GM: No Dexron VI ATF in Transfer Case
 

Document ID# 1897292






This PI is superseded to add a note under concerns. Please discard PIP3836A.

The following diagnosis might be helpful if the vehicle exhibits the symptom(s) described in this PI.
Condition/Concern:

Use of manual transmission fluid part number 88861800 U.S. (88861801 Canada) in place of Dexron III.

Important Note: If the vehicle owners manual lists Dexron VI as the recommended transmission, transaxle or transfer case fluid disregard any information supplied in this PI. Use eSI and or the vehicle owners manual to determine what type of fluid should be used prior to referencing the below information

Recommendation/Instructions:

Manual Transmission fluid part number 88861800 U.S. (88861801 Canada) is currently available through GMSPO. Current and past model vehicles listed above with either a manual transmission or transfer case that REQUIRE Dexron III should use the above listed manual transmission fluid. This fluid is a direct replacement for Dexron III in manual transmissions and transfer cases. DO NOT use Dexron VI in place of the manual transmission fluid in any manual transmissions or transfer cases as a failure may result.

Please follow this diagnostic or repair process thoroughly and complete each step. If the condition exhibited is resolved without completing every step, the remaining steps do not need to be performed.

GM bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians, NOT a "do-it-yourselfer". They are written to inform these technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or to provide information that could assist in the proper service of a vehicle. Properly trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions, and know-how to do a job properly and safely. If a condition is described, DO NOT assume that the bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle will have that condition. See your GM dealer for information on whether your vehicle may benefit from the information.
WE SUPPORT VOLUNTARY TECHNICIAN CERTIFICATION

Re: GM: No Dexron VI ATF in Transfer Case
 

dat mean royal purple ain no good in ma 05 sut transfer case and pan??

Re: GM: No Dexron VI ATF in Transfer Case
 

Or Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF???

Re: GM: No Dexron VI ATF in Transfer Case
 

According to GM, no.

Here's the problem. GM owns the rights to the name and spec Dexron III. Up until 2006 GM licensed the name to manufacturers that met or exceeded the spec. In 2005 GM came out with Dexron VI ATF, which is an improved, more stable formula to work with the new GM 6 speed automatic transmissions. GM then decreed that Dexron VI was a replacement for Dexron III. In fact, in 2006 GM withdrew the license and spec for Dexron III. In other words, an oil company can no longer say that their ATF meets GM's Dexron III spec, as no one is licensed to do so!

If you look on the back of Mobil's ATF it says something like "Mobil 1 ATF is recommeded by Mobil for all 2005 and earlier GM automatic transmissions that require Dexron III".

Now that GM has discovered that Dexron VI is bad for manual transmissions and transfer cases that require Dexron III, they had to do something, as technically Dexron III no longer exists! Hence the "manual transmission and transfer case fluid" with a GM part number.

Keep in mind that the only currently manufactured fluid that is approved by GM for manual transmissions and transfer cases that require Dexron III ATF is the GM fluid in the above TSB. Why? Because no one else can legally make certified, licensed Dexron III spec ATF fluid.

I bought 4 quarts of the GM fluid in the above TSB at my local GM dealer for $4/qt. What's your warranty worth?

Re: GM: No Dexron VI ATF in Transfer Case
 

Dex3 was always specified for the Transfer Case even in my 2006 H2 which calls for Dex6 in the tranny. Dex3 is too thin (viscosity) for the TC which gets really hot.

Mobil1 and Royal Purple and AMSoil doesn't make Dex6 ATF. AMS claims their multi-purpose ATF will work fine and meets the spec but read their specs closely and you will see it doesnt meet Dex6!!!! I dont trust them lying marketing pyramidding bastards at AMS.

The Mobil1 & RP ATF will be fine for your TC. However, the new spec for all GM trannys is Dex6, so if you want full synthetic, you need to look at Redline as they are the only one that meets the Dex6 spec.

Redline also makes a High Temp ATF (Dex3) for your transfer case. In case you hadn't found out the hard way, the TC gets really hot and burns up most ATFs much quicker than the manual says to change it!!!!

Also note that Redline uses first class stock and is the only company in the world that does! Sure, AMS wins the ball bearing test using new oils but it's because of all their additives. Do your research and you will find that the additives wear off quickly. Redline's higher class stock recieves less additives and requires less than any other oil - period! In the long run (high mileage) the Redline fluid wins.

BTW, I hate oil threads just thought some people need to hear the simple truth. On that same note, I am off this oil topic

Re: GM: No Dexron VI ATF in Transfer Case
 

Mobil 1 and RP ATF might be "fine" in your TC, but you will NOT be using an approved fluid and could be a cause for warranty denial. No aftermarket fluid is GM approved and certified as Dexron III.

The only current GM approved fluid for manual transmissions and transfer cases that require Dexron III ATF is GM Manual Transmission fluid part number 88861800 U.S. (88861801 Canada). Period.

Re: GM: No Dexron VI ATF in Transfer Case
 

What's a warranty??? :beerchug:

Re: GM: No Dexron VI ATF in Transfer Case
 

so, I've got mobile 1 syn. in my TC, are you saying go back to Dex III? Seem's silly.

Re: GM: No Dexron VI ATF in Transfer Case
 

That's for you to decide. Since 2006 there has been no "official" Dexron III ATF produced.

