Which auto transmission fluid?

[WMoroni]

I'm going to be installing a full built Georend 48re in my truck friday. Dave recomends Dexron III with a bottle of Lube Guard for the fill. He's the transmission man so I'm not going to argue but he said I could go with the ATF-4 or amsoil also just not add the Lube Guard if I did so. So, what I am wondering, is all DexronIII created equal or is there a better brand and just for curoisty what fluid do most of ya'll use?

 

[ChrisKringle]

LubeGuard provides the necessary friction modifiers to make Dexron III an ATF+4, or behave life one. Dave told me he has run tests on various transmission additives that claim to reduce heat. He didn't see any change running various additives. Measuring with an infrared gun, that is until he added LubeGuard, he told me there was like a 10 degree drop, or something like that, in fluid temp. Call him and ask. He asked his brother, who is an engineer, and his brother told him the additive has been developed to exchange heat with a greater efficiency.



I personally added a bottle, now getting ready to put in a 'tighter' converter and just spent the big bucks on Amsoil ATF.

 

[CPittman]

When my DTT transmission was built they said to either use Amsoil ATF or use store-bought ATF+4 with a bottle of Red LubeGuard. Since then my builder is telling me to use Amsoil WITH a bottle of Red LubeGuard - so that's what I'm running now.



My guess would be that anything that passes the requirements for Dexron III would be about the same, just like ATF+4.

 

[Whiskey]

When my DTT transmission was built they said to either use Amsoil ATF or use store-bought ATF+4 with a bottle of Red LubeGuard. Since then my builder is telling me to use Amsoil WITH a bottle of Red LubeGuard - so that's what I'm running now.

My guess would be that anything that passes the requirements for Dexron III would be about the same, just like ATF+4.

Not because I sell Amsoil, but J have had it in all of my vehicles since 1991 and had good luck all the way around!!!!

whiskey

 

[amsoilman]

If you are going to use Amsoil ATF, DO NOT put ANY other Additive in it! IT does NOT need it, nor would you see ANY benefit! Further more, if ther were ever a Problem, and Amsoil was in your transmission, Amsoil Inc. would NOT stand behind you! No other additive is needed!

 

[WMoroni]

Yeah the note Dave sent said no additive with ATF-4 or amsoil or any other synthetic. Over the phone they recomended the black or platnium lube guard with Dexron III. He sent a bottle of black with the transmission

 

[MAllen1]

I personally use Amsoil synthetic, but, if you are in an area where you can find it easy enough, Mobil 1 has a decent synthetic ATF.

 

[JCockerill]

+1 for amsoil syn atf! takes 2 gallons with the new filter and the mag hy-tech double deep pan.

 

[DPKetchum]

Amsoil products are easy to grt. AMSOIL - Synthetic Oil, Motor and Engine Oil, Lubricants, Air Filters, Oil Filters and Greases and a charge card. Big brown delivers.

 

[berman2000]

i second that

i have been very happy w/ amsoil atf syn. been using it for a while now... all good, so far!

 

[DPKetchum]

Have used it for years. A few vehicles up to 250000 and sold them with no transmission failures at time of sale etc.

 

[THoltz]

My DTT builder uses Pennzoil ATF 3 and says to change it every 10000-15000 miles depending on how frequently and how much you tow. Pennzoil Automatic Transmission Fluid is a petroleum-based fluid for automatic and powershift transmissions. It meets the requirements of transmissions requiring DEXRON® -III MERCON

 

[WMoroni]

Thanks for the info. I still haven't made my mind up yet but will have to pretty quick the transmission is going in Tuesday. A couple of people on Bob is the oil guy were pushing the Penzoil ATF 3 also. I'm really leaning toward going back with Valvoline ATF 4 so I don't have to worry about some body pouring the wrong fluid in sometime down the road. Shouldn't happen but you never know. Another thing is it's half price of the Amsoil.

 

[amsoilman]

It may be half the priice, but only half as good!

 

[DavidC]

It may be half the priice, but only half as good!

Not to be sarcastic. I would need proof of this statement such as recent data,recent independant tests between brands etc. With the cost of amsoil products I would need convincing.



Dave

 

[DPKetchum]

Not to be sarcastic but if its half the price its NOT as good. Not a FULL synthetic for one. That should be obvious.

 

[amsoilman]

Well first off, it is a "Full" PAO Based Synthetic, which will resist temperatures up to 100 Deg F. higher than conventional fluid. It is 2 times more oxidation resistant than conventional ATF. Flash Point is nearly 430 Deg F. and will remain fluid down to -63 Deg F. They Recommend it for 50,000 miles (SEVERE DUTY) and 100,000 miles in NORMAL service.



I haven't heard of another Manufacturer of ATF that will recommend that.

 

[WMoroni]

Not to be sarcastic but if its half the price its NOT as good. Not a FULL synthetic for one. That should be obvious.

The Valvoline ATF 4 I was refering to is a full synthetic at $5. 09 a qt at AutoZone. The Amsoil I looked up on the link you gave earlier was around $10. 60 a qt. That means two synthectics, one actually less than half price of the other, even more when you consider freight on the amsoil.

 

[WMoroni]

Well after this discussion (which seemed to become more about amsoil than my original question) I deceided to do what the transmission builder said and went with dexron III with one bottle of lube guard. He built it so why argue with what Dave said. But the main deceiding factor is I remembered having a few of cases of the stuff from buying the remaining oil inventory from a distrubutor that sold out last year. I had it might as well use it. The oil was in Napa bottles made by Ashland which I believe is the same as valvoline.

 

[JVolpe]

My fully built billet transmission has had nothing but DexronIII in it for over three years now and doing fine.