Recomended Transmission fluid brands?

Discuss your 2000-2005 Bonneville SE, SLE, SSEi, Buick Le Sabre 00-05 and Buick Park Avenue 97-05. Please use General Chat for non-mechanical issues, and Performance and Brainstorming for improvements.
Nocrank
SLE Member
SLE Member
Posts: 79
Joined: Fri Nov 02, 2012 12:57 pm
Year and Trim: 2001 SE

Recomended Transmission fluid brands?

Post by Nocrank »

So besides the Ac Delco Dexron III and VI, what are the recommended Brands of Transmission Fluid or what is everyone using and your experiences with it? As I notice in the maintenance list that has been posted everywhere there is no recommended fluid.
01bonneSC
Certified Bonneville Nut
Certified Bonneville Nut
Posts: 4938
Joined: Sat May 24, 2008 5:18 pm
Year and Trim: 05 Chevy 'Hoe
1997 'maro (3.8L M5)
89 SkiDoo
Location: Sycamore, IL

Re: Recomended Transmission fluid brands?

Post by 01bonneSC »

I wouldn't use DexVI in your car, it's thinner than III.

I used Farm and Fleet Merc/DexIII compatable with no problems.
Image
00Beast wrote:Less off-topic than Lane's Heated Steering wheel, but yeah, back to the topic.
Nocrank
SLE Member
SLE Member
Posts: 79
Joined: Fri Nov 02, 2012 12:57 pm
Year and Trim: 2001 SE

Re: Recomended Transmission fluid brands?

Post by Nocrank »

01bonneSC wrote:I wouldn't use DexVI in your car, it's thinner than III.

I used Farm and Fleet Merc/DexIII compatable with no problems.
Actually never heard of Farm and Fleet brand.
01bonneSC
Certified Bonneville Nut
Certified Bonneville Nut
Posts: 4938
Joined: Sat May 24, 2008 5:18 pm
Year and Trim: 05 Chevy 'Hoe
1997 'maro (3.8L M5)
89 SkiDoo
Location: Sycamore, IL

Re: Recomended Transmission fluid brands?

Post by 01bonneSC »

Farm and Fleet is a store chain here in IL, IA, WI.

I also do believe that a lot of used the Supertech or Super-something brand from WalMart.
Image
00Beast wrote:Less off-topic than Lane's Heated Steering wheel, but yeah, back to the topic.
RogueSSEi
Posts like an LN3
Posts like an LN3
Posts: 569
Joined: Tue Mar 06, 2012 7:14 pm
Year and Trim: 98 Pontiac Bonneville SSEi

Re: Recomended Transmission fluid brands?

Post by RogueSSEi »

Valvoline high mileage DEX III ATF
User avatar
flatlander745
GXP Member
GXP Member
Posts: 293
Joined: Mon Oct 11, 2010 8:11 pm
Year and Trim: 2000 Bonneville SSEi
Location: Poconos, PA

Re: Recomended Transmission fluid brands?

Post by flatlander745 »

01bonneSC wrote:I wouldn't use DexVI in your car, it's thinner than III.

I used Farm and Fleet Merc/DexIII compatable with no problems.
wow, I miss the Farm & Barn!
2000 SSEi Galaxy Silver with New TEP Trans, A 62,000 mile engine out of grandma's car, all new front and rear suspension KYB/ Energy Suspension.
[url][URL=http://s871.photobucket.com/user/flatlander745/media/image-5.jpg.html][IMG]http://i871.photobucket.com/albums/ab278/flatlander745/image-5.jpg[/IMG][/URL][/url]
Nocrank
SLE Member
SLE Member
Posts: 79
Joined: Fri Nov 02, 2012 12:57 pm
Year and Trim: 2001 SE

Re: Recomended Transmission fluid brands?

