I changed the fluid in my Cobalt's manual transmission today. I believe it is an Getrag F23 5 speed transmission. It is specs Dexron III, I used Maxlife ATF in it because I have used it in my other Cobalt's automatic transmission. I just read in a older post that GM does not recommend Dexron VI in manual transmissions. Well Maxlife meets Dexron VI so do you think that this fluid is not a good choice for my application?
Maxlife for a Manual Transmission?
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According to the application guide on Redlineoil your 2005 had a Getrag 5T45MI transmission and it takes their D4 ATF, which meets Dexron III®, Dexron II®, Mercon® and Mercon V®. Check to see if the Maxlife meets Dexron III spec. If it does, you are good.
Ok thanks for your reply I'm not sure what transmission is in my car. The owners manual states Dexron III. I just want to put the correct fluid in my car. So far shifts great on the maxlife and it has to be better than what came out I guess its the BITOG coming out in me and over thinking my fluid/lubricant choice as usual.
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Valvoline.com lists the Maxlife ATF as
Quote:
Recommended for use where DEXRON, DEXRON II, III and VI, Toyota T-IV and WS, MERCON®, MERCON® SP and LV, Allison TES 389, Nissan Matic-D, Matic-J and Matic-K, Honda Z-1 (except CVT), Mercedes NAG-1, Mitsubishi Diamond SP-II and SP-III and many others are required.
So you are covered for the Dexron III!
Quote:
Recommended for use where DEXRON, DEXRON II, III and VI, Toyota T-IV and WS, MERCON®, MERCON® SP and LV, Allison TES 389, Nissan Matic-D, Matic-J and Matic-K, Honda Z-1 (except CVT), Mercedes NAG-1, Mitsubishi Diamond SP-II and SP-III and many others are required.
So you are covered for the Dexron III!
Originally Posted By: TallPaul
Valvoline.com lists the Maxlife ATF as
Quote:
Recommended for use where DEXRON, DEXRON II, III and VI, Toyota T-IV and WS, MERCON®, MERCON® SP and LV, Allison TES 389, Nissan Matic-D, Matic-J and Matic-K, Honda Z-1 (except CVT), Mercedes NAG-1, Mitsubishi Diamond SP-II and SP-III and many others are required.
So you are covered for the Dextron III!
There is no T in DEXRON.
Valvoline.com lists the Maxlife ATF as
Quote:
Recommended for use where DEXRON, DEXRON II, III and VI, Toyota T-IV and WS, MERCON®, MERCON® SP and LV, Allison TES 389, Nissan Matic-D, Matic-J and Matic-K, Honda Z-1 (except CVT), Mercedes NAG-1, Mitsubishi Diamond SP-II and SP-III and many others are required.
So you are covered for the Dextron III!
There is no T in DEXRON.
Originally Posted By: Klutch9
There is no T in DEXRON.
Awww, and I liked it that way. The "t" could stand for transmission then we could also have Mertcon.
I am afraid it is my sloppiness ingrained during my government schooling days when they taught me not phonics, but the look-say reading method.
Anyways, thanks for the correction.
EDIT: Alas they beat us to it: Dexron vs Dexron thread .
There is no T in DEXRON.
Awww, and I liked it that way. The "t" could stand for transmission then we could also have Mertcon.
I am afraid it is my sloppiness ingrained during my government schooling days when they taught me not phonics, but the look-say reading method.
Anyways, thanks for the correction.
EDIT: Alas they beat us to it: Dexron vs Dexron thread .
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You should be good with the Maxlife ATF. I over-researched and went with Redline D4 for my Vue (same engine/trans as you I think). Didn't notice any shift quality difference vs the OEM 80k mile fluid.
Same with my Honda - but went with Pennzoil Synchromesh and it seemed to shift the same. Maybe it doesn't get cold enough here to notice changes, but neither car shifts 'great', nor 'bad', just meh -- gets the job done.
Same with my Honda - but went with Pennzoil Synchromesh and it seemed to shift the same. Maybe it doesn't get cold enough here to notice changes, but neither car shifts 'great', nor 'bad', just meh -- gets the job done.
The Redline has a boatload of anti wear additive. I like that! But the Maxlife should do just fine.
Ok I think I will keep the Maxlife in the transmission for a while but next time I change it I'm going to use Pennzoil Synchromesh or similar. I actually emailed Valvoline today and to my surprise the tech emailed me back in like 30 minutes. I asked what they thought about using Maxlife in my transmission and he said it is what the recommend for it. He also said that their standard Dexron III is also recommend but of course not the Dexron VI. Valvoline was very quick and detailed in their response and that impressed me. I was just concerned that Maxlife is one of the thinner ATF's so it meets Dexron VI and Mercon LV but they so its good enough and you guys agree so I'm going to leave it in there.
Thanks
Thanks
Are you sure that you want to change to Pennzoil Syncormesh if your manual transmission calls for DexIII?
