Let’s Play “Is it motor oil or ATF?”

[Schurkey]

Dexron VI is backwards compatible with any/every GM transmission ever made.
Superior to any previous fluid recommended by GM at that time in every way that matters.

GM and other Dex VI licensees compatibility listing is conflicting/contradictory/incomplete.

GM says Dex VI is backward-compatible with SOME previous versions of Dexron, in SOME applications. It's NOT backwards-compatible with the early Hydromatic/Dynaslow that used engine oil, or transmissions that were specified for Type A, or Type A Suffix A; and early versions of Dexron. But again, info is contradictory/incomplete/subject to interpretation.

Non-GM vehicles that used Dexron may/may not be suitable for Dex VI.

Image stolen from BITOG.

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/dexron-vi-backward-compatibility.107033/

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Mobil™ DEXRON-VI ATF

Mobil™ DEXRON-VI ATF is a high-performance, synthetic blend automatic transmission fluid formulation designed to meet the stringent service fill requirements of GM’s DEXRON-VI specification.

www.mobil.com

The Mobil web-page says

Mobil DEXRON-VI ATF is a high performance, synthetic blend formulation that meets or exceeds the stringent requirements of GM's DEXRON-VI specification and provides warranty protection for 2006 and newer GM vehicles. It also provides improved performance in older GM vehicles, wherever DEXRON is specified.

(My emphasis) Mobil is claiming total backwards-compatibility with all Dexron formulas. That covers back to Model Year 1967. Prior to that, it was some version of Type A, and before that...motor oil.

Another source saying Dex VI is only compatible with other Dexron applications.

GM DEXRON-6 Specs

By Walt Silveira, director of automotive products, lubricants, ConocoPhillips Company, Kendall, Phillips 66, 76 and Conoco brands. Related Articles - Ball Joints: How Much Play Is Too Much? - Selling Tools for Underhood Repairs - Charging Ahead: Aftermarket Eyes EV Opportunities The new...

www.counterman.com

I would be willing to put Dex VI into any Dexron application. I don't because I still have a heap of Dex-Merc (Dexron III-compatible) fluid; and nothing I own is new enough to require Dex VI.

 

[Hipster]

In the bodyshop, we just order fluids from the dealer these days. (Trans fluid, coolant) Yes, it's more expensive, but not looking to create problems or warranty denials with the wrong or incompatible fluids.

Lots of conflicting information coming from aftermarket suppliers out there.

 

[454cid]

I would be willing to put Dex VI into any Dexron application. I don't because I still have a heap of Dex-Merc (Dexron III-compatible) fluid; and nothing I own is new enough to require Dex VI.

When I had my Saturn, I read that it was bad to put it in the Saturn transmissions. Later Saturns that shared platforms with other GM brands I'm sure it's fine. It's one of the reasons I won't assume on fluids. I have no idea if it'll work in my Volvo's either even though I think Dex3 is ok/recommended. They have Aisin transmissions. I no desire to put it in my 4L80e, but thats more about cost, and it already having 300K miles.

 

[Rocket Surgeon]

I prefer Valvoline Maxlife, as it is intended to meet Dex Vi specs, but with the thicker Dex III viscosity.

I know it has not been certified to work by GM. oh well.

 

[Caman96]

Every time I read one of these threads, I end up more confused.

 

[GoToGuy]

Hmmm.. the " shifting through the gears with the engine running till it sputters". Also known as running a hydraulic pump till it is out of fluid, running dry?
When doing an oil change, would you open an oil cooler line and let run till it sputters out?

 

[Hipster]

Hmmm.. the " shifting through the gears with the engine running till it sputters". Also known as running a hydraulic pump till it is out of fluid, running dry?

I might be wrong, but I think doing it that way polishes up the clutches and steels real nice, and gives the rotor vanes new material to ride on via self-clearance process. LOL

 

[RichLo]

Kind of like cleaning carbon deposits on the intake runners and valves by dumping sand down the intake while its bouncing off the rev limiter.

 

[Rocket Surgeon]

I did a suck pump and dump on a f150.

Used a vac pump to pull all fluid I could from the dipstick. Dumped in two gallons of Valvoline Maxlife, cranked, but did not start engine with the return line from the radiator trans cooler unhooked with a couple feet of clear hose into a waste bucket. Cranked until the fluid going from the trans cooler looked clean and new. Reattached the fluid line and topped the transmission off. Worked fine.

Previously did the same to a 98 Taurtoise that would only upshift near red line. 178,000 without prior service. What came out was closer to tar. Got stopped by a cop at the first stop sign because it went full launch control during the test drive compared to being utterly unresponsive. Car trans worked like new for it's remaining life. LOL

 

[Pinger]

Hmmm.. the " shifting through the gears with the engine running till it sputters". Also known as running a hydraulic pump till it is out of fluid, running dry?

Out of fluid yes, but not dry.

When doing an oil change, would you open an oil cooler line and let run till it sputters out?

No - but in the case of an engine, the bearings are loaded. Conversely, the transmission is not under any load.

I'll defend the practice (for PAS also) as a more thorough way to change as much of the oil out as is practically possible on the basis that the pump doesn't run dry - it merely lacks fluid to pump.