How Many Still Running Dex3?

jro909 · April 14, 2010

i'm quite on the fence about getting the dex3 out of my truck and going to dex6 and i was just curious if any other 800s have switched, and if it was worth it? at over 100k i'm just not sure if its too late in the game for a change, i've been told by one of the local experts that dex6 is much better(you know who you are lol)

jblakeney · April 14, 2010

i'm quite on the fence about getting the dex3 out of my truck and going to dex6 and i was just curious if any other 800s have switched, and if it was worth it? at over 100k i'm just not sure if its too late in the game for a change, i've been told by one of the local experts that dex6 is much better(you know who you are lol)

Dex VI replaces dex 3 in GM applications.... But if it was mine I would leave the dex 3 in till I had to rebuild it.... Then start fresh with the dex VI..... Just me thou.

Note VI is 6 in roman numerals.

Jbo

jro909 · April 14, 2010

all my services at the dealer have resulted in new dex3 being put back in

hpracing10 · April 14, 2010

I made the swap in my '03 Z71 at 200K miles. Truck loved it. With the dexron VI my tranny runs about 20 degrees cooler, shifts are not as sloppy. I don't think it will hurt anything to make the switch with 100K.

dlstewart01 · April 14, 2010

Dex V1 is backwards compatible with all GM transmissions. It is superior to any GM fluid before it. I have it in my 05 truck and my wife's 04 Buick. It works better than any fluid I have used so far, and I was running Mobil 1 trans fluid.

GM no longer licenses Dex3 so no body makes it anymore. They make Dex 3 compatible.

List of all the companies licensed to make Dexron V1.

http://www.imakenews.com/lubritec/e_articl...5.cfm?x=b11,0,w

jro909 · April 14, 2010

i'm still getting dex3 lol, i don't understand the deal...mixing dex6 with dex3 going to ruin anything? i just put a brand new filter in the pan and would rather not have to replace that too

dlstewart01 · April 14, 2010

In early 2005, General Motors released a newly developed automatic transmission fluid (ATF) for the factory fill of all GM Powertrain stepped-gear automatic transmissions. The new fluid provides significantly improved performance in terms of friction durability, viscosity stability, aeration and foam control and oxidation resistance. In addition, the fluid has the potential to enable improved fuel economy and extended drain intervals. Because the performance of the new fluid far exceeded that of the DEXRON-III service-fill fluids available at the time, it became necessary to upgrade the DEXRON service-fill specification in order to ensure that similar fluids were available in the market for service situations. This latest upgrade to the service- fill specification is designated DEXRON-VI (fig. 1).

Since General Motors introduced the first ATF service-fill specification in 1949, it has been necessary to upgrade the specification periodically.

The upgrading process ensures that available service-fill fluids are of an appropriate quality for use in transmissions that have been designed around the factory-fill fluid performance.

TIP: As with previous upgrades, DEXRON-VI fluids are designed to be backward compatible with earlier transmission hardware. More importantly, earlier type fluids are not forward compatible with transmission hardware that was designed to use DEXRON-VI fluid.

DEXRON-III is not compatible with the most recently designed transmissions, and the use of these earlier type fluids could result in transmission damage. All current calibrations and certification tests are now conducted with DEXRON-VI ATF. DEXRON-III fluids should not be used for those applications where the owner manual recommends the use of DEXRON-VI.

TIP: GM does not license or support obsolete ATF specifications or the use of fluids that are being marketed against cancelled specifications.

All DEXRON-III licenses expired at the end of 2006 and will not be renewed. Beyond that date, GM will support only DEXRON-VI fluids for use in Hydra-Matic transmissions. Avoid fluids sold in the market after that date bearing claims such as “suitable for use in

DEXRON-III applications” or similar wording. DEXRON-VI licensed fluids are fully backward compatible and can be used in all applications covered by earlier GM ATF specifications.

The use of unlicensed fluids and/or non-GM approved aftermarket additives may prove detrimental to transmission performance and void warranty coverage.

- Thanks to (Name Removed)

Precaution: DEXRON-VI in Manual Transmissions

When DEXRON-III is indicated as the fluid fill for manual transmissions and transfer cases, DO NOT use DEXRON-VI. Instead, use GM Manual Transmission Fluid p/n 88861800 in these components.

TIP: Refer to PIP3836B (Feb. 2007).

If the manual transmission or transfer case indicates use of DEXRON-VI, then, of course, it should be used.

Purging Equipment

Before filling your bulk fluid equipment with DEXRON-VI, be sure to purge the old oil from it.

