Originally Posted By: Quadrasteer
Just got got back from WalMart and picked up 3 quarts of Super Tech Dexron VI (all the stores by me are out of it). After reading posts about how their product is the real, licensed, Dex VI I decided to go with that, they have the best price too. Then I saw that Valvoline advertises their Dex VI as Fully Synthetic, even M1 ATF is not rated VI?? So is there a difference or is it like brake fluid where it's all synthetic? I thought VI was a blend...
The reason Mobil 1 is not Dexron VI has to do with viscosity, not base stock.
Dexron VI is a thinner ATF than the more common ATFs to increase gas mileage on GM vehicles. The Dexron VI spec calls for a maximum of 6.4 cSt at 100°C, while Dexron III called for 7.5 cSt. GM then spec'd a lower allowed viscosity loss during use to 5.5 cSt, which is the same as the previous III spec. The easiest way to reduce viscosity loss from shearing in use is to use a high quality base stock, but I don't believe that GM specifies a synthetic.