Dexron V1 ATF - OEM? - Safe to use other brand with correct specs?

[JGBuick]

I know... this question has been Asked before... but... looking for some advice.

2001 LeSabre needs some ATF fluid.

I hate to pay dealer prices and have see a few other "Multi Vehicle" ATF (Meets V1 specs) that are much less expensive. I don't want cause any issues by using the wrong ATF (I've read here that V1 is apparently backward compatible with the V111 from years back.) Anyway....

Maxlife? O'Reilly's? Valvoline? Lubeguard? Does anyone have a recommendation?

Thank you!

 

[BuickGirlFromMars]

I know... this question has been Asked before... but... looking for some advice.

2001 LeSabre needs some ATF fluid.

I hate to pay dealer prices and have see a few other "Multi Vehicle" ATF (Meets V1 specs) that are much less expensive. I don't want cause any issues by using the wrong ATF (I've read here that V1 is apparently backward compatible with the V111 from years back.) Anyway....

Maxlife? O'Reilly's? Valvoline? Lubeguard? Does anyone have a recommendation?

Thank you!

you mean dexron 6? wtf is dexron v1

VI (i not 1) is roman numerals for 6

just like Mercon V is 5. And mercon LV is 55. jk its not 55, they changed to "low viscosity" but used a roman numerals thing to do it, how dumb.
GM polices Dexron VI if a product claims its Dexron VI it meets something that GM says A-OK to.

I would not have any issue using any synthetic bottle of ATF from reputable company saying Dexron VI explicitly.

 

[HotZ28]

MaxLife Multi-Vehicle Automatic Transmission Fluid - Valvoline™ Global - Valvoline™ Global

Try Valvoline MaxLife Full Synthetic Multi-Vehicle Automatic Transmission Fluid, designed to maximize performance and suitable for most light duty vehicles and CVT applications.

www.valvoline.com

 

[JGBuick]

you mean dexron 6? wtf is dexron v1

VI (i not 1) is roman numerals for 6

just like Mercon V is 5. And mercon LV is 55. jk its not 55, they changed to "low viscosity" but used a roman numerals thing to do it, how dumb.
GM polices Dexron VI if a product claims its Dexron VI it meets something that GM says A-OK to.

I would not have any issue using any synthetic bottle of ATF from reputable company saying Dexron VI explicitly.

Yes, I stand corrected on the "VI" (No "1"). Yes... Why must we use roman numerals in this digital age?

Goin on 3 hrs sleep tonight.... 😴

 

[JGBuick]

MaxLife Multi-Vehicle Automatic Transmission Fluid - Valvoline™ Global - Valvoline™ Global

Try Valvoline MaxLife Full Synthetic Multi-Vehicle Automatic Transmission Fluid, designed to maximize performance and suitable for most light duty vehicles and CVT applications.

www.valvoline.com

Thanks Z28... I was thinking this would work and well... Just double checking. I've read too many stories about using non-OEM fluids etc.

 

[RobR]

Im pretty sure in the owners manual it explicitly states do not introduce additives to your trans fluid and having them premixed in your fill is the same difference. I have found very few complaints of any kind reading posts here regarding Dexron Iii or 6 specd fluid. Why try to fix a problem you dont have?

 

[ulycyc]

OEM spec is Dexron 3. Noting will happen or blowup if you use it. But Dexron 6 has superseded all previous specs. Your car like many old cars lived on Dex 3. I put 300K miles on my 93 Buick and 230K miles on my 2001 Buick both using Dex3. Dex 6 will not extend the life or fix anything on a 20 yr old transmission.

 

[RobR]

OEM spec is Dexron 3. Noting will happen or blowup if you use it. But Dexron 6 has superseded all previous specs. Your car like many old cars lived on Dex 3. I put 300K miles on my 93 Buick and 230K miles on my 2001 Buick both using Dex3. Dex 6 will not extend the life or fix anything on a 20 yr old transmission.

Noone here will bash either of those fluids i reckon.

 

[lbear]

WalMart sells the Valvoline Synthetic Max Life Dex VI fluid in 4 quart jugs for like $24.

It will be hard to find any Dex III fluid as GM has stopped licensing it and Dex VI has superseded Dex III. Either fluid will work but most will go with Dex VI.

 

[BuickGirlFromMars]

OEM spec is Dexron 3. Noting will happen or blowup if you use it. But Dexron 6 has superseded all previous specs. Your car like many old cars lived on Dex 3. I put 300K miles on my 93 Buick and 230K miles on my 2001 Buick both using Dex3. Dex 6 will not extend the life or fix anything on a 20 yr old transmission.

It could extend the life but the key word is not to use it on a dying trans but to use it earlier

 

[BuickGirlFromMars]

WalMart sells the Valvoline Synthetic Max Life Dex VI fluid in 4 quart jugs for like $24.

It will be hard to find any Dex III fluid as GM has stopped licensing it and Dex VI has superseded Dex III. Either fluid will work but most will go with Dex VI.