Post by Nocrank »

So, we got,

Farm & Fleet
Super tech
Valvoline High Mileage

All Dex III, so no bodies using other brands, or even Dex VI I've read so much about it and how much more stable and suppirior it is to Dex III.
RogueSSEi
Posts like an LN3
Posts like an LN3
Posts: 569
Joined: Tue Mar 06, 2012 7:14 pm
Year and Trim: 98 Pontiac Bonneville SSEi

Re: Recomended Transmission fluid brands?

Post by RogueSSEi »

All is true, but a good rule of thumb is, if the transmission has never been rebuilt, put back in it what came in it from the assembly line.
00Beast
Retired Site Developer
Retired Site Developer
Posts: 20960
Joined: Tue May 27, 2008 10:30 pm
Year and Trim: '17 Silverado 1500
Location: MN/IA
Contact:

Re: Recomended Transmission fluid brands?

Post by 00Beast »

Dex VI will kill a trans not designed for it.

Any fluid labeled Dex/Merc or Dex III will be fine.
Bye Bye:
Image
RIP sandrock
Sirius wrote:Think about it. You’re tooling down the road in your Prius, knowing full-well that this thing being green is as big a sham as federally mandated ethanol-enriched gas, Russia pulling out of Ukraine, and Obamacare.
User avatar
repinS
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 7391
Joined: Mon May 19, 2008 9:51 pm
Year and Trim: 09 G8 GT
Location: Toronto, Canada
Contact:

Re: Recomended Transmission fluid brands?

Post by repinS »

And so why is Dex VI listed as fully backwards compatible? Do we know something GM doesn't know?

Viscosity isn't necessarily the only thing to be considered for fluid.
Image
Jerry /// Past: 95 SSEi (June 2010 COTM) -- 04 GXP (July 2011 COTM)
91 Honda Civic Wagon DX 2WD (fuelly) -- 208,000km -- 92hp -- Autocross Warrior
09 Lexus LS460 AWD -- 94,000km -- Daily Driver
09 White Hot G8 GT -- 155,000km (fuelly) -- LS3 Cam -- GM LS3 CNC Ported Heads -- Kooks 1 3/4" Long Tube Headers -- Solo Catback Midsection -- Hooker Maxflow Mufflers -- Pat G Tune -- Rotofab Intake -- Tein S-Tech Springs -- GXP FE3 Dampers -- BMR Subframe Cradle Inserts -- BMR Subframe Connectors -- Forgestar F14 Gold 18x9 +40 -- Michelin Pilot Super Sport 245/45/18 -- Maverick Man Carbon Fiber Spoiler
01bonneSC
Certified Bonneville Nut
Certified Bonneville Nut
Posts: 4938
Joined: Sat May 24, 2008 5:18 pm
Year and Trim: 05 Chevy 'Hoe
1997 'maro (3.8L M5)
89 SkiDoo
Location: Sycamore, IL

Re: Recomended Transmission fluid brands?

Post by 01bonneSC »

I was told to NOT use DexVI in my Tahoe from my truck forum, and that's a 2005.
Image
00Beast wrote:Less off-topic than Lane's Heated Steering wheel, but yeah, back to the topic.
00Beast
Retired Site Developer
Retired Site Developer
Posts: 20960
Joined: Tue May 27, 2008 10:30 pm
Year and Trim: '17 Silverado 1500
Location: MN/IA
Contact:

Re: Recomended Transmission fluid brands?

Post by 00Beast »

I've seen a good bit of information on the web that all points that way, including from lubrication engineers. Seems the MBA's got their way on this one, as it reduces licensing and inventory costs.
Bye Bye:
Image
RIP sandrock
Sirius wrote:Think about it. You’re tooling down the road in your Prius, knowing full-well that this thing being green is as big a sham as federally mandated ethanol-enriched gas, Russia pulling out of Ukraine, and Obamacare.
User avatar
2000Silverbullet
Retired Gearhead
Retired Gearhead
Posts: 12225
Joined: Mon May 19, 2008 5:06 pm
Year and Trim: 2000 SSEi, 79 Firebird, 88 Jeep, 11 Yukon Denali
Location: Powell River BC - 7 time WCBF Survivor

Re: Recomended Transmission fluid brands?

