GM Auto Trak II VOA
- Thread starter TXHunter
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Interesting VOA, always wanted to know how this fluid looked as my Silverado requires it. Pretty basic stuff, nothing special.
Thanks for the information. Leaves me wondering what makes it "propietary" as the only fluid to be used in that T-case. Although I was surprised that it's cost wasn't that bad from a dealership when I purchased some for changeout last fall.
dnewton3
Staff member
I've heard, as a rumor and nothing factual I could prove, that the Auto-Trak fluid is nothing but (the former) DEX III with some special FM additives for the auto-shifting t-cases.
Property wise, this certainly looks like the old DEX/Merc formulations. Certainly, it's important to note that not all additives are going to show up in this report. But this is a good indication of what it is; it's basically ATF that's made for a t-case. I would note that the Flash Point is a tiny bit low, but I suggest that it's probably typical of simply production variation from batch to batch, and nothing to worry about at all.
Same can be said for the "new" GM t-case fluid. When GM discontinued the licensing of the old DEX III (and Ford also stopped the "Mercon" license as well), then GM made a new fluid spec for "Manual Transmission and Transfer Case Fluid". GM even announced in some internal memo's that it's just re-badged (former) DEX III. It is obviously NOT the same as their synchromesh manual tranny fluid; IOW - they have two different current fill manual tranny fluids.
My point being, the AutoTrak fluid is probably the old DEX III with some FM in it to help the autoshift properties in the t-cases. It's not needed in the manually shifted or electronically shifted t-cases, so it's not spec'd for those.
NOTE: I'm distinguishing the difference between "auto shift" and "electronic shift" cases, so don't confuse them.
Property wise, this certainly looks like the old DEX/Merc formulations. Certainly, it's important to note that not all additives are going to show up in this report. But this is a good indication of what it is; it's basically ATF that's made for a t-case. I would note that the Flash Point is a tiny bit low, but I suggest that it's probably typical of simply production variation from batch to batch, and nothing to worry about at all.
Same can be said for the "new" GM t-case fluid. When GM discontinued the licensing of the old DEX III (and Ford also stopped the "Mercon" license as well), then GM made a new fluid spec for "Manual Transmission and Transfer Case Fluid". GM even announced in some internal memo's that it's just re-badged (former) DEX III. It is obviously NOT the same as their synchromesh manual tranny fluid; IOW - they have two different current fill manual tranny fluids.
My point being, the AutoTrak fluid is probably the old DEX III with some FM in it to help the autoshift properties in the t-cases. It's not needed in the manually shifted or electronically shifted t-cases, so it's not spec'd for those.
NOTE: I'm distinguishing the difference between "auto shift" and "electronic shift" cases, so don't confuse them.
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I guess the price they charge for it is just another way of making a killer profit from some not so killer oil.
thanks for the voa.
that's a little disappointing if you ask me.
that's a little disappointing if you ask me.
Originally Posted By: xxch4osxx
I guess the price they charge for it is just another way of making a killer profit from some not so killer oil.
It costs around $6 a liter. That is not bad.
I think it is Dex-6 with friction modifiers, or at least semi-synthetic ATF.
I guess the price they charge for it is just another way of making a killer profit from some not so killer oil.
It costs around $6 a liter. That is not bad.
I think it is Dex-6 with friction modifiers, or at least semi-synthetic ATF.
dnewton3
Staff member
Unless they changed the spec and none of the lube OEM know about it, it's not DEX VI.
The AutoTrak fluid came out WAY before DEX VI did. They would had to have changed the engineering specification (not the part number, but the engineering spec) if they moved from DEX III to DEX VI as a base stock for the formulation. I'm not aware of any spec change, and so I seriously doubt it's DEX VI.
Plus, DEX VI is maxed at 6.0 for viscosity; by GM engineering specification it cannot be higher than that (it's supposed to be a low-vis fluid). However, the former DEX III/ Mercon type fluids spec out at 7.3, give or take a bit. That is exactly where this fluid falls. Look up several of the PDS data points for vis for ATFs and you'll see what I mean.
DEX VI products:
http://www.mobil.com/USA-English/Lubes/PDS/GLXXENPVLMOMobil_Dexron-VI_ATF.aspx
http://www.valvoline.com/pdf/dexron_vi.pdf
http://www.castrol.com/liveassets/bp_internet/castrol/castrol_usa/STAGING/local_assets/downloads/p,q/pds_DexronVI.pdf
DEX III type products:
http://www.mobiloil.com/USA-English/Lubes/PDS/GLXXENPVLMOMobil_ATF_D_M.aspx
http://www.valvoline.com/pdf/dex_merc.pdf
http://www.castrol.com/liveassets/bp_internet/castrol/castrol_usa/STAGING/local_assets/downloads/p,q/pds_DomesticMV.pdf
This VOA shows a vis of 7.3. This is not DEX VI based fluid; it's DEX III based.
As I stated earlier, I believe it to be (the former) DEX III with some FM and coloration dye added.
