Dex III & Friction Modifiers

[Bigsyke]

My old 87 nissan pathfinder calls for Dex III. Not matic-d. I assume its just pure DexIII. However I would like the benifit of synthetic, and am using a few qts of Valvoline Maxlife HM. The Maxlife says it contains friction modifiers, which I how much modifiers I dont know.

Does all standard DexIII have friction modifiers? Or is it just the Maxlife? Would I be better off going with plain Dex III?

 

[sunfire]

Here is no more plain Dex III anymore you won't be able to find it, buy it, steal it. Only universal ATFs that are backwards compatible with D3 which all contain FM.

Your transmission that calls for plain D3 can use ATFs with FMs... no problem. FMs just smooth out the shifting which is a bonus not a negative.

 

[thrace]

Many companies sell ATF recommended for cars using old Dexron III. Not really universal ATF. Just recommended for Dex III applications.

Here are websites for Chevron and Warren Unilube showing fluids recommended for such cars. Chevron calls theirs MD-3.
http://www.warrenunilube.com/transfluids.html
http://www.chevron.com/products/prodserv/transmission/

No new ATF is licensed Dex III because: "Last July, however, General Motors announced it was closing the door on its Dexron III category, and planned to license only Dexron VI in the future. Its Dexron III licenses all will expire on Dec. 31, 2006. Like Mercon V, Dexron VI is a more robust and shear-stable product, and requires the use of Group II or II-plus base oils. The two are different enough in shift and friction characteristics, though, that GM’s move doomed the Dexron/Mercon confluence."

http://www.imakenews.com/lng/e_article000564317.cfm?x=b79gdNq,b2W5q9fm,w

Dex III had friction modifiers.
I have personally used Dexron III or its replacement in a 1996 Nissan front wheel drive changing ATF several times over more than 8 yrs with no problems. The most recent change in 2009 was with SuperTech ATF recommended for vehicles serviceable with Dexron III/Mercon.

 

[sunfire]

Originally Posted By: thrace
Many companies sell ATF recommended for cars using old Dexron III. Not really universal ATF. Just recommended for Dex III applications.


Maxlife for example is recommended for Dex III applications. But is also recommended for many other applications like T-IV, Merc, Dex, Z1, etc. These types of ATFs are considered "Universal ATFs". My point is these are the only types of fluids you will be able to find on the market for your Dex III application.

If you are looking for the best... Amsoil makes a full Synthetic Universal Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATFQT-EA) that's recommended for D3 and many other apps.

 

[sunfire]

Originally Posted By: thrace
Many companies sell ATF recommended for cars using old Dexron III. Not really universal ATF. Just recommended for Dex III applications.

The most recent change in 2009 was with SuperTech ATF recommended for vehicles serviceable with Dexron III/Mercon.


SuperTech ATF = Universal ATF because its recommended for many applications. Which contradicts your second sentence.

 

[unDummy]

Dex/Merc fluids are still available and just not licensed. Pretty pathetic ATF. Maxlife is definitely an upgrade and will serve your Nissan well.

 

[silverrat]

Originally Posted By: Bigsyke
My old 87 nissan pathfinder calls for Dex III. Not matic-d. I assume its just pure DexIII. However I would like the benifit of synthetic, and am using a few qts of Valvoline Maxlife HM. The Maxlife says it contains friction modifiers, which I how much modifiers I dont know.

Does all standard DexIII have friction modifiers? Or is it just the Maxlife? Would I be better off going with plain Dex III?


D-Matic is what Nissan calls their version of Dexron 3. It's the equivalent.