Synchromesh is an actual gear oil which is good for units that call for gear oil. DEX III is a auto transmission fluid that is often required for manual transmissions such as yours.
Originally Posted By: default
Isn't Dex VI a bit thinner than III? Personally, I just dump synchromesh into anything that calls for a thin fluid like ATF or 5w30.
I am just asking! I do know others who do the same thing but, is it the best idea???
Synchromesh is an actual gear oil which is good for units that call for gear oil. DEX III is a auto transmission fluid that is often required for manual transmissions such as yours.
Originally Posted By: default
Isn't Dex VI a bit thinner than III? Personally, I just dump synchromesh into anything that calls for a thin fluid like ATF or 5w30.
I am just asking! I do know others who do the same thing but, is it the best idea???
Originally Posted By: Char Baby
Are you sure that you want to change to Pennzoil Syncormesh if your manual transmission calls for DexIII?
Synchromesh is an actual gear oil which is good for units that call for gear oil. DEX III is a auto transmission fluid that is often required for manual transmissions such as yours.
Originally Posted By: default
Isn't Dex VI a bit thinner than III? Personally, I just dump synchromesh into anything that calls for a thin fluid like ATF or 5w30.
I am just asking! I do know others who do the same thing but, is it the best idea???
Synchromesh transmission fluid is a similar viscosity to ATF but contains better AW & EP additives for the manual transmission. My 2002 F-150 with the 5 sp manual transmission ran horrible on the recommended ATF. Finally used Royal Purple SyncroMax transmission fluid and it improved 100% in shift quality. With the ATF it would grind and clunk with shifts, especially in warmer temps. With the RP it shifts sooo much better with out the grinding. It still shifts great in 0* mornings.
Whimsey
Are you sure that you want to change to Pennzoil Syncormesh if your manual transmission calls for DexIII?
Synchromesh is an actual gear oil which is good for units that call for gear oil. DEX III is a auto transmission fluid that is often required for manual transmissions such as yours.
Originally Posted By: default
Isn't Dex VI a bit thinner than III? Personally, I just dump synchromesh into anything that calls for a thin fluid like ATF or 5w30.
I am just asking! I do know others who do the same thing but, is it the best idea???
Synchromesh transmission fluid is a similar viscosity to ATF but contains better AW & EP additives for the manual transmission. My 2002 F-150 with the 5 sp manual transmission ran horrible on the recommended ATF. Finally used Royal Purple SyncroMax transmission fluid and it improved 100% in shift quality. With the ATF it would grind and clunk with shifts, especially in warmer temps. With the RP it shifts sooo much better with out the grinding. It still shifts great in 0* mornings.
Whimsey
Originally Posted By: Char Baby
Are you sure that you want to change to Pennzoil Syncormesh if your manual transmission calls for DexIII?
Synchromesh is an actual gear oil which is good for units that call for gear oil. DEX III is a auto transmission fluid that is often required for manual transmissions such as yours.
Originally Posted By: default
Isn't Dex VI a bit thinner than III? Personally, I just dump synchromesh into anything that calls for a thin fluid like ATF or 5w30.
I am just asking! I do know others who do the same thing but, is it the best idea???
I have no idea! I'm just going by what I have read in this forum in some of the other post. I just want to do what's best for the car and like a lot of things in life you always get conflicting information. I just worried that even though Maxlife ATF is a great fluid it is thinner than standard Dexron III. Supposedly GM has introduced a special manual transmission lube because Dexron III is no longer available. From what I have read this new lube is similar to Synchromesh. Once again I have no clue about any of this on wether it is a fact or not. I'm just repeating what I have read on some online forums. For now I'm going to run the Maxlife because Valvoline said it was ok. I sure hope it is, but as always I appreciate everyone's help on this forum. It's is bar far the best automotive forum online that I have found.
Are you sure that you want to change to Pennzoil Syncormesh if your manual transmission calls for DexIII?
Synchromesh is an actual gear oil which is good for units that call for gear oil. DEX III is a auto transmission fluid that is often required for manual transmissions such as yours.
Originally Posted By: default
Isn't Dex VI a bit thinner than III? Personally, I just dump synchromesh into anything that calls for a thin fluid like ATF or 5w30.
I am just asking! I do know others who do the same thing but, is it the best idea???
I have no idea! I'm just going by what I have read in this forum in some of the other post. I just want to do what's best for the car and like a lot of things in life you always get conflicting information. I just worried that even though Maxlife ATF is a great fluid it is thinner than standard Dexron III. Supposedly GM has introduced a special manual transmission lube because Dexron III is no longer available. From what I have read this new lube is similar to Synchromesh. Once again I have no clue about any of this on wether it is a fact or not. I'm just repeating what I have read on some online forums. For now I'm going to run the Maxlife because Valvoline said it was ok. I sure hope it is, but as always I appreciate everyone's help on this forum. It's is bar far the best automotive forum online that I have found.
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