The AutoTrak fluid came out WAY before DEX VI did. They would had to have changed the engineering specification (not the part number, but the engineering spec) if they moved from DEX III to DEX VI as a base stock for the formulation. I'm not aware of any spec change, and so I seriously doubt it's DEX VI.
Plus, DEX VI is maxed at 6.0 for viscosity; by GM engineering specification it cannot be higher than that (it's supposed to be a low-vis fluid). However, the former DEX III/ Mercon type fluids spec out at 7.3, give or take a bit. That is exactly where this fluid falls. Look up several of the PDS data points for vis for ATFs and you'll see what I mean.
DEX VI products:
http://www.mobil.com/USA-English/Lubes/PDS/GLXXENPVLMOMobil_Dexron-VI_ATF.aspx
http://www.valvoline.com/pdf/dexron_vi.pdf
http://www.castrol.com/liveassets/bp_internet/castrol/castrol_usa/STAGING/local_assets/downloads/p,q/pds_DexronVI.pdf
DEX III type products:
http://www.mobiloil.com/USA-English/Lubes/PDS/GLXXENPVLMOMobil_ATF_D_M.aspx
http://www.valvoline.com/pdf/dex_merc.pdf
http://www.castrol.com/liveassets/bp_internet/castrol/castrol_usa/STAGING/local_assets/downloads/p,q/pds_DomesticMV.pdf
This VOA shows a vis of 7.3. This is not DEX VI based fluid; it's DEX III based.
As I stated earlier, I believe it to be (the former) DEX III with some FM and coloration dye added.
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Here is part of the Auto-Trak MSDS.
CHEMISTRI 10/29/02
DISPLAY MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET 16:47:56
SCREEN QA06__ KEY 0000862844,0000000018______________________
FID#: 00343326 VER-DT: 05/07/99
------------------------------------------------------------------------
SECTION 01: CHEMICAL PRODUCT & COMPANY ID
------------------------------------------------------------------------
PRODUCT PRIMARY NAME: RDL 3239B
CHAT SYNONYMS: AUTO-TRAK II
> RDL 3239B
> 12378508
> 773494
> 88900402
> 9986186
SAFE USE CATEGORY AND DESCRIPTION: 04 -METAL WORKING FLUIDS
AND LUBRICANTS
LAST UPDATED DATE: 1999-05-07
MANUFACTURER'S ID (MID): 000553637
MANUFACTURER'S NAME: PETRO-CANADA
MANUFACTURER'S EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBER/TEXT: CA 403-296-3000
MANUFACTURER'S MAILING ADDRESS:
P.O. BOX 2844
CALGARY AB T2P3E3
CA
PRODUCT USE: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID DESIGNED PRIMARILY
FOR SATURN VEHICLES BUT SUITABLE ALSO FOR OTHER VEHICLE MAKES
AND AS A HYDRAULIC
AND POWER STEERING FLUID FOR MOBILE EQUIPMENT.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
SECTION 02: COMPOSITION & INGREDIENT INFO
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CAS# FORMULATION W/V CHEMICAL NAME
000100414 T 0.0000/ 0.0000% W BENZENE, ETHYL-
001330207 T 0.0000/ 0.0000% W XYLENE
007446095 T 0.0000/ 0.0000% W SULFUR DIOXIDE
064741884 = 1.8600/ 0.0000% W MINERAL OIL, PETROLEUM DISTILLATES
* , SOLVENT-REFINED (severe) HEAVY P
* ARAFFINIC
064741975 < 0.0000/ 1.0000% W MINERAL OIL, PETROLEUM DISTILLATES
* , SOLVENT-REFINED (severe) LIGHT N
* APHTHENIC
064742650 = 1.8600/ 0.0000% W MINERAL OIL, PETROLEUM DISTILLATES
* , SOLVENT-DEWAXED HEAVY PARAFFINIC
* (severe solvent-refining and/or h
* ydrotreatment)
068171506 = 4.3800/ 0.0000% W 2-Propenoic acid, 2-methyl-, dodec
* yl ester, polymer with methyl 2-me
* thyl-2-propenoate and tetradecyl 2
* -methyl-2-propenoate
072623848 = 12.6200/ 0.0000% W Lubricating oils, petroleum, C15-3
* 0, hydrotreated neutral oil-based,
* contg. solvent deasphalted residu
* al oil
072623860 = 74.3600/ 0.0000% W Lubricating oils, petroleum, C15-3
* 0, hydrotreated neutral oil-based
074499368 T 0.0000/ 0.0000% W 9,10-Anthracenedione, 1,4-diamino-
* , N,N'-mixed 2-ethylhexyland Me an
* d pentyl derivs.
989915788 = 5.0200/ 0.0000% W MINERAL OIL
989922365 < 0.0000/ 1.0000% W ACRYLIC COPOLYMER
989981804 < 0.0000/ 1.0000% W HETEROCYCLIC ETHER
SECTION 2 - OTHER INFORMATION: THIS PRODUCT CONTAINS THE
FOLLOWING ADDITIVE PACKAGES: ACRYLOID 4115, ACRYLOID 1265,
HITEC 437, LUBTIZOL 730, AND BLUE DYE #1.