Post by 2000Silverbullet »

BS

All DEXRON-III licenses expired at the end of 2006, and will not be renewed. Basically it is obsolete.

DEXRON-VI was introduced in 2005 and is backward compatible and recommended for transmissions that require outdated DEXRON specifications.

Yes, you should use the Dextron VI.

Dexron VI is of a slightly lighter viscosity than the prior Dexron fluids. The intent of this lighter viscosity is to gain an incremental improvement in fuel economy by lessening parasitic drag in the transmission.
Image
2000 SSEi - SilverBullet - 78,000 kms, 4" "straight shot" custom headlight ram air inlet, TOGs, 1.9's, Lsd, 2.9-3.4"MPS 10-15 psi, Ported GenV, EGR eliminated, OR pushrods, oil volume kit, trani cooler & shift kit, Titanium retainers, 90 lb springs, 160 Stat, 42# injectors, Fuel pump voltage increase, Wideband O2, 3" to dual 2 1/2" Magnaflows, Snow Meth/water injection, after SC temp gauge, 255/50WR17, timing commander set 15-18*@WOT, 2 speed Fan over-ride, disabled DRL, Solid motor mount, Meziere Electric water pump, adjustable fuel pressure regulator, Drilled & slotted rotors/ceramics, GXP sway bars and STB, Upgraded and rebuilt transmission with ZZP 2500 rpm stall TC, Pioneer Bluetooth stereo with sub and 800 W amps, PB 13.5 quarter, (April 2014 car of the month)
01bonneSC
Certified Bonneville Nut
Certified Bonneville Nut
Posts: 4938
Joined: Sat May 24, 2008 5:18 pm
Year and Trim: 05 Chevy 'Hoe
1997 'maro (3.8L M5)
89 SkiDoo
Location: Sycamore, IL

Re: Recomended Transmission fluid brands?

Post by 01bonneSC »

How can we still buy it then?
Image
00Beast wrote:Less off-topic than Lane's Heated Steering wheel, but yeah, back to the topic.
User avatar
2000Silverbullet
Retired Gearhead
Retired Gearhead
Posts: 12225
Joined: Mon May 19, 2008 5:06 pm
Year and Trim: 2000 SSEi, 79 Firebird, 88 Jeep, 11 Yukon Denali
Location: Powell River BC - 7 time WCBF Survivor

Re: Recomended Transmission fluid brands?

Post by 2000Silverbullet »

Yes but it is not "blessed" by GM due to license.
Image
2000 SSEi - SilverBullet - 78,000 kms, 4" "straight shot" custom headlight ram air inlet, TOGs, 1.9's, Lsd, 2.9-3.4"MPS 10-15 psi, Ported GenV, EGR eliminated, OR pushrods, oil volume kit, trani cooler & shift kit, Titanium retainers, 90 lb springs, 160 Stat, 42# injectors, Fuel pump voltage increase, Wideband O2, 3" to dual 2 1/2" Magnaflows, Snow Meth/water injection, after SC temp gauge, 255/50WR17, timing commander set 15-18*@WOT, 2 speed Fan over-ride, disabled DRL, Solid motor mount, Meziere Electric water pump, adjustable fuel pressure regulator, Drilled & slotted rotors/ceramics, GXP sway bars and STB, Upgraded and rebuilt transmission with ZZP 2500 rpm stall TC, Pioneer Bluetooth stereo with sub and 800 W amps, PB 13.5 quarter, (April 2014 car of the month)
User avatar
repinS
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 7391
Joined: Mon May 19, 2008 9:51 pm
Year and Trim: 09 G8 GT
Location: Toronto, Canada
Contact:

Re: Recomended Transmission fluid brands?

Post by repinS »

I'm with Paul on this one. There is a relatively small group of naysayers, and for the guys who had transmission fluid failures, I don't think going between Dex III or VI was the cause of failure. Their transmissions were already on their way out, introducing any new fluid would have expedited the process.

