What's the best DEX VI out there?

[a8jamesa8]

I'm looking for a good hi HP trans oil that won't break down "as much" with higher heat, I've been looking at the specs on redline, amsoil and the GM dexVI but the numbers mean nothing to me. Is one of these a better performing oil over the other

http://www.amsoil.com/storefront/atl.aspx

http://www.redlineoil.com/product.aspx?product=30704

http://paceperformance.com/i-5131365-88861003-gm-goodwrench-dexron-vi-automatic-transmission-fluid-1-quart-container.html

[blkscooby]

I use the Amsoil in my Tahoe and will in the G8 when I change the fluid.

[a8jamesa8]

I use the Amsoil in my Tahoe and will in the G8 when I change the fluid.

Do you by any chance have a temp gauge on the Tahoe and if so does the Amsoil run any cooler and not peak as high of a temp as the GM dex VI did?

[AVIDMOTION]

I ran Amsoil in my Regal Gs supercharged.(also my sho, taurus se, mustang gt,) I had a trans temp meter in the gs, it ran a consistent 18 degrees cooler. It never got as hot as the stock in peak temps. It lasted about 20,000 longer then stock(usual change for me is 12,000, then 35,000, then 60,000 then 100,000-by this time it is better to keep the clutch particles in suspension, if I had any problems after the 60,000 change I would not change it again at all, amsoil would last forever and still be better then stock. I love all their products and they have been proven in real world Joe experience. A radiator mounted trans cooler did about the same with temps.

[Chewy]

I ran Amsoil in my Regal Gs supercharged.(also my sho, taurus se, mustang gt,) I had a trans temp meter in the gs, it ran a consistent 18 degrees cooler. It never got as hot as the stock in peak temps. It lasted about 20,000 longer then stock(usual change for me is 12,000, then 35,000, then 60,000 then 100,000-by this time it is better to keep the clutch particles in suspension, if I had any problems after the 60,000 change I would not change it again at all, amsoil would last forever and still be better then stock. I love all their products and they have been proven in real world Joe experience. A radiator mounted trans cooler did about the same with temps.

Did you run Dex 6 before though? Are you comparing Amsoil to Dex 6? Dex 6 is supposed to be pretty awesome stuff I thought.

[AVIDMOTION]

Never ran anything with Dex 6. Not sure Amsoil or anybody has Dex 6 equivalent....

[a8jamesa8]

Never ran anything with Dex 6. Not sure Amsoil or anybody has Dex 6 equivalent....

These state they are approved to use in dexVI Applications

http://www.amsoil.com/storefront/atl.aspx

http://www.redlineoil.com/product.aspx?product=30704

And factory fill on our G8s are GM dexVI

[blkscooby]

Do you by any chance have a temp gauge on the Tahoe and if so does the Amsoil run any cooler and not peak as high of a temp as the GM dex VI did?

No gauge, no and I never thought to check the temps with HPT before. I can with the G8 though as it will be a month or 2 before I get to change it.

[G8GTSBM]

This is what im using, and it's full synthetic http://www.valvoline.com/products/brands/valvoline/automatic-transmission-fluid/36

[norm8332]

This is what im using, and it's full synthetic http://www.valvoline.com/products/brands/valvoline/automatic-transmission-fluid/36

+1

[Virus]

I'm an Amsoil guy too, but keep in mind Amsoil is a universal ATF. It says it meets GM's DexVI requirements but it doesn't have GM's DexVI seal of approval. I ran it in my G8 for a while, but now have the Valvoline DexVI. To my knowledge this is the only synthetic DexVI fluid. All the others are sync blend.

[MarioSS]

I just did my Trans oil / Filter change and i used 76 Dexron VI (http://www.petroleumservicecompany.com/76-dexron-vi-atf.html)

[toedrag]

Oil & Lube threads are always funny to me...

I like making fact-based decisions, and OP, it seems like you were off to a good start. Here are some notes on various Dex VI fluids and their specs from the datasheet I've collected.


