DEXRON VI

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FYI

quote:

FOR RELEASE: 2005-04-01

CONTACTS

GM Introduces New Automatic Transmission Fluid For 2006 Cars and Trucks

* New factory-fill fluid standard in all 2006 MY Hydra-Matic transmissions
* Significantly improved viscosity, shift performance and fluid durability
* Available through GM Vehicle Care products as DEXRON®-VI
* Approved for service application on all prior model year Hydra-Matic automatic transmissions

Pontiac, Mich. - GM, in conjunction with Petro-Canada and Afton Chemical Corporation, have developed a new, improved automatic transmission fluid for all 2006 model year Hydra-Matic automatic transmissions. Developed for factory-fill as RDL-3434 and registered for service fill as DEXRON®-VI, the new fluid represents a significant improvement in automatic transmission fluids and is the direct result of GM's industry leadership in the development and production of automatic transmissions.

"For 65 years, GM has led in the design, development and production of automatic transmissions," says Tom Stephens, group vice president for GM Powertrain. "This knowledge and experience has helped us work directly with the petroleum industry to develop a new fluid that will further accentuate the performance and reliability of GM's Hydra-Matic transmissions."

Automatic transmission fluid (ATF) is considered the life-blood of the automatic transmission. It is used to transfer power in the torque converter and provide the pressure to apply the transmission's various clutches and bands. It also is used to clean, lubricate and cool the components of the transmission. GM's new transmission fluid, DEXRON®-VI, was developed to have a more consistent viscosity profile; a more consistent shift performance in extreme conditions; and less degradation over time.

Beginning with the design and development of GM's new Hydra-Matic 6-speed rear-wheel-drive transmissions, GM Powertrain engineers determined the need for a new transmission fluid to withstand the complexity of the clutch-to-clutch transmission operation. Additionally, GM engineers identified opportunities to improve viscosity, durability, and impact on fuel economy with a new fluid.

"The development of DEXRON®-VI is the first time an automotive company has worked so closely with petroleum and additive companies to develop a new fluid," says Roy Fewkes, driveline fluids group leader, GM Powertrain. "The result is a new fluid that significantly outperforms existing fluids in every aspect. In fact, we have had to significantly extend the length of our durability tests to fully test the fluid's capability."

Internal GM tests have demonstrated DEXRON®-VI to deliver more than twice the durability and stability in friction tests compared to existing fluids. It also has demonstrated superior performance in pitting, foaming, oxidation and shear stability tests.

GM will begin factory-fill of the new transmission fluid on April 4, starting with the new Hydra-Matic 6L80, produced at the Willow Run transmission facility in Ypsilanti, Mich.

DEXRON®-VI will be available through genuine GM Vehicle Care products at GM authorized dealerships and service centers in Summer 2005.

General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM), the world's largest automaker, has been the global industry sales leader since 1931. Founded in 1908, GM today employs about 324,000 people around the world. It has manufacturing operations in 32 countries and its vehicles are sold in 200 countries. In 2004, GM sold nearly 9 million cars and trucks globally, up 4 percent and the second-highest total in the company's history. GM's global headquarters are at the GM Renaissance Center in Detroit. More information on GM can be found at www.gm.com.


CONTACT(S):
Nick Richards
GM Powertrain
248-857-0163
[email protected]



 
So how is it that GM is able to make a new improved fluid that is backwards-compatible and the other automakers can't (or don't want to) manage to do it?
 
OK, so what is the difference between this Dexron VI
and the Dexron III-H which has been on the market for about a year ?

GM's release on the Dexron III-H sounded almost word for word on the release of the Dexron VI.
 
quote:

So how is it that GM is able to make a new improved fluid that is backwards-compatible and the other automakers can't (or don't want to) manage to do it?

Good question, for the other guys
smile.gif
.

It seems that what is required for backward compatibility is that the new fluid have a similar friction characteristic curve and be compatible with the various seal materials which have been used over times.

Improvements in the fluid such as oxidation resistance, shear stability, wear prevention and the like do not need to in any way destroy compatibility with older vehicles. Look at the progress engine oil has made over the past 100 years, yet in general you can buy a bottle of modern motor oil and do very well with it in an ancient vehicle.

