Trans fluid for 04 impala

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scott37300

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What would you recomend for fluid for an 04 impala 3.8 trans? Going to drop the pan and change the filter and then fill with new fluid. Looking for something economical since I need 8 qts of it but not the cheapest junk. The owners manual says to use Dexron III.

Thanks
 
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Dex III is being phased out and going to Dex 6 much better fluid but more $$.

i'd do a compleat fluid tranfer(line flush) with the dex 6
 
Dexron VI is the current spec. that replaces Dex III. That is what I've been using in my '01 Grand Prix and '96 Roadmaster wagon with good success. I've been buying it at Meijer lately and getting the Valvoline Dex VI for about $5.50 per quart. I guess Walmart sells a cheaper variety (Super Tech) that meets the same spec. and in theorty should be just as good since the spec. is very tight. If it has a Dex VI license it should be similar to the others with a license. I don't believe Meijer is in WI however. I'd use the cheapest Dex VI I could find if you want to use good but not overly expensive fluid. Cheaper fluids labeled as Dex/Merc would probably work as well. If it is a name brand it most likely would be OK but may not even meet the latest Dex III spec. since it is no longer controlled or licensed. If you trust the brand and it is labeled Dex/Merc or labels it as being fine for Dex III use it if you want. Personally I like to use Dex VI and have been happy with it.
 
Originally Posted By: daman
i'd do a compleat fluid tranfer(line flush) with the dex 6

Don't want to hijack, but can you do that at home or have to take it to a garage?
 
Originally Posted By: river_rat
Originally Posted By: daman
i'd do a compleat fluid tranfer(line flush) with the dex 6

Don't want to hijack, but can you do that at home or have to take it to a garage?

Right at home in the driveway with a helper it's easy,i though there was a wright up around here someplace..
 
Please don't flush it!
Just drain and fill. Have heard a few horror stories on flushing these transmissions. These things are made of glass.

As for fluid use a D6 fluid. Toss in some Lubeguard red if you are feeling generous.
 
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Originally Posted By: Slippery_Pete
Please don't flush it!
Just drain and fill. Have heard a few horror stories on flushing these transmissions. These things are made of glass.

As for fluid use a D6 fluid. Toss in some Lubeguard red if you are feeling generous.

It's not a flush but a fluid transfer, your draining/pumping the old out and adding new in,done it many,many times with high mileage and low mileage trans,no worries what so ever, none, done it.
 
Valvoline Maxlife is $4-5/quart at dept and auto part stores.
Amalie full synthetic is $5/quart delivered when ordered by 12qt case.

If DexronVI is too expensive, ANY Mercon-V is a great upgrade.

Most universal, high mileage, and multi vehicle ATFs are also good choices too.

I wouldn't bother with any generic Dex/Merc ATF. They were and still are poor performers. If you decide to use cheap generic D/M fluids, then definitely toss in a bottle of Lubegard red.

There is nothing wrong with doing a complete flush.
 
The 4T65e in my '01 Lumina does not like Dex VI... made the full-throttle 1-2 shift do a nasty slip & grab thing. Did a complete flush with Transynd, and it works great.

Not saying that DexVI will necessarily cause you problems, but some people haven't liked the way it shifts.
 
I have read the many opinions on the flush vs. drain and fill. As of now I just plan on dropping the pan and fill. Does anyone have a link of the how to for the flush? Do you just disconnect one of the coolant lines and start the vehicle?
 
Originally Posted By: daman
Right at home in the driveway with a helper it's easy,i though there was a wright up around here someplace..

Cool! I hope I can find the link.
 
Originally Posted By: river_rat
Originally Posted By: daman
Right at home in the driveway with a helper it's easy,i though there was a wright up around here someplace..

Cool! I hope I can find the link.

I'll look also i think i posted one too...
 
If Dexron VI is direct replacement for Dexron III why is AC Delco still selling so much Dexron III?

When will AC Delco Dexron III no longer be available?

pivehcarelub10118.jpg
 
You can still get Dex III. The popular universal synthetic fluids are Dex III compatible as well. Tons of options for you. Dex VI is back spec'd to replace Dex III but that doesn't mean you have to run it. There are some instances where it does not work well replacing Dex III as the other member posted about earlier in this thread. There are even some instances where GM even says do not use Dex VI here to replace Dex III. I personally would be using a Dex III fluid. In the end however the decision is yours.
 
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Originally Posted By: Boss302fan
Maxlife is a Full Synthetic and would work great in your application.


I was looking at the valvoline maxlife, it is only 5.29 a qt at advance which seems like a decent price.

Anyone have opinions of maxlife or recomend something similar to compare?
 
Originally Posted By: scott37300
I was looking at the valvoline maxlife, it is only 5.29 a qt at advance which seems like a decent price.

Anyone have opinions of maxlife or recomend something similar to compare?

Based on the experience of others having mixed opinions regarding Dex VI in older vehicles originally speced for Dex III, I went with Maxlife in my 4T65-E Buick. Some have had success with Dex VI, but I can't recall anything negative for Maxlife.

BTW, AAP discount codes work for transmission fluid, that's what I did when I bought two gallons of Maxlife.
 
The 4T65E in my Buick runs awesome on Mobil 1 ATF.
I put some thin tubing down the dipstick and siphon out as much as possible before dropping the pan and changing the filter.
I feel confident running 60 to 70K on the Mobil 1.
 
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