Transmission Fluid Survey...

what type of transmission oil dos the riv need?
I guessed that it's atf...but...don't know the viscosity. defently may depend of the temperature of the place where the car is driven. or i may be wrong.
so i want to know what's the original transmission oil what is used on riv? and what's the best. i live in place where the temperature is from MAX 30C(86F) on summer and MAX -28C(-18,4F) on winter.

1995 Spec DEXRON-III or DEXRON-IIE or equivalent.

Dexron is a brand name.

GM says Dexron-VI is the replacement for Dexron-III.

I do not think your temperature range is a problem for either fluid, given that transmission operating temperatures will reach ~100C routinely.

You say they do not know which fluid will work? What fluids do they sell?

Albertj

Dexron III is what you want, outside temperature isn't really a factor. DexIII has been superseded by Dexron VI which you can use if you want to spend the extra cash. Just to avoid confusion: if you go for the III the bottle will probably say "Mercon/Dexron III" (in case you didn't know).

Amsoil ftw

Hey guys,

When I figure out how to get my hands down along the radiator tank I'm going to add an external tranny fluid cooler to my Riv. Afterward, I'll want to change the fluid & filter...

I (and I'm sure others) would like to know what experience anyone has had with:

-Synthetic fluids like Schaffer or Amsoil

-Dexron VI (6)

-Good ol' Type F

I've seen one good reference to Dex 6, a couple of ecstatic references for Amsoil, and in my own Turbo 325, 350 and 400's I've always had good luck with Type F...

Many thanks in advance for your input,
Mark

I like to change my transmission fluid/filter annually, so I don't bother with synthetics. Too expensive. I started out using Mobil1 fully synthetic ATF and liked it, but there is really no gain when you change it frequently.

I also got a drain plug at NAPA for $5 or so, drilled a hole in the pan and put the drain plug in to make my fluid changes much less messy. Highly recommended!

deekster_caddy wrote:

I like to change my transmission fluid/filter annually, so I don't bother with synthetics. Too expensive. I started out using Mobil1 fully synthetic ATF and liked it, but there is really no gain when you change it frequently.

I also got a drain plug at NAPA for $5 or so, drilled a hole in the pan and put the drain plug in to make my fluid changes much less messy. Highly recommended!

I totally agree about the drain plug, been doing it for years. Especially good for rapid changes to really change ALL of the fluid if you can't find a shop with a "1 in, 1 out" flushing machine... One of the advantages of synthetics, though, is longer drain periods, which negates the cost (theoretically). Did you notice any improvements in upshifting/downshifting/engagement from Park with the Mobil 1?

Eldo wrote:

Did you notice any improvements in upshifting/downshifting/engagement from Park with the Mobil 1?

No, I couldn't observe any performance difference at all.

might want to take a look at your front and rear trans mounts if the car hits hard into R or into P.
a DIY poly front mount fixed my shifting problem.
but it is good maint to drop the pan once in awhile and then top it off.

For my money I'd use Dexron VI. Had the dealer "1 in 1 out" powerflush and fill my tranny with it, nice stuff. I bet Mobil1's pretty good too.

Albertj

Dex VI for me once per year (~25k miles)

Mr.Riviera wrote:

might want to take a look at your front and rear trans mounts if the car hits hard into R or into P.
a DIY poly front mount fixed my shifting problem.

Thanks, but I have the opposite problem: I can mix a Manhatten by the time the tranny engages Drive, maybe a margarita by the time it goes into Reverse

I was really surprised that this 4T65 is so much sloppier than the 4T60 in our LeSabre... And is actually slower to engage than the Turbo 325 in my old Eldorado. Evidently there is a poorly chosen aluminum sleeve/spool on a pair of pressure valves in the valve body. I completely flushed it with new Dexron when I bought the car in 2005, but I'm seriously thinking about putting Type F in it...

Reverse also engages rather slowly for me as well, about the same as my old Seville STS

So no one has used Type F in one of these trannies, huh?

I haven't, what positives would type F exhibit?

Rickw wrote:

I haven't, what positives would type F exhibit?

I've always used it in my Turbo 350's and 400's because it has better friction qualities than Dexron... firmer, less slippery shifts.

Interesting, I didn't know that. Learn something new every day....Hopefully!

So i finally got around to changing the tranny fluid..long over due. I filled it with dexron VI and also changed out the vacuum module. Man this thing shift great, what a difference. Now i see i have some bad motor mounts, i always thought it was the tranny, go figure right.

I gave up telling people how much a difference Dex VI makes. If you're changing the fluid it's worth at least considering doing the fill with VI.

Albertj

Hi people. I cant find stright Mercon tranny fluid at my local. I brought it up and the counter guy sez whats on the shelves is all they will have from now on .Which fluid do you guys use now?

You could get it online Robo

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_SPM2039739201P?sid=IDx20101019x00001a&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=SPM2039739201

http://www.diesel-filters.com/xt-6-qsp-motorcraft-mercon-sp-automatic-transmission-fluid-quart.html

wow.Is that what you use? are their any more modern alternatives?

Dexron VI for me. Pricey, but I personally believe it's the best.

robotennis61 wrote:

wow.Is that what you use? are their any more modern alternatives?

No, I use this: http://www.valvoline.com/products/brands/maxlife/automatic-transmission-fluid/37

But you asked for Mercon. I always thought Dexron and Mercon were the same thing.