my sunfire and focus manuals says atf does not need to be changed in normal driving...my wife is very ez on trans, but i changed it anyways at 76k....i think aamco is in business for a reason, i thought this would be cheap insurance...what do you guys think of pennz dex 3 atf?...would be anybody here keep car 10 years w/o changing atf?...thanks
owners manual says no ATF change
- Thread starter chet2
- Start date
- Status
what year focus?
I would have used Dexron-VI ATF as it is the only approved fluid for GM transmissions. Dexron III no longer exists.
I think that most of the newer ATFs can outlast the transmission itself. The fluid may not look new after 150k, but it will still be doing its job. Fluid-related failures are very rare now.
I think that most of the newer ATFs can outlast the transmission itself. The fluid may not look new after 150k, but it will still be doing its job. Fluid-related failures are very rare now.
Originally Posted By: The Critic
I would have used Dexron-VI ATF as it is the only approved fluid for GM transmissions. Dexron III no longer exists.
I think that most of the newer ATFs can outlast the transmission itself. The fluid may not look new after 150k, but it will still be doing its job. Fluid-related failures are very rare now.
Since when does Dexron III not exist?
I would have used Dexron-VI ATF as it is the only approved fluid for GM transmissions. Dexron III no longer exists.
I think that most of the newer ATFs can outlast the transmission itself. The fluid may not look new after 150k, but it will still be doing its job. Fluid-related failures are very rare now.
Since when does Dexron III not exist?
I generally like to do a drain and replace every 30k to 60k miles on autos, regardless of manufacturer recommendations. It always looks pretty nice and red at those intervals though.
Originally Posted By: The Critic
Dexron III no longer exists.
I just bought some Supertech DexIII last month.
Originally Posted By: The Critic
Dexron III no longer exists.
I just bought some Supertech DexIII last month.
Originally Posted By: postjeeprcr
Originally Posted By: The Critic
I would have used Dexron-VI ATF as it is the only approved fluid for GM transmissions. Dexron III no longer exists.
I think that most of the newer ATFs can outlast the transmission itself. The fluid may not look new after 150k, but it will still be doing its job. Fluid-related failures are very rare now.
Since when does Dexron III not exist?
Dexron-III is no longer licensed. The GM licensing program for Dexron-III has ended and Dexron-VI is now the only approved for GM Hydramatic transmissions. All of the DEX/MERC fluids that you see on the market are not licensed by the OEM and their contents are questionable, especially the cheap ones.
Originally Posted By: The Critic
I would have used Dexron-VI ATF as it is the only approved fluid for GM transmissions. Dexron III no longer exists.
I think that most of the newer ATFs can outlast the transmission itself. The fluid may not look new after 150k, but it will still be doing its job. Fluid-related failures are very rare now.
Since when does Dexron III not exist?
Dexron-III is no longer licensed. The GM licensing program for Dexron-III has ended and Dexron-VI is now the only approved for GM Hydramatic transmissions. All of the DEX/MERC fluids that you see on the market are not licensed by the OEM and their contents are questionable, especially the cheap ones.
Yeah, but the cheap ones make a great short interval flush fluid for really neglected units. So they do have a use (for me).
Originally Posted By: The Critic
I would have used Dexron-VI ATF as it is the only approved fluid for GM transmissions. Dexron III no longer exists.
I think that most of the newer ATFs can outlast the transmission itself. The fluid may not look new after 150k, but it will still be doing its job. Fluid-related failures are very rare now.
Ya, well that would be the case if you didn't do the maintenance.
You would be looking at a dead transmission with fluid in it.
I would have used Dexron-VI ATF as it is the only approved fluid for GM transmissions. Dexron III no longer exists.
I think that most of the newer ATFs can outlast the transmission itself. The fluid may not look new after 150k, but it will still be doing its job. Fluid-related failures are very rare now.
Ya, well that would be the case if you didn't do the maintenance.
You would be looking at a dead transmission with fluid in it.
My ION 5AT called for no transmission fluid replacement for 100,000 miles with a Toyota T-IV equivalent. I didn't trust the OE schedule, and had the stuff flushed at 20,000 miles. The stuff was so disgusting there was not a hint of red in the old fluid. Because of the design of the AT flush machine, I didn't get to smell the old stuff, but I would bet it stank.
However, my dad has a Pontiac G6 which left the factory with Dexron VI. I dropped the pan and replaced the filter at 50,000 miles. There was very little junk stuck to the pan, the ATF only had a hint of bad smell, and it changed color very little.
I'd recommend Dex VI for that Sunfire, because is is far superior to ordinary Dex III. However, if you replace the cheap stuff every 30,000 miles, you might be just fine.
For the Ford, buy M1 synthetic MerconV or Amsoil universal or Royal Purple, and flush it for great transmission performance, or just use cheap Mercon V and flush every 30,000 miles.
However, my dad has a Pontiac G6 which left the factory with Dexron VI. I dropped the pan and replaced the filter at 50,000 miles. There was very little junk stuck to the pan, the ATF only had a hint of bad smell, and it changed color very little.
