The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop FYI: Newer GM

Just received this via email and thought I'd pass it along. Also posted in Greasy Spoon.

Bruce

The following may be of help to our members. I know we don't all drive old cars every day so this may be of help. My son went to change the oil on his new GM front wheel drive car and for some reason tock out the auto trans. drain plug. He refilled the car with dexron III / mercon. After about 3,000 miles in checking the level I noted that the ATF was starting get a slight brown cast to it. I later found out that all GM front wheel drive auto trans 2004 and up call for GM fluid T-IV. I went to GM and found out the their fluid is about $15.00 per qt.. I next called Ashland Oil Co. (Valvoline) and asked what fluid would meet the GM spec. I was told to use VALVOLINE MAXLIFE Dextron III as it is a syn. oil and will stand the heat. It has been 10K since I replaced the fluid with max life and we have had no issues or discoloring of the fluid. I'm not sure but I'm hearing that the new GM truck trans 06 and up need the new T-IV fluid. Also maxlife fluid is under $4.00 a qt. The toll free # for help at Valvoline is 1-800-832-6825, and they were very helpful .

Hope this will save someone the problem I ran into.

Jeff

Or go to a Toyota dealership ship and buy their T-IV which has the same specs and runs about $3.75/QT and no worries about voiding a warranty. The fluid GM sells is most likely Mobil's 3309 which is pricey to say the least.