GM still makes dex 3 its just sold as Manual Transmission and Transfer Case Fluid and it comes in not the best packaging but youd have to order. same exact stuff.

 

[JGBuick]

Im pretty sure in the owners manual it explicitly states do not introduce additives to your trans fluid and having them premixed in your fill is the same difference. I have found very few complaints of any kind reading posts here regarding Dexron Iii or 6 specd fluid. Why try to fix a problem you don't have?

Not trying to fix anything... Just replace some fluid etc. Can Dexron III be found? And if Dexron VI is backwards compatible, wouldn't that be okay?

I've read somewhere the big difference is "viscosity". The newer spec is thinner etc... but I am not using this as a determination.. Just want to add some fluid and saw the Maxlife brand was "apparently" compatible.

 

[ulycyc]

Most of the major brands even Walmart make dex/merc 3 trans fluid. I use either Valvoline dex/merc 3 or Castrol tran-max3. Both work great. If Max life says dex/merc or dex3 compatible then that is fine too

 

[lbear]

Not trying to fix anything... Just replace some fluid etc. Can Dexron III be found? And if Dexron VI is backwards compatible, wouldn't that be okay?

I've read somewhere the big difference is "viscosity". The newer spec is thinner etc... but I am not using this as a determination.. Just want to add some fluid and saw the Maxlife brand was "apparently" compatible.

GM engineers stated that Dex VI is backwards compatible with Dex III so I would be okay with using Dex VI in a former Dex III trans.

Dex VI being fully synthetic it is less likely to breakdown in higher temperature applications. Conventional ATF may have a thicker viscosity in cooler temperatures but synthetic ATF has a fairly consistent viscosity across the temperature spectrum. Conventional ATF will thin out drastically in higher temperatures, unlike synthetic.

Synthetic Fluid:
1 - Less prone to oxidation vs conventional
2 - Better lubrication of valve body & trans parts
3 - Less prone to thermal degradation than conventional

 

[ulycyc]

The ice cream engineers changed the size of 1/2 gallon containers to 1.5 qts. and charged more for it. Did that make me less fat or ice cream taste better.

 

[JGBuick]

GM engineers stated that Dex VI is backwards compatible with Dex III so I would be okay with using Dex VI in a former Dex III trans.

Dex VI being fully synthetic it is less likely to breakdown in higher temperature applications. Conventional ATF may have a thicker viscosity in cooler temperatures but synthetic ATF has a fairly consistent viscosity across the temperature spectrum. Conventional ATF will thin out drastically in higher temperatures, unlike synthetic.

Synthetic Fluid:
1 - Less prone to oxidation vs conventional
2 - Better lubrication of valve body & trans parts
3 - Less prone to thermal degradation than conventional

I like this! Makes sense to me. Why NOT use the update fluid? At this point, I don't see why it would hurt to top-off my transmission with the VI fluid...

The real question is.... Can I use a VI "spec" fluid from another vendor (Maxlife for example) since it's readily available and meets specs on the fluid.

I'm staying away from any "High Mileage" stuff as I don't need this. From the posts in this thread, I'm sure it won't hurt anything...

I can always seek-out the AC DELCO DEXRON VI by itself and that's okay also... I was just concerned about the different chemistries etc.

Yes...yes..... Waaaayyyy overthinking this for sure. 🤔

 

[ulycyc]

For a well seasoned 2000 Buick any fluid that includes dex3 rating will work. Will dex6 work better who knows. Add it to a 150K mile trans and see it add life??. I got over 300K with dex3. Will dex6 get me to 500K? If you need to get your trans rebuilt and start fresh what to use? I would use dex6. Any car 10yrs or newer I would check what the manual spec is and get the latest updated fluid

 

[lbear]

I like this! Makes sense to me. Why NOT use the update fluid? At this point, I don't see why it would hurt to top-off my transmission with the VI fluid...

The real question is.... Can I use a VI "spec" fluid from another vendor (Maxlife for example) since it's readily available and meets specs on the fluid.

I'm staying away from any "High Mileage" stuff as I don't need this. From the posts in this thread, I'm sure it won't hurt anything...

I can always seek-out the AC DELCO DEXRON VI by itself and that's okay also... I was just concerned about the different chemistries etc.

Yes...yes..... Waaaayyyy overthinking this for sure. 🤔

Just do the Dex VI Valvoline Maxlife and no worries.

 

[John Canon]

Just do it

 

[RobR]

Not trying to fix anything... Just replace some fluid etc. Can Dexron III be found? And if Dexron VI is backwards compatible, wouldn't that be okay?

I've read somewhere the big difference is "viscosity". The newer spec is thinner etc... but I am not using this as a determination.. Just want to add some fluid and saw the Maxlife brand was "apparently" compatible.

The newer spec is thinner cold. When it warms up its viscosity thickens. Gm knows what fluid belongs in thier transmissions. Don't overthink this bro.