Can Dexron VI replace Dexron III in a manual trans

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I'm interested to know about this as well. My car specs a Dexron III, and my local dealership parts counter told me to get Dexron VI if I could. I don't think they're oil experts there, though, so I hesitate...
 
I've heard about problems with people trying to run dex VI in their manual transmissions. I believe GM came out with a manual transmission fluid after they stopped making dex 3, part # 88861800, which is supposedly just relabeled dex 3 for manual transmissions. I think the problem with the dex VI is that it is to thin.
 
THe best option is to use something like MOBIL-1 synthetic ATF. It meets the requirements for the dextron/mercron spec. The transfer case on my Jeep calls for Dextron-III and I have been using the Mobil-1 stuff for the last 110k miles.
 
I had Amsoil ATF in the T5 in my Mustang and it didn't work so well. It would grind going into gear sometimes.

The Mercon V works much better than the Amsoil ATF did.
 
Originally Posted By: Maritime Storm
Can you use the new Dexron VI to replace the DexronIII called for in GM Getrag & Saturn Transaxles? I was told that I shouldn't, if so why not?


Here's my view.
The main problem is that since the North American transmission market is dominated by automatic transmissions, almost all manual transmissions are 'bought in'. That being the case the fluids used to validate them are mostly selected by the transmission manufacturer, not the OEM that purchases the transmission. The cost of validating an alternative fluid is huge and therefore not a viable option considering the comparatively low volume of units sold. That is why no one will 'stick their neck out' and recommend a fluid that was not included in the original validation (except of course those companies who just don't care because they know that any resultant failure would be hard if not impossible to pin on their product).
 
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Originally Posted By: brianl703
I had Amsoil ATF in the T5 in my Mustang and it didn't work so well. It would grind going into gear sometimes.

The Mercon V works much better than the Amsoil ATF did.


That's why I recommend Amsoil ATD or ART for the T5.
Amsoil ATD
Amsoil ART

And generally recommend against Dex VI or Dex VI equivalents in MT's.
 
Originally Posted By: Pablo
Originally Posted By: brianl703
I had Amsoil ATF in the T5 in my Mustang and it didn't work so well. It would grind going into gear sometimes.

The Mercon V works much better than the Amsoil ATF did.


That's why I recommend Amsoil ATD or ART for the T5.
Amsoil ATD
Amsoil ART

And generally recommend against Dex VI or Dex VI equivalents in MT's.


I would generally recommend against the use of ANY fluid that has not been tested and approved by the transmission manufacturer for use in the prescribed application.
 
Originally Posted By: RGrant
GM states Dexron VI is forward compatible in all AUTOMATIC applications, but I don't believe that applies to manuals.


That's what I was trying to explain, along with the reason why. However some manuals transmissions do use OEM approved ATFs, very successfully and have done so for decades
 
Originally Posted By: Pablo
I would use the ATD.


Is there any independent test data that you can provide in support of that recommendation? Just asking.
 
Of course there no independent testing in this application. But as a stout synthetic Dex III (yeah don't bother responding to that), it's way better than Dex VI. Where is the independent test data of Dex VI testing in this application?

And it is recommended and covered by Amsoil's warranty. Not bad for an application in a 1994 car.
 
Thanx, Pablo.

Sorry guys not trying to stir anything up. I have seen some of the other threads in the Pablo vs. Whitewolf saga!

This thread has me wondering though. Just so happens on my way home tonight it was a little hesitant to go in to first at a stop a couple of times. Of course I filled it with Castrol Dex VI two years ago. Makes me wonder if shouldn't change it.
On top of that the G6 has been very slugish in the cold recently, so buying some transmission fluid has been on my mind anyway.
 
Originally Posted By: Pablo
Of course there no independent testing in this application. But as a stout synthetic Dex III (yeah don't bother responding to that), it's way better than Dex VI. Where is the independent test data of Dex VI testing in this application?



So,in other words you have no testing, with any of the relevant synchromesh materials,or any other of the materials in the transmissions to which we appear to be referring, in order to back up your claims? Personally I think that the onus is on any company making claims for a non-approved product is to show that their claims are valid and provable for the specific application.
 
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Originally Posted By: Whitewolf

So,in other words you have no testing, with any of the relevant synchromesh materials,or any other of the materials in the transmissions that to which we are referring to back up your claims? Personally I think that the onus is on any company making such claims for a non-approved product to show that their claims are valid and provable.


No I didn't write that. You wrote "independent".

Amsoil backs their clams. GM? Who knows.
 
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