES
The content of this bulletin does not apply to manual transmissions or transfer cases. Any vehicle that previously required DEXRON®-III for a manual transmission or transfer case should now use P/N 88861800. This fluid is labeled Manual Transmission and Transfer Case Fluid.
Consult the Owner's Manual or Service Information (SI) for fluid recommendations.
Some of our customers and/or General Motors dealerships/Saturn Retailers may have some concerns with DEXRON®-VI and DEXRON®-III Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) and transmission warranty claims. DEXRON®-VI is the only approved fluid for warranty repairs for General Motors transmissions/transaxles requiring DEXRON®-III and/or prior DEXRON® transmission fluids. Please remember that the clean oil reservoirs of the machine should be purged of DEXRON®-III and filled with DEXRON®-VI for testing, flushing or filling General Motors transmissions/transaxles.
DEXRON®-VI can be used in any proportion in past model vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission/transaxle in place of DEXRON®-III (i.e. topping off the fluid in the event of a repair or fluid change). DEXRON®-VI is also compatible with any former version of DEXRON® for use in automatic transmissions/transaxles.
Team Owner
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I agree that GM (and Tremec's which parrots GM) DOES recommend to use p/n 88861800 which is GMs replacement for Dex III for use in manual transmissions. It is NOT however, a Dex VI fluid (which IS backwards compatible in AUTOMATICS that originally specd Dex III).
Team Owner
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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
I would recommend either the Red Line D4 OR the Amsoil Torque-Drive (or ATF) full synthetic.
A few years back, I researched and read so much on this subject, including the Service Bulletins, that I was bleeding from the eyeballs.
I was puzzled by the continuous conflicting "information", mainly in discussions going back and forth from automatic to manual, with little or no distinction and apparently this confusion and feedback to GM resulted in the clarification TSBs so as to not have warranty and/or usage issues. I continue, to this day to see a LOT of apparent misunderstanding and/or confusion on this topic and I think a large part of that is because MOST of the usage of either Dex III OR Dex VI is by people with automatic transmissions of ALL vehicle categories, not just Corvettes. These fluids ARE after all, designated as "ATF", and the manual transmission usage is actually tiny by comparison to all the autos, including many non-GM vehicles. People seem to focus on what THEY drive, with little or no regard to the broader picture at hand, which covers ALL usage of these ATFs.
It's like C5 and the leaking-battery-topic. For YEARS after the problem was solved, people were still expressing fears/concerns about that issue.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 214
Likes: 26
I would go with dexron III if you're sticking with GM specs, my friend who has a 06 ctsv once had his transmission fluid changed at the dealer, the dealer had a bulletin update that said it required dexron VI For 04-07 ctsv with t56 transmission, they put in dex VI, it made the car shift like total crap. He went back to the stealership and told them to put in dex III, it went back to smooth shifting.
Personally I run amsoil torque drive, when I had tick performance rebuild my transmission(damaged from a failed clutch MC)they recommended me to use GM Dex III and said to use other oils at my own discretion. Also when you change the fluid do the Anti-Venom mod while your at it.
Personally I run amsoil torque drive, when I had tick performance rebuild my transmission(damaged from a failed clutch MC)they recommended me to use GM Dex III and said to use other oils at my own discretion. Also when you change the fluid do the Anti-Venom mod while your at it.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2002
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 3,473
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From: West Virginia
Valvoline makes a Dex III compliant fluid - labelled Dex/Merc. $16 and change per gallon from Walmart, and it works perfectly in my 18 year old T56. That's all you need. You can pay a lot more for the "boutique" synthetics, but you don't need to.
Last edited by jackthelad; Mar 7, 2016 at 09:22 AM.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 514
Likes: 85
Trans fluid change
Shifting seems about the same as before the oil change. I did read where some people are using royal purple, amzoil etc and indicate the trans shifts like butter! I know those are premium oils, however with just my street use, I did not think it necessary to spend the bucks.
JB