Classy Comanche Posted September 4, 2022 Share Posted September 4, 2022 I went to advance auto and looked at transmission fluid. My truck does need some. What do you guys run? At the store they said it calls for Full Synthetic ATF. Which I purchased and as seen below. I'm not pouring it in until I know for sure this stuff it okay. I don't want it to burn the transmission up being to this. This is Dexron VI Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted September 4, 2022 Share Posted September 4, 2022 good question. I thought it was dextron 3. is 4 acceptable? like, is it just a new and improved version? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Classy Comanche Posted September 4, 2022 Author Share Posted September 4, 2022 Well. They said that it's....yeah improved? Would I have any worries of the transmission messing up with it being synthetic? I've never added transmission fluid to it. Ever Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
howeitsdone Posted September 4, 2022 Share Posted September 4, 2022 I believe Dextron 6 has higher heat properties iirc. It's acceptable. Dex 3/6 and ATF+4 are all acceptable (ATF+4 used to NOT be, but a TSB changed that), just don't mix the ATF+4 with Dextron. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Classy Comanche Posted September 4, 2022 Author Share Posted September 4, 2022 Oh I don't plan on mixing fluids and making a concoction. My dipstick is kinda dry. Shifts good and goes into gear smoothly. I just have no idea what was in it and have no record of it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parei_doll_ia Posted September 5, 2022 Share Posted September 5, 2022 Dex 3 was the spec for the older AW4s. I use Valvoline Dex/Merc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagle Posted September 5, 2022 Share Posted September 5, 2022 Be advised that "ATF" is not the same as Dexron/Mercon. The AW4 needs Dexron. The stuff shown in the opening post is full synthetic. It used to be advised NOT to run synthetic Dexron in the AW4 - I don't know if that has changed in recent years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiser54 Posted September 5, 2022 Share Posted September 5, 2022 Dexron 3. Might think about doing a drain and fill. You'll need a gallon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
87MJJeep Posted September 6, 2022 Share Posted September 6, 2022 On 9/5/2022 at 10:46 AM, cruiser54 said: Dexron 3. Might think about doing a drain and fill. You'll need a gallon. Hi Cruiser, You didn't mention a filter change. Is there a reason? What would you recommend for ~84K miles on what may or may not be the original trans fluid? I've owned it since 2007 when it had 71K miles. One of the previous owners is the 2nd generation of a repair shop. I don't know if he changed it before selling it to the guy I bought it from. The fluid color and smell is fine. I know with some older automatics, a fluid/filter change creates problems when the friction material is lost. Is that the case for these AW4s? Thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiser54 Posted September 6, 2022 Share Posted September 6, 2022 The transmission was designed with no "filter". That's a metal screen in there to keep debris out of the valve body in case of catastrophic failure. DO NOT remove the pan. Factory interval was a drain and fill every 30,000 miles under normal service. 15,000 miles for taxi, lots of towing, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
87MJJeep Posted September 6, 2022 Share Posted September 6, 2022 Thank you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiser54 Posted September 6, 2022 Share Posted September 6, 2022 You're welcome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Classy Comanche Posted September 6, 2022 Author Share Posted September 6, 2022 Okay good! So would the full synthetic be okay to add in? I'm not....per say going to drain it, I'm just adding to it. It shifts good and all. Just want to keep it that way. I have Dexron IV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiser54 Posted September 6, 2022 Share Posted September 6, 2022 stick with non-synthetic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Classy Comanche Posted September 6, 2022 Author Share Posted September 6, 2022 Alrighty. I'll go pick up some, even the ones on rockauto say synthetic which is odd Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted September 7, 2022 Share Posted September 7, 2022 2 hours ago, Classy Comanche said: Alrighty. I'll go pick up some, even the ones on rockauto say synthetic which is odd to mix together? or when starting from scratch? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Classy Comanche Posted September 7, 2022 Author Share Posted September 7, 2022 I ordered 6 bottles of transmission fluid from rockauto. For the I6 automatic transmission. I bought the red valvoline bottle. I do not plan to have my transmission fluid changed because I don't want any small metal shards to escape out through drainage and that be helping with the shifting and cause it to then start slipping. So I plan to just add to it as I go. God knows when the fluid was changed last. Smells putrid and isn't black. Definitely ain't red either. I just kinda plan to add to what I already got Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiser54 Posted September 7, 2022 Share Posted September 7, 2022 Just do a drain and fill with Dex/Merc III. The fluid in that trans is worn out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AZJeff Posted September 7, 2022 Share Posted September 7, 2022 5 hours ago, cruiser54 said: The transmission was designed with no "filter". That's a metal screen in there to keep debris out of the valve body in case of catastrophic failure. DO NOT remove the pan. Factory interval was a drain and fill every 30,000 miles under normal service. 15,000 miles for taxi, lots of towing, etc. I am a big fan of changing the filter whenever I get a "new" car and do a trans fluid change. (The term "new" here means a older vehicle that has had unknown maintenance.) So my approach is to change the fluid AND the filter the first time, and inspect the filter (and the bottom of the pan) for any abnormal signs. Assuming nothing is found, all subsequent trans fluid changes are just the fluid, and I leave the filter alone. I am also a big proponent of changing the fluid more often than officially recommended. On my all my vehicles, I change fluid every 24K miles, but I don't tow any thing with my vehicles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiser54 Posted September 7, 2022 Share Posted September 7, 2022 That's a good philosophy. Most transmissions have filters, and it's critical to change them. The AW4 has a metal screen. Nowhere in any factory literature will you find a recommended interval for changing it except at trans overhaul. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagle Posted September 7, 2022 Share Posted September 7, 2022 7 hours ago, Classy Comanche said: I ordered 6 bottles of transmission fluid from rockauto. For the I6 automatic transmission. I bought the red valvoline bottle. I do not plan to have my transmission fluid changed because I don't want any small metal shards to escape out through drainage and that be helping with the shifting and cause it to then start slipping. So I plan to just add to it as I go. God knows when the fluid was changed last. Smells putrid and isn't black. Definitely ain't red either. I just kinda plan to add to what I already got That's ATF, not Dexron/Mercon. And it's synthetic, and we've already told you NOT to use synthetic. Get the right stuff, drain the pan, and start fresh. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Classy Comanche Posted September 7, 2022 Author Share Posted September 7, 2022 Okay no synthetic. Won't do it. Did find this. It's Dex/Merc Valvoline transmission fluid in a 1 gallon jug at Walmart. It does say ATF. I'm looking for anything that says Dex/Merc III on it and it's either I find this stuff or like full synthetic Merc III [Which I absolutely am not using Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiser54 Posted September 7, 2022 Share Posted September 7, 2022 That's the photo I posted right outta the gate!! buy a gallon. Walmart, Napa carry it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AbreedApart89South Posted September 9, 2022 Share Posted September 9, 2022 I was always told and used your pick of brand just make sure it is ATF+4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Classy Comanche Posted September 10, 2022 Author Share Posted September 10, 2022 Yeah, I was told by you fellas ATF-4 or the Dex/Merc as seen above that me and Cruiser posted. I'll probably pick some up from Walmart come monday Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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