ATF for GM Allison

[jarmstrong]

buying my wife an 07 gmc with allison and duramax. I get it when it's paid for so I'll be giving it the best possible care. Amsoil or M1 or ?, what's the favorite for the allison. how about amsoil's torque-drive?

How does this sound for a plan: I'll drain all I can from the drain plug and change the filter as soon as it gets home. I shouldn't think I'd have to worry about mixing? I'll do the same thing again next month (1-2k miles) and then call it good for say 15-25k and I'll just keep doing it until I'm sure I have it filled totally with synthetic and then go from there. I'll be gone for a bit and want to make sure it's set up for towing to horse shows while I'm gone.

thank you

 

[salesrep]

204sat Schaeffers.

 

[unDummy]

Its filled with a synthetic, probably DexronVI or Transynd.

Either use DexronVI or preferably ANY TES295 fluid.

Drain/refill the pan every 10k-15k miles. Change the filter every 30k. An early 1st filter change(5k) to remove manufacturing debris and intial tranny break-in should be considered.

If in budget and if available, install an aftermarket deep sump pan to help with temps while towing. The extra fluid capacity and temp control should allow you to go even further, like 20k-30k drain/refills and 50k filter changes.

 

[Pablo]

What is the exact vehicle?
Go with Amsoil ATF. This is a Dexron VI application as far as I can tell.

 

[jarmstrong]

07 classic GMC 2500 cc 4wd 8' bed

 

[dnewton3]

It's a DEX VI application for sure.

I believe that TES-295 fluids (licensed and clones) are the best, but DEX VI is no slouch at all. It's the GM recommended fluid. Many will argue that Allison recommends TES-295's, which is certainly true, but most people don't realize that Allison doesn't even make the 1000 series transmission anymore. Most people don't know this, but the 1000 series trans that WAS designed and built by Allison from 1999 - 2002, HAS BEEN made by GM at a GM facility in Baltimore since the 2003 model year. That's why an Allison trans service/dealership can not, will not, and should not service a GM light duty truck with the 1000 series Allison while the vehicle is under warranty! ALLISON WON'T GET PAID FOR THE WARRANTY SERVICE BECAUSE GM SAYS SO! If you want warranty work done on your 1000 series trans, you MUST go to a GM dealership for the service while under warranty.

So if you want your 2007 GM light duty truck covered by factory warranty, you ought to seriously consider running the GM spec'd fluid, which is DEX VI. You get 100,000 miles of transmission warranty with that 2007, why would you risk it when DEX VI is a very, very good fluid. Pre-2007 models only get a 36K/3yr warranty, but your's is a nice long 100K/5yr warranty.

Sure, TES-295's are the best, but is it worth the risk of warranty denial? And if you don't think that GM would deny warranty, just read some of the horror stories on web pages like dieselplace and others. Warranty starts with the dealership, and it's a long, hard, embattled road to convince corporate GM that the dealer is wrong and your personal choice is right.

I have every intention of running a TES-295 clone, but only AFTER my warranty expires.