Choosing ATF for 97 Buick Park Ave

[ka9mnx]

This is what folks used to run when AC Delco got cooked whilst towing heavy. It’s Grp3/Grp4 and can be run ESI …

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This is what I use in my vehicles that call for Mercon, Mercon V and Dex III.

 

[4wd]

This is what I use in my vehicles that call for Mercon, Mercon V and Dex III.

I ordered it for transfer case fluid - 3 year ESI …

 

[ka9mnx]

I ordered it for transfer case fluid - 3 year ESI …

I had Mercon V (or was it Mercon?) in my '93 F150 transfer case. Later I learned Ford wants Ford "Transfer Case Fluid" in the box so that's what's in it now.

When I bought the truck (used) I had to put a rebuild kit in the transfer case plus a new oil pump because the pump locked up. So I became hyper sensitive to what goes in the box.

 

[barkingspider]

I would use dex/merc, cheap and available at Walmart (Supertech) and drain and fill every 25k miles. Dex VI should be fine too

 

[GMBoy]

Most important fact is GM does not license DEX3 anymore so there are no true DEX 3 fluids available - they are just universal fluids that "meet DEX3 spec". You can use them but the better choices are Valvoline Maxlife (perfect in my opinion) or Mobil 1 universal ATF (probably the best bet). Of course DEXRON 6 is backwards compatible and GM approves this but it is a little thinner and I noticed harsher shifts when I tried it in my 2000 Buick Regal GS (3.8SC) and went back to the Mobil 1 i had been using and shifts returned to smooth. So my opinion is Mobil 1 ATF or Valvoline MaxLife regular red jug.

 

[meep]

This is what I use in my vehicles that call for Mercon, Mercon V and Dex III.

This is some great ATF! Have used in the past. Held up very well.