Best Trans Fluid for GM's Hydra-Matic 6T50?

J

jonnycraig

Joined
Jul 11, 2018
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15
Location
QC
Hi, I am looking to put the best trans fluid in (2) cars with GM's Hydra-Matic 6T50.
Both are 2013 Buck Verano's with the 2.0T engine and 40k miles/45k miles.

The trans fluid was never changed before, and there are currently no problems.

Right now I think I am leaning towards doing a flush exchange (with Valvoline VPS Transmission Service) and putting in VALVOLINE'S DEXRON VI/MERCON LV (ATF) Full Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid:
1735855477193.webp


But does anyone have any other thoughts or opinions? Maxlife? etc?
 
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I used to use SuperTech Mercon V (also a licensed product) until pandemic price-gouging set in. Now I buy genuine Motorcraft from Rock Auto and even including shipping it's still cheaper.
 
RF Overlord said:
Any licensed Dex 6 will be as good as any other.

Note that I said "licensed"...not "recommended for" or "suitable for".
Click to expand...

Question though...

Original Dexron VI is not FULLY SYNTHETIC, right? Just a blend.

Are they all fully synthetic now? If not, I would assume getting a fully synthetic Dexron VI is the way to go..
 
IMHO too much emphasis is placed on an ATF being full-synthetic. If a fluid meets the manufacturer's requirements, then its base oil properties are less important...unless your specific usage (extreme temperature, high loading, etc) would benefit. Synthetic is not automatically "better" in all cases.
 
The blue jug Valvoline Dex VI (licensed for Dex VI) is good stuff, have used it many times. Have used ACDelco Dex VI with great success, also have used ORielly Dex VI. Any licensed Dex VI will be just fine.
 
The spec for Dexron VI doesn't mention a base stock requirement IIRC.

It has specific parameters for performance such as vis retention, additive package requirements, etc which pretty much eliminate conventional lube stocks. It's not a "requirement" to be of a certain base stock; it's just not possible to meet the performance criteria without some manner of synthetic (group III or better) and using the specific add-pack. This is the way I understand it. Others may correct me if I'm wrong.

As long as you get a licensed Dex VI product, you should be well good to go. There would be little reason to try and define if one licensed Dex VI is better or worse than another licensed Dex VI product.

Again, IMO, get the cheapest licensed Dex VI you can find. Might be ST, might be something else on sale. Whatever ...
 
My mechanic (who will perform the Valvoline Automatic Transmission Service, full fluid exchange) is only able to use Valvoline Maxlife ATF.

This comes with Valvoline's warranty thing. the Level One – Coverage up to $4,000 USD for United States or up to $4,000 CAD for Canada should any work need to be done on the trans as long as it's done within 80,000km and kept up regularly. (I know it's probably a PITA to actually claim but heh).

Anyways...

Am I Okay just going with Maxlife?
 
jonnycraig said:
My mechanic (who will perform the Valvoline Automatic Transmission Service, full fluid exchange) is only able to use Valvoline Maxlife ATF.

This comes with Valvoline's warranty thing. the Level One – Coverage up to $4,000 USD for United States or up to $4,000 CAD for Canada should any work need to be done on the trans as long as it's done within 80,000km and kept up regularly. (I know it's probably a PITA to actually claim but heh).

Anyways...

Am I Okay just going with Maxlife?
Click to expand...
If it were me, I would just go with Maxlife. Way, way, way too many people worry about using licensed fluids here. I have yet to hear of a quality ATF that is within spec and unlicensed that causes even minor issues.
 
jonnycraig said:
My mechanic (who will perform the Valvoline Automatic Transmission Service, full fluid exchange) is only able to use Valvoline Maxlife ATF.

This comes with Valvoline's warranty thing. the Level One – Coverage up to $4,000 USD for United States or up to $4,000 CAD for Canada should any work need to be done on the trans as long as it's done within 80,000km and kept up regularly. (I know it's probably a PITA to actually claim but heh).

Anyways...

Am I Okay just going with Maxlife?
Click to expand...
I've used VML in many trannies, including GM calling for Dex-VI; I've had it my dad's 4T65E for almost six years now.
 
RF Overlord said:
Why is your mechanic only able to use ML? Maxlife is not a licensed Dex 6 product. The one in your original post is, so IMHO that would be the "best" product.
Click to expand...

They perform those VPS Valvoline transmission services with warranties and the fluid exchange machine is only Maxlife fluid.
 
brandon9715 said:
If it were me, I would just go with Maxlife. Way, way, way too many people worry about using licensed fluids here. I have yet to hear of a quality ATF that is within spec and unlicensed that causes even minor issues.
Click to expand...

Thanks. I had some hesitation cause I did hear of some people having issues (in rare cases it seems) of the trans starting to shift weird after putting in Maxlife...

GSCJR said:
I've used VML in many trannies, including GM calling for Dex-VI; I've had it my dad's 4T65E for almost six years now.
Click to expand...

Thanks. Considering that GM trans is older than my 6T50, bodes well that I should be okay, I suppose.

Below are some of the key differences, looks close enough I guessssss?

1736749835304.webp


1736749859227.webp
 
Okay, I am actually now looking at another shop,

It's a chain, called 'Mister Transmission'. They repair transmissions but also do service and maintenance.

I sent them an email with my make/model and asked their best recommendation on how they would change my fluid (drain & fill or fluid replacement) and what fluid.

This should be interesting.
 
jonnycraig said:
My mechanic (who will perform the Valvoline Automatic Transmission Service, full fluid exchange) is only able to use Valvoline Maxlife ATF.

This comes with Valvoline's warranty thing. the Level One – Coverage up to $4,000 USD for United States or up to $4,000 CAD for Canada should any work need to be done on the trans as long as it's done within 80,000km and kept up regularly. (I know it's probably a PITA to actually claim but heh).

Anyways...

Am I Okay just going with Maxlife?
Click to expand...

In my opinion, your GM 6spd ATs will do well with Maxlife. I have two later model GM 6ATs and a 9AT in my fleet. All have either Maxlife or Castrol Transmax universal in them.

If you follow any GM specific boards. The popular Dex6 for 6 and 9 spds is Mobil 1 black label synthetic ATF. Not the blue label Mobil 1, nor any valvoline product.
 
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