Changed Uplander ATF.

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I did a pan drop and fill on the '08 Uplander today at 75,436 miles. The fluid looked real good. I replaced with 7 quarts of Valvoline Maxlife Dex/Merc.
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There was one drop dangling with what looked like clutch material. I didn't replace the filter as they are almost always just metal screens any more anyway.
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I found out why I had lost a quart of fluid since buying the van 5 years ago though. There was a missing bolt and a stripped hole, as well as half the bolts being finger loose. There was one drop of fluid hanging from a nearby bolt, although we have never seen any drops on the driveway.
Luckily it was a through bolt located on an ear. I found a long enough bolt to add a nut.
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All bolts were ran down with a cordless with the clutch on "2", then torqued to 124 in/lbs (10ft/lbs) in a criss/cross pattern, then twice around in a circle to insure proper torque.

I used some clear vinyl tube with a barb fitting pressed into a funnel for filling, worked real slick too. I also changed the oil today, Supertech 5W30 and Puro classic.
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Nice, how often have you done these pan drops? Our has almost 115K miles on it and it had to have the transmission rebuilt last year. Still not happy with the shift quality.
 
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First time since we bought it. It's an 08 and we bought it 5 years ago, so its probably factory fill. I will do one more fluid change in a month or so, and then once a year after that. I would like to come up with an extraction pump though.
 
I think that is a good fluid option, I generally just run Dex VI in my 2001 Grand Prix with the 4T65E. Definitely change the filter, it is not just a screen.

I did 30k interval pan drops and filter changes. I did add a shift kit to fix shifting issues at 120k miles but it still shifts good at 230k miles.
 
Originally Posted By: artificialist
Why did you use Dex/Merc? In 2008, GM used DexVI in their transmissions.


Agree w above. ST dex VI is cheaper than valvoline dex/mercury, too.
 
Originally Posted By: artificialist
Why did you use Dex/Merc? In 2008, GM used DexVI in their transmissions.


Valvolines synthetic dex merc is far superior to Petro Canada DexronVI. Valvoline also lists it as suitable for the application and many of us use it with great success. Valvoline gets the Maxlife additive package from Lubrizol and it's top notch.
 
Originally Posted By: barkingspider
Originally Posted By: artificialist
Why did you use Dex/Merc? In 2008, GM used DexVI in their transmissions.


Agree w above. ST dex VI is cheaper than valvoline dex/mercury, too.


Autozone was recently selling 4 quart jugs of Maxlife for like $12, and everyday price on the gallon is around 16-17, not too expensive for the better base oil and additive package.
 
Originally Posted By: artificialist
Why did you use Dex/Merc? In 2008, GM used DexVI in their transmissions.


Because I would rather run a recommended fluid that is full syn and NOT formulated to reduce emissions and fuel consumption at the cost of transmission longevity.

Dexron VI is the result of GM attempting to meet EPA standards, nothing else, and is a compromise. I'd rather not compromise the reliability of our primary family transport.
 
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Id rather take the word of a lubricant manufacturer that this fluid is tested and performs well, than take the word of bean counters trying to meet mandates. GM has to meet mandates, Valvoline does not.
 
my 06 Saturn Relay is now at 102k.
at 58k I did a pan drop & fill. I refilled with Redline D6.
It went up to 99k and I just sucked out the pan and refilled 6 quarts of Redline D6. Decided to be bold and put a bottle of Lubegard Platnum in as well.
Everything's still going strong. I have no tranny issues and everything shifts just like new.
 
Originally Posted By: splinter
Originally Posted By: asand1
Dexron VI...is a compromise.

Most things are compromises.

100,000 mile warranties on more recent drivetrains and my 6L80E. No worries.

www.sandyblogs.com/techlink/techlink_May_09.pdf


Really? You expect this bit of propaganda to be any more honest and forthcoming than their stance on ignition switches? It is an inferior fluid made to meet a mandate. GM is just sugaring it up and everyone is happily drinking the coolaid.
 
imo, i consider group III base oil (in dex VI) an upgrade from merc/dex III(conventional, not the maxlife version).
 
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imo, i consider group III base oil (in dex VI) an upgrade from merc/dex III(conventional, not the maxlife version).

+1
 
Originally Posted By: asand1
Really? You expect this bit of propaganda to be any more honest and forthcoming than their stance on ignition switches? It is an inferior fluid made to meet a mandate. GM is just sugaring it up and everyone is happily drinking the coolaid.



Yes, really. Tribology does not equal electronic components. Straw man on BITOG?

The personal experience you’ve elected to share here and firsthand analysis after some 75,436 miles with its “probably factory fill” (missing hardware and make up fluid notwithstanding) as “looked real good” speaks volumes.

Not renewing its ~8-year-old filter concurrently “as they are almost always just metal screens any more anyway” while in there is simply not accurate (propaganda?) imho and also false economy.

Happy motoring nevertheless.
 
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Skimming the responses...many of you took the words out of my mouth. Can not be factory fill if some knob stripped a bolt out prior to you. Metal screen or not, the time and effort was put in to drop the pan and change the fluid, why not spend a few extra $ and change the filter while your up in there.

Good luck.
 
M1 Dex IIIh vs. Valv. Dex VI UOA

Based on my own testing, I'm convinced Dex VI is just as good or better than even full synthetic Dex III fluids of years past.

If you are using Maxlife Dex/Merc because you don't want to use the newer/thinner Dex VI, not the best choice. Maxlife is thin now too. Great fluid though, so don't worry.
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