This is the kind of crap that can happen when ATF is used in other applications. When the fluid is reformulated for better performance in automatic transmissions, a problem develops in manual transmissions and transfer cases!

Re: GM: No Dexron VI ATF in Transfer Case
 

OK, so u sayin i should drain amsoil out the t-case and the royal purple out the pan?? i noticed with the royal purple that my tranny ran a little cooler as soon as i went with it, when i put in the purp i brought it all to the dealer and they did it for me and never said a word, thats funny!

Re: GM: No Dexron VI ATF in Transfer Case
 

SO now I am really confused. Went to my local Hummer dealer today to purchase the manual gear oil listed in the tsb for my 06 H2 and was told by both the parts and service areas that they are using DEX6 in the transfer case as the DEX3 is no longer made. When I told them that GM was advising to use the manual gear oil the parts manager went in the back and came back a few min later and told me he called GM and they said that they confirmed I should use the DEX6 in the transfer case.

Not sure what I should do now!

Re: GM: No Dexron VI ATF in Transfer Case
 

+1 for redline .

Re: GM: No Dexron VI ATF in Transfer Case
 

Dont take any chances! Put Redline High Temp ATF in the TC, as it meets DexIII specifications. Please note that it used to have the DexIII spec on it, but they had to remove it per GMs request: http://www.racerpartswholesale.com/p...ansmission_Oil


Put Redline D6 (which is spec'd for DexVI) in the tranny
http://www.racerpartswholesale.com/p...ansmission_Oil

Last time I checked, Redline had the only Full Synthetic ATF that fully met the GM DexVI specification! There may be others out now, but I am not sure. Don't listen to the BX AMSoil marketing that says there's meets this spec - it is close but does not fully meet it!

Re: GM: No Dexron VI ATF in Transfer Case
 

SO, NOW I AM REALLY FRUSTRATED... After hearing my dealer tell me that I should use DEX6, I decided today to call GM to get their opinion. I was informed that I shoulod use DEX6 in the transfer case and they referred me to look at bulletin 04-07-30-037D. I asked if they could fax or e-mail me the doc and was told they could not but to trust that DEX6 would be fine for the transfer case. I advised that I was aware of a TSB that stated specifically that DEX6 should not be used on the transfer case. HE placed me on hold and spoke with his manager and came back and assured me DEX6 was the correct application. I pulled the above bulletin up on line and I was surprised to read that this does not apply to manual transmissions or transfer cases. I called GM back and again they placed me on hold and came back and said that I should use DEX6 based on the bulletin. I read the section to him that specifically states that DEX6 should not be used in the transfer case. His response was not to worry and to use DEX6 and it will nto cause any problems. WOW:twak: :twak: :twak: I AM NOT TAKING THEiR ADVICE!!!!

Re: GM: No Dexron VI ATF in Transfer Case
 

I am confused. In one section of the bulletin, it says that if the manual specifies the use of Dexron VI in the transfer case, then disregard the bulletin.


Then it later says do not use Dexron VI in the transfer case.


Huh?

Re: GM: No Dexron VI ATF in Transfer Case
 

This is very confusing. What fluid should go where?

Re: GM: No Dexron VI ATF in Transfer Case
 

Well it seems so confusing that I'm glad I went with my gut and put Royal Purple syn. in everything.

I saw 2 years ago I think it was test on Horsepower TV and they provide to me without a doubt Purple was the way to go. I forgot all the test they put it through but, besides durability they discovered on dyno that Purple gained on average 8HP using it.

So from that and my past experience I use Purple as does Dragon in his big 3/4 ton Chevy will call the Tow Pig for reason. He runs deseil turbo at 800 ft. lbs. of torque and 400HP. It is a monster and is taken good care of but, used hard and never a failure. We buy it by the cases.

That is of course just couple experiences I know of personal but, many of Dragons customers use because of our experience with no problems.

TAZ

Re: GM: No Dexron VI ATF in Transfer Case
 

Stumbled across this thread and figured I'd throw in my 2 cents since it was left unconcluded.
Read the First one first. If your manual says to use DEXRON VI then go by what your manual says and IGNORE everything else listed in the bulletin.

Based on what it says. Your 2nd quote should be IGNORED because your Manual says to use Dexron VI.
If your manual says to use Dexron III. do NOT use Dexron VI.

As Klaus already pointed out. GM Released Dexron VI as a replacement to Dexron III and then realized it would damage parts if used in a Manual Transmission or Transfer Case that calls for Dexron III. The purpose of the bulletin is to make sure you DO NOT run Dexron VI in any manual transmission or Xfer case that requires Dexron III.


As for using Royal Purple. Royal Purples own website has the following note in the Recommended Usage Chart for MAX ATF.


So if you use Royal Purple MAX ATF in an auto trans or transfer case that calls for Dexron VI you may end up damaging it and voiding your warranty.

Again
The main concern is that you do NOT use Dexron VI in any Manual trans or Xfer case that calls for Dexron III or vise-versa. Just check the manual.
If the manual says Dexron III, use Manual Transmission fluid part number 88861800 U.S. (88861801 Canada)

Re: GM: No Dexron VI ATF in Transfer Case
 

btt

Re: GM: No Dexron VI ATF in Transfer Case
 

Thanks for clearing some things out. I was asking this on my uncle & with some friends a while ago.