Dexron VI backward compatible?

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Kestas

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Somebody will be giving us a couple pails of Dexron VI as a favor to us in our lab. We want to know which (of our) cars would be able to use this fluid. Is it fluid completely backward compatible such that it covers Dexron III/Mercon?
 
What vehicles and how old?

Dexron VI is generally specified as a "lifetime" fill (we know that's bogus) for the new 5 and 6 speed automatics.

The only issues might be seal compatibility.
 
90 Bronco
91 Grand Marquis
98 Town & Country
98 Escort
71 Cutlass, trans rebuilt in '02
95 Mercedes

From what little I could find on the internet, they suggest that it is backward compatible. More is written on the marketing and how it may take away from Dexron III sales for service fill.

They say this fluid has twice the durability of Dexron III. So to somebody like myself who subscribes to 30K trans maintenance, it stands to reason I can go 60K with Dexron VI.
 
GM has some weird friction requirments for there
trans fluid BUT I think that you can use DEX VI in all earlier application BUT not the other way round I do not make Trans fluids so I will let other that know speak up.
bruce
 
You're a smart man for NOT dealing with tranny fluids bruce381. Talk about the most complex, confusing, and touchy lubricating fluid on the planet...
 
I would not buy any fluid not in a commercial packing stating that it was backward compatible due to warranty or possible claim.

Hootbro
 
IIRC, DexVI is formulated in the mid 6cst range opposed to mid 7cst range for DexIII type fluids. I *think* the thinner formulation is used for better fuel efficiency, correct me if I'm wrong.

The DexVI is backwards compatible with all previous applications.
 
According to the original GM press release, Dexron VI will be the factory fill in all GM transmissions and transaxles by the end of this year. It was designed based on the requirements of the new 6L80 six speed automatics, and this is the transmission that gets it first as factory fill. In addition, GM has stated that it is fully backwards compatible with all previous transmissions that specified a Dexron fluid. GM will stop issuing Dexron III(H) licenses at the end of 2005.
 
I guess if Ford can do it so can GM.

New THIN fluid now backwards compatible with all previous...........

I guess since automatics shear the ATF down to that viscosity anyway and still work fine, lets just start with thin ATF to begin with.

Anyone think its a full synth, a blend, or just a group III?
The specs don't look like anything special and just barely meets the Mercon-V spec for cold weather performance........
 
You will see all new tranny fluids from here on out creep down to the 5.5 to 6.5 cSt viscosity levels for, as Dad2lea said, to squeeze that miniscule 0.01 mpg from overall fleet economy.

The exception may be the Honda Z1. Still weird, man!
shocked.gif
 
90 Bronco
91 Grand Marquis
98 Town & Country
98 Escort
71 Cutlass, trans rebuilt in '02
95 Mercedes

So...Does the Dexron-VI have a Mercon certification? Do any of these transmissions, in addition to the Cutlass, take Dexron ATF? I wouldn't use it in the Fords or the MB unless the qualifications are met.


Ken
 
These are the specified trans fluids:

90 Bronco - Mercon
91 Grand Marquis - Mercon
98 Town & Country - Dexron III
98 Escort - Mercon
71 Cutlass - Dexron
95 Mercedes - Dexron III or Mercon

I always thought Dexron and Mercon were interchangable. Most all the time I buy regular trans fluid it is good for Dexron and Mercon application. I've never bought a bottle that excluded one or the other.
 
I believe that the 98 Town and Country calls for ATF+3. That is what was specified in the shop manual and owners manual for a 98 Dodge Caravan that I worked on recently.
 
Here's a bulletin from GM outlining Dexron IV.