GM Dex VI p/n: 88861003

Sourced by PETRO-CANADA, RDL-3434


Petro-Canada RDL-3434

$6 per quart, http://paceperformance.com/i-5131365-88861003-gm-goodwrench-dexron-vi-automatic-transmission-fluid-1-quart-container.html
http://lubricants.petro-canada.ca/en/products/618.aspx
Datasheet is Page 69 of http://lubricants.petro-canada.ca/pdf/2011_Handbook_final_EN.pdf
29.8 CST AT 40 DEGREES C
6.0 CST AT 100 DEGREES C
VI 151
Flash Point 403


Amsoil

$11 qt, http://ww2.amsoil.com/shop/by-product/transmission-fluid/automatic/synthetic-fuel-efficient-automatic-transmission-fluid/
29.8 CST AT 40 DEGREES C
6.0 CST AT 100 DEGREES C
VI 153
Flash Point 439
0.40 mm Four-Ball Wear @ 75°C, 1200 rpm, 40 kg, 1 hr (ASTM D-4172)


Mobile 1 Dexron-VI ATF

http://www.mobil.com/USA-English/Lubes/PDS/GLXXENPVLMOMobil_Dexron-VI_ATF.aspx
29.5 CST AT 40 DEGREES C
5.83 CST AT 100 DEGREES C
VI 145
Flash Point 428


Redline

$11.50 quart, http://www.redlineoil.com/product.aspx?pid=115&pcid=9
30.7 CST AT 40 DEGREES C
6.4 CST AT 100 DEGREES C
VI 166
Flash Point 480


Valvoline (non Max-life)

http://valvoline.com/pdf/dexron_vi.pdf
Special Order from Autozone?
29.5 CST AT 40 DEGREES C
6.0 CST AT 100 DEGREES C
VI 155
Flash Point 406


Valvoline (Max-Life) ATF

http://valvoline.com/pdf/maxlife_atf.pdf
$7 per qt autozone, http://www.autozone.com/autozone/accessories/Valvoline-1-qt-MaxLife-DEXRON-III-Mercon-automatic-transmission-fluid/_/N-25aa?itemIdentifier=318569_0_0_
28.18 CST AT 40 DEGREES C
6.11 CST AT 100 DEGREES C
VI 173
Flash Point 395




OP, given your stated goal of finding an oil "that won't break down "as much" with higher heat", I interpret that to mean that you want a thicker oil at high temp vs the stock oil. If that's correct, then the clear winner is Redline b/c it has the highest viscosity at both 40C and 100C. Although, if you mean you want the least change in viscosity over temp (Viscosity Index) then Valvoline is the clear winner w/Redline a close second.

Note that for the Four-Ball Wear Test (in theory, an indication of longevity of the parts the oil is lubricating), for whatever reason, only Amsoil lists their results, and I couldn't find it for the others.

[Virus]

That's good info Toedrag, however it's flawed in one respect. The Amsoil and Redline are NOT DexVI approved by GM. Don't take this statement to mean they don't meet the requirements, just stating that they don't have GM's approval. The high flash points is of no concern because if you ever reach that point your trans is gone anyway :)

[johnbell2]

Going to have to go with the original +1 on Valvoline... looks like Max-Life is the way to go for me (thanks Texas heat). I'm coming up on 50k miles and was going to do the "extreme duty" cycle change on the transmission, now I know what to get. Great thread!

[toedrag]

That's good info Toedrag, however it's flawed in one respect. The Amsoil and Redline are NOT DexVI approved by GM. Don't take this statement to mean they don't meet the requirements, just stating that they don't have GM's approval. The high flash points is of no concern because if you ever reach that point your trans is gone anyway :)

That's a fair statement. The above list was not cross-referenced against a current GM-approved list.

EDIT: Agreed the Flash points aren't really that useful. That was more out of curiosity