I'd recommend Dex VI for that Sunfire, because is is far superior to ordinary Dex III. However, if you replace the cheap stuff every 30,000 miles, you might be just fine.
For the Ford, buy M1 synthetic MerconV or Amsoil universal or Royal Purple, and flush it for great transmission performance, or just use cheap Mercon V and flush every 30,000 miles.
I would change it anyways... That fluid is under stress with all the heat in the transmission.
Originally Posted By: StevieC
I would change it anyways... That fluid is under stress with all the heat in the transmission.
X2!
_________________________
Critic;
Here we go again with the "mfg approved" only don;t use anything else stuff from you.
Dex III WAS the mfg approved fluid for that vehicle. Therefore if the OP can find it still he can use it with no issues. What, suddenly by magic all Dex III transmissions produced must now use Dex VI or they will explode? OY! Dex VI is a better ATF, agreed, and does replace Dex III but come on dude. Enough. Dex III is fine for the application. IT CAME WITH DEX III!
Wow!
I would change it anyways... That fluid is under stress with all the heat in the transmission.
X2!
_________________________
Critic;
Here we go again with the "mfg approved" only don;t use anything else stuff from you.
Dex III WAS the mfg approved fluid for that vehicle. Therefore if the OP can find it still he can use it with no issues. What, suddenly by magic all Dex III transmissions produced must now use Dex VI or they will explode? OY! Dex VI is a better ATF, agreed, and does replace Dex III but come on dude. Enough. Dex III is fine for the application. IT CAME WITH DEX III!
Wow!
Last edited:
Dex V1 is a more robust ATF and is back compatible.
Originally Posted By: artificialist
My ION 5AT called for no transmission fluid replacement for 100,000 miles with a Toyota T-IV equivalent. I didn't trust the OE schedule, and had the stuff flushed at 20,000 miles. The stuff was so disgusting there was not a hint of red in the old fluid.
You might be talking about the WS "lifetime" fluid Toyota puts in some of their newer transmissions. It doesn't look at all like the red T-IV fluid. I hope you didn't put in the wrong fluid.
My ION 5AT called for no transmission fluid replacement for 100,000 miles with a Toyota T-IV equivalent. I didn't trust the OE schedule, and had the stuff flushed at 20,000 miles. The stuff was so disgusting there was not a hint of red in the old fluid.
You might be talking about the WS "lifetime" fluid Toyota puts in some of their newer transmissions. It doesn't look at all like the red T-IV fluid. I hope you didn't put in the wrong fluid.
Originally Posted By: chet2
my sunfire and focus manuals says atf does not need to be changed in normal driving...my wife is very ez on trans, but i changed it anyways at 76k....i think aamco is in business for a reason, i thought this would be cheap insurance...what do you guys think of pennz dex 3 atf?...would be anybody here keep car 10 years w/o changing atf?...thanks
I kept my Jeep Cherokee ten years without changing it, when I did it came out as dark as used motor oil, dint shift any better with the new stuff, but I sure felt good about it. A Used oil analysis would be worth it, If they say life long atf, or even 120k mile before required changing. I spent over $100 on transmission fluid for another vehicle, so spending $20 on a uao seems worth it, I could be wrong.
my sunfire and focus manuals says atf does not need to be changed in normal driving...my wife is very ez on trans, but i changed it anyways at 76k....i think aamco is in business for a reason, i thought this would be cheap insurance...what do you guys think of pennz dex 3 atf?...would be anybody here keep car 10 years w/o changing atf?...thanks
I kept my Jeep Cherokee ten years without changing it, when I did it came out as dark as used motor oil, dint shift any better with the new stuff, but I sure felt good about it. A Used oil analysis would be worth it, If they say life long atf, or even 120k mile before required changing. I spent over $100 on transmission fluid for another vehicle, so spending $20 on a uao seems worth it, I could be wrong.
Put a long life synthetic in it like Amsoil ATF. It's great stuff, flows well in the cold and stays clean very very very long...
I wouldn't go longer than 50,000. More like 30,000 if you want the transmission to last a long time and perform at its best.
All the manufacturers care about is getting past the warranty period and making the cars look as maintenance free as possible.
All the manufacturers care about is getting past the warranty period and making the cars look as maintenance free as possible.
I drive about 30,000 miles a year (50,000 KM) and I change it just before the winter every year... my Amsoil fluid always comes out clean and that's good because my transmission is fussy and has a filter that is buried inside the transmission and is considered a life-time filter...
I agree with ZZman.
I agree with ZZman.
Originally Posted By: StevieC
Put a long life synthetic in it like Amsoil ATF. It's great stuff, flows well in the cold and stays clean very very very long...
I have to agree with you 100%.
Heard nothing but great things about amsoil atf.
Put a long life synthetic in it like Amsoil ATF. It's great stuff, flows well in the cold and stays clean very very very long...
I have to agree with you 100%.
Heard nothing but great things about amsoil atf.
I'm using it now with exceptional results... IT IS THE ONLY ATF FLUID THAT HAS MADE MY TRANSMISSION ACT THE WAY IT SHOULD!
- Status
Similar threads