If Dexron VI was such a big problem, we would have heard about it a lot more than we currently do. I'm running a 50/50 pan drop of approximately 7 quarts Dexron III, 7 quarts Mobil 1 Dexron VI. If I put a lot more km's on this car before I sell it, I will do another pan drop with more Dex VI. Couldn't be happier.
Image
Jerry /// Past: 95 SSEi (June 2010 COTM) -- 04 GXP (July 2011 COTM)
91 Honda Civic Wagon DX 2WD (fuelly) -- 208,000km -- 92hp -- Autocross Warrior
09 Lexus LS460 AWD -- 94,000km -- Daily Driver
09 White Hot G8 GT -- 155,000km (fuelly) -- LS3 Cam -- GM LS3 CNC Ported Heads -- Kooks 1 3/4" Long Tube Headers -- Solo Catback Midsection -- Hooker Maxflow Mufflers -- Pat G Tune -- Rotofab Intake -- Tein S-Tech Springs -- GXP FE3 Dampers -- BMR Subframe Cradle Inserts -- BMR Subframe Connectors -- Forgestar F14 Gold 18x9 +40 -- Michelin Pilot Super Sport 245/45/18 -- Maverick Man Carbon Fiber Spoiler
Bonneville92V688
Certified Bonneville Nut
Certified Bonneville Nut
Posts: 5103
Joined: Tue May 20, 2008 9:03 am
Year and Trim: ‘12 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland Summit
Location: NE Ohio Original join date - March 2006

Re: Recomended Transmission fluid brands?

Post by Bonneville92V688 »

There's Dexron VI in my Mom's Ciera... it was a full flush, not a pan drop at 89k. Has the 3T40 with 94k on it. Shifts fine.
2012 Grand Cherokee Overland Summit - Hemi
1996 Thunderbird LX - 3.8
redzmonte
Posts like an L67
Posts like an L67
Posts: 1358
Joined: Mon Jun 13, 2011 4:21 am
Year and Trim: 2000 SSEI

Re: Recomended Transmission fluid brands?

Post by redzmonte »

I run Valvoline Dex III. Dex VI is fine and IIRC is synthetic as are Mobile 1, Royal Purple and Amsoil. Synth will run cooler and last longer. if you dont have a trans cooler now would be a good time to add one while the fluid is out. Drop the pan, drain, replace the filter and refill don't flush it especially if you have some miles on it. I would avoid store brands like super tech (walmart).

S
Shane "RedZMonte"
2004 Z16 Z06: Virgin
2000 SSEi: Kenwood DDX512, 3.25" MPS, ZZP DP, PLog, Puck Mount, NGK TR7's, DHP Tuned
1995 Monte Z34: T04e "60" turbo, 42.5# injectors, Borla Catback, OBDII swap, DHP Tuned, Much more...
01bonneSC
Certified Bonneville Nut
Certified Bonneville Nut
Posts: 4938
Joined: Sat May 24, 2008 5:18 pm
Year and Trim: 05 Chevy 'Hoe
1997 'maro (3.8L M5)
89 SkiDoo
Location: Sycamore, IL

Re: Recomended Transmission fluid brands?

Post by 01bonneSC »

Supertech is produced by Texaco or Valvoline. There's only so many companies that make fluids, just sold under different names.
Image
00Beast wrote:Less off-topic than Lane's Heated Steering wheel, but yeah, back to the topic.
Jrs3800
Retired Admin/Techinfo Admin
Retired Admin/Techinfo Admin
Posts: 26009
Joined: Mon May 19, 2008 2:08 pm
Year and Trim: 03 SLE, 95 SE, 95 TS SE
Location: Space Coast, or at least it used to be

Re: Recomended Transmission fluid brands?

Post by Jrs3800 »

Both my Van and the 03 Have Dex VI... My 95 Bonneville still has Dex III in it... When I get around to building another 4T60E it too will be filled with Dex VI
Post Reply