Dexron 3 transmission fluid: FRAM DEX III/MERC ATF is formulated for early model Ford and General Motors vehicles that require MERCON, DEXRON-I, DEXRON-II and DEXRON-III. It is also recommended for transmissions, power steering systems and hydraulic systems that require a DEXRONIII or Caterpillar TO-2 fluid. FRAM DEX III/MERC ATF can also be used in compressors, pumps and hydraulic systems.
FRAM DEX III-H/M ATF is recommended for use in all transmissions, hydraulic systems, and power steering units manufactured by American, European, Korean, Japanese, and other manufacturers worldwide that specify DEXRONIII H/Mercon and type DEXRON/Mercon former transmission fluids
Product Features:
Good foam and corrosion prevention
Safe for seals
Promotes smooth shifts
ALWAYS REFER TO YOUR VEHICLE’S OWNER’S MANUAL TO SELECT THE CORRECT GRADE FLUID FOR YOUR TRANSMISSION TRANSMISSION
FLUIDS ALSO APPLY IN POWER STEERING UNITS;OWNER’S MANUAL
About Dexron
Dexron is the trade name for a group of automatic transmission fluid (ATF) technical specifications created by General Motors (GM). The name is a registered trademark (later became a trademark) of GM, which licenses the name and specifications to companies that make the fluid and sell it under their own brand names. Not all Dexron fluids are licensed for resale under another brand name.
All licensed Dexron fluids must have a license number beginning with the letters B through J. If a license number or “Dexron Approved” logo is not found on the container, the fluid may not be Dexron-approved. GM and cannot be guaranteed to meet GM requirements. specs. Like many auto manufacturers, GM uses transmissions from other vendors or transmission manufacturers from around the world. These transmissions are not made by GM. Many of these automatic transmissions use unique fluids that may not appear on this page.
Originally the name ‘Dexron’ was associated exclusively with automatic transmission fluids, GM later released Dexron gear oils and other lubricants under the Dexron brand name.
1990 – DEXRON-II(E)
In the 1990s, electronic transmission controls phased out the old mechanically controlled/hydraulic system, GM was the first to market Cadillac Allante’s THM F-7 electronically controlled transmission system in 1987, followed by Chrysler and Toyota in 1988 and Ford in 1989.
Electronic control of shift pattern (when to shift), shift timing (how long it takes to shift), shift quality (shift feel), line and TCC application and release rates were affected by the low temperature performance of the ATF flowing through the solenoids.
In 1990, Dexron-II(E) (GM Spec GM6137M) was released. Dexron-II(E) consisted of Group 2 base oil plus an additive package. According to GM Technical Service Bulletin: 92-7-2 issued on October 2, 1991, DEXRON-II(E) has better antifoam characteristics, better low temperature flow characteristics (low temperature viscosity), and Stability. to oxidation by temperature. The low temperature performance of this fluid was also improved (20,000 cP at -40°C vs. 50,000 cP at -40°C).
GM Dexron-II(E) licensed products have a license number on the container beginning with the letter E. Example: E20001. This fluid is backwards compatible with all previous Dexron fluids, as well as Type “A” Suffix “A” and Type “A” fluids produced between 1949 and 1966.
This fluid was first used in the following transmissions:
1991 GM Hydra – Matic 4L80-E (GM’s first mass-produced, electronically controlled transmission)
Dexron-II(E) fluid specification was revised in August 1992. This fluid was first used in the following transmissions:
1993 GM Hydra -Matic 4L60-E 4-Speed Electronically Controlled Transmission.
1993 GM Hydra-Matic 4T60-E 4-Speed Electronically Controlled Transaxle.
1993 – DEXRON-III(F)
In 1993, GM released the new Dexron-III(F) fluid (GM Spec GM6417M and later GMN10055).[18] Dexron-III(F) consisted of Group 2+ base oil plus an additive package. According to GM TSB 57-02-01 issued October 2, 1992. Improvements to Dexron-III(F) include better friction stability, more high temperature oxidation stability, and better material compatibility. Dexron-III(F) has the same low temperature fluidity as Dexron-II(E), for better transmission performance in cold weather. This specification did not address a number of issues related to long-term durability, such as shear stability and fluid oxidation.
