I have a 2003 S10 4.3 Automatic 2WD with a 4L60E transmission.
It currently has 123,000 miles on it I bought it last summer, runs good, shifts good, no slipping. I do not know the service history of this truck but I want it to last as long as possible and I believe there is a chance the transmission fluid is original.
The fluid in it is still a light pink/red with some slight dark spots when wiping it on paper towel. It does not smell burned and it seems to be in similar condition to my Toyota which was flushed 60,000 miles ago with Toyota T-IV which from my understanding is Dexron III with friction modifiers.
What I am stuck at is I do not know if it has the original Dexron III in it from the factory or if at some point it was serviced and if it was I don't know if they used a Dexron III compatible like Valvoline Dex/Merc or if they put Dexron VI in it.
GM is recommending I use Dexron VI but I don't want to harm it if it has Dexron III in it, I do not want to flush the transmission I simply want to drop the pan change the filter and fill it back up with fresh fluid.
Walmart has a good deal on Valvoline Dex/Merc $17 for 5 quarts.
Should I go with Dexron VI or should I go with Valvoline Dex/Merc and if the previous owner serviced it with one or the other is it safe if these 2 fluids mix because obviously a drain/fill is only going to get about 5 quarts out of the transmission.
It currently has 123,000 miles on it I bought it last summer, runs good, shifts good, no slipping. I do not know the service history of this truck but I want it to last as long as possible and I believe there is a chance the transmission fluid is original.
The fluid in it is still a light pink/red with some slight dark spots when wiping it on paper towel. It does not smell burned and it seems to be in similar condition to my Toyota which was flushed 60,000 miles ago with Toyota T-IV which from my understanding is Dexron III with friction modifiers.
What I am stuck at is I do not know if it has the original Dexron III in it from the factory or if at some point it was serviced and if it was I don't know if they used a Dexron III compatible like Valvoline Dex/Merc or if they put Dexron VI in it.
GM is recommending I use Dexron VI but I don't want to harm it if it has Dexron III in it, I do not want to flush the transmission I simply want to drop the pan change the filter and fill it back up with fresh fluid.
Walmart has a good deal on Valvoline Dex/Merc $17 for 5 quarts.
Should I go with Dexron VI or should I go with Valvoline Dex/Merc and if the previous owner serviced it with one or the other is it safe if these 2 fluids mix because obviously a drain/fill is only going to get about 5 quarts out of the transmission.