2003 (early) built 07-2002
Manual 6 Trans
I know the "early" C5's used paper blockers so you only want to use Dex III trans fluid - non synthetic
What year did GM change to Dex VI fluid for the C5 ???
I am only going to use GM Dex VI or Older Spec Dex III fluid in this.
Just need to know when the changeover was
Thank You !!!

 

After a crapload of more searches.. I found that 2001-2004 CAN use the Dexron VI Synthetic Fluid..
I hope this is correct. Anybody have any more info on this ????

 

Amsoil synthetic ATF can be used in all years of C5. Early and late transmissions. Makes shifting fun.

 

GM bulletin says to use 88861800, not Dex VI..

 

I believe the switch from paper to carbon spacers was with the rest of the 2001 model year changes , but I never bothered to pay enough attention to quote you the correct fluid, figuring I could look it up when I needed to know, after guys like you translated the GM parts numbers into something identifiable to those working outside of the GM parts chain.

That approach probably rules out taking my word on any car facts involving money, or the potential loss of money, but at least I am friendly.

 

this is wrong. GM specifically recommends Dex VI. Contact the GM helpline and they will confirm.

 

Show me the GM document that says it's wrong.

 

1-866-522-9559

 

Yikes !!!!!
I figured this would bring a few different answers... I'll look up up 88861800 to try to find it and see what it says too .
Thanks for the replies. Keep em coming if you have anything to add, please

 

Read all of this thread. Like the op, I contacted gm and confirmed dev vi is correct.

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ans-fluid.html

 

I've read so many threads on this trans fluid topic .... I've just used the old dex III compatible valvoline in the blue jug in the past.
But I'd like to use the best fluid I can without causing any issues. ET says that 8885602 which is also 10-9395 (gallon jug) is still available . Cant find quart
to still be available. It's dex VI and synthetic, but somehow is a little different than the regular Dex VI..... Crap... The internet is great but So much info
makes for a headache

 

BTW, I can get quart jugs of the 88861800 at my local chevy in stock.. pretty cheap too !
So I'm down between 2 fluids. The 88861800 that people/gm/tech bull have said to use OR
the 8885602 (not avail) which is the 10-9395 gallon jug (avail)

 

10-9395 on amazon $17.50. You’ll need most of the jug. Just replaced mine last week. Get yourself a big auto syringe too.

heres an article discussing the nuances with the fluids and concludes dex vi is the correct fluid. (If you don’t want to call gm)

https://tech.corvettecentral.com/201...d-performance/

 

Like I said - show me the GM Service Information Bulletin that updates/replaces the above mentioned bulletin.

 

You can lead a horse to water.........

Let me break this down for you big guy.

1. pick up the phone and call gm to confirm that dex vi is the correct fluid.

2. if you’re too lazy to do that. Then read the the threads mentioned above from people that did pick up the phone and called gm to confirm dex vi is the correct fluid.

3. If you’re too lazy to do that, then read the article I linked above which says dex vi is the correct fluid.

4. If you’re too lazy to do that, do a search on the forum for this topic. You’ll find several people already researched this topic and had specific responses from gm service managers about this very issue talking about how certain bulletins are superseded and that dex vi is the correct fluid.

5. if you’re too lazy to do that, follow ET’s advice and/or message him about what the correct fluid is. After all, he is a gm engineer on this forum.

6. If you’re too lazy to do that, put whatever fluid you like in your transmission. I’m sure it will run fine!!!!!

its easy to do a google search and find some random gm bulletin that applies to your car. It’s more difficult to dig deeper and see if that bulletin still applies. Actually, no no. It isn’t. Just pick up the phone and call gm. It’s that simple.

 

Like i said - show me the document.

 

lol. You crack me up man. It’s people like you that make this forum worthless. No knowledge or added value. Just blanket vague responses. Lol. Let me know how your trans is in a few years after using the wrong fluid. Lol.

 

This is why I switched to Amsoil synthetic for my '98s 6 speed - 135 thousand miles ago. I couldn't get a straight answer and I wanted to do the right thing.
Amsoil Synthetic ATF works in both paper and carbon blocker ringed transmissions. Perfectly.

The breath mint vs candy mint debate still rages and my car still shifts like butter.

Your choice.

 

youre not suppose to put synthetic in a 98. Lol. You have paper blockers which will fail with synthetic.

 

I have made my decision. I am going with the DEX VI non synthetic that Evil Twin recommends ....
Delco 10-9395 Gallon Jug. I didn't even know there was a "non synthetic" version of Dex VI... It make sense to me
now why it is even in existence. That way, it can be backwards compatible without doing harm to components that
were never designed to use a synthetic fluid. All the diff fluids are cheap enough.. Money was never an issue. I just
wanted to use the best/right fluid for my App
Thanks for all the input !!!!!