Dexron-III(F) underwent a series of iterations in an attempt to address various shortcomings, but was eventually superseded by new thinking, i.e. DEXRON-VI(J). GM Dexron-III(F) licensed products have a license number on the can beginning with the letter F. Example: F-30001. This fluid is backwards compatible with all previous Dexron fluids, as well as Type “A” Suffix “A” and Type “A” fluids produced between 1949 and 1966.
In 1994-1995, some of the first OBD-II vehicles in phase of incorporation experienced a P0300 DTC (random misfire). Engineers determined that road forces being transferred through the TCC were affecting the normal rotational fluctuations of the crankshaft and tricked the ECM into thinking there was a cylinder misfire.
The solution was to create a new type of TCC that would normally slide around 35rpm. GM called it a Variable Capacity Converter Clutch (VCCC), other manufacturers had their own names. Some VCCC systems had shudder or vibration during normal operation. Engineers tried various changes to the computer’s calibration, but a revised fluid was also needed to fix the problem.
Ford released the new Mercon V fluid specification in 1996, GM released the Dexron-III (G) (GM6417M) fluid specification in 1998, and Chrysler released the MS-9602 Change C fluid specification in 1999.
This fluid was first used Once in the following transmissions:
1997 GM Hydra-Matic 4T65-E 4-speed transaxle with Variable Capacity Converter Clutch (VCCC).
1998: DEXRON III(G)
Released in December 1998, GM Specification Dexron-III(G) (GM6417M) was a synthetic blend automatic transmission fluid, specially developed to address the VCCC shudder problem. It is also suitable for power steering systems, some hydraulic systems and for rotary air compressors where excellent low temperature fluidity is required.
GM Dexron-III(G) licensed products have a license number on the can beginning with the letter G. Example: G-30001. This fluid is backwards compatible with all previous Dexron fluids, as well as Type “A” Suffix “A” and Type “A” fluids produced between 1949 and 1966.
2003 – DEXRON III(H)
License Free ACDelco ATF Type III(H )
Introduced in 2003, GM’s Dexron III(H) specification (GMN10055) superseded III(G). (H) is an additive package for an updated friction modifier and oxidatively stable base oil (group 2). Oils according to this specification have longer maintenance of frictional properties and anti-vibration properties, better foam control and longer service life. Universal for all automatic transmissions with and without controlled torque converter lockup clutch, the so-called GKÜB for gear clutch lockup.
GM Dexron-III(H) licensed products prior to 2011 had a license number on the can beginning with the letter H. Example: H-30001.
NOTICE: This fluid specification and licensing program was deactivated in March 2011. The Type III(H) ATF fluid shown in the photo is ACDelco’s non-licensed fluid used to accommodate older transmissions that still required the Dexron-III(H) fluid. . This fluid is backwards compatible with all previous Dexron fluids, as well as Type “A” Suffix “A” and Type “A” fluids produced between 1949 and 1966.
Note 2: The fluid in ELF is FluidMatic D3
To conclude,
spend any A lot of time in an auto shop dealing with transmissions and you’re sure to hear a lot of words and letters that are more akin to spilled alphabet soup than something understandable in normal conversation. Mercon, Dexron, Diamond, Matic K, J, S, DW-1 and more – aren’t all transmission fluids the same or similar enough to be safely used in all cars?
I wish it were that simple.
In short, the answer is no, and this is why you want to use an OE-approved fluid specific to your car. GM uses Dexron fluids. Ford and Mazda designed their transmissions for Mercon. Other import brands like Honda (DW-1) and Toyota (ATF Type-T) also have their own specific fluid.
We’ve come a long way from using whale oil in our transmissions like we did in the 1960s. As cars get faster, more efficient, and generate more heat, it’s very likely that transmissions will continue to require fluids. higher performance with very specific applications. Aftermarket ATFs are already leading this change.
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