Also, be sure to purge your J-45096 Transflow machine before using it with DEXRON-VI.

kinka17 · April 14, 2010

It all depends on your trans. I'm the manager of a transmission company and I agree with the above post. It might be worth while to just wait until a rebuild. If your existing fluid has been in there awhile and your clutches are starting to come apart, you will do more harm than good by removing the old fluid. Remember, even if the clutch material is coming off the clutches, it is still floating around the fluid, so its helping with the shifts.

jblakeney · April 14, 2010

i'm still getting dex3 lol, i don't understand the deal...mixing dex6 with dex3 going to ruin anything? i just put a brand new filter in the pan and would rather not have to replace that too

NO, it will not mess anything up. DEX VI takes the place of previous versions of DEX. Just as DEX 3 took the place of DEX II. If you are buying it in the aftermarket, it is the difference in 2.99 and 4+ bucks.... So what since would it make to put the more expensive stuff in unless your CHANGING all the fluid? 4-5 quarts in a system that contains 14-18 quarts... The only thing your doing is mixing oils together...

It is my understanding when DEX VI came out DEX 3 bottling stopped in the GM bottles.

Jbo

dlstewart01 · April 14, 2010

GM owns the Dexron name. When they stoped issueing license to make Dexron 111 no one can make it and call it Dexron 111. They can make a fluid and say it meets the Dexron 111 specs.

There may be bottles of old stock out there.

All transmissions fluids are compatible with each other and can be mixed.

Transmission shops don't want to change fluid on a tranny that wasn't maintained because they might be blamed for future failure. In addition people that change their fluid at high mileage sometimes do it because they are already having problems.

In my humble opinion what may cause high mileage problems is when certain pressure flush machines are used to get the fluid out of the trans may push some of the ware material into valves or small orifices and cause the trans to fail.

A simple pan drop or a fluid change using the transmission pump to transfer the fluid will never hurt a transmission that is in good operation condition to begin with. Most people change the fluid when they began experience problems and guess what they blame the trans failure on shortly there after.

I had much rather have nice clean fluid with fresh additives than to continue to use the worn out contaminated fluid that will only get worse as time goes on.

MYZ-71 · April 15, 2010

have been thinking of switching over to DEXVI, is there a procedure to get all old DEXIII out without pressure flushing?

svensk · April 15, 2010

I had my dex3 flushed out with Amsoil ATF and never looked back. Trans and truck are sitting at 176,000 miles so far.

dlstewart01 · April 15, 2010

have been thinking of switching over to DEXVI, is there a procedure to get all old DEXIII out without pressure flushing?

http://www.gmfullsize.com/forum/showthread.php?t=179148

jblakeney · April 15, 2010

GM owns the Dexron name. When they stoped issueing license to make Dexron 111 no one can make it and call it Dexron 111. They can make a fluid and say it meets the Dexron 111 specs.

There may be bottles of old stock out there.

All transmissions fluids are compatible with each other and can be mixed.

Transmission shops don't want to change fluid on a tranny that wasn't maintained because they might be blamed for future failure. In addition people that change their fluid at high mileage sometimes do it because they are already having problems.

In my humble opinion what may cause high mileage problems is when certain pressure flush machines are used to get the fluid out of the trans may push some of the ware material into valves or small orifices and cause the trans to fail.

A simple pan drop or a fluid change using the transmission pump to transfer the fluid will never hurt a transmission that is in good operation condition to begin with. Most people change the fluid when they began experience problems and guess what they blame the trans failure on shortly there after.

I had much rather have nice clean fluid with fresh additives than to continue to use the worn out contaminated fluid that will only get worse as time goes on.

Ditto Ditto....... Our NAPA label right now has DEXIII on the bottle... I think it is going to say Mercon III. Up until the whole Dex VI point the bottles use to say Dexron/Mercon III/II.

If the transmission has more than 80k and the filter has never been OFF DON'T TOUCH IT! Let it be.......... Sometimes people can manage 200k without pulling the pan if they don't tow with the automobile....

I change mine quite often and flush it regularly........ I have always used NAPA private label transmission fluid... It is bottled by Valvoline or it was 10 years ago (i doubt they changed thou)...

High pressure flush machines are great for the transmission industry... I can count on both of my hands the number of times I have heard since January this year of failures DIRECTLY after having a FLUSH from a high pressure back flush machine. The chemical they put in breaks ALL SORTS OF junk loose sends it floating threw your transmission. Usually finds itself a nice place in the valve body and wrecks havoc.

Pull the top line out of the cooler (on the radiator) and put a hose on it and put the other end of the hose in a bucket........ Pump 3 quarts at the time so as not to let the pump get dry (remove 3 put 3 back).

DO NOTE that the only way to get 100% change over to a new fluid is to rebuild the transmission and use that fluid. Don't believe me. Take a clear glass and fill it with water red food coloring (enough to change the color to a dark red) began removing a couple ounces at the time and replacing it.... By the time you ONLY REMOVE the # of ounces you initially put in. Notice the red haze stays in the glass..

Jbo