THRESHOLD LIMIT VALUE: 8-HOUR TLV-TWA OF 5 MG/M3 RECOMMENDED
BY MANUFACTURER BASED ON ACGIH TLV FOR OIL MISTS. CONSULT
LOCAL AUTHORITIES FOR ACCEPTABLE EXPOSURE LIMITS.
CERCLA (SUPERFUND) REPORTABLE QUANTITY (LBS): NONE
AUTO-IGNITION TEMPS: = 202.00C/ 395.00F
FLASH POINT TEMPS: = 182.00C/ 359.60F
FLASH POINT METHOD: COC
FLASH POINT METHOD TEXT: OPEN CUP; CLEVELAND OPEN CUP TESTER, ASTM D9.2.
CHEMISTRI 10/29/02
DISPLAY MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET 16:47:56
SCREEN QA06__ KEY 0000862844,0000000018______________________
FID#: 00343326 VER-DT: 05/07/99
------------------------------------------------------------------------
SECTION 01: CHEMICAL PRODUCT & COMPANY ID
------------------------------------------------------------------------
PRODUCT PRIMARY NAME: RDL 3239B
CHAT SYNONYMS: AUTO-TRAK II
> RDL 3239B
> 12378508
> 773494
> 88900402
> 9986186
SAFE USE CATEGORY AND DESCRIPTION: 04 -METAL WORKING FLUIDS
AND LUBRICANTS
LAST UPDATED DATE: 1999-05-07
MANUFACTURER'S ID (MID): 000553637
MANUFACTURER'S NAME: PETRO-CANADA
MANUFACTURER'S EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBER/TEXT: CA 403-296-3000
MANUFACTURER'S MAILING ADDRESS:
P.O. BOX 2844
CALGARY AB T2P3E3
CA
PRODUCT USE: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID DESIGNED PRIMARILY
FOR SATURN VEHICLES BUT SUITABLE ALSO FOR OTHER VEHICLE MAKES
AND AS A HYDRAULIC
AND POWER STEERING FLUID FOR MOBILE EQUIPMENT.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
SECTION 02: COMPOSITION & INGREDIENT INFO
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CAS# FORMULATION W/V CHEMICAL NAME
000100414 T 0.0000/ 0.0000% W BENZENE, ETHYL-
001330207 T 0.0000/ 0.0000% W XYLENE
007446095 T 0.0000/ 0.0000% W SULFUR DIOXIDE
064741884 = 1.8600/ 0.0000% W MINERAL OIL, PETROLEUM DISTILLATES
* , SOLVENT-REFINED (severe) HEAVY P
* ARAFFINIC
064741975 < 0.0000/ 1.0000% W MINERAL OIL, PETROLEUM DISTILLATES
* , SOLVENT-REFINED (severe) LIGHT N
* APHTHENIC
064742650 = 1.8600/ 0.0000% W MINERAL OIL, PETROLEUM DISTILLATES
* , SOLVENT-DEWAXED HEAVY PARAFFINIC
* (severe solvent-refining and/or h
* ydrotreatment)
068171506 = 4.3800/ 0.0000% W 2-Propenoic acid, 2-methyl-, dodec
* yl ester, polymer with methyl 2-me
* thyl-2-propenoate and tetradecyl 2
* -methyl-2-propenoate
072623848 = 12.6200/ 0.0000% W Lubricating oils, petroleum, C15-3
* 0, hydrotreated neutral oil-based,
* contg. solvent deasphalted residu
* al oil
072623860 = 74.3600/ 0.0000% W Lubricating oils, petroleum, C15-3
* 0, hydrotreated neutral oil-based
074499368 T 0.0000/ 0.0000% W 9,10-Anthracenedione, 1,4-diamino-
* , N,N'-mixed 2-ethylhexyland Me an
* d pentyl derivs.
989915788 = 5.0200/ 0.0000% W MINERAL OIL
989922365 < 0.0000/ 1.0000% W ACRYLIC COPOLYMER
989981804 < 0.0000/ 1.0000% W HETEROCYCLIC ETHER
SECTION 2 - OTHER INFORMATION: THIS PRODUCT CONTAINS THE
FOLLOWING ADDITIVE PACKAGES: ACRYLOID 4115, ACRYLOID 1265,
HITEC 437, LUBTIZOL 730, AND BLUE DYE #1.
THRESHOLD LIMIT VALUE: 8-HOUR TLV-TWA OF 5 MG/M3 RECOMMENDED
BY MANUFACTURER BASED ON ACGIH TLV FOR OIL MISTS. CONSULT
LOCAL AUTHORITIES FOR ACCEPTABLE EXPOSURE LIMITS.
CERCLA (SUPERFUND) REPORTABLE QUANTITY (LBS): NONE
AUTO-IGNITION TEMPS: = 202.00C/ 395.00F
FLASH POINT TEMPS: = 182.00C/ 359.60F
FLASH POINT METHOD: COC
FLASH POINT METHOD TEXT: OPEN CUP; CLEVELAND OPEN CUP TESTER, ASTM D9.2.
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