Yeah, it needs to be labeled Dexron III.

What's the difference between AT fluids besides brand name & price.

This thread is to be devoted exclusively to fluid for AUTOMATIC transmissions.

If you want to dicuss manual trannys, start a seperate thread.

[This message has been edited by 30+mpg (edited 12-11-2009).]

I have never really seen any difference. I usually use either Orielly's house brand or Wal-Mart's house brand. Never had any trouble with either..

You are talking about AT fluid in AUTOMATIC trannys, aren't you? Manuals need Syncromesh fluid.

Jonathan

Not all the manuals run syncromesh.

I run Valvoline Max Life High Mileage ATF in my 4T65, I like the idea of a "high mileage" ATF and the easiest ones to get are Valvoline and Walmart, so I got the valvoline brand. Advance sells it in the gallon jugs, most just sell it by the quart.

This thread is to be devoted exclusively to fluid for AUTOMATIC transmissions.

If you want to dicuss manual trannys, start a seperate thread.

I've never really seen much difference. A lot of house brands are relabeld Valvoline. I see if I can find that article latter.

Since it has been available I have used Mobil 1 synthetic ATF. Every time I have changed from conventional to Mobil 1 I have notice an improvement in shift quality (firmer, more definate).

This time though I am using Wolfs Head synthetic ATF and as of yet have not noticed it to be better or worse than Mobil 1.

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Steve AT 88GTP DOT com
88 GT\3800 SC\4T65E-HD

What about these?

Royal Purple Max ATF, Max ATF, Dexron III/Mercon, Synthetic, Quart, Each $12.95

Red Line Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluids Synthetic, Dexron III, Mercon, Mercon V, 1 qt., Each $9.95

B&M Trick Shift Transmission Fluid, Trick Shift, Synthetic, Dexron III/Mercon, 1 qt., Each $7.25

Lucas Semi-Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid, Semi-Synthetic, Dexron/Mercon, One qt., Each $5.95

i was reading about dexron VI and it appears it has been improved over dexron III qiute a bit. Last summer I started using it in some of my other cars, fieros are manuals, but so far so good in my daughters '97 gtp.

I run Amsoil ATF in my 4T60 which has a GR8GRIP. No problems.

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85 GT 3.4
14.9 @ 90 1.9 60' Old TH125/3.06
Unknown New 4T60/3.42

I have Mobile 1 synthetic Dexron III in my 86 SE automatic. It shifts just fine.

Automatic Transmission Fluid is a highly detergent 10W viscosity oil. Some labels put additives in to "improve performance". You pay for the additives but don't need them. I have a 86 se with a stock automatic. I have been using the less expensive brands for the past 184,000 miles and have not had a bit of trouble. A friend of mine has been an automatic rebuilder for the past 35 years and he says that if it says Dexron III it is just that. As an added note I use about a quart in a full tank of gas every 10,000 miles to clean the injectors due to it's exceptional cleaning ability.

Bigger question...
Are you fill a dry Tranny and TC
or
fluid and filter time and which method to get old fluid out of unit?
It matters.

All Dexron III, and now Dexron VI, is better that Dexron II (and IIe) was the unit is design for. But! The new fluid is going to matter if how must the old fluid is in the system. You can mix old and new but mix old/new fluid doesn't matter as must than all new fluid only.

Synthetic... If it costs more... Mixing old and new fluid makes even less sense. Dry unit and TC is fine but F&F time doesn't matter if 3-4 quarts. Maybe my cave method can make a difference.

Synthetic doesn't mean what it use to... Mobil1 is 100% synthetic but some/all of other can actually use oil base and call it "Synthetic" because court a few years ago defines Synthetic to allow oil. (Mobil1 vs Castrol See link or use web search "castrol synthetic oil court")

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Dr. Ian Malcolm: Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should.
(Jurassic Park)

The Ogre's Fiero Cave (It's also at the top of every forum page...)

[This message has been edited by theogre (edited 12-13-2009).]

From http://www.redlineoil.com/c...20Product%20Data.pdf

Redline
"Synthetic D4 ATF is suitable for use where Dexron III, Dexron III H, Dexron II, Toyota T-IV, Hyundai, Voith, ZF, Nissan Matic-J, Honda Z-1, Mercon, or Mercon V fluids are recommended. The D4 ATF is designed with superior low-temperature properties compared to a DexronIII fluid, and the improved shear-stability requirements which is part of the new Mercon V specifications.

The D4 ATF also provides significantly improved gear protection and will provide a GL-4 level of gear protection, making it a superior product for transmissions and transaxles. The balanced frictional characteristics provides smooth and consistent shifts for extended drain intervals.
The superior stability compared to petroleum ATFs allows high-temperature operation without varnishing valves and clutches which leads to transmission failure."

[This message has been edited by 30+mpg (edited 01-28-2010).]

I'm not up to speed on the newest trannies, but here goes. We always had two basic types, Ford and GM. Ford's was less slippery and the trans were designed for such. My brother installed a lot of high performance shift kits in 350 and 400 TH's and always used Ford fluid for a more positive and "grabbier" shift. He said he never saw a thing in his life that made a twit of difference which fluid you used in either one. GM's Dextron was a smoother shift and Ford's was more positive, which do you prefer?

i love Valvolines Maxlife ATF
i also use it in Chryslers infamous A604 trannys used in minivans.

quote Originally posted by weaselbeak: I'm not up to speed on the newest trannies, but here goes. We always had two basic types, Ford and GM. Ford's was less slippery and the trans were designed for such. My brother installed a lot of high performance shift kits in 350 and 400 TH's and always used Ford fluid for a more positive and "grabbier" shift. He said he never saw a thing in his life that made a twit of difference which fluid you used in either one. GM's Dextron was a smoother shift and Ford's was more positive, which do you prefer?

Ford ATF was an inexpensive alternative to the old B&M "Trick Shift" fluid, and it did improve shift firmness in GM transmissions of the day.

do not waste money on trick shift ATFs, for a car you drive on the street
reread OGRE post
most of the synthetics offered by Castrol, Shell Texaco,Chevron, ect. are not true synthetic,, a travisty what castrol did in court.. I have AVOIDED castrol products since the 70s when they went to cheapest method of manufacture(waxbase,I forget)
Mobil one is a true synthetic,, and will make your tranny live longer ..Mobil one is the least expensive true synthetic !
Redline,Royal purple and AMSOIL are top line auto synthetic products ,,Jet engine synthetic is best. EXPENSIVE$$$$
Dino ATF is superior to what was available when the Fiero was in vogue,,83 to 89..
House brands are made by one of the large refineries
CHANGE the fluid and filter every 3rd engine oil change,,drive it normally and the standard Fiero T125 can out live you..
The 4 speed auto is not as good a transmission as the T125,,,if you drive hard use synthetic ATF in 4 speed..
You do not need synthetic in your T125 tranny ,,you need a synthetic oil in the duke or 2.8 ENGINE,,any synthetic !!
SYNTHETIC not that superior to dino oil in auto tranny,,but can be run at longer change interval.bringing price more into line
unfortunately the latest info on the internet is bias ..I will look again !!
for the average Fiero owner mobil one is the highest quality needed in an auto tranny..
This is based on my research 3,4 years ago,and listening to Radio auto mechanic shows,,some host VERY bias to synthetic oils..
If you buy a Fiero with auto tranny and fluid is dirty change to least expensive ATF, new filter and change again in 500 miles adding your favorite poison,...Auto transmissions are neglected ,ignored until it quits..
Never have a fiero T125 flushed ,,this will loosen up crap in the tranny and possibly clog up your tranny ..