Noob question about Dextron II/III etc

[khunjeng]

I had a look at some of the specs and didn't really notice that Dexron II and III were all that differenet....

If a car specs DII...I assume its ok to use DIII Its for a Mitsi that specs SPII for the transmission and Dexron II for the P/S.

Looking at the redline website it states their Syn. ATF is for DII D/E type apps and D4 AFT is made with thee IV spec.

I had a read about the D4 stuff on this site and coudln't work out if I should just stick with the Syn. ARF fluid as its in a car that 9 y.o.

For P/S I assume any DII/III ATF type would be ok ...although I have no real technical info why.

 

[khunjeng]

also I just read about the Redline High Temp ATF...this seems to be the go IMO...based on what I said I think its the goods.. some feedabck would be appreciated regarding the "why"

 

[Trex101]

SP II or III is totally different from Dexron III and it is not compatible with Dexron III fluid.
The P/S can take anything though.

 

[khunjeng]

hmm news to me. It specs SP IIM or equiv. But I'm pretty sure the last time it was serviced they used DIII. I have never seen SPII before only DII/III type specs however I decided to read the manual..bad idea

 

[Winston]

What year and model Mitsu? If it says SPII, you need the SPIII from Mitsu/kia/hyundai. As noted, Dex III is different than SPII or SPIII.

 

[khunjeng]

Quote:

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What year and model Mitsu? If it says SPII, you need the SPIII from Mitsu/kia/hyundai. As noted, Dex III is different than SPII or SPIII.

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Its for a Mitsi.FTO - 94-97 - 4 Speed Tiptronic AT.

Whats the difference between the SP and Dexron ratings?

 

[zrxkawboy]

SP is a highly friction-modified ATF, similar to Mopar's ATF+3, +4.

Jeff

 

[khunjeng]

Quote:

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SP is a highly friction-modified ATF, similar to Mopar's ATF+3, +4.

Jeff

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After doing a search on SP-III - which I shoulda done eariler - I found a few posts regardig this. Most people reckon that a +4 might not be friction modified enough and just stick with Mitsi OEM product.

I have noticed a shudder in my transmission at about 40kmph....its appears to be the transmission IMO...My guess is that the last service they used the wrong ATF and its not modified enough to meet the required spec. Going to buy some OEM and do this tomorrow and see what happens.

 

[Cutehumor]

before I know squat about oil..I went by the recommendation of my haynes manual for my 92 Mitsubishi mirage. dexron 2..which I've been running dexron 3 for 8 yrs. no problemo. but Mitsubishi developed their own fluid later..just like Toyota and honda did.

 

[unDummy]

If your vehicle specs dexron, then it will work. No need to use the better fluid in those old tired transmissions.
Shudder can also be caused by spent fluid, regardless of type used.

An option to see if new fluid would help is to add some lubegard, runrite, or smartblend HFM additives to the ATF in any transmissions that have shudder. If the shudder goes away, your ATF is either worn out or the incorrect spec.

I converted a Hyundai to ATF+4. Works perfectly, if not better. I wouldn't bother with the OEM $PIII now that ATF+4 is available at most parts stores.

 

[khunjeng]

I found that the OEM SPIII in Australia cost $25 per 5L bottle...which is about the same if not less than ATF+4 options I could use..

so in the end I just used the SPIII and it works find...def smoother than before...chnaged much better.

As I have never changed a AT before...i reliase that getting all the oil out is a bit of an issue..I will have to do a few flushes to get it all in i assume.