OK to mix various LV transmission lubricants?

[z71bill]

ACDelco Dexron 6 and Valvoline Dexron VI / Mercon LV Or NAPA or Castrol or SuperTech is all good to mix?

I am going to replace ~ 1/3 of the transmission fluid in my 2007 Chevy Tahoe ~~ 72K miles.

I just ordered a gallon of ACDELCO Dexron 6 which is the OEM fill.

It was about $40 - I could have save a couple $ using Valvoline.

My issue isn't the $$ for the fluid - I don't want transmission problems.

The things I read say the Valvoline is actually better - a true full synthetic - the ACDelco is rated full synthetic but is group 3 base Valvoline is group 4 base .

What is the difference - using the Valvoline --- VS OEM or XX brand?

Dexron 6 is a spec that needs to be met not a brand name (right)?

So -

Makes no difference

Is better to use OEM or Valvoline

Is better if you do a complete flush and fill with Valvoline

Will maybe be fine but maybe cause issues - why risk mixing fluids at 72K?

Some say don't change it - if you did not do 30K fluid changes don't do any thing!!

I decided for a few $ go all OEM only doing 1/3 so it is worth the "risk".



My plan is to vacuum out about 3.75 quarts - replace with new

Drive a few days and check the level - then I have some to top it off!

Next oil change do another 3.75quarts -

Then if all is well - do a 4 quart + whatever is left from the other two.

I check the level every once in a while - fluid is clean and does not smell burnt - light red not as dark as new but the last service advisor at a Chevy dealer said it looked good and don't change it until 100K.

I like my 2007 Z71 -- I tried to buy a few new vehicles - they are JUNK

I may just keep it until one of us dies. I am 68 so that could very well be me!

 

[clinebarger]

I would do the filter & clean the magnets as well, You don't have to drop the exhaust down on many/most 4L60E GMT900's.....But Texas built SUV's can be an exception to that rule.

 

[MrBubba]

Mixing any licensed Dexron VI will not cause any harm with other licensed Dexron VI, it has to meet the same spec.

Use whichever licensed Dexron VI you want but stick to 35,000 mile intervals for drain/fills going forward.

 

[CleanSump]

Get off the Group III isn't really synthetic bus too. Whoever told you Valvoline isn't Group III synthetic is lacking in knowledge and understanding. Valvoline Dex VI is Group III synthetic. Want PAO? Buy a boutique oil.

 

[Lubener]

I have mixed various brands together of the recommended fluid needed and never had a problem. I wouldn't be concerned.

 

[Snagglefoot]

I have mixed AC Delco Dex VI with Mobil and Motomaster Dex VI without issues. The 3+ quarts with a plastic hose down the dipstick tube sounds familiar.

 

[dnewton3]

Any ATF which is Dexron VI licensed uses the same add-pack (that's part of the license spec, IIRC). So there is no concern in mixing licensed lubes. Tossing in the Mercon LV will technically introduce a slightly different spec'd lube, but I doubt it would ever be enough of a concern in the Tahoe transmission.

 

[z71bill]

Get off the Group III isn't really synthetic bus too. Whoever told you Valvoline isn't Group III synthetic is lacking in knowledge and understanding. Valvoline Dex VI is Group III synthetic. Want PAO? Buy a boutique oil.

I ask AI to compared the two - it listed this as a difference.

Not the first time AI has given me bad information.

 

[D60]

I've often wondered about Merc LV as it seems to just be Ford's version of Dex VI

Personally, I'd totally use it in slightly older applications....although I guess that's all of them now that we have ULV to get .00001% better mileage. I'm holding out to for SMUELV (Super Mega Ultra Extra Low Viscosity) because it'll be compatible with tap water!

 

[CleanSump]

I've often wondered about Merc LV as it seems to just be Ford's version of Dex VI

Personally, I'd totally use it in slightly older applications....although I guess that's all of them now that we have ULV to get .00001% better mileage. I'm holding out to for SMUELV (Super Mega Ultra Extra Low Viscosity) because it'll be compatible with tap water!

Ford and GM did an oddball alliance to develop the transmission that use the fluids,, though not the fluids themselves. So the similarity of fluids for co-developed transmissions is understandable.

 

[z71bill]

I would do the filter & clean the magnets as well, You don't have to drop the exhaust down on many/most 4L60E GMT900's.....But Texas built SUV's can be an exception to that rule.