John
 
I agree that GM should just come out with a new standard and stick with it.

They most certainly do not want people topping up their brand new transmissions with 'Dexron-III', not being cognizant of the -H spec. Considering that the majority of motorists and auto maintainers cannot even select the proper viscosity of motor oil for their vehicles, it is imperative that GM take drastic measures to protect their reputation.

Also, the OEM's might have been pressuring GM for a new spec as well. Right now, $2/quart ATF is plentiful, but since the -H specs are synthetic-based, their prices will have to rise quite dramatically, something that is often hard to explain to non-technical consumers who will see their quickie lube transmission flush service rise in price by at least 30%-40% if not more. A new spec gives a significant perception of additional value to the consumer. Under the licensing arrangements with GM, it will not be permitted to even sell Dexron III non-H fluid in the coming months.
 
quote:

Originally posted by pitzel:
They most certainly do not want people topping up their brand new transmissions with 'Dexron-III', not being cognizant of the -H spec.

Don't most GM trannies lack a dipstick now?

Takes care of that problem. The uninitiated aren't able to add fluid to it. Hopefully someone who goes through the trouble of finding out how to check the fluid level and add fluid will also find out the correct fluid to use.

I think I'll delay changing the fluid on my mom's car (with a dipstickless GM tranny) until this new fluid is available.
 
quote:

GM's release on the Dexron III-H sounded almost word for word on the release of the Dexron VI.

That's exactly the wording in an article in one of the additive Mag's last year on GM's new 6-speeds when they introduced DexronIII(H).

I am going to an STLE meeting soon with a presentation by one of Afton's reps, so stay tuned.
 
What happened to Dexron IV and Dexron V?

Or is this like the Victor Borge joke about his unsuccessful uncle who developed soft drinks, and failed, with 1-up, 2-up, 3-up, 4-up, 5-up, and 6-up, and got out of the soft drink business, only to have someone else invent 7-up?

Seriously, why the jump from III to VI? I remember the original Dexron, then Dexron II, then Dexron III.
confused.gif
 
quote:

Originally posted by k1xv:

Seriously, why the jump from III to VI? I remember the original Dexron, then Dexron II, then Dexron III.
confused.gif



quote:

Internal GM tests have demonstrated DEXRON®-VI to deliver more than twice the durability and stability in friction tests compared to existing fluids.

 
I think I read on another message board the reason for the jump was that DEXRON IV was a spec that was already made, but never implemented and V was used by Ford's Mercon spec. So to avoid confusing they went to VI. Maybe not the best reason, but a legitimate one.

What really confuses me is that they just came out with the DEXRON III-H spec, and so soon after they have the DEXRON IV. Why not bump up the IV or just wait for it?

-T
 
This sounds exactly like the route Chrysler took with ATF+4 over 5 years ago. It may be a first for GM, but it's not a "first" as far as how to develop a new ATF.
 
Dexron VI will require at least Group II and preferably Group III or higher oils. Oxidation resistance, better Anti-Wear capabilities, and longer oil life are the major drivers with minor friction modification changes as one of the minor drivers.

Dexron III(H) was a "stop-gap" fluid, a transition fluid between Dexron III/Mercon and Dexron VI.

Dexron VI will separate the former Dexron/Mercon coupling of the past.
 
Followup

quote:

As a followup to the Dexron VI article in the February TechLink, here are the current part numbers.

88861003
1 quart container
DEXRON® -VI
GM Vehicle Care


88861037
1 quart container
DEXRON® -VI
AC Delco

88861004
in Canada
1 liter container
DEXRON® -VI
AC Delco

GM began factory-fill of the new transmission fluid on April 4, starting with the new Hydra-Matic 6L80.

DEXRON®-VI will be available at GM authorized dealerships and service centers in Summer 2005.

 
kule
quote:

Dexron VI will separate the former Dexron/Mercon coupling of the past.

Dexron VI specs call for a max visc of 6.4 cST at 100 C. Mercon V call for a min of 6.8.
Impossible to have a one meets all until/unless Ford changes specs in the future
 
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