----------------------------------------------
Info - Release of DEXRON VI Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) #04-07-30-037A - (Aug 19, 2005)
Release of DEXRON® VI Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF)
2006 and Prior Cars and Light Duty Trucks
2003-2006 HUMMER H2
2006 HUMMER H3
2005 Saturn Relay
2005 and Prior Saturn L-Series
2005-2006 Saturn ION
2005-2006 Saturn VUE with 4T45-E
2005-2006 Saab 9-7X
Except 2006 and Prior Pontiac Vibe and Torrent
Except 2006 and Prior Chevrolet Aveo, Epica, Equinox, Optra
Except 2005-2006 Pontiac Wave
Except 2003-2005 Saturn ION with CVT or AF23 Only
Except 1991-2002 Saturn S-Series
Except 2006 and Prior Saturn VUE with CVT, AF33 or 5AT (MJ7/MJ8) Transmission Only
This bulletin is being revised to announce the use of DEXRON®-VI with the start of the 2006 model year production. Please discard Corporate Bulletin Number 04-07-30-037 (Section 07 -- Transmission/Transaxle).
DEXRON®-VI ATF
General Motors Powertrain has recently upgraded to DEXRON®-VI ATF with the start of 2006 vehicle production.
Only 2005 and prior models that currently use DEXRON®-III may use DEXRON®-VI as a replacement.
All 2006 and future models that use DEXRON®-VI are to be serviced with DEXRON®-VI fluid only.
DEXRON®-VI is an improvement over DEXRON®-III in the following area:
DEXRON®-VI
Extended Factory Fill For Life 160,000 km (100,000 mi) For Cars and Light Duty Trucks*
80,000 km (50,000 mi) (Severe Use) For Cars and Light Duty Trucks*
Clutch Friction Stability Improved 100%
Clutch Durability Due To Fluid Improved 120%
Oil Film Thickness Increased 20%
Fluid Oxidation Improved 100%
Foam / Aeration Improved 150%
Shear Stability Improved 200%
* These ATF change intervals remain the same as DEXRON®-III for the time being.
2006 Transmission Fill and Cooler Flushing
Some new applications of the 6L80 six speed transmission will require the use of the J 45096 -- Flushing and Flow Tester to accomplish transmission fluid fill. It is highly recommended that the clean oil reservoir of the machine be purged of DEXRON®-III and filled with DEXRON®-VI.
Parts Information
Part Number Description
88861003 (US) DEXRON®-VI Auto Trans Fluid (1 Quart Bottle)
88861045 (US) DEXRON®-VI Auto Trans Fluid (1 Gallon Bottle)
88861046 (US) DEXRON®-VI Auto Trans Fluid (55 Gallon Drum)
88861004 (CA) DEXRON®-VI Auto Trans Fluid (1 Liter Bottle)
88861043 (CA) DEXRON®-VI Auto Trans Fluid (4 Liter Bottle)
88861044 (CA) DEXRON®-VI Auto Trans Fluid (205 Liter Drum)
------------------------------------------------

Sorry for the spacing. The original file was an RTF file, and they don't take well to cutting and pasting.
 
quote:
I believe that the 98 Town and Country calls for ATF+3. That is what was specified in the shop manual and owners manual for a 98 Dodge Caravan that I worked on recently.
Click to expand...
That is correct. Anyone who uses Dexron in a 98 Chrysler transmission is asking for trouble, and is 99.9% sure to get it.
 
According to Penrite, these are the differences between Dexron IIIG/IIIH and Mercon V:

Anti-Shudder durability = minimal change (mainly between Dexron IIIG and IIIH, not so much between IIIG and Mercon V)

Shear Stability = major change (between IIIG and IIIH very little change)

Shift feel durability = minimal change

Friction durability = very minimal change (major change between IIIG and IIIH)

Air Entrainment/Foam Control = minimal change

Oxidation Control = very minimal change (major change between IIIG and IIIG)

Source:

http://www.penrite.com.au/techbulletins/55_DEXRON_III_HandMERCONV.pdf
 
I wouldn't call DEXRON IIIH lame, it's quite a bit better then IIIG and that's quite a few steps away from the original III.

-T
 
Too bad automakers don't warranty their transmissions to the supposed 'life level' in their fluids.
 
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