Transmission pan drop.

**Zef_66** · 10-28-2011

Originally Posted by tms8582

The VI will work in older Tans's but not vise versa. The kicker is the cost of the VI it costs over double the amount of the III maybe close to three times the cost...

I buy valvoline full synthetic Dexron VI fluid at the local NAPA for $5.50 a quart. Not a bad price for full synthetic fluid. Other brands are cheaper yet. I think the best I can remember in recent years was around $3/quart of Dexron III tranny fluid that wasn't full synthetic. And that was probably 10 years ago. Look how much the price of engine oil has gone up in the same amount of time.

**FordMan77** · 10-28-2011

OP- Before I forget -once you drop the pan and remove the filter, be sure the rubber o-ring on the end of the filter where it goes into the trans. is removed as well. They often get stuck in the trans and you have to use a pick or something to get it out.

**TheOtherNick** · 10-27-2011

Yup just some dex III and a new filter and you will be good to go.

**matt5112** · 10-27-2011

GM recommends Dex VI.

**shart** · 10-27-2011

No sir... For 2001 pontiac grand prix GTP from the users manual...

Automatic
Transaxle
DEXRON

-III Automatic

Transmission Fluid.

**shart** · 10-27-2011

What service bulletin?

**TheOtherNick** · 10-27-2011

Oh yeah I forgot about their new service bulletin updating all prior cars to 6. Stick to 3 and be happy.

**TheOtherNick** · 10-27-2011

It came out in like 09 that said all gm transmissions should use 6 so now every repair program says they take 6.

**shart** · 10-27-2011

Ah gotcha.

**matt5112** · 10-28-2011

If the new filter fits snuggly, do not replace.

**brandonl2000** · 10-28-2011

I used Dex III on both of my pan drops. I was e-mailing Dave at TEP a time before and he mentioned that DexVI is more a thinner synthetic and if the trans hasn't been maintained the best it could have, then it could cause it more problems thus stick to DexIII and be safe.

**Zef_66** · 10-28-2011

Originally Posted by brandonl2000

I used Dex III on both of my pan drops. I was e-mailing Dave at TEP a time before and he mentioned that DexVI is more a thinner synthetic and if the trans hasn't been maintained the best it could have, then it could cause it more problems thus stick to DexIII and be safe.

If switching to Dexron VI is going to ruin your tranny, you have other issues. I can't speak for Dave or what exactly he said. It is true that Dexron VI is a thinner fluid and I believe most are synthetic. But from everything I have read and seen, it is a great fluid and should be used in most transmissions as a replacement.

**TheOtherNick** · 10-28-2011

Originally Posted by Zef_66

If switching to Dexron VI is going to ruin your tranny, you have other issues. I can't speak for Dave or what exactly he said. It is true that Dexron VI is a thinner fluid and I believe most are synthetic. But from everything I have read and seen, it is a great fluid and should be used in most transmissions as a replacement.

Our clutch meterial was not desined to be used with the thinner fluid, and when you add more power it will want to slip more, and with the thinner fluid it will just make it worse. Same as if you where using a truck to tow a trailer stick with III if thats what its made for.

**shart** · 10-28-2011

Personally, i dont think its going to make that much of a difference either way... But to be on the safe side and since my budget is a little tight, im going to just use the III.... Thats what has been in the car its whole life and it hasnt had any issues. They have gallons for 15 dollars or so here... thats a hell of a difference then paying 7 or 8 dollars a quart for VI

**Zef_66** · 10-31-2011

Originally Posted by TheOtherNick

Our clutch meterial was not desined to be used with the thinner fluid, and when you add more power it will want to slip more, and with the thinner fluid it will just make it worse. Same as if you where using a truck to tow a trailer stick with III if thats what its made for.

Have a link or anything to where you got the info. I never heard that before. And don't understand the reasoning behind "the clutches will slip if you use a thinner fluid". Clutches don't slip or grab when at full pressure because of the viscosity of the fluid they run in. They might slip or grab sooner/later in the .3 seconds they are designed to slip when shifting from gear to gear. But once the transmission commands the clutches to lockup, if they are slipping it is not from a thinner fluid being used.

**brandonl2000** · 10-28-2011

Maybe so..but given the condition of my tranny at the time, he recommended sticking with what I had to avoid any further complications.

IMO, better safe than sorry. If it works and ain't broke, don't fix it by upgrading fluids.

BUT I'm not going against what your saying, so yeah. Just throwing what I was told in there.

**Zef_66** · 10-28-2011

Originally Posted by brandonl2000

Maybe so..but given the condition of my tranny at the time, he recommended sticking with what I had to avoid any further complications.

IMO, better safe than sorry. If it works and ain't broke, don't fix it by upgrading fluids.

BUT I'm not going against what your saying, so yeah. Just throwing what I was told in there.

In my unprofessional opinion, if your transmission is so bad that you are afraid to upgrade to a better fluid, you shouldn't even by changing the filter. You should be trying to find someone to rebuild your tranny.

**shart** · 10-28-2011

Uh oh.... look what i started!

**shart** · 11-10-2011

Just as a follow up... I finally got a chance to take care of this the other day... I used the Dex III as i am a cheap ass and dont worry... i reused the stock gasket! Wasnt to bad, but of course a quart or so got all over the place and when i wiggled the old filter off i somehow managed to get a drop or 2 of fluid in my eye. Other then that it was hassle free. I needed roughly 7 quarts to fill back up.