I don't want the mess. Current fluid looks totally clean - I am just trying to "refresh it" .

I got the 4 quart bottle of ACDelco today from Amazon - I noticed Walmart has a clearance on quarts of Valvoline Dexcon Vl / Mercron LV for $6.88 a quart. I am going to buy one and use it if I need to top off the level.

I am OCDing this -

1. I need to get an accurate reading on the CURRENT level in the transmissionmission. I checked it yesterday when the transmission was 170 degrees and it was right in the middle - should be 180-200 degrees so I am thinking it is "full" or not low. But will check it again when temp is 180-200 to be sure.

2. The 4 quart jug looks like it has more than 4 quarts. If I measure the distance between 1 and 2 quarts, and 2 and 3 quart marks it is exactly 2.25 inches. the distance from the 3 quart line and the actual fluid level is 2.6 inches - That would be almost 5 ounces more.

I think I will take one quart out and see if the level in the container hits the 3 quart mark or is above it. I have had issues with Mobil 1 being way over 5 quarts. I pour 3 quarts from a new jug into another empty stopping at exactly 3 quarts - dump it in my vehicle. Then still have more than 2 quarts left.

I don't want to be over full.

3. My vacuum pump is measured in liters. So I put a quart in 6 times and put a line on it to indicate quarts.

Any other tips would be appreciated.

 

[CleanSump]

With a dipstick make it simple the way we have for decades with dipsticks. Just figure out how much comes out and put in a little less than that. Then bring it up to required temp and top up a little at a time until it's full.

 

[z71bill]

With a dipstick make it simple the way we have for decades with dipsticks. Just figure out how much comes out and put in a little less than that. Then bring it up to required temp and top up a little at a time until it's full.

Good plan.

I was going to do 3.75 quarts - so I had some left incase it was low. But if I can get a quart at WM for $7 maybe go for a full 4 quarts.

 

[z71bill]

BTW - anyone know the maximum amount of fluid I could suck out of the dipstick on a 2007 - 2014 Chevy Tahoe or pick up?

I am still only going to replace about a third somewhere between 3.75 and 4 quarts.

 

[CleanSump]

I use Valvoline in all the GM transmissionmission I have owned. Even in the BMW with a French made GM transmission. It's good fluid, so go ahead and do that extra quart!
Not sure on the Tahoe pan capacity. Most GM trucks are 5 to 6 quarts if you drop the pan and change the filter. So if no one answers or you don't see it on a GM forum, be sure to get some extra. You can always take it back if you don't use it or use it in the power steering pump.

 

[z71bill]

Well I got it done this morning -

Everything went as expected except I was only able to suck out 2.4 quarts. Everything I read said 3.5-4.5 so that was disappointing.

I started with the medium size tube and it got 2 quarts - switched over to a smaller diameter tube and managed to get .4 more.

I did not want to force the tube in and get it stuck or bend something.

All in hardly worth the effort to change out 21.5% of the fluid.

I started with 5 quarts - now I have 2.6 quarts left. So just because - I have the fluid to do it again and it was pretty painless, quick and easy I will do it again in a few thousand miles and then at 100K if I still have it pay someone to do it correctly.

 

[z71bill]

Maybe a silver lining -

My plan to do one 3.5 - 3.75 quart flush would yield 31.25 - 33.5% new fluid.

If I do two 2.4 quart extractions I end up with 38.27% new fluid!! WINNING!!!

Maybe in a few thousand miles I will do the second one - how long until the old and new is totally mixed - 20 minutes?

If I did 3 I would be at 51.5 "new" The 4TH only gets me to 62% so 3 seems like the sweet spot!

If I grab some of that clearance Valvoline Dexron from Walmart - $6.88 a quart Under $70 total to replace over half seems like a bargain.

If I swap out 50+% of the fluid at 72K - how many miles until I need a "proper" transmission service?

I also just discovered my local Chevy dealer is now charging $225 an hour for labor.

I had the heater hoses replaced on the Tahoe - a know issue the plastic connector breaks off due to mage. The dealer wanted $1,400 I had local shop do it for $662 - took a shot they did great work.

I may just decide that the 2007 Z71 4x4 Tahoe is a keeper - current vehicles all have major issues - at least I know my 2007 has been well maintained and has really low mileage - really sad I am willing to give some car maker $75K ($80K max budget) for a new vehicle and there is not one I feel has good reliability.

Even Toyota with their dumb 3.4 twin turbo - why drop the solid V8??