Dexron VI Drain and Refill

[2000ltdken]

I recently bought my wife a used 2000 Tundra with 130k miles on it. So now we are a 2 Tundra family. I have been doing all of the maintenance on it such as timing belt and water pump, new brakes and an auto-rx treatment. Today I did a drain and refill on the transmission with Supertech Dexron VI. (4 quarts) I don't know what the service history on this was previously but the Dexron VI gives a really good shift and driveability. I think the shift is better than my Tundra with Mobil 1 Synthetic Fluid.

Readinger here on the BITOG that Dexron VI is tightly controlled during manufacturing with quality base stocks and additive packages so I wasn't worried about buying the Supertech version. I also hear Dexron VI will last 2X as long in service. They are selling this at Walmart for $2.97 per quart.

I would be interested in anyone else's experience with Dexron VI.

Ken

 

[The Critic]

The problem with the early 00-02 (or 03) Tundras is that these transmissions tend to suffer from planetary failure. It's extremely common and appears to be unrelated to maintenance in my opinion.

I would just flush it (and clean the screen) with Dexron-VI and not worry about the fluid. Instead, start saving up for a remanufactured transmission.

 

[onion]

There was some question on a previous thread about whether or not that Supertech Dex VI is actually the real deal (i.e. licensed). I don't recall seeing a definitive answer... and I personally wouldn't use the stuff unless/until it can be verified. Might be some un-licensed knockoff of unknown quality like Redline D6.

 

[Donald]

I still that Walmart would not knowingly sell something marked Dex VI that did not meet the spec. They are too big and have too much to loose. I am not saying that Supertech is as good as GM branded Dex VI, only that I would bet it meets the spec.

 

[dnewton3]

If I understand DEX VI licensing correctly, it's an proprietary additive and chemistry package license, and not a "performance" license. In layman's terms, DEX VI fluids just cannot "look like at duck, or walk like a duck", they actually has to be a duck.

Therefore, if there is a specific claim of meeting DEX VI, I would think it's good. If the claim is only something like "performs as", "as good as", or any other legal mumbo-jumbo that seems the same, but really isn't, then I'd be leary.

 

[Hootbro]

Originally Posted By: onion
There was some question on a previous thread about whether or not that Supertech Dex VI is actually the real deal (i.e. licensed). I don't recall seeing a definitive answer... and I personally wouldn't use the stuff unless/until it can be verified. Might be some un-licensed knockoff of unknown quality like Redline D6.


Just wondering, did you write this with you head stuck in the ground?

Please give me one instance of any Super Tech branded item was not licensed?

 

[WishIhadatruck]

Originally Posted By: Hootbro
Originally Posted By: onion
There was some question on a previous thread about whether or not that Supertech Dex VI is actually the real deal (i.e. licensed). I don't recall seeing a definitive answer... and I personally wouldn't use the stuff unless/until it can be verified. Might be some un-licensed knockoff of unknown quality like Redline D6.


Just wondering, did you write this with you head stuck in the ground?

Please give me one instance of any Super Tech branded item was not licensed?


Check it out for yourself, do you see any evidence in this thread including the pictures of the product that shows it is licensed?

Supertech Dexron VI thread

 

[Whitewolf]

I checked with GM SPO and they said it is licensed.

 

[onion]

It does say "GM approved" on the bottle. A license number would've been nice, though.

 

[Whitewolf]

I am told that they do have a license but it looks like they might have jumped the gun in trying to get product on the shelf. It seems a very low price.

 

[WishIhadatruck]

If it is the real deal then that is a great price, maybe the other brands will come down in price as well now that someone finally decided to price it less than $5.99/qt.

 

[2000ltdken]

Originally Posted By: The Critic
The problem with the early 00-02 (or 03) Tundras is that these transmissions tend to suffer from planetary failure. It's extremely common and appears to be unrelated to maintenance in my opinion.

I would just flush it (and clean the screen) with Dexron-VI and not worry about the fluid. Instead, start saving up for a remanufactured transmission.


Critic,

I bought my wifes truck because I have had a great ownership experience with mine. 160k miles and it shifts really good. I tow regularly with o/d off and expect it to last to 250k miles. I know about half a dozen early tundra owners and no problems with the transmissions. I have seen the posts on the tundrasolutions forums though. I would think the problem is low.


Ken

 

[2000ltdken]

Originally Posted By: WishIhadatruck
If it is the real deal then that is a great price, maybe the other brands will come down in price as well now that someone finally decided to price it less than $5.99/qt.


Wish,

I think this is the real deal. Can't be licensed unless they use approved stuff right? Walmart wouldn't be that dumb to say GM approved on the bottle and open themselves up to a huge lawsuit IMHO. The price is right also. I could just do a drain and refill every 15k miles and make this thing last as long as possible.

Ken

 

[PT1]

Originally Posted By: The Critic
The problem with the early 00-02 (or 03) Tundras is that these transmissions tend to suffer from planetary failure.


True, You can change the fluid every 15 minutes and the planetary set may still eat itself for lunch..

I think its a mettalurgy issue in most of them. GM had a similar issue with the 4L series years back. I had a friend have the same issue TWICE...

 

[unDummy]

Eat itself for lunch? only when abused, neglected!!!! Too bad too many do not know how to tow with OD off, or exercise a more aggressive maintenance interval when abused.

$3 a quart for DexVI, IMO, is what it is worth. I'm very glad that Walmart has it for a reasonable price. Its a great ATF for $3. At $6, its just too expensive and I'd rather stick with boutique fluid.

Lasting 2x as long as DexronIII is nothing to brag about. I also wouldn't even bother running it longer without adequate ATF filtration(magnefine/permacool).

 

[2000ltdken]

Originally Posted By: unDummy
Eat itself for lunch? only when abused, neglected!!!! Too bad too many do not know how to tow with OD off, or exercise a more aggressive maintenance interval when abused.

$3 a quart for DexVI, IMO, is what it is worth. I'm very glad that Walmart has it for a reasonable price. Its a great ATF for $3. At $6, its just too expensive and I'd rather stick with boutique fluid.

Lasting 2x as long as DexronIII is nothing to brag about. I also wouldn't even bother running it longer without adequate ATF filtration(magnefine/permacool).





Undummy,

You read my mind. Magnefine on order.

Thanks,

Ken