Anyone using fluid other than the GM stuff, any results? I don't care about the warranty; I'm trying to see if there is a better alternative. So, all the warranty hawks, please keep moving. Not interested in your " but GM is the best lecture".

 

I put Redline in mine. So far so good.

 

A lot of us track rats use valvoline with great success. Don’t get caught up in the fear mongering.

 

from what I have heard about the Valvoline DCT fluid, I would love to use it.
only question I have is will GM give you a problem if you do have warranty and have a DCT issue with the "non GM" DCT fluid in it?

 

I think GM would have a problem denying warranty coverage solely based on using Valvoline fluid.

GM doesn't disclose a specification for the DCT fluid like they do with other fluids (dexosR, etc.). The owner's manual just says see your dealer. Magnuson-Moss specifically prohibits requiring a specific brand to maintain warranty unless the product is supplied for free. Valvoline states that their DCT fluid can be used to replace FFL-4 fluid and they state that is is suitable for use in the C8 DCT.

 

I don't think there is a better alternative, maybe equal to. With shipping, about $24 liter @ Rock Auto.

 

Been successfully using Valvoline DCT fluid for 2 years. Appreciate the cost being in line.

Any transmission fluid as the AC Delco fluid that you are required to shake up prior to using is not a good sign. As we know the Maserati MC20 uses our Tremec 9080 and the fluid used does not need to be shaken before poured.

 

The reason I'm asking is that GM has a nasty habit of using the lowest bidder. I'm going to try the Valvoline. Yeah, don't understand the whole shake it before you use it. Like, the inside of a transmission is a tornado.

 

The original Service Manual indicates Pentosin FFL-4 and in another place Fuchs Titan FFL-4. Maserati MC20 manual says Fuchs Titan FFL-4. There is literature that shows that Fuch Titan FFL-4 is the same forumla as Pentosin FFL-4. Its attached. Furthermore, we know that Fuchs makes the ACDeclo FFL-4. They were contacted by a forum member asking it its the same. Fuch's declined to answer, but the point is they acknowledge making it. That is also attached. It does not mean its the same, but..... finally, there is an Australian product data sheet for ACDelco DCTF FFL-4 and in the 'other names" section is lists Pentosin FFL-4. Its attached. So if Pentosiin and Fuchs are the same, this would seem to suggest that the Delco DCTF FFL-4 is too.

 

I'm not recommending any alternative. But there are two others that appear to assert that they are suitable for the C8.

In their list of applications for their "Universal Synthetic Dual Clutch Transmission Fluid", Amalie lists GM DCTF FFL-4.
https://www.amalie.com/wp-content/up...Sell_Sheet.pdf

And, Amsoil, in their list of applications, indicated Pentosin FFL-4.
https://amsoilcontent.com/ams/lit/da...tins/g3431.pdf

Of course the Fuchs Titanl FFL-4 and Pentosin FFL-4 could be used. Fuchs will recommend it in their product finder. But those two appear in the earlier C8 Service Manuals, and may still be there.

 

Your GM service department may not want to use anything other than the Delco fluid. I bought the Valvoline fluid at <$7 quart from rockauto.com but the Corvette service technician didn't want to use it. Luckily the service manager overrode the technician's reluctance.

Of course you could do it yourself and avoid that scenario.

 

Just out of curiosity, How would GM know what fluid you are using? Is It purple, or some other wild color, just like oil, can you look at motor oil and tell what weight or brand it is, other than royal purple.

 

You did say you did not want to hear about warranty implications, but this question goes toward that little bit. Anyway - if and when you have transmission issue, if you did the work yourself, GM will ask for receipts. So, the receipt will show the purchase of the fluid that you used. If you have it at a dealer, the dealer will likely record on the invoice for the service what was used. Something like 10 liters of ACDelco DCTF FFL-4 or customer supplied Valvoline Dual Clutch Transmission fluid. If I was a dealer, I would document that a fluid was used at the customers request. So, in many cases they can just look at the documentation and see that.

Some make a point that other fluids are "superior". If that is true, then there must be measurable difference, wouldn't you think?

And, if the Valvoline formulation is different (and it is) its possible that fluid analysis would reveal that , but I don't know that, and there's no reports that they ever did that. There was a campaign a while back to return filters for analysis and we know that defective transmissions get returned. GM probably did extensive analysis on those, but we have no details on what they may have looked at. I personally think they could tell the difference if they really wanted to. But do they?

So far there have not been any reports of a transmission issue where Valvoline was used, and no forum reports that I know where GM has asked for proof of what fluid was used, or denied a claim on the basis of the fluid used.

While I use and will continue to use the ACDelco product, it would be big news if GM denies a warranty claim citing the use of the Valvoline fluid as the cause. Valvoline is a reputable company and specifically recommends their product for the C8. It would be quite a blow to them to discover that GM denied claim because of it.

 

Andybump you got a point, I was just wondering if GM had some kind of thing with Blackstone, But then I remembered, it's GM.....

 

The GM fluid is the color of regular motor oil. the Valvoline fluid is red.
which is why I asked the question, IF you use the Valvoline fluid, they will know.

 

You are all going to laugh, but according to 'sources', Tremec buys the fluid they use in their factory fill in bulk, of course, and it is the cheapest junk they could find. And I emphasize 'junk'.

 

Well, since I have no insider info, I can't comment on what actually happens in the "factory". But according to the TREMEC in their original literature in 2020, they recommend using Fuchs Titan EG FFL-4 for Tremec. And Fuchs responded to an inquiry about the EG lettering and said its the same product as Fuchs Titan FFL-4. Its attached.

Didn't GM build a new plant and take over production of the TR-9080, under license from TREMEC? That was supposed to be completed in 2022. If that happened, then its GM that putting in whatever fluid is going in at the factory.

https://www.autoevolution.com/news/c...nt-151435.html

 

And the cases are recycled aluminum cans and the gears are bubble gum

 

When my DCT failed on my z06, I wasn't sure swapping the valve body myself would fix my issues. Luckily it did, I chose the valvoline fluid in case in did not so I wouldn't be out all that money for OEM fluid. So far it shifts like stock and I am now at 500 miles post change and no issues with the valvoline DCT fluid. Plus I like the red it makes it easier to identify if leaks vs engine oil which looks similar.

 

The main filter in your video was filthy. I'm going to change that filter in my next filter fluid change.